Characteristics of a Cult
| cult [ kult ] (plural cults) |
| noun |
| Definitions: |
| 1. religion: a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false, and directed by a charismatic, authoritarian leader |
| 2. religious group: a group of people who share religious or spiritual beliefs, especially beliefs regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false |
3. idolization of somebody or
something: an extreme or
excessive admiration for a person, philosophy of life, or activity
( often used before a noun ) the
cult of youth, a cult hero |
| 4. object of idolization: a person, philosophy, or activity regarded with extreme or excessive admiration |
| 5. fad: something
popular or fashionable among a devoted group of enthusiasts ( often
used before a noun )has
taken on cult status |
| 6. cultural anthropology system of supernatural beliefs: a body of organized practices and beliefs supposed to involve interaction with and control over supernatural powers |
| 7. sociology elite
group: a self-identified group of
people who share a narrowly defined interest or perspective
Encarta® World English Dictionary |
They have a faulty interpretation of the Bible, usually broken down as follows:
Leaders maintain control by emphasizing that there is no where else to go
to receive special knowledge. Add extra-scriptural writings, claims of special understanding or writings
given only to one individual.
Yet the Bible says "2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
Their definitions of sin are different from
or add to what the
Bible says.
According to the Bible "Prov 28:9 He that turns his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer will be an abomination."
and "Ro 7:7 .... I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had
not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shall not covet." The ten
commandments define what sin is.
They question the authority of the Bible.
"Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."
Their god differs from the God of the Bible.
God tells us, "Isaiah 55:8, My thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways."
Doctrinal changes - " progressive revelation " as they feel
fits their needs.
"1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world."
Believe they are the only group which God deals with -
" remnant ".
Yet the Word says "Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter said, I believe that God is no respecter of
persons but in every nation he that fears him, and does that which is
righteousness, is accepted by him."
Date setting - false prophecies.
"Mark 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which
are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
Concept of Jesus is contrary to that of Bible.
"Mt 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come
to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." "He 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
They believe that the head of the organization
or organization comes between God and man.
"1 Tim 2:5 There is one God, and one mediator between God and
mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
Different view of the immortality of soul from that of Bible
"Job 14:10-12 Man dies and wastes away, yes, man gives up the ghost, and where is he? As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood turns and dries up, so man lies down and
does not get up until the heavens are no more, they will not awake, or be raised out of their sleep."
Even during Christ's life there were cults, and Christ had no good to say about them. The main one addressed by Christ were the "Pharisees".
The Pharisees (which means separated ones) created a multitude of burdensome rules to to live by that were not found in scripture, called the oral law, and anyone not keeping them were considered "sinners". Their fanatical preoccupation was with keeping the oral law, and interpretation of the written law to the smallest detail. Christ denounced them because of these corrupted religious views, see Matt 15:7, 8; 23:5, 13, 14, 15, 23; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:42-44.
The question here is, do you believe that the majority of those above are true in your situation?
