Often, it has been suggested that only weak individuals succumb to the pressure to join cults. While vulnerable times in the lives of people, such as divorce, death, or a recent move make some more susceptible to the false security provided by cults, many are well educated and would be considered the more zealous of their religious faith. These individuals interpret life in black and white, with little wiggle room, and seek ideals; they are tired of the smugness often depictive of traditional services. These members take on the subliminal and yet inspirational message to succeed!
The term cult is not necessarily a bad word; however, a group or movement’s destructive behavior polarizes the inauspicious connotations. Initially one may ruminate of occult practices when cult is mentioned, but in fact, there is a definitive distinction between the two. Cult phraseology may be applied to political parties, social organizations, businesses, groups, and yes, of course religion. The most acceptable connotation is that associated with religious practices. However, for the Christian, a cult is more than just the symbols and behaviors of religion in counterfeit worship and devotion, but is an antagonist of the faith. It attempts to reconstruct the tenets of the life in Christ.
Originating with the Pharisees pertinacious resolve to reject the message of the Gospels, to the liberal amount of examples in the epistles lending to the struggle between faith and works, the age old struggle continues in postmodern times. In such contexts, cults are synonymous with legalism: the incongruity of works and faith.
The allurement of cultic environments is in the emphasis on excelling. Quantitative results in witnessing, church attendance, brochure distribution, and services are definitive measurements of success. Faith in contrast, requires more discipline to rewards extending far beyond the present age.
The Trap
Why do individuals become members of cults? Defined by religious services: preaching, teaching, and social events, cults resemble assemblies of the Faith in many mannerisms. Obviously, such communities do not place large advertisements of their manipulative behavior in their foyers, but rather disguise them with characteristics similar to traditional Protestant churches, but with aberrations in interpretations. Cautious observers perceive key elements in both the preaching and in the behavior of those actively involved in services, indicating something awry.
Extra nice and helpful . . .
Lets face it; the world is not as nice a place as it used to be. We isolate ourselves from the cruelties exposed to by news broadcasts, newsprints, and community announcements. So, when entering a congregation where everyone is happy to see you minus the hustle and bustle of the twenty-first century, you can get a warm and fuzzy feeling. You will want to return and you will want to spend more time in such an environment in hopes that your life would capture the peace and niceties surrounding you. As if the members of the congregation are not friendly enough, they are unobliging. Need help moving, looking for employment, babysitter references or a mechanic? If the resources are not available, they will intentionally identify references. When you are absent from service, they will call you to ensure you are fine. Oh yeah! They may show up uninvited to your home if you miss too many services (about two); but this is ok because you know their intentions are good. Despite the small inaudible voice of your conscience, you are impressed by what you see. Little by little, you are unsatisfied with yourself. Wow! Church is working - you are loosing that complacency. There is only one problem – there is a distinguishable difference between what is seen and what really is.
Redefining the family unit
Isolation has commenced. You are spending more time with the church (six to seven days a week) ; relationships with family, loved ones, and other social communicative outlets are discouraged because of their negative impact. This is not an overtly propositioned rule of initiation, but rather an organizational structure secluding the cult member from family and friends. Remember, you want the peace surrounding you, but how will you get it? You ask yourself, how did they get it? You listen to the pastor’s sermon and the testimonies of the faithful members and understand that only through obedience can such serenity be achieved. Hey wait! You should have seen it all along. Are not these the words of Jesus Christ himself? At an inconvenient time, again you hear that small voice of your conscience, I am tired and overworked; I need rest to think. You ignore this. Consequently, while you are welcomed into the church and its functions, things at work and home are falling apart. You do not have time for family anymore. Your children are complaining, your spouse decides to stop attending the church because your personality is altering, and you find yourself defending more and more of the atypical behavior and doctrines of the church.
This gradual process of entrance and amalgamation to a cult may take months to years depending on the individual’s disposition; nevertheless, it is a thorough process. With life whirl winding out of control, you decide it is time to meet with the pastor to present the concerns of your family, friends, and to provide some balance for yourself.
five major signs of bondage
So you meet with the pastor. You listen to his explanations of the phenomenon happening in your life since your church membership. In your mind, you are thinking, but that isn’t true . . .I am not sure about that . . . that does not sound right . . . You listen, but notice when you disagree, even remotely, and no matter how humbly, your comments are regarded as lack of faith. Scripture is used out of context. Members are advised to leave intolerant family members, including spouse and children rather than oppose the church. You notice the first signs of a façade. It is at this juncture the situation becomes critical. Individuals will choose either to ignore the voice of their conscience and plunge entirely into the cultic culture (feeling utter hopelessness) or become cognizant of something wrong and engage in resiliency and recovery. You must regain your life!
Superior Truths
But, before you leave, you want to make sure that you are not making a mistake. Have you interpreted the signals and symbols correctly? How can you be sure after having investing so much of yourself? As it relates to acceptable church beliefs, the term orthodoxy is used. This does not suggest that all orthodoxy is correct or that all beliefs conflicting these norms are incorrect. However, orthodoxy facilitates in the uniformity of dogma across denominational lines. Cults own the same vocabulary but offer differing interpretations and meanings. This is the perception of something being amiss, identified by some on their first visit.
Superior truths relates to the extra-biblical doctrines and revelations many cults hold to as being revealed directly from God. The leader, usually because of his or her special ranking with God, receives these truths and communicates them only to sect members. Salvation is not defined through Jesus Christ alone, but in the employment of other beliefs identified by the leader. The leader receives the revelation and may have these beliefs published in other mandated readings alongside, and considered equal to the Bible. These truths include, but are not limited to the deity of Jesus Christ, incorporeal or metaphysical manifestations, and esoteric doctrines.
Us Versus Them Mentality
The unorthodox teachings in some instances make sense. After all, no one church has all the answers. But the problem occurs in the demeanor and deliverance of maxims, and the response to criticism. Because of these truths, the leader is the subject matter expert and should be sought for counseling and guidance rather than engaging in conversations with other laypersons. God will identify the necessary actions to the leader who will then advise the member of laity.
Moreover, rather than examine doctrinal beliefs for consistencies or irregularities, cultic churches flagellate opposing organizations with pronouncements of curses. Jesus Christ has spoken exclusively to them and they have more truth than other congregations. Some communities will go, as far as to claim they are the only believers. This is one of the hallmarks of cults: intolerance and superciliousness. God is going to repay oppositionists for their criticism because they speak against the elect of God. Not only is God going to repay their enemies, but also an enigmatic deliverance is offered as hope in some congregations. In the most severe instances, suicide ideation, revealed as a futurist date of martyrdom and God’s deliverance from persecution is presented.
Legalism over Love
Christianity emphasizes God’s love as the causation of obedience and a life of holiness and worship. Not so in cults. Rules reign! Sacrifice, years of commitment, forfeiting of life goals, and family do not store up favor when a member is identified as disobedience to the most diminutive rule of the leader. Ordinances are not meant to be broken; therefore consequences may include segregation, open rebuke and criticism. Regulations are not implemented for the sake of the individual’s spiritual growth or well-being but as a means of exercising control. Love is an emotion that is rewarded for good behavior that replicates the directives of the leader, or is redrawn as a means of punishment.
Trepidation
Environments such as those described cause anxiety due to the leader’s influence over the congregation. The dichotomy of pleasing both God and human figures places stress of congregants, especially since the guidelines are almost impossible to keep indefinitely. Making matters worse is the fear experienced by those contemplating leaving or preparing to leave a cult: it is acute. The individual may be mentioned during the sermon, and ignored by peers. Because of the psychological aspect of cults, members endure a lot of abuse prior to exiting. It is not uncommon for heart palpitations such as in panic attacks to occur in anticipation of what is expected to take place during a service. Nightmares and fears of possible public confrontation are also common.
Excommunication and Prosecution
Eventually the situation will come to a head. Cult-like churches do excommunicate individuals, and not necessarily for sin. Failure to comply is an excellent way to get shown the door. But before you leave, the ostracization escalates to persecution. You are now the target of sermons and your membership is downgraded because your witnessing numbers are down. It is not your fault. You are confused. You do not want to bring anyone into a church where you are uncertain of its doctrine. You become the talk of the church. All the popular saints avoid you like the plague for fear of association with rebelliousness. God answers your prayers and provide you with strength. This time, no amount of talking is going to prevent you from leaving. Why? God has prepared you. You finally say good bye. . . although not literally; you just make the decision to not return.
The cost of leaving
Leaving an abusive church is both exhilarating and depressing. While only superficial, the group provides an umbrella of protection that is now gone. There are feelings of defilement, hurt, anger (aimed at God, others and self), and confusion. What now? Do you leave the Body of Christ and find another religion, become agnostic, atheist, or do you return to your former principles of the Christian faith prior to the cult experience? At this juncture, the cost of departing is very high. For some, family members have already moved on, while some must leave the only family and friends they know in order to be free.
Starting Over Free
It is time for healing. Individuals exiting abusive churches are extremely wounded. Relationship distortions have occurred between God, family, friends, and the church. The prodigal child’s return, while joyous, will require strength to face what has occurred in the guise of Christian religion. Individuals who minister to such individuals must have a great deal of love, patience, understanding, and wisdom from God. Counseling is oftentimes needed, but sometimes providing a atmosphere of healing through worship, praise, Bible study and fellowship allows the Holy Spirit to heal these individuals in the process of time.
Forgiveness is essential. When leaving a cult, remember to forgive. God has set you free; so set those who hurt you free as well. Difficult as it is, release the pain and hurt. Do not forget to pray for those who have hurt you. Pray for their eyes to open to the truth as God has performed for you. An attitude of gratitude is the posture of forgiveness towards others and yourself. Failure to let go of past pains and those who have wounded you only servers as a means of hindrance to freedom in Christ. You must release your hurt into Christ’s hands.
Be Patient with Others. Entering a new church congregation is difficult because of the liberty offered in the Body of Christ. It will take time to get use to behavior that appears less holy than what one has been exposed to until recently. Legalism has allowed you to place so much emphasis on outward behavior that you may experience difficulty in letting go of a judgmental attitude for some time. As you take steps in opening your heart, God will mend it and show you how to love others despite their faults. While some live more strict lives than others, all of Christ’s disciples live according to his commandments and are not held by rules conjured by man His creation.
Lastly, allow yourself to feel God’s love. God loves you. Anytime spent in an abuse church is too long; however, when individuals spend extensive periods in such environments, it is not uncommon to question God’s love. However, if you stay the course, you will successfully complete the process of healing. God has delivered you and we know that Christ will finish his work. You will not be left behind or forsaken because is with you on the journey to liberation.
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