10 Warning Signs of Cult Recruitment

[Artios1]

The question is whose promises are you being led by: God's or the cult's? God will never lead you down the wrong path. A cult will lead you into some light mixed with darkness.

I agree

I didn’t mean my previous statement to come off as a comparison … there is no comparison.
I wasn't hitting on Gods promises to any degree.... but when people are involved the presentation of butterfly's and rainbows that is used to attract others..... is displayed by both sides.

 

[ThyKingdomComeSoon]

By these criteria, Jesus himself was a very effective cult leader.

it is really terribly wrong what you just wrote, really sad.

 

[ThyKingdomComeSoon]

That's a very funny joke. 😄

You are joking aren't you?

The Illuminati, a comprehensive course.

they do exist and are recruiting minions to serve their purpose;
https://www.illuminatiofficial.org/join-the-illuminati/join/

 

[Fundaamental]

If it seems that way to you then you just prove you lack it.

The motivation of an occult is.

Is to firstly astound.

Then once they have your attention.

The next thing to do is terrorise.


Sound familiar ?

 

[JohnDB]

The motivation of an occult is.

Is to firstly astound.

Then once they have your attention.

The next thing to do is terrorise.


Sound familiar ?

I tend to disagree...

Usually cults look to offer conditional acceptance, feelings of belonging, being desired even. (So long as you conform)

And for a LOT of people this is more than enough to attract people. Even though we live in the "information age" people are more isolated than ever before. Take one look at fertility rates in any specific area's demographics and it's not hard to see that being a reality.

Which, among a host of other reasons I keep harping on the fact that we are not supposed to be a Christian in isolation. You cannot practice your faith in an isolation cave that you have made.

We are to be together to pray. The very first word in the model prayer is the word "Our" as in one person speaking collectively for a group.

 

[HeIsHere]

Do what ya gotta do to be right. 🙂

I am not interested in being right, I am defending the faith against those who seek to undermine it by stating that Jesus/Christianity has similarities to a cult leader.

Cults may have some portion of the truth, but it is well known that cults are based upon power, brain washing and the absolute control of the cult leader who creates an illusion of fulfillment.

A cult leader is often a narcissist, who is riddled with insecurities, a manipulator, seeking power and money and looking for affirmation from others, Jesus was none of these.

 

[HeIsHere]

It fits the exact definition of a cult. Just like many other groups do.

But (and its a biggie)

It's not a destructive cult with the sole purpose of using/destroying the membership so a top guru (or leaders) can live a life of avarice or use us to exert power. (Which is what most people associate with the term)

In this cult we call Christianity we are called to not leech off our communities but instead for acts of altruism to better them. And we are given prohibitions against self harm. IOW we are permitted to be wealthy, successful and live regular healthy lives with spouses and children in normal communities for the betterment of the communities we live within.

IOW the exact opposite of shaving our heads, drinking kool-aid, singing koom-by-yah in a remote jungle location.

We worship Jesus and him alone. Any and every pastor, leader, preacher, or teacher can and will be replaced if they deviate from the scriptures....and it is advisable to do so as disastrous consequences have been seen and observed when that happens. (And even in recent times)

I would suggest you study what defines a cult.

Perhaps you are actually speaking about "churchianity" then maybe your postition has some merit, but I suggest you define your terms and use your words carefuly because what I read is slander against the believers based on vague generalities.

 

[RaceRunner]

2 Timothy 4:3
For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:

 

[HeIsHere]

it is really terribly wrong what you just wrote, really sad.

Absolutely agree, probably one of the most ignorant statements about Christ Jesus I have ever read on CC.

 

[RaceRunner]

Philipians 3:18
For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping), that they are enemies of the cross of Christ;

 

[VARob]

I am not interested in being right, I am defending the faith against those who seek to undermine it by stating that Jesus/Christianity has similarities to a cult leader.

Cults may have some portion of the truth, but it is well known that cults are based upon power, brain washing and the absolute control of the cult leader who creates an illusion of fulfillment.

A cult leader is often a narcissist, who is riddled with insecurities, a manipulator, seeking power and money and looking for affirmation from others, Jesus was none of these.

I get your point, but a "Cult" is often in the eye of the beholder, people who do not believe like "I" believe, or like the majority believes. Jesus Christ was thought to be a cult leader, Christianity was thought to be a "sect."

 

[RaceRunner]

I get your point, but a "Cult" is often in the eye of the beholder, people who do not believe like "I" believe, or like the majority believes. Jesus Christ was thought to be a cult leader, Christianity was thought to be a "sect."

Denominational Cults/Sects pretend to speak for Christianity.

 

[VARob]

Absolutely agree, probably one of the most ignorant statements about Christ Jesus I have ever read on CC.

 

[HeIsHere]

I get your point, but a "Cult" is often in the eye of the beholder, people who do not believe like "I" believe, or like the majority believes. Jesus Christ was thought to be a cult leader, Christianity was thought to be a "sect."

Okay I get your point, that was not clear in your first post.
Sects and cults are two different entities.

Jesus can never be associated with anything "cultish" because He is completely worthy of our allegiance, cult leaders are not.

If a word has a negative connotation it should never be associated with Jesus, that is my personal view and I am sticking with it!!

 

[Fundaamental]

Absolutely agree, probably one of the most ignorant statements about Christ Jesus I have ever read on CC.

well I did say it won't be to long before the lure starts to take effect.

I wouldnt be surprised if someone is excited now.

 

[MichaelZ]

I think the average Born-Again believer experiences some aspects of nearly ALL 10 of these things. Yet, in all my life and 36+ years as a believer, I have never met one other Christian believer that was entrapped in a cult.

 

[VARob]

Okay I get your point, that was not clear in your first post.
Sects and cults are two different entities.

It depends on who's using the word and how they use it.

Acts 28:22) But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

Jesus can never be associated with anything "cultish" because He is completely worthy of our allegiance, cult leaders are not.

Jesus Christ is completely worthy of our allegiance. That did not stop people from thinking he was a false teacher.

If a word has a negative connotation it should never be associated with Jesus, that is my personal view and I am sticking with it!!

ok..

 

[MichaelZ]

I think the closest thing to a cult I ever witnessed were those in the Bill Gothard Advanced Training Institute. But even those members were free to leave (and my friends did). For the children of the members, it was like a cult, but parental control is not a cult.

 

[ResidentAlien]

So, we've heard a couple of stories from people who say they were recruited to join cults. Can anyone relate experiences they've personally had with any of the ten items in the list?

The one I've experience most frequently is probably love-bombing. Everyone loves you more than you've ever been loved; that is, until you start thinking for yourself and won't go along with the program. It turns ugly quick. Suddenly you're enemy number one. I was part of a couple of different groups that were similar to the Church of Wells.

I've read stories from people who have left places like Bethel, Elevation Church, or Hillsong. They relate how their good friends suddenly become cold and won't have anything to do with them. If you're not with them you're against them I guess.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I think the average Born-Again believer experiences some aspects of nearly ALL 10 of these things. Yet, in all my life and 36+ years as a believer, I have never met one other Christian believer that was entrapped in a cult.

Depends on what you mean by "entrapped." Some cults do use actual physical restraint to some degree; but most don't. They use manipulation and mind games to keep people trapped psychologically.