Cults: Part 2

Identifying Cults  

• Some things to look for when identifying a cult:
  • A charismatic and authoritative leader who can naturally gain power, influence, and control from followers. 
  • A culture of coercive persuasion that changes the thoughts and minds of others without them realizing it.
  • The exploitation of followers financially, politically, socially, or sexually. 
  • Followers are expected to be fully involved in the group, even at the expense of all other familial and friend relationships.
• People who are vulnerable or isolated during significant transitionary periods in life often end up joining a cult in search of significance. 

• The leaders excessively welcome and commit the individual when they first join the group to prevent time spent wondering if the beliefs are true. 

Cult Founders

• Jehovah’s Witnesses
  • In 1872, this group was founded out of a group led by Charles Taze Russell called the International Bible Students Association.
  • Charles published the Watch Tower, which spread his Bible beliefs formed from his separation from Presbyterian and congregational churches around age 20. 
  • He built his beliefs on an eschatological view that Christ’s Second Coming would occur in 1914. When this didn’t happen, it caused significant damage to the growth of Jehovah’s Witnesses and internal debate.
  • Directly after this, the Watch Tower published a work with no biblical backing, insisting that Jesus Christ came invisibly in 1914 when Jesus began His rule in Heaven. 
• The Church of Latter-Day Saints 
  • In 1820, when New York was experiencing religious revival, 14-year-old Joseph Smith believed God the Father and Jesus Christ visited him in a vision while he was in a time of prayer. After this, Smith thought he was chosen to restore the true church of Jesus Christ on Earth. 
  • Following this, in another prayer time, Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni, who revealed that there were golden plates with the fullness of Jesus Christ’s Gospel. As Mormons believe, Smith obtained the plates and translated them to create the Book of Mormon. 
  • A shocking statistic found that ⅓ of adults who grew up in the faith leave Mormonism (data from 2014). 

Gospel Approach 

• Context
  • Understand that all cultic belief systems express an intolerance for any position but their own.
  • Prepare yourself for conversation with cult members by researching some text
    • Look for topics where the cult member may believe differently. 
    • Understand what we believe about the Bible and why it is the Truth. 
• Testimony
  • It can be intimidating to sit and talk with a cult member. However, when you can speak, it is vital to use that time wisely. 
  • Share your testimony to emphasize Jesus' work in you for topics they don’t believe in. 
  • Ask thought-provoking questions that allow others to continue to think about. some text
    • What do you believe happens after we die? Where did all things come from? How do you know?
    • What offers hope and purpose for you in this life?