Reformed Reflections

OACS Church Relations Committee   Booklet IV                                                                Admissions Resource

APPENDIX A

CHARACTERISTICS OF SECTS AND CULTS

1.    All cults and sects sound like Christianity. This makes them dangerous. They talk about Christ.

2.      All sects and cults offer great blessings. This is part of the secret of their success. Don't forget that sects and cults are counterfeits of Christianity.

3.    The devotees are always sincere. They are enthusiastic and active workers.

How Do You Differentiate Between Sects and Cults and Christianity?

1.    Question of origin. You will generally find that they began in the last century, usually in the US. However, many of today's cults find their origin in India.

2.    They have usually started as a result of so-called revelations. Many of the revelations have been given by women. The founder is always very important.

3.    Cults always recognize and are governed by an authority in addition to the Bible. See Mary Baker Eddy on Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures or Ellen G. White, of the Seventh Day Adventists, who claimed to have a revelation.

Cults: "Ah yes, the Bible gives us the truth, but if you really want to understand the Bible, you must interpret it in the light of this revelation which has come to us" (p. 125, D. M. Lloyd-Jones. The Christian Warfare.).

4.    Doctrine of sin: the absence of belief in sin; you must believe in yourself.

5.    Doctrine of salvation: the cross is bypassed; there is no justification by faith.

6.    Prayer: they don't know about waiting upon God. There is self-suggestion, thinking beautiful thoughts.

The Demonic in Sects and Cults

We must always test the spirits to see if they are of God. Whatever is not of God is of the kingdom of darkness.

We must be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the "wile of the devil."

OACS Church Relations Committee Admissions Resource Booklet IV
APPENDIX B

A COMPARISON OF BASIC TENETS
OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND CULT ORGANIZATIONS
Developed from Personal Observations of Behaviours  By Adrian B. Greek.

From the files of Rev. J. Tangelder, inherited from the defunct London Cult Awareness Centre.

JUDEO-CHRISTIAN CHURCH

 

CULT ORGANIZATIONS

Each member has a personal relationship to God.

Each member has a relationship to God only through the "Centre Person" extending up in the organization to the ultimate leader

The dignity of the individual-humanness, uniqueness, strengths, and weaknesses are accepted.

 

The individual is subservient to the organization­each must conform to a "perfect standard," denying personal humanness.

 

Everyone is accepted with unconditional love.

 

Love, acceptance, and approval are available only in exchange for support of the group's behaviour and doctrine-conditional love.

 

Members may receive forgiveness for their frailties and' failures.

 

Members must "pay indemnity" for any supposed failure. Forgiveness is not available without sacrifice.

 

Members are helped and encouraged to develop positive self-worth.

 

Members are always found wanting and encouraged to deny self-worth-develop self-hate.

 

God provides strength, direction, and purpose for each individual.

 

The individual must sacrifice for God-God is weak and needs our help.

 

Worthiness of the members is measured in such values as love, honesty, family closeness, etc.

 

The importance of the member is measured in such values as power, money, acceptance of the group over self and family-the end justifies the means­dishonesty, etc.

 

Encouragement of social groups-equality of individuals-leadership chosen by the peer group.

 

Social relationships-relating as equals discouraged or broken up-each must follow the "Centre Person."

 

Exhibits social responsibility-Love thy neighbour­programs are developed to help the less fortunate.

 

The organization comes first-others are to be used­programs are important for image or public relations value.

Members participate in the church for the sake of the World.

 

Members participate in the world for the sake of the "Church."

 

Complete information and orientation is given before entering programs.

 

Participation and indoctrination precede information about its practices and belief.

 

Church doctrines and policies are developed by the membership-organization is basically democratic.

 

Doctrines and policies are passed down from the "Centre Person"-disagreement is unacceptable­ - basically autocratic.

 

Members are free to modify or change their personal beliefs-even leave

No freedom to change-desire to leave is believed to be "Satanic."

 

Members are encouraged to use their special individual talents.

Creativity is discouraged-superior individual talents are not utilized.

 

The inner self and personal health is of prime importance.

Appearances are most important-inner self and personal health are unimportant.