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Excerpt from Cold Hard Facts On Cults – updated.
Countless people are caught up in cults and cult-like groups. To avoid being one of them you must become familiar with the nature of a cult and their schemes. Granted, there are no easy answers to the question, “What exactly is a cult?” But there are some cold hard facts that most people are unaware of.
One thing you can count on is that some of your relatives, friends, neighbors and even the friendly face who checks your groceries at the local market may be caught up in a cult or a cult-like group.
Cult typically refers to “A system of intense religious veneration of a particular person, idea, or object, especially one considered spurious or irrational by traditional religious bodies; as, the Moonie cult.” Add to that: “A strong devotion or interest in a particular person, idea or thing without religious associations, or the people holding such an interest; as, the cult of James Dean; the cult of personality in totalitarian societies.”
Probably the most well-known pseudo-Christian cults are Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) and Christian Science, but there are a whole host of other pseudo-Christian cults. Some members of these cults may find my assertion humorous. Others may even become angry. Sorry about that, however, Christians are not called to be nice; we are called to speak the truth in love and to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
Here’s the truth. JWs, Mormons and Christian Scientists claim to be Christians, yet they deny fundamental Christian doctrine and manipulate the Scriptures to fit in with their own beliefs. From the Church’s perspective, which is what really matters, these groups have deviated from the historic, orthodox teachings that are derived from the Holy Scriptures and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds. Thus, people in these cults aren’t true Christians. This should come as no surprise. After all, they’ve had to defend their spurious beliefs for decades.
Christians are not the only ones caught up in cults. Pagans, agnostics and atheists may very well be involved in a destructive cult or cult-like group and not even realize it. For example, devotees of any of the following groups, movements, theories, celebrities, can be exposed to mind control techniques and even open themselves up to the world of the occult! Here’s a short list to ponder: (Warning! Not for the easily offended.)
- NEW! Emergent (Emerging) Church (younger generation of “Christians” who felt “disillusioned and disenfranchised by the conventional ecclesial institutions of the late 20th century” began “rethinking Christianity against the backdrop of postmodernism.” EC’s have a low view of the Bible and a high view of social justice (socialism), liberation theology (liberation of oppressed), activism, pagan spirituality, and practice a mystical form of Christianity called spiritual formation (a set of spiritual disciplines). EC morphed into social justice Christianity.
- New Age movement (occultism 101…magic, psychic phenomena, astral travel, divination, tarot cards, astrology, reincarnation…and a whole lot more)
- New Apostolic Reformation/Dominionism. NAR teaches Kingdom Now theology, which humanizes God and deifies man, believes in the restoration of apostles and prophets, and has as its goal to take dominion over the seven mountains of influence, i.e. the 7 Mountain Mandate. Also called Latter Rain, Joel’s Army, Third Way and Manifested Sons of God. Beware of Elijah’s List & Kansas City Prophets (IHOP), plus the Charismatic Renewal. Bethel Church in Redding CA is a full-blown NAR church.
- Spiritual Warfare/Deliverance/Demonslayer (deliverance from demonic strongholds, casting out demons, binding territorial spirits, strategic level prayer)
- Spirituality (current term for New Age, occult beliefs)
- Eastern mysticism (pantheistic, the opposite of Sola Scriptura…Spiritual Formation (spiritual disciplines), Centering Prayer (contemplative spirituality, breath prayers, The Silence, labyrinth, Lectio Divina, mindfulness)
- Secret or hidden wisdom, secret oaths (Gnosticism, Freemasonry – occultism)
- Oprah Winfrey (New Age guru who claims to be a Christian but denies that Jesus Christ is the only way to God, also promotes/practices occultism)
- Wicca/witchcraft (occult-sorcery-neopaganism)
- Secret organizations (Freemasonry, Ku Klux Klan, New World Order, Builderberg)
- Radical political/social groups/activists (LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter, feminists, environmentalists, animal rights, abortion)
- Global warming, climate change, climate crisis (mind manipulation)
- Self-improvement (personal transformation)
- Holistic Health movement (occultism)
- Esoteric groups (UFO’s, Mind Science, Mind Therapy, Transhumanism)
- Multi-level Marketing (mind manipulation)
- Alcoholics Anonymous (12-steps – occultism)
- Advertisements (mind manipulation)
- K-12 education, academia (mind manipulation)
- Darwinian evolution (dare to question “settled science” and see what happens)
- Marxism
- Nephilim (Genesis flood, pseudo-humans, space alien)
For the record, some of the above-mentioned groups may not be bona fide cults. But they’re not averse to using mind manipulation techniques as a means to an end – and this is what the cults do! Granted, some cults or cult-like groups may not be psychologically harmful. However, for the true Christian it can be spiritually damaging to become involved in any sort of occult practice. And it’s spiritually harmful to follow the teachings of charismatic cult-like leaders whose teaching is decidedly unorthodox. The Bible calls these men and women false prophets. (Jer 5:31).
Some people will believe almost anything, regardless of its absurdity. When confronted with the facts they refuse to listen. Why? Because knowing the truth could deflate their fantasy world so they choose to remain in denial. This is why religious/spiritual gurus, social activists, the media, advertisers, celebrities, doctors, dispensers of pills/vitamins, multi-level marketing groups and powerful political leaders have such an easy time sucking people in – then sucking the life blood out of them! Take est for example. Chances are you haven’t heard of est, as it was big in the late 60s. Space doesn’t allow for going into the details; what’s important to know is that the trainers used mind manipulation techniques on willing participants during feel good weekend seminars. “We’re going to tear you down and put you back together.” Critics of the training called it a cult. Eventually the organization changed its name to Landmark Education and now promotes The Landmark Forum…but only the name has changed. (Source)
NEED TO KNOW
Walter R. Martin, Christian apologist and founder of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, as well as the Christian Research Institute, was known as the godfather of the countercult movement. Dr. Martin gave us fair warning about the cults and the world of the occult. One of the cults Dr. Martin warned about was The Unity School of Christianity, now Unity. In The Riddle of Semantics he sounded the alarm:
If the reader consults the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, published by the Unity School of Christianity [Unity], he will see the masterpiece of redefinition for himself. For in this particular volume, Unity has redefined exhaustively many of the cardinal terms of biblical theology, much as Mary Baker Eddy did in her Glossary of Terms in the book Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures. The reader will be positively amazed to find what has happened to biblical history, the person of Adam, the concept of human sin, spiritual depravity, and eternal judgment. One thing, however, will emerge very clearly from this study: Unity may use the terminology of the Bible, but by no stretch of the imagination can the redefinition be equated with the thing itself.
ARTICLES
NEW! Who are the Emergent Church leaders? Where are they now? By Marsha West
The Basics — The Holy Trinity By Kim Riddlebarger
The Roots and Fruits of the New Apostolic Reformation By Bob DeWaay
Bethel Redding is a shark tank – woe to Bethel! By Marsha West
Snares of the Modern Church – Christian-Cloaked Occultism –The Dissenter
Christians Have A Choice To Make: Paul Of Tarsus Or Taurus The Bull. Which Will It Be? By Marsha West
What is a ‘gateway verse’ and why is it dangerous? — ChurchWatch Central (Cult leaders often use key Bible verses to lead people down heretical “rabbit holes.”)
As America Enters Year Three of COVID, The Biden Regime Struggles to Reprogram Its Pandemic-Crazed Base (the cult of the mask) — Revolver News
HELPFUL WEBSITES
- Apologetics Index – cults, sects, alternative religious movements
- Christians Answers for the New Age — Marcia Montenegro
- Christian Apologetics Research Ministry – Matt Slick
- ChurchWatch Central
- Christian Research Network — Marsha West
- Critical Issues
- Cult Comparison Chart
- Cult Index – definitions: cults, New Age, Native American, UFOs and more
- Deception in the Church–Sandy Simpson
- Ephesians 5:11 – discernment ministry
- Fighting for the Faith — Chris Rosebrough
- Herescope
- Holy Pivec
- Justin Peters
- Let Us Reason – Mike Oppenheimer
- List of Cults and Non-Christian Groups
- Messed Up Church — Steven Kozar
- Midwest Christian Outreach — Don & Joy Venoit
- Reasoning from the Scriptures — Ron Rhodes
- The Spirit Watch – deceptive spirituality & philosophy
- Spiritual Research Network — Chris Lawson
- Stand to Reason – Greg Koukl
- The Watchman’s Bagpipes — Glenn Chatfield
VIDEOS
NEW! Freemasonry & Mormonism: The Masonic Origins of the LDS Church (w/ Andrew Soncrant)
The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis with Eric Holmberg
Counterfeit Kingdoms, NAR, and Modern ‘Apostles’
Interview with Charismatic Cult Survivor: Steve Forkin — Steve Kozar
BASIC ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
There are several different lists of core Christian beliefs, i.e. the basic essentials of the faith. Nearly every list agrees on the following fourteen essential doctrines, but there are more:
- Monotheism (God is One)
- God exists as a Tri-Unity (the Holy Trinity)
- The Deity of Jesus Christ (fully human and fully God)
- Jesus’ sinlessness
- Human depravity
- Jesus’ virgin birth
- The necessity of God’s grace
- Necessity of faith
- Jesus’ atoning death or substitutionary atonement
- Salvation by God’s grace
- Salvation through Jesus Christ alone
- Bodily resurrection of Christ and ascension to heaven
- Second coming of Christ
- Inspiration of Scripture
BOOK
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith By RC Sproul
BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE
Drawing the Line: Why Doctrine Matters — By R. Scott Clark
WHAT IS THE TRUE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
What is the Gospel? — Pastor Chris Gordon
TOPICS
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS/12-STEPS:
How Heretics Shaped Alcoholics Anonymous – John Lanagan
BOSTON CHURCH OF CHRIST:
At What Price Success? The Boston (Church of Christ) Movement – James Bjornstad
CATHOLICISM:
Are Catholics deceived? – Mike Gendron
Mariology Cult Gaining Wide Support – Deception in the Church
FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME:
False Memory Syndrome Foundation
FREE MASONRY:
HEBREW ROOTS:
Addressing the Hebrew Roots / Sacred Name Movement
A Hebrew Roots Wife Speaks (and other articles) – Joyfully Growing In Grace
HOLY LAUGHTER & THE TORONTO BLESSING:
Deceiving the Elect New Apostolic Reformation – lots of links
Televangelists/Word of Faith – lots of links
INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST/BOSTON CHURCH OF CHRIST:
At what Price Success?: The Boston (Church of Christ) Movement — Christian Research Institute
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER (IHOP):
“Harp & Bowl” – Tricia Twillin
Mike Bickle – background – many articles
Mike Bickle IHOP: A House Divided — YouTube 3/20/24
Is IHOP a cult? One intern’s story – Berean Research
ISLAM:
The Good Way Christian Response to Moslems
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES:
Reasoning From the Scriptures – Ron Rhodes’ book
MOONIES/UNIFICATION CHURCH:
Family Federation for World Peace and Unification / Unification Church — Apologetics Index
The Unification Church — CARM
MORMONISM /CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS:
Reasoning From the Scriptures – Ron Rhodes’ book
NEW AGE MOVEMENT:
Christian Answers for the New Age – Marcia Montenegro
OPRAH
Is Oprah Peddling Snake Oil? By Marsha West
Oprah’s Counterfeit Christianity By Marsha West
Oprah Shifts to the Dark Side By Marsha West
NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION:
Research: New Apostolic Reformation
Shedding Light On the Diabolical NAR empire–Herescope
DR. MICHAEL BROWN – defender of a cult
Why Michael Brown has no credibility By Anthony Wade
How are we to regard Michael Brown, Todd White and other NAR leaders–ChurchWatch Central
Dr. Michael Brown — series of articles warning about his association with and defense of men and women who embrace heretical Latter Rain theology and some extreme teaching coming from Bill Johnson, Benny Hinn, Todd White and Jennifer LeClaire.
SCIENTOLOGY:
Apologetics Index on Scientology
Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power
Watchman Fellowship – lots of articles
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM:
Seventh-day Adventist Church — Apologetics Index
From AI’s Research paper: “Though several capable Christian scholars (e.g., Anthony Hoekema, J.K. Van Baalen, John Gerstner) have concluded that SDA is a non-Christian cult system, Christian Research Institute has continued to assert that this is not the case.”
UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY – Name Change: Unity:
Unity School of Christianity By Russ Wise
What is the Unity Church / Unity School of Christianity? — Got Questions
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM:
WILLIAM BRANHAM:
William Marrion Branham (aka William Marvin Branham) was one of the most influential — and dangerous — religious figures of the 20th century. Though rarely mentioned in mainstream Christian discourse, his teachings on supernatural gifts, divine authority, end-time prophecy, and racial hierarchy laid the foundation for a global prophetic movement that continues to shape churches, revivals, and ministries around the world. From the postwar Healing Revival to the rise of the Latter Rain and beyond, Branham’s message became embedded in the very DNA of modern charismatic theology. More on William Branham here
WORD OF FAITH:
Research: Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel/Televangelists
Exposing the Word of Faith Prosperity Gospel — Justin Peters
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD – Name Change: Grace Communion International – formerly Armstrongism
About the WCOG and Major Changes under the leadership of Joseph Tekach Jr.
Views expressed by individual authors and/or sources don’t necessarily reflect those of Marsha West or Christian Research Network.
“Democrats want to put Donald Trump in prison for telling people to march peacefully and patriotically, but this radical in Dearborn, Michigan, can pledge “Death to America?” They vote in Dearborn.”
“False prophecies of the return of Christ have wreaked destruction on gullible Christians and associated ministries. Many people who bought into Whisenant and Camping’s failed predictions quit their jobs, sold all of their possessions, and donated large sums of money to the false prophet’s media campaigns.” 
(Margot Cleveland – The Federalist) A recent court filing in the criminal case against Hunter Biden suggests the Justice Department and IRS seek “to dirty up the very whistleblowers” who exposed political favoritism and misconduct in the Hunter Biden investigation, Sen. Chuck Grassley charged in a letter to the IRS commissioner obtained exclusively by The Federalist. A review of the underlying court filing submitted by Special Counsel David Weiss in the federal tax evasion case pending against the president’s son supports Grassley’s charges — highlighting again that Attorney General Merrick Garland never should have named Weiss as special counsel. 
“Thailand national TV has launched a news program anchored by someone who isn’t real: “she” (if we can apply the pronoun to such a travesty) is a phantom generated by “Artificial Intelligence”. Soon she will be joined by a “male” phantom, and together they will present the news.”
“Satan is a tempter. He whispers, “Did God really say? Is God really good? Does He really love you?” Satan is the seductress of the book of Proverbs. Spiritual adultery is expressive of spiritual warfare. The enemy woos our hearts. He wants our worship. He urges us to spiritual desertion and seeks to lead us to shipwreck on the rocks of spiritual destruction.”
(Ian Hanchett – Breitbart) On Friday’s broadcast of Newsmax TV’s “The Record,” Netanyahu Spokesperson Tal Heinrich stated that Hamas terrorists aren’t starving because “they’ve been hoarding and stealing the aid” as part of a goal to increase civilian suffering “in hopes that Israel will take the fire for it, and the international pressure on Israel will bring an eventual end to this war and let them stay in power, let them live another day, and carry out another October 7 massacre.” She also stated that “if you put the pressure on Israel when Hamas [is] doing these things, then you incentivize these sick methods.” 
“The World Happiness Report informs us that Gen Z is becoming disillusioned by their god. The government is not the deliverer those between 18- and 30-years old thought it was. The politicians who wield power and influence, for whom many of this generation zealously voted and elected in 2020, have turned out to be corrupt and unconcerned about their plight.”
“The same Joe Biden who thrives on avoiding accountability called Netanyahu and pressured him to change Israel’s strategy and tactics. He then went to great lengths to ensure everyone knew the contents of that phone call. The White House said in a statement that the president wants “measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.” Biden also again demanded an “immediate ceasefire” — never mind that Hamas has rejected every other attempt at a ceasefire and started the war in the first place”.
(Tristin Justice – The Federalist) A government-funded database, led by the University of Maryland and 
“Now, had any of the above-mentioned people wandered into the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, the Biden administration would be petitioning to have them drawn and quartered.”
“So illegal immigrants now have the legal authority to sponsor other illegal immigrants even though they’re not here legally, and they’re still waiting to see an immigration judge, which is pushed off by 10/15/20 years…”
(Barry Bowen – Trinity Foundation) The January issue of the
“The path these movements and so-called “churches” are taking is a perilous one, leading not to enlightenment and freedom, as they claim, but to spiritual confusion and estrangement from God—enslavement to a life of sin and eternal torment.” 
(Kevin Downey JR – PJ Media) Remember when working hard and working smart was a ticket to the top? Well, apparently, in the world of the communists, meritocracy is somehow “racist.”
(Protestia) Prominent apologist, Mike Winger, is crying foul after a ministry associated with Benny Hinn claims a copyright strike against him, unjustly targeting him on account of a video critical of the famed arch-heretic.
“It’s pretty appalling. This feels like a turning point in all of this welfare against Trump. With this case, the left is dropping any pretense, doesn’t seem to care at all about having any pretense of legitimacy with the greater public. It’s the gloves are off. It’s bare knuckles now.”
“The point Walsh is making is actually more potent than he went into, as this same wokeness is also in the church. Many pastors refused to go woke for Black people but have happily gone woke for Jews. Christian media like Conservative Inc. heavily panders to this religion. The Christian Post is one prominent example. This has been the case ever since Zionists financed the proliferation of theology that suits their interests.”
“What comes amid the decline of the Christian faith is not some live-and-let-live secular liberal utopia, not a rational and atheistic political order with neutral public spaces and a culture of tolerance. Instead, we have a new form of paganism with its own moral precepts, obligations, and rites. And unlike the secular liberal order, which embraced tolerance and pluralism as an inheritance from Christianity, the pagan order will be intolerant in the extreme.”
“In a recent appearance on MSNBC, the most anti-Christian far left “news” network in America, even worse than CNN, French laments that Christians are posting “Christ is King” on Twitter in a “very dangerous” way that suggests that Christianity is superior to other religions.”
(Protestia) With famous rap Mogul ‘Diddy’ in the news for throwing wild sex parties, deconstructed rap artist Lecrae has weighed in with his experiences being around this sort of activity.
“These leftwing loons have power in New York, so it’s no bail, no responsibility, no protection for civilians or police. The streets simmer with criminality. Good people are brutalized every day.”
(Scott Powell – The Patriot Post) From the beginning of recorded history, people have turned to religion as a way to find refuge, solace, and meaning. Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and most other religions point to their own prophets and teachers, but among those world religions, only Christianity has a founder who professed to be the Messiah — the Son of God. Easter is the historical account and conclusive evidence of that Messiah.