Most of the world's great faiths share in a set of good characteristics by which we know to group them together and respect them as "Religion." However, they also share some characteristics that can allow unscrupulous leaders to mislead their followers and take advantage of them. All faiths involve teaching their members how to think, but when that function becomes an intentional limitation of freedom it can cross the line.
There are ways to discern a healthy religion from one that goes beyond the pale. Just because a group has a large number of members doesn't mean that it's not a cult. Rather, it's mostly a question of being allowed to think for yourself, to question authority and come to your own reasonable conclusions. If that is not allowed, or the authorities would take offense if they knew, then it's probably a cult. You are in an unhealthy situation which you should find a way to escape, as soon as you can.
A cult will have at least a few, if not many or most of these characteristics below. They can be used as the criteria to discern an unhealthy group or organization, which you should avoid.
1. A charismatic leader or prophet, who cannot be held accountable
2. Invalidates critical thinking or rational examination of facts and ideas
3. Claiming special revelations of Truth given only to the leader
4. Creates a new community, separate from unbelievers
5. Demands unwavering loyalty and unquestioning obedience to the prophet
6. Creates unique laws or rules concerning morality and/or holiness
7. Special privileges for the prophet, not allowed to followers
8. Penalties mandated for leaving the faith, often severe
9. Makes unrealistic, usually unverifiable promises
10. Calls competing faiths "corrupt" and ineffective
11. Promulgates unique doctrines which may be inconsistent or changeable
12. Economic, sexual or other exploitation practiced by the leader and cronies
13. Advocates violence to achieve the leader's aims
14. Pretends to be an offshoot or reform of traditional beliefs
15. Declares independence from traditional authority
16. Leader claims to know unverifiable or incorrect "facts"
17. Requires extravagant acts of sacrifice and/or offerings
18. Uses coercion to persuade conversion or obedience
19. Unreasonable fear of an impending catastrophe, like "the end of the world"
20. Followers left feeling that they can never be good enough
The more of these criteria the group matches, the more likely it is that they are a cult, and possibly dangerous to the society around them. Be careful whenever you may encounter them, but try to help any who want to get out.
"May Adonai bless you and protect you! May Adonai deal kindly and graciously with you! May Adonai lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace!" (Torah, Numbers 6:24-26) And Jesus said, "Allow the little children to come unto me. Forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God. Truly, I say unto you, unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a little child does, you shall not enter therein." (New Testament, Mark 10:14-16)
Sojourning at an Oasis Paradise
My purpose for living this life, and for writing this blog, is to understand the faith that links us to God. I wish to explore and discuss the reality at the heart of all of the world's religions. This is an immense task, but I know that God also has faith in us, trusting that we do desire the truth, as well as freedom, love and wisdom. Thus, as always, He meets us halfway. Even as God has given us individual souls, so we must each of us trace out an individual pathway to God. Whether we reside in the cities of orthodox religion, or wend our solitary ways through the barren wastelands, God watches over us and offers us guidance and sustenance for the journey.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
Most of what you will see here is the result of extensive personal study, combined with some careful speculation. Occasionally, I may simply offer some Scripture or an inspirational text. I am a wide reader, and the connection of some topics and ideas to matters of faith and religion may not seem immediately obvious, but perhaps I may spell it out in the end... or maybe, you will decide that it was just a tangent. Anyway, I hope that you will find my meanderings to be spiritually enlightening, intellectually stimulating, or at least somewhat entertaining.
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