One of my friends told me she believes all churches are like cults. In a way I agree that some churches are like cults. Church leaders who are dishonest with their congregations, who focus on creating a political hierarchy in a church, and who claim their version of the Bible is the truth, not what the Bible actually says - these are like cults.
But as I told her - there are cultish groups everywhere - heck the PTA at most middle schools meet half of the "cult criteria" - however I must agree there are some things that a church should not do.
“Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups
Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.”
Cult - The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
Church - Churches should not place hope for the future in a person, place or thing. Our hope is in Jesus Christ alone. (read 1 Peter 1)
Cult - Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
Church - Churches should not ridicule people for asking questions - "why are we doing this in this way? where is that found in scripture? How is this illustrated?" All are valid questions and all are good for growth, both of the asker and the askee. Jesus even encouraged questions. (read Mark 8)
Cult - The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel.
Church - Churches are not set up to tell people how to "think, act and feel" Churches have 2 purposes - A- evangelize B- Preach the Bible to the Believer. The teaching is up to the work of the Holy Spirit, not the pastor or even the lay leaders. Preach the word, explain the word - let God handle the rest. Most church people I know would disagree with this statement - however, by correcting how people think, act and feel - you treat the symptoms of the problem - the problem still remains that they are lost and dying and going to spend an eternity in Hell - even if they can make themselves "act" good when others can see. The bottom line – anyone can be pressured to conform to a group – God changes people. (read Matthew 7)
Cult -The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members.
Church - Churches should not be elitists - Church members should have the attitude that they are no better than the worst sinner in the world, and no worse than Christ himself. (Read Ephesians 2)
Cult -The leader is not accountable to any authorities, or removes themselves from accountability.
Church -Leaders should be held accountable to God's standards as outlined in the Bible. These standards are both moral and ethical, and widely accepted outside of the Church. (Titus 1)
Cult -The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
Church - Jesus never taught that the ends justify the means – ever – (read Luke)
Cult -The leadership induces feelings of shame in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
Church - Shame, not repentance, is a tool of the enemy (read Revelation 12) Shaming should not be used to illicit a conversion or response. The Holy Spirit is our guide, and our intercessor. Repentance from sin is the personal resolution to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in bringing about positive personal change.
Cult -The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
Church - Membership means little, I once went to a church where the pastor said they had 4000 people on the rolls - only about 400 actually attended any Sunday - and only 200 regularly. The point -concern for attendance and membership is a sign that the hearts of the leaders are filled with pride and greed. A church leader's focus should be on winning souls to Christ and people experiencing a life changing conversion- that is the real measure of a Church.
Cult -The group is preoccupied with getting money.
Church –Be wary of a church that always has another iron in the fire, another campaign for funds, another unpaid expense, or debt - this is a sure sign something is WAY WRONG! - Good Churches manage their money well, and don't constantly beg for bigger and bigger emergency or special donations, especially for donations relating to covering known expenses like keeping the electric paid, or covering salaries. Good churches also keep member’s giving a secret - meaning the leader doesn't announce that he is giving a certain amount of money, or that certain other members are giving certain amounts. (read Matthew 6)
Cult -Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
Church - Devoting time to God - Good. Devoting time to group - not necessarily good. If anyone tells you they are one and the same – BAD. Good Churches encourage their membership to be out in the community and have a normal life – outside – of church. This is overall better for the body of Christ – to be seen doing good things in the community, not just tied to what is often seen as a civil organization. Cults encourage dependence and use guilt, fear, and exclusion from the group as a means of controlling behavior.
Cult -Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
Church - A closed or even extremely cliquish group is never taught as a virtue in the Bible, it is, however; taught as what not to do. (read Luke 19)
Cult -The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
Church - There is always life outside of the Church - in fact that is where the focus should be - not focused in on group think projects, “how can we make this better”, but focused out on how can we make this world better - how can we bring as many souls to Christ as possible, how can we show God's love to everyone we meet. (read Acts)
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So for all the Jessica's in the world - not all Churches are cults - not all Church people are crazy, hateful, cliquish, mean, judgmental, or stupid.
Love you and still praying for you!
Goodnight
Amanda
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