The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are reasonably considered strange.
Primary feature of a cult is Mind Control. Here's symptoms of mind control:
People are put in physically or emotionally distressing situations;
Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized;
They receive unconditional love, acceptance, and attention from a charismatic leader -- or constantly feel they need to find unconditional acceptance, love and attention from said charismatic leader;
They get a new identity based on the group;
They are subject to entrapment (isolation from friends, relatives, and the mainstream culture) and their access to information is severely controlled.
Another symptom is what happens when people leave:
People are verbally abused.
People feel trapped and pressured, not sure about leaving.
People are shunned, even family members and life-long friends step aside.
People are publicly castigated and chided.
Married couples may be advised to divorce, children may be advised to leave their parents or vise versa.
Intimidation and manipulation are the chief ways of preventing actual fall-out.
Some called Jesus' earlier followers members of a cult (a key charismatic leader they followed), and that may be rightly used. However, Jesus was always a gentleman, patient and loving, and always leaving the verdict to others to decide.
Though the word is emotionally explosive, the issues with the way some churches are culturally made-up often merit such pejoratives. However, these churches often turn to scripture to defend their actions. What scriptures have you heard? Often the twisting of Jesus' remarks about "hating mother and father" and his statements when sadly departing from his hometown after they did not believe. However, this "mother-hater" honored Mary at his death, entrusting her to the care of John. Of course, that's not the only argument against such twisted interpretation, but it's surely the most obvious.
If a church, on multiple occassions, gives advice to family members to cut the others off if they leave the church, speaks frequently of "confusing others" as their chief concern, should you be worried? Is this a red flag or the righteous signs of Jesus Followers?
Did you even read the link? I think your scratching the surface (picking up on the hyperbole). Read the link and let's chat.
No. I don't see why I need to. It's clearly a hyperbole. Jesus used several oratory devices. He was a preacher. He used parables. He used hyperboles. Its really not that complex
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
No. I don't see why I need to. It's clearly a hyperbole. Jesus used several oratory devices. He was a preacher. He used parables. He used hyperboles. Its really not that complex
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
No. I don't see why I need to. It's clearly a hyperbole. Jesus used several oratory devices. He was a preacher. He used parables. He used hyperboles. Its really not that complex
Just moving on and saying "it's hyperbole" misses the full weight of what Jesus was saying. If you think re-reading this 1st Century parable is as simple as determining the literary genre, then I think you have much to learn.
You may as well turn away from the Prodigal Son and say, "I get it, it's a parable" without investigating what that story could have meant to the audience when it was said. The land rights, the way inheritances worked, the running of the father, the killing of a fatted calf, the ring, etc... Without reading the parable in a 1st Century lens you miss so much! So obviously determining literary alone is not sufficient.
And, sorry, the whole "hate your mommy" scripture is not a parable! To say parables and hyperbole are automatically to be assumed is false. Try again.
The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are reasonably considered strange.
Primary feature of a cult is Mind Control. Here's symptoms of mind control:
People are put in physically or emotionally distressing situations;
Their problems are reduced to one simple explanation, which is repeatedly emphasized;
They receive unconditional love, acceptance, and attention from a charismatic leader -- or constantly feel they need to find unconditional acceptance, love and attention from said charismatic leader;
They get a new identity based on the group;
They are subject to entrapment (isolation from friends, relatives, and the mainstream culture) and their access to information is severely controlled.
Another symptom is what happens when people leave:
People are verbally abused.
People feel trapped and pressured, not sure about leaving.
People are shunned, even family members and life-long friends step aside.
People are publicly castigated and chided.
Married couples may be advised to divorce, children may be advised to leave their parents or vise versa.
Intimidation and manipulation are the chief ways of preventing actual fall-out.
Some called Jesus' earlier followers members of a cult (a key charismatic leader they followed), and that may be rightly used. However, Jesus was always a gentleman, patient and loving, and always leaving the verdict to others to decide.
Though the word is emotionally explosive, the issues with the way some churches are culturally made-up often merit such pejoratives. However, these churches often turn to scripture to defend their actions. What scriptures have you heard? Often the twisting of Jesus' remarks about "hating mother and father" and his statements when sadly departing from his hometown after they did not believe. However, this "mother-hater" honored Mary at his death, entrusting her to the care of John. Of course, that's not the only argument against such twisted interpretation, but it's surely the most obvious.
If a church, on multiple occassions, gives advice to family members to cut the others off if they leave the church, speaks frequently of "confusing others" as their chief concern, should you be worried? Is this a red flag or the righteous signs of Jesus Followers?
The word cult, before the evangelicals and psychopa....eh psychologists took it over, meant the same thing as a sect. Cult meant any group or believe in the supernatural, any religion essentially.
The word cult is ever expanding by Trinitarians to include some group or belief that is not theirs
I don't have a single translation that refers to the followers of Jesus as a cult.
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
Hybrid Mode
