![]() This communal group was founded by David “Moses” Berg. Teaches that it is the only true Church and is highly authoritarian, with immense control over members' lives. This highly evangelistic group which began in 1978 with Kip McKean embraces most of the main tenets of the historic Church. The International Churches of Christ (Boston Movement). Moon is now the mediator between God and man. The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (Unification Church).įounded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon, this highly authoritarian and destructive group teaches that Jesus failed on the cross. All personal decision-making power is given over to the leadership.Īn open letter to a prospective member of the Messianic Communities (aka Twelve Tribes) - GO… They claim that salvation can only be found by giving all possessions to them and living in their community. This group began in the early 1970s with Elbert Eugene Spriggs. Seeks to destroy through litigation and character assassination those who speak out against the group. Learn more about the Jehovah's Witnesses - GO…Ī do-it-yourself salvation, science fiction group that masquerades as the true Church, lightly sprayed with a thin veneer of Christianity. They not only deny the essentials of the Christian faith, but the control exercised over the membership is highly destructive. This group began in the 1870s with Charles Taze Russell. Militantly anti-historic Christian tenets. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses). Learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - GO… This aggressively evangelistic group contends that it is the only true Church, and that all Christians outside Mormonism are following a deficient Gospel and a false Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism).Ī very subtle, spiritual deception started in 1830 by Joseph Smith. The following are the ten most dangerous groups in America today, based on one or both of the above stated concerns: How are power, authority, and control exercised in the group? This evaluates techniques of manipulation and mind control.Ī group may be deficient in one or both areas and thereby be considered an unhealthy and/or destructive group from a Christian perspective. Second, there is the social-psychological consideration. How consistent are the group's beliefs with the basic tenets of the historic Christian faith? This evaluates the eternal significance of such beliefs. ![]() I would contend that the term cult should be reserved for only the most recognizably destructive groups-from both a Christian and non-Christian perspective.įrom the Christian point of view, there are two very important considerations in identifying a destructive or unhealthy group.įirst, there is the theological consideration. ![]() Some would define a cult as “any group of wackos who take religion more seriously than I do.” The word cult creates a great amount of confusion for many religious and non-religious people. If you truly want to make someone look bad these days, call the group or church to which they belong a cult! Instantly, that person or group is identified with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, Jim Jones and the People's Temple, or Marshall Applewhite and Heaven's Gate-a few of the most notorious and contemporary examples of destructive “cults” in America.
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