You may find the going a little tough in reading the other article on “How Cults Work” so I’ve penned this cut down version for you, as a ready reference for cultish ‘churches’ and how they work.
Traditionally, many Christians believed that “cults” were entirely separate entities in regard to their time honoured institutional churches. However, this has not proven to be so, over time.
Many organisations calling themselves a “church” may have all the outward appearances of a normal church in society, but inside the four walls, they operate like a cult.
- They may have a fancy building
- They may have a band/choir
- They may enjoy ‘good standing’ in the local community
- They may appear to be generous towards the poor and lonely
- They may appear to be a ‘neat fit’ amongst other local churches
Hallmarks of a Cult
So what sets them apart and how can you tell pretty well instantly if an organisation claims to be an orthodox church, but in reality, features most, if not all the hallmarks of a cult? Here’s a few keys to identifying a ‘cultish’ church:
- Single charismatic leader.
- People always seeming constantly happy and enthusiastic. Especially if you discover that they have been told to act that way for the potential new recruits.
- Instant friends.
- If you are told who you can or cannot talk to or associate with.
- They hide what they teach.
- Say they are the only true group, or the best so why go anywhere else.
- Hyped meetings, get you to meetings rather than share with you.
- Experiential rather than logical.
- Asking for money for the next level.
- Some cults travel door to door during times when women are home alone. They, and this is rather sexist, think that women are easier to recruit and once they have the woman then it will be easier to snare the husband or partner.
- Saying that they have to make people pay for it because otherwise they will not appreciate it. This is of course a very silly reason, plenty of people are able to appreciate things which they did not pay for.”*
(*Excerpt taken from “How Cults Work” Cultwatch New Zealand.)
Informed Consent
One of the best ways to defend yourself against being deceived by a cult that claims to be a church, is to demand full accountability upfront, before you join. You can do this on the basis of “informed consent”. After much thought and study on the topic, I came up with a criteria for testing the genuineness of such a group.
It works like this – leaders/members of the group MUST fully inform you of the following things:
- Who are the founders/leaders of the group and how do they live?
- What is taught in the group about God, salvation, lifestyle of the believer?
- How is money handled inside and outside of the group and can I see the books of account at any time? If not, then why not?
- What is expected of me if I join the group in terms of time, talents and financial contributions?
- If I decide to leave, will I be ostracised by the group and its leaders?
- What if I disagree with one or more of the group’s main teachings? Can I still come to meetings and interact with the people?
- Am I free to choose my own friends/relationships within the group, or will all of that be “arranged” for me?
Preferably, you should try and get something in writing that makes clear most, if not all of the above points. Many small churches have a pamphlet or regular newsletter, which often states the names of the minsters, how much last week’s offering was, what they believe (brief statement on the back of the publication) with contact details (church phone and email contacts) and this kind of thing would be acceptable to a point.
If you have any further doubts after having read such a publication, then make an appointment and seek to find out the rest in a one-on-one meeting with someone in leadership. If you’re not getting clear answers to your questions, or find someone is back-peddling on important issues (giving/tithing can be a sore point with many church leaders,) then leave that ‘church’ and find another one!
Just one final but very important note! No one knocks on the door of the local cult/church and asks if they can sign up! Unwitting people are recruited into such groups, and the recruiters are often highly trained and experienced in getting past people’s excuses and self defence mechanisms. They can spot vulnerable people and will take advantage of them.
Just remember, that if any group claims to have the monopoly on God, or seems to have all the answers to life’s problems, then they could well be the local cult/church. They may claim divine revelation of a personal nature – just for you, so if you’re a bit sad, or feeling pressured, or at a loose end, avoid making any major decisions about who or what you will commit to, until your issues have settled down…
“IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, THEN IT USUALLY IS!”
Further reading from the Bible: Matthew 7:13 to the end of that chapter.
EDIT/UPDATE: Here’s a link to the Cultwatch website NZ, showing the kind of things that can go wrong and transform a church into a bible based cult. Wrong teaching and pastor worship can wreak a lot of havoc on unsuspecting sheep, so be warned…
The Goat's Pen 