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hey guys just thought I'd put this up as an important precaution, the magical world (and also the world in general because everything is magical when you think about it) is an amazing real and basically infinite place, but there is also much you must be wary of one of the most important things is cults, to have some understanding of bad signs to look for that may indicate getting into something that you are not trying to be a part of… dig… stay safe, and stay lucid!!! love…

 

http://www.letusreason.org/cults.htm

Are

you told not to question what is being taught because the leaders are

honest and want the best for you so you must trust them. Has someone

replaced your own choices in life.

Are you told not to ask

questions why anyone left, your to accept the answers the leaders give

you such as: they fell into sin, they didn’t receive correction, they

weren’t open or they had a bad heart and didn’t want to be disciples

Are you told that you must be with their certain church or group to be saved and not by Jesus Christ.

If you want to leave are you being told their is no other church that practices truth, you will go to hell.

Are you made to feel your failures, that your performance is not up to par for the bibles standard

Are

you being rebuked for things such as the way you say hello or how you

respond to being asked to do something for a leader or disciple. Do they

tell you its a matter of the heart how one complies.

Are they

putting down other church’s and building themselves up. Do they

sometimes use people as examples of what you are to be doing and others

on what you are not to be doing.

Do they bring attention to what they do, and ignoring others that may be doing the same things outside their church.

Do they put down others to make themselves look better, calling themselves righteous and others unrighteous

Do they call those who leave fall away’s and enemies, dogs returning to their own vomit, using the examples of Korah or Judas.

Do

they stop you from reading anything negative about themselves calling

it spiritual pornography or recommend you not to read it for your own

spiritual protection.

Do they recommend for you to be around

their people expecting you to be at all the group activities. If not

you're spirituality and dedication are questioned.

Do they defend all that they do even though it can be harmful or wrong.

Do

they operate by humility or are they arrogant and demand you to obey if

you are considering otherwise. Or is it done subtly by manipulating you

into obeying by statements such as, real Christians obey their leaders

or if you were following Jesus you would see what I’m saying is right.

true disciples did not question Jesus.

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF

People telling you how talented you are and saying you can really go places. (flattery goes a long way in cults)

An

instant bonding of friendship without your knowing who they are or they

really knowing you, they act as your best friend (love bombing still

works).

When you ask questions about their history or the group

they are vague in their answers or avoid answering them. (not answering

or postponing it makes it go away)

Are you required to attend

studies, going through the program before you are allowed to be a

Christian. (this will attach you to the groups goals)

Are they

emphasizing their church and who they are, more than Christ. They teach

that one can only be a Christian by joining them. (exclusive

spirituality appeals to our pride and works well today)

Cults

will always divide the family unit instead of bringing them together.

They will make you choose between God and their church. they use

scriptures such as Jesus came to bring a sword not peace or one must

give up brothers sisters wife and house for the kingdom and be a true

follower Children often become the most hurt because of strict rules

enforced on them.they lose their childhood and are deeply affected being

unable to adjust later on in life.Religious systems that are not

balanced can be socially and psychologically disastrous for innocent

children. (click here to go to facts on Jehovah Witnesses and children)

What to do when confronted to join

Say

you're not interested and do not put up with their badgering and phone

calls.wpe3.jpg (2458 bytes)Tell them you want time to think about what

they are teaching before you become committed to their group. If they

pressure you for attendance or continuing in their studies then you know

this is not something good.

If you are already a member, leave while it may be easy because it doesn’t get easier to leave later on.

KNOW THE RIGHTS YOU HAVE

You have every right to ask questions, lots of them in fact. Ask about what other churches they are affiliated with.

What

is their history and the people involved and those they look up to for

spiritual teaching. What books influenced them or what do they read.

What is their doctrine, is their basic beliefs and philosophy of ministry on paper. If not, why not.

Can

you review on paper their revenues, are they open to the people and

public. Do they review who gives what to the Church. Are peoples

finances monitored?

If others left can you find out why, or is

mum the word. Do they allow you to speak to former members. If this is

not allowed, this becomes the biggest check in joining quickly. Watch if

they become uncomfortable in your asking about their origins or

teachings.

Give yourself some time if you're seeking to know God

or looking for a church he will give you warnings and lead you. Don’t

ignore the warning signs or checks on how they conduct themselves no

matter how friendly the people are . Love and emotional attachments are

an old ruse to have you accepted without any strings attached. This

doesn’t last long. Ask what they do on their spare time .Many times ones

talent and creativity is smothered as all their time goes toward the

group or church.

Where do all the people in cults come from?

Ron

Rhodes writes in his book "The Culting of America," "It is a common

myth that unbelievers join Cults." Percentages show that those who join

these aberrant groups formerly attended Christian Churches.

Dr.

Paul Martin of Wellspring Retreat (where cultists adjust from their

harmful experiences) writes, "Twenty-five percent formerly attended

evangelical, fundamental churches. Over 40 % had backgrounds in large,

more liberal Protestant denominations."

Lately the International

Churches of Christ probably have the greatest percentage of Church

converts. Because their main goal is to go into the Christian Churches

and remove people.

Their are 2 categories of cults one is doctrinally the other is sociologically.

1.

Almost all cults deny the Apostles creed which consists of the virgin

birth, deity of Christ, his resurrection, his atonement aon the cross nd

2nd coming. They have tendency to pronounce other groups as apostate

and they alone have the truth.

3. They devalue or deny the deity of Christ.

4. They have Extra sources of biblical revelation they may use Gods word with something else to interpret it

5.

They have salvation by works -either denying God's grace or add

performance. It will not always be easy to spot. Mormons say they are

saved by grace-this means from death and not the penalty of sin.

6.

They will deny a major doctrine. Cult like groups take a minor doctrine

and make it a major. Ex: you must speak in tongues to be saved.

The following are basic patterns, or characteristics, found in almost all cults that one can easily identify.

Additions

– Cults add to the Word of God by having additional writings they call

scripture, or by saying that only the Bible is God's Word but you cannot

understand it without their interpretation from their own teachers or

books. The Bible is discouraged to be read alone.

Subtraction -

Cults subtract from the Person of Jesus by saying he is something less

than Eternal Deity. Or they will add their own teacher as deity.

Multiplication

– Every false religion has works as part of their system of salvation.

They also usually specify what works must be performed at a certain

level for acceptance to their group and God.

Mediators- They will

always have others involved for ones salvation by others. For the

J.W.’s it is the 144,000. for the International Churches of Christ its

discipleship partners. For Mormons it is to join their church for

salvation and use their materials- Doctrine and Covenants, Journal of

Discourses and the Melchizedek priesthood.

Divisive – Cults have

people choose by dividing a person's loyalty. It's God through their

leadership by claiming to be the only Spokesman or group for God. They

also require obedience to their leadership to be in right standing with

God. They do not tolerate another’s differing opinions and it is looked

upon as being divisive or of the enemy.