Religion & Spirituality - 13 July 2006

The following statements, compiled by Dr. Michael Langone, editor of Cultic Studies Journal, often characterize manipulative groups.

Comparing these statements to the group with which you or a family member is involved may help you determine if this involvement is cause for concern.

Place a checkmark beside all items that characterize the group in question. If you check many of these items, and particularly if you check most of them, you might consider examining the group more closely. Keep in mind that this checklist is meant to stimulate thought, not "diagnose" groups.

We suggest that you check all characteristics that apply to your or your loved one's group, then print this browser page for future reference. You may find that your assessment changes over time, with further reading and research.




Check List

The group is focused on a leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment.

The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

The group is preoccupied with making money.

Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, debilitating work routines) are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

The leadership dictates sometimes in great detail how members should think, act, and feel (for example: members must get permission from leaders to date, change jobs, get married; leaders may prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth).

The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah or an avatar; the group and/or the leader has a special mission to save humanity).

The group has a polarized us- versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society.

The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities (as are, for example, military commanders and ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream denominations).

The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify means that members would have considered unethical before joining the group (for example: collecting money for bogus charities).

The leadership induces guilt feelings in members in order to control them.

Members' subservience to the group causes them to cut ties with family and friends, and to give up personal goals and activities that were of interest before joining the group.

Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group.

Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members

2006-07-13 05:35:38 · 2 answers · asked by 自由思想家 3

actually i want to know about atheists believes.
what are the main believes through which any person can be atheist.i want to know about all belives related to atheism
1.related to gods
2.related to other religions
3.and all other related ideas

2006-07-13 05:35:08 · 14 answers · asked by hash 1

If your definition of hell is seperation from god then I am in hell right here and now. And I have to tell you. It is actually very nice. When I was brainwashed into believing in a god that doesn't exist, I was full of guilt and superstition and judgemental attitudes that were based on other people's hatred. Now that I've realized there is no god, things are much better. I can think for myself. I can sleep as late as I want on Sundays. I don't have to give money to a church that just uses it to buy gold and pay for the lawyers of pedophile priests.
Why do people think that saying 'you're going to hell' is such a bad thing? I'll gladly take this for all eternity. Maybe the rest of you should try 'hell'.

2006-07-13 05:33:09 · 28 answers · asked by Lucifer T. Chick 2

2006-07-13 05:32:24 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am trying to wittness to one of my friends and he thinks that just because he is bi he is going to hell. and i need a verse that says something like all sins can be forgivin'. or something like that.

2006-07-13 05:30:14 · 13 answers · asked by Taylor J 1

2006-07-13 05:29:54 · 38 answers · asked by Alion 7

I dont know where to go. Often I am very scared of the world other times I am angry and I dont understand why. I pray to Jesus everyday giving thanks, asking for forgiveness and begging for protection but I lack knowlegde of the Bible. Could you help me?

2006-07-13 05:29:18 · 11 answers · asked by smilingontime 6

I am about to get something myself and curious if it will offer any inspiration...

2006-07-13 05:27:57 · 70 answers · asked by travelerNY 2

allowed to vote?

2006-07-13 05:27:18 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

manuscript in Istanbul and what they are afraid for the world to see?

Britiain houses one version of the Koran ( which is now in hiding), is the one in Istanbul different from the one in Britain?

2006-07-13 05:26:30 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060713/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_kazakhstan_egg;_ylt=Atq3VmfZA8LWC67ljexq8ontiBIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM-

ALMATY (Reuters) - A chicken in a Kazakh village has laid an egg with the word "Allah" inscribed on its shell, state media reported on Thursday.

2006-07-13 05:26:29 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

Because I don't believe in him either. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in God, and that doesn't mean I'm not a Christian. Since when did atheists become the arbiters of permissible forms of theism?

2006-07-13 05:25:34 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

but if arabs had landed first we would be muslims

2006-07-13 05:24:45 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-07-13 05:21:03 · 25 answers · asked by Doug 2

Zechariah 5:9-10
"Then I looked up - and there before me were two WOMEN, with the wind in their WINGS! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.
"Where are you taking the basket?" I asked the angel who was speaking to me..."

From this passage I take it that there are female angels as well as male ones.

2006-07-13 05:19:45 · 12 answers · asked by Light 3

2006-07-13 05:19:19 · 25 answers · asked by Ace S 1

I mean, I'm a Christian. And it seems like the world is in shambles. I was just reading a news story on the Isrealis bombing some place in Lebanon....it alarms me that so much violence abounds all over the world.

For those who aren't Christians, if you can see this turmoil, and it bothers you, claim Christ as your savior now! God says that it will only get worse until Jesus comes back again. It's never too late to give your life to God. The world we live in...it's getting bad.

2006-07-13 05:19:04 · 29 answers · asked by lilsedalemami 3

If someones say "I believe in God"
Do you wonder what it means to them?
or
Do you automatically think of the religion(s) you were raised in, practice, or know of, and its
God(s)?

- who can grasp the concept of talking about God without bringing any religion into it??

2006-07-13 05:16:48 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous

Galatians 1:6-9 Apostle Paul says "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Christ for a different religion. But even if an angel from heaven, should preach to you a different religion, let him be accursed."

2006-07-13 05:16:24 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-07-13 05:15:54 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

Did Joseph and God have joint-custody of Jesus? If so, who got him on Sundays?

2006-07-13 05:15:38 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous

Bibles down. Pop quiz time. No peeking.

Question 1: The bible states that there will be false prophets in connection with Armageddon. Which part of the bible mentions this? Bonus points for Chapter and Verse (without referencing the bible or some website).

Question 2: How are you to identify these "false prophets"?

Question 3: Who are false prophets? Are they the nutballs on the street corners shouting "The End is Nigh", are they cult leaders, or are they people within the religious community -like televangelists?

I'm just curious.

2006-07-13 05:14:36 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-07-13 05:13:50 · 5 answers · asked by Curious 1

do you resent it,or does it not become consoling to believe that death ends absolutely?

2006-07-13 05:13:00 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

I want another child and I am not sure if I should ask the Lord to help us. I mean because He is supposed to know the desires of my heart, so He already knows I want another child. Do you think I should just be patient and wait. See I had my tubes tied 7 years ago while I was a nonbeliever. Now I am regreting trying decide my own future.

2006-07-13 05:11:34 · 41 answers · asked by cindy j 3

Please help me understand the Christian position on this -
Regarding homosexualtiy being against God because there is "no scientific evidence" that it is not a choice....... Where is the scintific evidence that there is a God and, if you are like me, you may not need any- but then, if you do not need scientific proof that there is a God- why then should God make it sooo possible that you prove homosexuality is a gene related disposition. Think ablout it-
Denying homosexual people is the same as denying God's expressions, lest we have faith that God's creations are intentional. I am not referring to people who harm others or behavior that infringes on the rights of other people...

What do you all think?

2006-07-13 05:10:40 · 13 answers · asked by Intuit Birth 2

2006-07-13 05:09:45 · 7 answers · asked by estebandiatao 1

I am sick and tired of seeing questions here that are putting Atheist down, I am Atheist and dam proud of it. I do not believe there is a god and that is my problem....SO DO NOT PRAY FOR ME, I do not need it and stop saying you feel sorry for atheist and will pray for them because they do not need it.....we are all fine, in fact we are probably better off then the rest of you because we do not put all our hopes and dreams in the hands of something that does not exist....I am 30 years old, I have a great job, I own my house, I have 2 wonderful children and I am happily married. And I did this all myself and am very dam proud of it...

So please tell why it is the Atheist are put down all the time?

2006-07-13 05:09:05 · 27 answers · asked by WTF !!!!!!! 4

2006-07-13 05:07:12 · 27 answers · asked by Rodney 2

I am sexually attracted to Jesus. Can someone please give me his number. I don't usually go for men but with jesus I would make an exception! Do you think that he would be interested?

O.K if I can't get Jesus' number I would like Mary's she's hot!

I am not a necrophiliac!

2006-07-13 05:06:35 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous