My friend has recently joined a church and her "soul leader" wants to meet me.
I have attended a Protestant church all my life and have never heard of this term.
My friends and I are lead to believe that this church is a cult of some sort because:
1. It is based in a High School
2. She was baptised in a backyard pool
3. It takes up an entire Sunday and lots of days during the week.
4. She was "brainwashed" in a week or two.
5. They don't believe in religion as such; they refer to Satan as the enemy (never heard of that before) and they don't exactly believe in God as such,
Is it a cult or do they just go about it the wrong way?
Someone explain?
2006-10-23 02:46:48 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They do speak of Jesus, but I am not sure they read the bible. I think they do.
Also, if it a cult, how do I get her out of that situation? she is very naieve and has had a lot to deal with in her life.
2006-10-23 02:55:03 · update #1
If it looks like a cult, smells like a cult, quacks like a cult... it's a cult
Any group that believes it is the only true faith is a cult.
2006-10-23 02:49:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Okay, here's what I can assume (I don't have any basis for this other than my opinions)
1. That's odd, most high schools don't start religions, and few high schoolers are eager to start one.
2. This means little. My churhc doesn't have a baptismal pool, so we use a member's pool. I also went to a non-denominational church that used a public pool
3. My church has Sunday School at 9:30, service at 10:35, and again at 6, with a Wednesday evening service.
4. This could also mean anything, how was she brainwashed? What things does she believe now she didn't before?
5. I've heard that term, but I can't remember where, not believing in God is the exact opposite of religions goals.
That's all I know. I am a member of a Nazarene church (we're legit).
2006-10-23 02:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by teeney1116 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about it bieng a cult....I know of churches in a high school cause they just do not have a building yet...and i am at church on sunday and sometimes other church things are going on that day and you are there all day as well......i also have small group(bible study) during the week as well as mens ministries so am busy alot during the week,,,,,and satan IS the enemy...so far so good BUT what do you mean they dont exactly believe in God as such?
2006-10-23 02:54:12 · answer #3 · answered by stillametalhead 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It'd be nice if you knew what the name of the group is. Some of the items that you mention are not a problem such as 1, 2, and maybe 3 (we should all be so devoted to God).
I can't comment on her being "brainwashed" as that is your perception and is probably correct.
Satan is referred to as the "enemy" within the Bible and as a Wesleyan, I have heard him referred to as the enemy multiple times. My concern is when you mention they don't really believe in "God as such" and that they talk about Jesus, but it sorta sounds like they are definitely not Bible based and probably pulling out only representative scriptures based on what they want to guide people towards like the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. I would have to say that this is a cult due to that extrapolation.
2006-10-23 03:02:44 · answer #4 · answered by bobm709 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your friend has joined a group of people who do not believe in God. I have heard people refer to Satan as the enemy before so that is nothing new. Sounds like Atheism to me.
Tell here to get the h*ll out of that.
I personally do not believe in religion either i pray to God and i do not use Satan as the scapegoat when i have done things that was wrong.
2006-10-23 02:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by Osunwole Adeoyin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it sure does sound like a cult!! When there's 'brainwashing' and not believing in God, it's a cult!!
2006-10-23 02:50:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a cult to me. Believing in God in Jesus name is important. The foundation of the Christian Church is confession & heart faith.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & you will be saved. That is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This is the confession. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through faith.
Confess Jesus Christ your Lord, believe in your heart the atonement (Jesus shed blood for the remission of your sins) and resurrection (victory over death). And you will be saved (receive the gift of eternal life).
Cults require money. While in Christianity, the moment we are born of God, become a child of God and inheritance in Christ. We are the righteousness of Christ the moment of heart faith & confession. It is a gift (Jesus purchased for us at the cross) and not by works. When God looks at us, God sees the righteousness of Christ. We then do the things pleasing in His Sight because we are the righteousness of Christ. If we sin, we just confess it to God. He is faithful & just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I go to church because I am righteous by Christ. Not, I go to church to be righteous. In cults, people go to make themself righteous. Though no one can be righteous in and of themself.
They do speak of Jesus and ? on the bible? Well, is Jesus Christ (bible Jesus) your friends Lord and does she believe in the Atonement & Resurrection? If so, it is Christian. If not, it is Cult.
2006-10-23 02:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what make you so special that this leader would want to meet you (no disrespect intended). it's a relevant question. it does sound like a cult, but all religion sounds like a cult to me. use your own judgment, which I think you already have.
2006-10-23 02:49:38 · answer #8 · answered by black orchid 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds close to a cult is not one.
2006-10-23 02:53:09 · answer #9 · answered by Birdbrain 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ALL religions are cults, mine, yours, everyones, try reading the dictionary sometime.
2006-10-23 03:23:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋