Is this the way a Christian society should be ?

Question

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10344607

Please check out this link
Is this the way you would expect Christians to act ?
Not even eating with a non believer & complete cut of from faimly (even your own wife/ husband & kids) if you leave.

Battleship Potemkin....The really weird thing is they do not vote but they spend millions of dollar promoteing a political party in return for faviours.

They where trying to get John Howard to give them exemptions from family law in custody issues.
Our new PM Kevin Rudd has refused to even meet with them.

Flower pot ...Is that a threat ?

Hghostin...If link is not working just google ...exclusive brethren

Answer 1

DC, these folks are a cult. They, like the Amish are perverting the word of God.

........John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.........

Nothing in Christ's prayer says they are to keep themselves separate from the world. Verse 15 is especially pertinent.

The Gospel writers make it clear that this group is not following the example of the Messiah:

Mt 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
Mt 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Mt 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Mr 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
Mr 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
Lu 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
Lu 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Answer 2

This group sounds like a Christian cult. I'm not at all surprised. There are others like this out there, and Ronald Enroth wrote a book about some of them called _Churches That Abuse_.

The criteria I use when considering whether a group is a cult or not are Lifton's Eight Criteria and the ABCDEF. Here are links:
http://www.csj.org/studyindex/studymindctr/study_mindctr_lifton.htm
http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

Answer 3

Did you know they have churches with no access to the public ,fully fenced with locked gates and security guards.
They do not allow media access to their leader ( say there are death threats)
Atempts to film them or interview them are met with foul laungage and threats of violence.
If you are one and you leave they take your partner and chrildren into hiding so you can not get access ,that's why they want exceptions to the family laws.
They also run their own business mostly dealing with other members of faith and have their own welfare system for those out of or unable to work.

Answer 4

research the guy named shane claiborne and you will see pretty much what Christians should be.

he went to calcutta to work wit mother theresa, he lived with the homeless and still does, he breaks the law just to help the poor, he has been arrested him and his group for living the way Jesus would have today.

anyway dont waste your time judging christianity based on people who are obviously objectionable. look at the life of shane and try to say the same comment... Grace and Peace.

Answer 5

"You are the salt of the earth." "A city on a hill can not be hidden." - Jesus

This sect has a warped understanding of Christianity. We are to be in the world but not of it. Meaning we are to be different. Like light shining in darkness. Not hiding in a cave. (David hid in a cave to flee those seeking his life. Elijah fled to one. Neither are set out to be patterns.)
Jesus talked with people in public places and ate in 'sinners' homes. He went throughout many villages teaching. Paul went an reasoned with people in places of public debate.

There is a place for seclusion. But this is not the norm, nor is it usually a way of life. But, usually for a time season and purpose.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set you free."

Answer 6

No. I am a Christian and that is not how I live. The Bible says we are to be in the world, but not of the world. We are to salt and light to the world. Meaning we are to be out in the world in order to tell others about Jesus and show His love to others. These people are not following the heart of the Lord.

EDIT

I also agree that it is a cult. They may call themselves Christians, but they are wolves in sheeps clothing.

Thanks Bagsy, Shane is awesome!

Answer 7

That's a pretty miserable existence.
But hey, if that floats their boat, let them sail away!

There are worse things than not eating with people who are not in your group. (Ha, that just reminded me of junior high)

Answer 8

Yet another cult amongst the midst.

Answer 9

Fallacy: false premise. Assuming facts not in evidence.

Assuming you are in the USA, we are not living in a Christian society. We are a society of many faiths (or lack of faith).

Answer 10

"Members follow a rigid code of conduct based strictly on Bible teaching"?

Yes, that's how Christians should act. Unless they WANT to spend eternity frying in a lake of Fire.