Marsha's Musings: Cult Mentality

I've been thinking lately about the "cult mentality". What is it? What classifies an organization/church as a cult? I can think of several things that I would like to post here on this.

Here are some verses to consider before reading further:

Galatians 5:1 ¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage

2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Now, on to the list of traits you might find in a cult:

• The organization/church becomes the focal point rather than Christ or what the Bible says. For instance, a person in a cult will refer to how the "Church" has changed their life or the "Church" says this or that. They never refer to living their lives according to what the Bible says or point to how knowing Christ has changed their lives.

• The Bible takes second billing or maybe doesn't even get considered. It is considered unreliable.

• Studying independently using other sources than what the organization provides is greatly discouraged. One might study themselves right out of the church.

• The Deity of Jesus Christ is denied.

• The Triune Nature of God, (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) is denied.

• Total allegiance to the group & its leaders is greatly encouraged if not demanded even if doing so contradicts what the Bible teaches and if one fails to submit they are disobeying God and have a spiritual problem.

• If one leaves the organization/church, they are threatened with the loss of their salvation.

• The church/organization demands a certain amount of money be handed over from each member's income.

• The organization holds it's leaders/founders up as authorities that speak for God and what they say is more important than what the Bible has to say.

• If one leaves the group, they are typically shunned or at least not treated as well as they used to be. I am familiar with one case where a wife left the church and the church leaders instructed the husband to divorce her if she refused to rejoin the church.

• They discourage members from asking questions. Asking legitimate questions is seen as a "lack of faith".

• When a member is challenged by an outsider about what they believe, the member may become angry, has a persecution complex, and complains they are being attacked.

• The organization/church tends to keep it's members so busy within the group that they barely have time for personal reflection, family and personal pursuits. Outside friendships are not encouraged unless in the context of trying to get them to join the group. True friendships outside the group are very few if any.

These are just a few of the traits I see in the cult mentality and churches that either are cults or are bordering on being a cult. Even churches that have sound doctrine can have some cult-like tendencies if not careful. If you find yourself in a church that exhibits these traits, run! Run as fast as you can!