RE: Confessions of a two-cult survivor
October 30, 2018 at 10:31 am
(This post was last modified: October 30, 2018 at 10:41 am by TwoCultSurvivor.)
We joke around about what it means to be in a cult as opposed to a religion, but there are differences.
Cults are MUCH more isolating, in ways you may not recognize at first. They are VERY into identification with the GROUP, as opposed to identification as a believer or as a Christian.
I supposed it's easier to tell with a Jehovah's Witness, because they have such stand-out-ing behavior (I was going to say outstanding, but that would not have conveyed the right message).
The Way was different. Their recruitment strategy was different. It wasn't about trying to talk people into it.
I'll contrast: A Jehovah's Witness will knock on your door and, effectively, dare you to prove him wrong. They thrive on the listener's lack of preparation. They know the Bible better than 95% of their targets ever will. And they are prepared for the battle of verses. They know verses you've never heard of, and it all ties into their theology. Their questions are designed to lead into their doctrines. They have prepared for your objections.
The Way's approach was more emotional. They wanted you to know how much God loves you. He's interested in you. He needs your help! God has no hands but our hands... He empowers you with his very nature!
Yes, the two groups have some peculiar doctrine in common. Peculiar doctrine helps you stand out from other groups. Sure, that other group says God needs you too, but they think Jesus is God. We know better. They think the dead are alive now. We know better. They think speaking in tongues is a gift to the few. We know better -- we know its a manifestation that can be exercised by every single believer [spoiler alert: we faked it. Every last one of us. They taught us HOW to fake it, and we fell for it. But not one of us ever produced an actual language].
What happens in a cult is, you identify first and foremost with the cult, and secondarily (if at all) with the religion.
Yeah, I know, the same thing happens with Catholics. But here's the difference: most people who say they are Catholic can't name five things that differentiate their religion from Lutherans.
I can name 25 distinctions between the Way and Catholicism without waking up.
A follower can be cultic about any religion. If you think that cracker turns into the literal body if Christ, you're a cult member. You're also certifiable.
The difference with a real cult is, that kind of lunacy is a defining characteristic of its members, not an anomaly.
[I started a thread on "Ask a..." to continue the conversation, if anyone is interested.
Cults are MUCH more isolating, in ways you may not recognize at first. They are VERY into identification with the GROUP, as opposed to identification as a believer or as a Christian.
I supposed it's easier to tell with a Jehovah's Witness, because they have such stand-out-ing behavior (I was going to say outstanding, but that would not have conveyed the right message).
The Way was different. Their recruitment strategy was different. It wasn't about trying to talk people into it.
I'll contrast: A Jehovah's Witness will knock on your door and, effectively, dare you to prove him wrong. They thrive on the listener's lack of preparation. They know the Bible better than 95% of their targets ever will. And they are prepared for the battle of verses. They know verses you've never heard of, and it all ties into their theology. Their questions are designed to lead into their doctrines. They have prepared for your objections.
The Way's approach was more emotional. They wanted you to know how much God loves you. He's interested in you. He needs your help! God has no hands but our hands... He empowers you with his very nature!
Yes, the two groups have some peculiar doctrine in common. Peculiar doctrine helps you stand out from other groups. Sure, that other group says God needs you too, but they think Jesus is God. We know better. They think the dead are alive now. We know better. They think speaking in tongues is a gift to the few. We know better -- we know its a manifestation that can be exercised by every single believer [spoiler alert: we faked it. Every last one of us. They taught us HOW to fake it, and we fell for it. But not one of us ever produced an actual language].
What happens in a cult is, you identify first and foremost with the cult, and secondarily (if at all) with the religion.
Yeah, I know, the same thing happens with Catholics. But here's the difference: most people who say they are Catholic can't name five things that differentiate their religion from Lutherans.
I can name 25 distinctions between the Way and Catholicism without waking up.
A follower can be cultic about any religion. If you think that cracker turns into the literal body if Christ, you're a cult member. You're also certifiable.
The difference with a real cult is, that kind of lunacy is a defining characteristic of its members, not an anomaly.
[I started a thread on "Ask a..." to continue the conversation, if anyone is interested.
