Those HORRIBLE CULTS!

Published on February 15, 2006 By Gideon MacLeish In Current Events

I have pretty much abandoned the word "cult", except to refer to churches and individuals who obviously fit the bill (I think walled compounds and seething hatred at funerals of dead soldiers, for instance, would qualify...but I digress). One of the reasons is that the evangelical community has tossed the word around so much as to make it virtually meaningless. As I think on the individuals, groups and actions, that have shaped my life philosophy, I owe much of it to "cults":

It was members of a "cult" that picked me up on a Kansas highway when I was 18 and insured that I was safely escorted the full length of my journey, well beyond their destination rather than face the hazards of the road on my own. They were Jehovah's witnesses, and it wasn't my first contact with them. In fact, it was also members of this same "cult" that taught me that it was acceptable to attend church services in ratty jeans because "God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance".

It was members of a "cult" that taught me the dangerous excesses of government that forces itself into personal life. For as long as I can remember, I have known about various injustices perpetrated by the United States government against the LDS church (I'm better versed then most non Mormons and even many Mormons on church history). While I do not believe in the Mormon faith, I can't deny the fact that much of my personal philosophy has been shaped by the church. Examples I can readily cite would be family values, genealogy, thriftiness, and charity.

While less commonly described as such, it is members of a "cult" that inspired me to service as a Christian. Mother Theresa, Father Bruce Ritter, Father Ralph Beiting are all examples of Catholics that gave their life to the service of God. In fact, one of the strongest and most powerful personal influences on my life, Rich Mullins, while not a practicing Catholic, was VERY close to the Catholic faith, took several retreats with various members of Catholic dioceses in his area, and was strongly considering converting to the Catholic faith shortly before his untimely death.

While my personal beliefs could not be said to mirror ANY of those above faiths, I find it hard to believe that I could find such unquestionably Godly people among them if they were truly "cults". The Bible tells us what to look for in Christians, and my question is this:

If we find virtually all of them in certain individuals, doesn't that indicate they're probably Christian? If we find virtually none of them in certain individuals, wouldn't that imply they're NOT?

I said a long time ago that I felt the term "Organized Christianity" is an oxymoron. Because Christianity involves a PERSONAL relationship, you can't organize that. And you can't standardize it. And you better be DARN careful before you write an individual off as NOT being Christian just because of their association with a group whose theology seemingly contradicts your own.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Feb 15, 2006

Excellent question! And very insightful.

shadesofgrey

on Feb 15, 2006

If the definition of cult is:

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. The followers of such a religion or sect.

Am I right to be offended by the fact that you called Catholicism to be a cult? I was unaware of the extremist nature of Catholicism, nor do I find that I live in an unconventional manner.

PS. Yes, I get the point of your article, and you are saying that there are good Christians in these "cults"--but I still find the supposition that Catholics are members of a cult to be extremely offensive.

Gene Nash

on Feb 15, 2006

Yeah, like that heretic Jesus and his band of weirdoes who follow him around the desert.

It just goes to show that today's cult may be tomorrow's given.

I still find the supposition that Catholics are members of a cult to be extremely offensive.

I think the key here is where he writes, "One of the reasons is that the evangelical community has tossed the word around so much as to make it virtually meaningless."

The Pentecostals/Evangelicals (of which I am one) tend to be very anti-Catholic (which I am not). I believe the inclusion was from that perspective.

(BTW, did you get that definition from Microsoft Bookshelf? It's exactly the same as in my edition.)

shadesofgrey

on Feb 15, 2006

(BTW, did you get that definition from Microsoft Bookshelf? It's exactly the same as in my edition.)

Nah, dictionary.com...

Thanks for the explanation--I think I get it (though still don't really like it!)

cactoblasta

on Feb 15, 2006

I'm a little surprised too that Catholicism could be a cult. It was the first and the largest Christian church, built from the foundation of Peter himself, yea, verily and forsooth. What are the pentecostals and evangelicals smoking in the US?

Of course being a former Catholic schoolboy, I have the unthinking and very convenient knowledge that all other Christian paths are cults, particularly the Anglicans.

Dr Guy

on Feb 16, 2006

yea, verily and forsooth. What are the pentecostals and evangelicals smoking in the US?

Yea, Verify, Forsooth?

But as to your question, I think it comes down to insecurity, for the reason you mention. Catholics were first, and they came later. In order to validate their existence they have to vilify their roots to show how they have grown beyond their roots and embraced the 'true' faith.

Disclaimer: This does not apply to all Evangelists and Pentecostals. Only those that see fit to belittle other faiths to promote theirs.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 16, 2006

PS. Yes, I get the point of your article, and you are saying that there are good Christians in these "cults"--but I still find the supposition that Catholics are members of a cult to be extremely offensive.

shades,

I didn't properly elaborate before the comment on the Catholics, but my point was that people who throw the name out with abandon generally label the Catholics as such. It was not my intent to do that, but rather to point out that people who engage in stone throwing miss out on the good individuals within the group they are targetting.

Quite honestly, EVERY particular sect is considered cultish to SOMEONE. But you have to look beyond the labels and to the actions of the people. I think it fair to assume that several on this site are just as offended by the inclusion of the Mormons as you are by the inclusion of the Catholics. Yet the Mormon label, while more common, is JUST as inaccurate.

Gideon MacLeish

on Feb 16, 2006

It was the first and the largest Christian church, built from the foundation of Peter himself,

I could debate you on that argument...but I won't. It would be off topic and generally pointless

Dr Guy

on Feb 16, 2006

I didn't properly elaborate before the comment on the Catholics

That is why I basically ignored that part, whereas with ziggystyles, I BBQed his arse. The difference is in context. And you were making a point, not proclaiming a belief.

cactoblasta

on Feb 16, 2006

I could debate you on that argument...but I won't. It would be off topic and generally pointless

It was fairly tongue-in-cheek, thus the yea, verily, forsooth at the end. I know it's not accurate, but it was a pretty common line when I was in school.

Dr Guy

on Feb 16, 2006

I know it's not accurate, but it was a pretty common line when I was in school.

What part is not accurate?

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