The cults

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10-22-27

Active member
Dec 17, 2023
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#21
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
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#22
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.

Sports don't come before church in my book. But being a fan doesn't mean one isn't a Christian. And it certainly isn't a cult.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#23
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.
They are Pentacostal?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,404
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#25
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.
There is certainly something to that. It would be great to see Jesus get the kind of attention and fervour that the average American college football team garners. Ultimately, only the Lord can judge each person's behaviour, because only He can see the heart.
 

montana123

Well-known member
Oct 9, 2021
854
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#26
God said the whole world lies in wickedness, and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and the wisdom of this world is foolishness to Him.

So it is no wonder that people would act like this.

It is called sin, and people like to exalt themselves in the world, for the world is motivated by arrogance, and self exaltation, and in the flesh dwells no good thing.
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#27
Hey, hey, we have been called cray but even we aren't that bad!!
I was just teasing. But Pentacostals, in my experience, give more and louder expression in worship than I've found among the frozen chosen.
 

Kroogz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2023
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#29
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.
I believe there are 2 doctrines that us believers need to pay special attention to. And if these 2 things are "flowing" in and out from His Church, blessings are poured out to the unsaved, believers,families,communities and nations. As goes the church, so goes the family, communities, nations. We need not look at how 'bad' this world is, we need to look at our witness to this world.

1. The doctrine of salvation.
2. The doctrine of His eternal security of all believers.

And His Church is FAILING at these 2 major doctrines.

The MAJORITY of theology/ doctrine that is taught in nearly every building(in America) is either a reformed bent or a works based bent.

Elected to salvation~~ Man can't choose Christ and He arbitrarily chooses who He saves and who He damns. And Then man perseveres.

Work for salvation or lose it.

These are the teachings of the MAJORITY of the churches across America. No wonder everything is falling apart around us!

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.PERIOD. And The Lord Jesus Christ will keep you eternally secure.PERIOD.

And ALL of mankind can choose or reject His Good news. And ANYONE who trusts Christ for their salvation will be eternally secure in Him.

If we would get back to teaching His truth and His GRACE to all mankind, we would see the blessings return to the unsaved, us, families,communities and our NATION......As goes the Church, so goes the nation.
 

bluto

Senior Member
Aug 4, 2016
2,103
531
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#30
And don't forget some of the more popular cults like the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphians, mind science cults and of course the Word of Faith movement.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way at Acts 20:27-31, "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Vs28, Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Vs29, I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; Vs30, and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, (why?) to draw away the disciples after them. Vs31, Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears."

Now, notice Paul says the church will be attacked from "within" and from "without." Also, notice that in the immediate context Paul is mainly addressing church overseers. Having said that we are still responsible for "exposing" false teachers. If you don't, here is what Ezekiel 3:18-19 states, "When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. Vs19, "Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn form his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself."

You can also read 2 Peter 2:1-3 and. "Ephesians 5:11, "And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but INSTEAD EVEN EXPOSE THEM."

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
I'm curious Blade, why the "Sad" vote?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
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#31
There is certainly something to that. It would be great to see Jesus get the kind of attention and fervour that the average American college football team garners. Ultimately, only the Lord can judge each person's behaviour, because only He can see the heart.
I do agree with that. I appreciate players who take a stand for the Lord too.
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
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#32
I was just teasing. But Pentacostals, in my experience, give more and louder expression in worship than I've found among the frozen chosen.

I knew you were joking. Some are expressive in worship. But I grew up in Canada, I think you'd mistake Pentecostals there for Anglicans. They were not what you would consider "Pentecost" in experience. One of our music leader went south, when he came back he was all excited and on fire. Our church beat that right out of him. Very few places I've been in my travels where I experienced a true Pentecostal service. The closest I came to it was a Methodist church in Kentucky, go figure!
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#33
I knew you were joking. Some are expressive in worship. But I grew up in Canada, I think you'd mistake Pentecostals there for Anglicans. They were not what you would consider "Pentecost" in experience. One of our music leader went south, when he came back he was all excited and on fire. Our church beat that right out of him. Very few places I've been in my travels where I experienced a true Pentecostal service. The closest I came to it was a Methodist church in Kentucky, go figure!
God evidently showed up that day. Maybe He couldn't get through traffic on His way to the Pentecostal church.
Seriously though, there is a tendency to overcorrection to abuses among the church. The truth is that we are both to worship in spirit and truth. That simply means we are to worship in God's prescribed manner and with all that is within us.
 

ThereRoseaLamb

Well-known member
Jan 17, 2023
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#34
God evidently showed up that day. Maybe He couldn't get through traffic on His way to the Pentecostal church.
Seriously though, there is a tendency to overcorrection to abuses among the church. The truth is that we are both to worship in spirit and truth. That simply means we are to worship in God's prescribed manner and with all that is within us.
Well you know Pentecostals love that verse that says David danced with all his might... :LOL:
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,776
624
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#35
I'm curious Blade, why the "Sad" vote?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto
Hi.. the 1st thought right now I have is.. I know how I got my name but "bluto"? Haha

The world knows if you have nothing good to say then say nothing at all. They said its from Charles Caleb Colton, an eccentric English.

There is really nothing I can say. Well it would just be saying exactly what He Christ already said. In threads like this I never take part in. Ever think about that light that is in us? If we were in a pitch black room and lit one match what would you see what would focus on? That light does not attack darkness it drives it away so what are we looking at? There are two I look for "Christ came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin was buried rose the 3rd day. He is the only way to the Father. Second is prayer. BJ Thomas has great song "pray for me". So I don't gossip about those that are not there to defend answer back. Not talking about those that deny Christ as the Messiah. I will always be praying for them never ever giving up since He never gave up on me. Not my creation or kids were talking about.. yeah.. takes ONE TIME when that GOD talks to you not as your Father but GOD you are never the same


"I have some answers
But I don't have them all
You may see me stumble
You may see me almost fall
But there is strength in numbers
When two or more agree
So don't condemn them when I'm human
Please just pray for me"
 

gb9

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2011
12,294
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113
#36
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult. Every Saturday and Sunday stadiums are packed, 70 to 100 thousand people. Some willing to pay 10 to 15,000 for a front row seat to a championship game. The fans (fanatics) paint themselves the colors of their team, yell, scream, get angry, etc.
some people are sports fans, which is fine. Paul referenced sports.

some people worship there favorite teams, which is idolatry.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#37
What are your thoughts concerning sports today as a cult.
Yes. You could call it a cult. Millions of dollars are spent viewing sports events. And millions of dollars are paid to many of those who are in professional sports.

Also the Olympic Games were clearly of pagan origin. "The ancient Olympic Games were primarily a part of a religious festival in honor of Zeus, the father of the Greek gods and goddesses..."
https://www.penn.museum/sites/olympics/olympicorigins.shtml
 

10-22-27

Active member
Dec 17, 2023
454
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#38
Reincarnation:
Information is knowledge, which can be an invaluable tool when obtained and understood. Religion, in its broadest sense, varies significantly throughout the earth. It began with our first parents, who worshiped the one true God. Corrupt men started broadening their horizons by worshiping multiple gods, varying concepts, nature itself, or no god.

One of these religions is called the quiet religion. It creeps up on us via Hollywood, the drug cults, the entertainment industry, etc. It’s the religion of Buddhism. It may be the largest of all religions, touching India, Japan, China, Russia, Europe, America, etc. For the most part, the people are peaceful and quiet. It comes in many shapes and sizes here in America and embedded in what is called the New Age.

Recently, a poll estimated that nearly 25% of Americans practice some form of reincarnation. This thinking and teaching has gained a large following in the American culture and is leaving its footprint on the land.

The teaching of transmigration, or reincarnation, is one of Buddhism’s many doctrines. It teaches that a person’s soul passes from one body or form to another body or form. Simply, it states that there is life after death, and after death, we return a very different creature, one that will soon die again, be reborn again to die again, this to continue until a specific condition of your soul has been reached.
Those who practice it claim that it’s some 2500 years old. Bushha means “The wise” or “the enlightened.”

Buddhists conclude that the causes of humanity’s pain are his desires. The immediate cause of pain is birth, for if we were not born, we would not be exposed to death or any of the ills of life. Birth is said to be caused by a previous existence and is only a transition from one state to another.

In its most exaggerated form, Buddhism accepts the doctrine of the transmigration of souls. When a man dies, he is immediately born again or appears in a new shape. According to their merits or demerits, that shape or form may be any form of the many innumerable orders of being that represent the Buddhist universe, such as a cow, rat, beggar, wealthy man, etc. This is to say, it can be anything from a clod, meaning anything earthly, base, or vile, as is the human body compared to his soul.

If a person’s deeds are wicked, they will be born in one of the 136 Buddhist hells situated in the earth’s interior. These places of punishment have a regular gradation in the intensity of the suffering measured by the length of time the sufferer lives; the least amount is 10 million years.

On the other hand, a worthy life secures the next birth in an exalted and happy position on earth, a blessed spirit, or they may even return as divinity in one of the many heavens. Regardless, both have an end and at their close, the person must be born again and can attain happiness or be miserable either as the vilest inanimate object or a god.

Death is no escape from this inevitable lot. According to this doctrine of transmigration, death is only a passage into some other form of existence which is equally doomed. Even those who find themselves in heaven have not entered into their final voyage.
The key to the whole scheme of Buddhist salvation lies in the Four Sublime Verites. The first asserts that pain exists, the second is that the cause of pain is desire or attachment, the third is Nirvana can end that pain, and the fourth shows the way that leads to Nirvana.

Reaching the state of Nirvana is the final beatitude that is said to transcend 1. suffering; 2. karma, which is to sustain the cycle of deaths and rebirths, and that which determines a person’s next destination or existence; and 3. Samsara is the extinction of desires and individual consciousness, bringing a person to a state oblivious to care, pain, and external reality.

Their rituals are simple. There are no priests, no clergy, no sacraments, or rites. But there are the Sramanas, a religious order, a kind of monk, who have entered into a course of the holiness of life, character, and austerity that ordinary men have not. The only function the Sramanas have is to read the scriptures or discourses of Buddha to assemblies of people.

The adoration of statues of the Buddha and his relics is the chief external ceremony of the religion, coupled with prayer and the repetition of sacred formulas. Note that their followers have never considered Buddha to be a god. Not being a god, Buddha has become and is the ideal of what man may become.

Prayer is natural to all men. But in this religion, there is no god; thus, no one can hear or answer their prayers. Their prayer works in some magical way, producing effects by a blind force inherent in themselves. From here may come the idea of men being gods within us. Prayer appears to be mere incantations or charms.

The caste system is a division of society based on differences of wealth, inherited rank, or occupation. Buddhism addresses itself to the castes and the outcasts. It promises salvation to all; their disciples are to preach and practice the disciplines of this doctrine in all places and to all men. They have a duty to preach from their homes, villages, country, or to the furthest corners of the earth. Having a feeling of sympathy and brotherhood towards all men united with the idea of humanity.

The works mentioned above and disciplines, in many respects, resemble the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the differences and fundamental errors in their theories are apparent. They are boyish, trifling absurdities with which the system has been overloaded, making it rather ridiculous.

Many Americans have become involved with yoga practice, exercises, and meditation. Yoga is the name of one of the two divisions of the Sankhya philosophy of the Hindus. According to Patanjali, the author of this system, the term means “The hindering of the modifications of thinking.” Yoga is a Hindu theistic philosophy, A system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being.
Christians are to stay away from any false teachings and pagan ceremonies and to avoid any ties that may be attached to these religion’s practices, be they exercises or mantras.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
3,230
1,126
113
New Zealand
#39
Reincarnation:
Information is knowledge, which can be an invaluable tool when obtained and understood. Religion, in its broadest sense, varies significantly throughout the earth. It began with our first parents, who worshiped the one true God. Corrupt men started broadening their horizons by worshiping multiple gods, varying concepts, nature itself, or no god.

One of these religions is called the quiet religion. It creeps up on us via Hollywood, the drug cults, the entertainment industry, etc. It’s the religion of Buddhism. It may be the largest of all religions, touching India, Japan, China, Russia, Europe, America, etc. For the most part, the people are peaceful and quiet. It comes in many shapes and sizes here in America and embedded in what is called the New Age.

Recently, a poll estimated that nearly 25% of Americans practice some form of reincarnation. This thinking and teaching has gained a large following in the American culture and is leaving its footprint on the land.

The teaching of transmigration, or reincarnation, is one of Buddhism’s many doctrines. It teaches that a person’s soul passes from one body or form to another body or form. Simply, it states that there is life after death, and after death, we return a very different creature, one that will soon die again, be reborn again to die again, this to continue until a specific condition of your soul has been reached.
Those who practice it claim that it’s some 2500 years old. Bushha means “The wise” or “the enlightened.”

Buddhists conclude that the causes of humanity’s pain are his desires. The immediate cause of pain is birth, for if we were not born, we would not be exposed to death or any of the ills of life. Birth is said to be caused by a previous existence and is only a transition from one state to another.

In its most exaggerated form, Buddhism accepts the doctrine of the transmigration of souls. When a man dies, he is immediately born again or appears in a new shape. According to their merits or demerits, that shape or form may be any form of the many innumerable orders of being that represent the Buddhist universe, such as a cow, rat, beggar, wealthy man, etc. This is to say, it can be anything from a clod, meaning anything earthly, base, or vile, as is the human body compared to his soul.

If a person’s deeds are wicked, they will be born in one of the 136 Buddhist hells situated in the earth’s interior. These places of punishment have a regular gradation in the intensity of the suffering measured by the length of time the sufferer lives; the least amount is 10 million years.

On the other hand, a worthy life secures the next birth in an exalted and happy position on earth, a blessed spirit, or they may even return as divinity in one of the many heavens. Regardless, both have an end and at their close, the person must be born again and can attain happiness or be miserable either as the vilest inanimate object or a god.

Death is no escape from this inevitable lot. According to this doctrine of transmigration, death is only a passage into some other form of existence which is equally doomed. Even those who find themselves in heaven have not entered into their final voyage.
The key to the whole scheme of Buddhist salvation lies in the Four Sublime Verites. The first asserts that pain exists, the second is that the cause of pain is desire or attachment, the third is Nirvana can end that pain, and the fourth shows the way that leads to Nirvana.

Reaching the state of Nirvana is the final beatitude that is said to transcend 1. suffering; 2. karma, which is to sustain the cycle of deaths and rebirths, and that which determines a person’s next destination or existence; and 3. Samsara is the extinction of desires and individual consciousness, bringing a person to a state oblivious to care, pain, and external reality.

Their rituals are simple. There are no priests, no clergy, no sacraments, or rites. But there are the Sramanas, a religious order, a kind of monk, who have entered into a course of the holiness of life, character, and austerity that ordinary men have not. The only function the Sramanas have is to read the scriptures or discourses of Buddha to assemblies of people.

The adoration of statues of the Buddha and his relics is the chief external ceremony of the religion, coupled with prayer and the repetition of sacred formulas. Note that their followers have never considered Buddha to be a god. Not being a god, Buddha has become and is the ideal of what man may become.

Prayer is natural to all men. But in this religion, there is no god; thus, no one can hear or answer their prayers. Their prayer works in some magical way, producing effects by a blind force inherent in themselves. From here may come the idea of men being gods within us. Prayer appears to be mere incantations or charms.

The caste system is a division of society based on differences of wealth, inherited rank, or occupation. Buddhism addresses itself to the castes and the outcasts. It promises salvation to all; their disciples are to preach and practice the disciplines of this doctrine in all places and to all men. They have a duty to preach from their homes, villages, country, or to the furthest corners of the earth. Having a feeling of sympathy and brotherhood towards all men united with the idea of humanity.

The works mentioned above and disciplines, in many respects, resemble the commands of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, the differences and fundamental errors in their theories are apparent. They are boyish, trifling absurdities with which the system has
been overloaded, making it rather ridiculous.

Many Americans have become involved with yoga practice, exercises, and meditation. Yoga is the name of one of the two divisions of the Sankhya philosophy of the Hindus. According to Patanjali, the author of this system, the term means “The hindering of the modifications of thinking.” Yoga is a Hindu theistic philosophy, A system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being.
Christians are to stay away from any false teachings and pagan ceremonies and to avoid any ties that may be attached to these religion’s practices, be they exercises or mantras.
Yes I was doing something my group called 'multi level healing' .

We would use crystals, meditation, energy, chakras. Meditate to be 'one' with a tree, rock, or animal. Or even one with 'The Divine'

We got out into nature and ate good food in nice cabins, so it felt really nice...

BUT..what were we letting into our group spiritually?

What about the many gurus who contradict each other on spiritual wisdom?

What about treating God as an impersonal 'force'?

I gave all this up when I studied the reality of the historical facts for Jesus' life death and resurrection.
 

10-22-27

Active member
Dec 17, 2023
454
141
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#40
Many question whether the following come from the Holy Spirit? Evil spirits? Or mass hysteria? Is it biblical or not? A cult or not?

The place? The Red River is near the Tennessee and Kentucky border. The time is 1799. The Pastor? Reverend James McGready of North Carolina. Others present were Mr. Rankin, Mr. Hodge, and William McGee, Presbyterian preachers, and John McGee, brother of William McGee, a Methodist preacher.

It was a marathon service lasting four days. Nothing unusual occurred until the final day when Mr. Hodge was preaching. Suddenly, a woman began to vent her emotions with ear-splitting cries and shouts. When the service ended, instead of the congregation dispersing, they remained.

But a strange thing happened: many in attendance began to weep silently. Mr. McGee did not understand what was happening; he left his seat and sat on the floor. He started to tremble, claiming to feel the power of God on him. Suddenly, he felt an irresistible urge to preach, and the people seemed eager to hear him. As he spoke, the same woman shouted and would not be silent.

McGee expressed his belief that there was a greater than he was preaching and urged the people to let the Lord God’s Omnipotent reign in their hearts. They were to submit to God so their soul could live. Many became vocal as renewed outcries from the same woman grew in intensity.

The preacher’s emotions had been worked up to their highest level. After reflecting for a few moments, he concluded that he would disregard the standard orderly procedures of the church. He then passed along the aisles, shouting and encouraging vehemently.

The noise and confusion increased, and hysteria grew to new heights. Screams for mercy were mingled with shouts of ecstasy as agitation overspread the multitude. This religious fervor soon spread along the Green and the Cumberland rivers.

Men brought their beds and provisions, traveling fifty miles to hear him preach. The idea was new. Hundreds of others adopted it as new camp meetings sprung up. The first regular general camp meeting was at the Gasper River Church in July 1800, but the rage spread, and a dozen encampments quickly followed. The meetings were held in the woods near churches, and the churches furnished lodging places for the preachers.

As the meetings progressed and the excitement grew more intense, those present rushed from preacher to preacher, singing, shouting, laughing, calling upon men to repent. Men and women fell to the ground, unable to help themselves. So many lay on the ground that the others couldn’t move around.

During the evening, the excitement became so intense that those who fell had to be helped up, carried to the meeting house, and laid on the floor so no one would trample them. Those who fell were called the “spiritually slain;” others lay quiet, unable to move or speak. And yet others would scream as though in great pain, floundering about as if having no control of their bodies.

Red River revival begins to spread. Time, 1807. Place? Logan Co., Kentucky.

Here was a place where human imaginations ran wild. It was a turbulent evening, fanatical, to say the least. As campfires blazed, those who had assembled bowed their heads. Hundreds of candles, lamps, and torches blazed, throwing both shadow and light into the woods, giving the woods an eerie appearance.

The chanting of hymns, passionate exhortations, prayers, sobs, shrieks, and shouts were heard from those under intense agitation throughout the evening.

Sudden spasms came upon many, and unexpectedly, they would thrust themselves to the ground. Feelings among them had worked itself up to the highest pitch of excitement until the early morning hours.

Many hours had passed, and the enthusiasm of those present began to cause strange contortions among the people, coming from what they claimed to be a so-called mysterious agency. From the preachers came an emotional, cheerful, optimistic excitement; and lastly, the zeal of the Methodists, who could not refrain from shouting aloud during the sermon and shaking hands with those close by.

Reverend James Crawford claimed those who fell to the ground numbered an astounding three thousand. This revival was afterward called the New Lights. Following this Great American Awakening, the Quakers, who were united, split into four distinctive groups. To the left of the New Lights, 321 separate groups formed, and many remained divided.

Again, division is the calling card of these forms of activities. Splits among the rank and file, each having pretentious leaders who break away from the historical teaching and biblically instructed forms of worship.