• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

The cults

Riders

Riders

Well-Known Member
So what are the major big cults which are most dangerous in the country of the USA today? Id say Scientology is up there and any terrorist groups like Muslim terrorists, not regular Muslims but the extremists,FLDs? Which ones and what is being done about it?

How are we as a society affected by cults? Id like to start a series of threads or maybe just this one dedicated to ideas in dealing with cult life.I was a member of the UPC church some consider it extreme Fundamentalism, I believe its a cult, the ones with dress codes are.

You have to be baptized their way the name of Jesus instead of the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and speak in tongues and dress their dress code to be saved.

So does anyone here who has survived a cult have any opinions on the worst and what can be done about it.
 
Last edited:
L

lostwanderingsoul

Well-Known Member
We have freedom of religion. All cults are welcome. Why would cults be a problem? Many would probably call paganism and zen cults. Are they bad?
 
ManSinha

ManSinha

Well-Known Member
I read somewhere that after Star Trek : TOS was cancelled, it become a "cult classic" - if that is a cult I am still in it :D
 
Riders

Riders

Well-Known Member
I should have said destructive cults I named Scientology and FLDS both of which have been taken to court and accused of holding people against their wills and molesting children. Still think they are ok? Leah Remini is speaking out against Scientology on tv.

My church was sexually repressive and abusive and left a long lasting impression on me.
 
RedhorseWoman

RedhorseWoman

Active Member
Riders said:
So what are the major big cults which are most dangerous in the country of the USA today? Id say Scientology is up there and any terrorist groups like Muslim terrorists, not regular Muslims but the extremists,FLDs? Which ones and what is being done about it?

How are we as a society affected by cults? Id like to start a series of threads or maybe just this one dedicated to ideas in dealing with cult life.I was a member of the UPC church some consider it extreme Fundamentalism, I believe its a cult, the ones with dress codes are.

You have to be baptized their way the name of Jesus instead of the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and speak in tongues and dress their dress code to be saved.

So does anyone here who has survived a cult have any opinions on the worst and what can be done about it.
Click to expand...

As a former JW, I would most definitely include them in the list. Not only is there a dress code, but the control extends to pretty much every aspect of life, from persons with whom you should associate, to what reading material is allowed, to medical decisions, to what music or movies are acceptable, to how a person should spend their time (mainly going out in field service, to JW meetings, and studying Watchtower literature.) At one point in time, they even condemned things like wind chimes and the game of chess.

Another group that I learned about because of how it affected a co-worker who was targeted by them was the International Church of Christ. It's a fairly small group centered mainly in the Northeast, but from what I've learned, they are really draconian in their practices.
 
RedhorseWoman

RedhorseWoman

Active Member
Audie said:
Who can name a religion that is not a cult?
Click to expand...

It's exactly because the term "cult" can be widely generalized that I prefer the term "high control religion." I think that that description is more apt and tends to describe those groups that can cause a lot of harm to their adherents.
 
Shad

Shad

Veteran Member
ManSinha said:
I read somewhere that after Star Trek : TOS was cancelled, it become a "cult classic" - if that is a cult I am still in it :D
Click to expand...

It's too mainstream now. Now Dune..... there is a cult-classic.

iu
 
Riders

Riders

Well-Known Member
RedhorseWoman said:
As a former JW, I would most definitely include them in the list. Not only is there a dress code, but the control extends to pretty much every aspect of life, from persons with whom you should associate, to what reading material is allowed, to medical decisions, to what music or movies are acceptable, to how a person should spend their time (mainly going out in field service, to JW meetings, and studying Watchtower literature.) At one point in time, they even condemned things like wind chimes and the game of chess.

Another group that I learned about because of how it affected a co-worker who was targeted by them was the International Church of Christ. It's a fairly small group centered mainly in the Northeast, but from what I've learned, they are really draconian in their practices.
Click to expand...

I agree. When I use to take the bus to work was on the bus route and 730 in the morning sleeping at the station the JW women with their dress shoes and dresses on would come by and wake me at 730 in the morning to give me a copy of the Watchtower and preach at me for crying outloud. They told me they got up at 5 in the morning to get out and witness everyday YIKES! Scary!I cant believe they woke me up 7 in the morning to talk to me about the Watchtower.
 
sun rise

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
RedhorseWoman said:
It's exactly because the term "cult" can be widely generalized that I prefer the term "high control religion." I think that that description is more apt and tends to describe those groups that can cause a lot of harm to their adherents.
Click to expand...

"high control" is to me the key phrase because it speaks to the use of power including shaming and threatening to enforce adherence.
 
Nakosis

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Riders said:
So what are the major big cults which are most dangerous in the country of the USA today? Id say Scientology is up there and any terrorist groups like Muslim terrorists, not regular Muslims but the extremists,FLDs? Which ones and what is being done about it?

How are we as a society affected by cults? Id like to start a series of threads or maybe just this one dedicated to ideas in dealing with cult life.I was a member of the UPC church some consider it extreme Fundamentalism, I believe its a cult, the ones with dress codes are.

You have to be baptized their way the name of Jesus instead of the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost and speak in tongues and dress their dress code to be saved.

So does anyone here who has survived a cult have any opinions on the worst and what can be done about it.
Click to expand...

Lets see, Scientology...

Scientology believes in past lives, believes psychiatry is fake medicine, They push hard on positive thinking. Their auditing and books cost a lot. They push, imply that through intention alone one can get get all of the money needed to pay for their auditing, auditing training and books. "Power of tone 40 intention" they called it.

They ran afoul of Nixon, refused to support his campaign so he sent the IRS to raid their records. Scientology fought back and managed to get the government to back off.

To join the Sea Org, the group that runs Scientology they make you sign a million year contract. Found it wasn't legally binding so tried to get everyone to sign a 5 year contract instead. In the Sea Org all of your auditing, training is free. However if you break your contract they threaten to pay for all services used while in the Sea Org.

I left didn't attack them publicly, they left me alone. Folks who publicly attack the church They have a group, the Guardians Office, dedicated to protecting the church, who will go after you. Their lore however is already out on the internet for anyone to see.
 
Riders

Riders

Well-Known Member
Nakosis said:
Lets see, Scientology...

Scientology believes in past lives, believes psychiatry is fake medicine, They push hard on positive thinking. Their auditing and books cost a lot. They push, imply that through intention alone one can get get all of the money needed to pay for their auditing, auditing training and books. "Power of tone 40 intention" they called it.

They ran afoul of Nixon, refused to support his campaign so he sent the IRS to raid their records. Scientology fought back and managed to get the government to back off.

To join the Sea Org, the group that runs Scientology they make you sign a million year contract. Found it wasn't legally binding so tried to get everyone to sign a 5 year contract instead. In the Sea Org all of your auditing, training is free. However if you break your contract they threaten to pay for all services used while in the Sea Org.

I left didn't attack them publicly, they left me alone. Folks who publicly attack the church They have a group, the Guardians Office, dedicated to protecting the church, who will go after you. Their lore however is already out on the internet for anyone to see.
Click to expand...

Yea I watch Leah from time to time, she and others on their claim to be harassed and followed a lot. Its scary, tahnks for the inf I appreciate it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top