How To Make Your Own Cult (And Incur The Wrath of God)

I. Definition of a Cult… In general Christian terms, a cult is a break off group of the orthodox Christian faith which denies the essentials truths of the Christian faith while proclaiming itself as the true religion while denouncing the church. The term is also used of groups who still maintain orthodoxy but are charged with extreme legalism and control of its members.

Secular use of the term For the unbelieving world, as they view cults the issue of orthodoxy and heresy are meaningless. Cults are antisocial religious groups who can be dangerous to themselves and society at large. They see the leader as a egomaniac who uses mind control, a violation of personal choice, rejection of one’s family, and a wasting of one’s life as extremely dangerous.

II. Ten of the top worse cults ever

1. Mormonism Leader: Joseph Smith Inception: 1830 Contend that they are the only true church which was restored through Joseph Smith

2. Jehovah Witnesses Leader: Charles Taze Russell Inception: 1870’s Teach that Christ was not God but a god. Their claim is that they are the true followers of Jehovah

3. Christian Science Leader: Mary Eddy Baker Inception: 1879 Emphasizes healing through the mind and the restoration of the true church.

4. United Pentecostal Church Leader: Howard A. Goss Inception: 1945 Believes that tongues is required for salvation, denies the trinity, and one must be baptized in Jesus’ name alone.

5. Unification Church (Moonies) Leader: Sun Myung Moon Inception: 1954 Teaches that Jesus failed on the cross and Moon is now the mediator between God and man.

6. Scientology Leader: L Ron Hubbard Inception: 1950 A do-it-yourself kit program on religion sprinkled with Christian overtones. Big money cult.

7. The Family (Children of God) Leader: Moses David Berg Inception: 1968 A strange mix of Christian beliefs using free sex as a means to evangelize. Many lives ruined by this cult.

8. Branch Davidians Leader: David Koresh Inception: 1980’S Taught impending apostolic destruction and terror and practice sexual abuse. In 1994 the ATF raided the Waco, TX compound resulting in 80 member’s death.

9. People’s Temple Leader: Jim Jones Inception: 1955 Jones was a master at mind control. He taught a religious socialism. Famous for the Kool-Aid suicide in Guyana in 1978 where 918 lost their lives.

10. Heaven’s Gate Leader: Marshall Applewhite Inception: Early 1970’s Believed that the earth going to be recycled and that suicide was their only hope of survival. In 1997, 39 committed suicide.