Author: Gary Witcher

Christianity and Cults

	Too many people are mislead by too many deluding influences.  It happens over and over every day.  We are still surprised, though, when so many people are involved in something like Jonestown or the Heaven's Gate cult.
	A listener once called to our attention a letter printed in (the April 28, 1997 issue of) Newsweek Magazine.
	"What's this bizarre cult I've been hearing about?" the letter in Newsweek asks.  "It's leader was a charismatic, itinerant teacher whose followers abandoned their homes and families.  This cult has predicted a global apocalypse, and its doomsday prophecies include comets crashing into Earth, mass resurrections of the dead and a seven-headed beast ruling the world for more than three years.  I believe this cult is called...Christianity."
	Our listener then asked, "How is Christianity different from this cult?"
	Before directly answering this question, we should take a moment to examine the implications of the Newsweek letter. Obviously, the writer is a little confused about some things.
	First of all, it would be difficult to apply an honest definition of "cult" to Christianity, at least in the connotation implied by the writer.
	There are, by the way, some definitions of "cult" which are positive, and these might apply to Christianity.  The word sometimes refers to "worship."  In fact, the Italian word for worship is "culto."  Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines "cult" as "formal religious veneration" or "a system of religious beliefs and ritual."  It refers to "a great devotion to a person, idea or thing."  The term comes from a Latin word for "care" or "adoration."  It is the base for words such as "cultivate" or "culture."
	Of course, the writer is inferring a negative connotation for "cult," so we must examine the word in that light.  The only negative definition that Webster gives for "cult" is "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious."  "Spurious" implies that something is false or, as Webster states, "outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities."  With this definition we can begin to see the weakness of the writer's reasoning, and we can also discover one part of the answer to the question involving the relationship between Christianity and a cult such as the Heaven's Gate group.
	If a cult is "outwardly similar...to something without having its genuine qualities," then what is it that Heaven's Gate is similar to?  If that group is unorthodox, then what is considered to be orthodox?  Whether the writer likes it or not, that standard in the United States is still what is commonly considered to be Christianity.  By definition, Christianity cannot lack the genuine qualities of the real thing because it is the real thing.  It cannot be the unorthodox because it is the orthodox.  So Webster doesn't do much to help the writer.
	Understanding the definition of the word is not the writer's only problem, though.  He also seems to have a lack of understanding about Christianity.  And it is here that we can see much of the difference between Christianity and a cult such as Heaven's Gate.
	The letter refers to a leader "whose followers abandoned their homes and families."  The inference is that this is a picture of Christianity, while Christianity actually does not require its followers to do this at all.  It never has.  It has always expected that Christians put Christ above all else, but it has never demanded that they leave home and family in order to do so.  All members of a group such as Heaven's Gate are required to isolate themselves from the world in some way.  Does Christianity make this demand?
	"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people," Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, "I {did} not at all {mean} with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within {the church}?  But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."
	"Children, obey your parents in the Lord," Paul instructs in Ephesians 6:1-3, "for this is right.  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."
	Cults require its adherents to abandon homes and families.  Christianity expects its followers to strengthen home and family.

	The letter mentions a prediction of a global apocalypse.  Scientists do this every day.  They warn of "global warming" and of holes in the ozone layer.  Would the writer use this to classify them as cult members?  The world will end some day.  It would be foolish to deny this fact.  The real discussion revolves around "when" and "how' but there can be little doubt that it will be rather devastating or even "apocalyptic" when it occurs.
	In association with this, the letter speaks of comets crashing into the earth.  There is nothing in the Bible that teaches anything about a comet crashing into the earth.  Prophetic language speaks of disturbances in the heavens, but it never warns of a comet literally crashing into the earth.  Now, scientists talk about a great meteorite that they say crashed into the earth and dramatically altered life as we know it on this planet.  Does this make them cult members?
	The writer talks about "mass resurrections of the dead," but it is difficult to understand what his problem is here.  Most people believe in the resurrection of all the dead.  Even the Eastern religions believe in the eternal nature of some life force.  Belief in the resurrection of the dead is hardly the qualifying character of a cult.  Based on Webster's definition, NOT believing in the resurrection of the dead would be associated with being part of a cult.
	The letter mentions a seven-headed beast ruling the world for more than three years.  The Bible teaches no such thing.  It uses symbolic prophetic language in the book of Revelation to refer to Rome in this way, but it never foretells of a day when a literal seven-headed dragon will rule the world for more than three years.
	When we reflect on the letter to Newsweek we realize that there is more to it than first meets the eye.  As is often the case, the writer has selected, perhaps on purpose or maybe in his lack of knowledge, things which he believes to be similarities between the Heaven's Gate cult and Christianity.  However, he has conveniently left out some major differences between the two. Is it honest to ignore glaring differences in order to draw a conclusion that two things are the same?
	We have already noted that many cults preach isolation from society while Christianity expects people to be good members of society.  Are there any other differences?
	Cults often call for rebellion against authority, especially the government.  Does Christianity do the same?
	"Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's," Jesus instructs in Matthew 22:21.
	"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities," Christians are told in Romans 13:1-7.  "For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.  Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for {rulers} are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax {is due;} custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
	"First of all, then," Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, "I urge that entreaties {and} prayers, petitions {and} thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
	"Remind them," Titus 3:1 orders, "to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed."
	"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution," we find in 1 Peter 2:13-15, "whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men."
	Does this sound like the teaching of a modern-day cult?
	The cults which are most noticeable are those which take part in a suicide ritual.  Does Christianity support suicide?  Look at our society today.  What force other than Christianity stands more strongly in opposition to assisted suicide, abortion and euthanasia?  Is it honest, then, to equate Christianity with a suicide cult?
	We've left for last the greatest difference between cults and Christianity.  After hearing the news reports about the Heaven's Gate mass suicide, someone asked an interesting question.  The people packed their bags for the journey.  The last two people made sure the others were dead before taking their own lives.  Didn't they notice that the bags were still there?
	You see, cults may follow charismatic leaders, but when those leaders die they stay dead. They always promise to come back.  But they never do.  They are dead and their graves contain their remains to this day.
	Christianity may also have its roots in a leader named Jesus, but He did exactly what He promised.  His is an empty grave.  No opponent, even in the days following the crucifixion, could go to a grave and say, "Look, the body is right here."
	How is Christianity different from cults such as Heaven's Gate?  Cults worship leaders who end up dead.  Christianity glorifies a risen Savior.
	When it gets down to the bottom line, the main thing that the writer is attacking about Christianity is that it expects dedication from its followers.  Of course, our modern society gets upset when people start talking about commitment and dedication.  But is it wrong to be dedicated?  Is it wrong to devote our lives to a worthy cause?  If so, then Christianity is guilty.  It is guilty of demanding from its followers that they dedicate themselves to the truth in order to be set free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."