Christianity vs. Cults

CULTS VS. CHRISTIANITY Christianity is the religion of millions of people in the world. Christians, the followers of Jesus Christ and the Bible, face multitude of problems and challenges from other religious cults, (they claim to be based on Bible) or non-religious cults. Religious cults are sometimes called "sects" as they do have some of teachings derived from the core religion, which is Christianity, here. Some of them are: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah's Witness, United Pentecostal Church (Oneness Pentecostalism and Unitarian Universalistic Association.

Similarly, there are non-religious cults such as the followers of Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Waco etc. (Joyce) No matter, what the nature of cult be, they are seen as threats to society and Christianity. They cause divisions in religion, worse still they immobilize the minds and thinking capabilities of their followers, thus taking them away from the truth. These cults are very different in nature from true Christianity in a number of ways. It is difficult for a person to enter a new healthy religion.

For example in case of Catholic Christianity; a person has to go through a long process of Confirmation and Baptism (Joyce). Christianity is also difficult to follow because it requires a total incorporation of Christian teachings in one's life, which mean, it might call for sacrifice of one of needs and impulses. However, one can always leave such a religion without the permission of anyone.

At the same time, while it is easy to get into and become a member of a cult, it is difficult to get out of the trap. Besides that, cults differ from true Christianity because it requires total commitment and devotion to the cult leaders. People are to follow, whatever the leaders say, without objection. They are neither allowed to question nor inquire anything that they don't understand or find inappropriate. Such attitudes are considered insolent towards leaders.

"Self-destruction of the oddball members of Heaven's Gate in California and mass suicide of the People's Temple in Guyana" (3) are examples of such total commitment. Healthy religions like Christianity on the other hand encourage their followers to contemplate over the Divine teachings and inquire about anything that they don't find right. Everyone is also allowed to follow religion in accordance with his or her level of understanding.

No one is forced to do anything (however, there are some basic beliefs and acts to adhere to, in order to be considered Christian) For one to be considered a good Christian, it is not only essential to follow teachings of God but also to become to good human being. His or her behavior and treatment to other people is equally important. Service to people is integral part of Christianity. This is to encourage a spirit of community and togetherness.

Jesus frequently asked his followers to love and care for each other. However, the situation in case of cults is quite different. There is one to one relationship between the leader and his follower. The followers have no obligations towards other followers. Fourthly, Christianity is not an act or rite to be performed at some particular time. It is a way of thinking and living. It is to be lived every moment of one's life. One has to think and behave like a Christian all the time.

But cults are not that broad-based. They have limited doctrines to follow. But the threat cults pose today is that some claim to be biblically based. They just tamper with some of essential teaching of Christianity. Jehovah's Witnesses, for example, completely deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Similarly, The International Church of Christ believes in both God and Christ but claims that only its members will reach Heaven.

Secondly these new religious movements claim to have divine leaders who like Jesus Christ received some sort of divine revelations or have special connection with the God. For instance Rev. Sun Myung Moon, leader of Unification Church, is considered as "Lord of Second Advent" by his followers. Another feature of these cults is that they deny the truth and existence of other churches or groups. According to them, Heaven is only guarantied to their members.

Besides, they claim to posses a divine scripture that they consider as sacred as the Bible or more. Another threat that Christianity today faces is from the new kind of spiritual cults such "Silva Mind Control" and "Rolfing," (3) that are either inspired by Eastern pagan religion or claim to be non-religious. They guarantee their followers of acquiring salvation and spirituality, in ways that totally refute Christianity or Christian beliefs. (Some forms of yoga and Zen). They might open one to experiences that are.