Rewind: Characteristics of a Cult: Endangerment

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Where we provide a quick biblical interpretations and applications. This is a ministry of striving for eternity.

We've been looking all week at the five characteristics of a cult. We saw that they start out by twisting the scriptures. That ends up leading to where they have someone that's going to be in control to say that they're the only ones that can interpret scripture.

What that ends up inevitably leading to is the fact that they will say that if you're not part of that organization, you're excluded from the truth. Then that's going to lead to the fourth one, which is isolationism.

Where you can't talk to anyone else because they might deceive you, or trick you, or brainwash you when in fact the organization is trying to control the people with their own brainwashing. The last of the five is endangerment.

Endangerment as a Cult Characteristic

And this is another trait that may include in many cults. It is true that many cults' teachings do not lead to physical endangerment, but it will be either a physical or more often an emotional endangerment, but always a spiritual endangerment.

What you end up seeing is that people will feel that they cannot leave the organization because to leave the organization, they leave the truth. Because many of these groups will do what's called love bombing, they surround you and isolate you so that if you leave, you feel like you've left everything behind.

You feel empty inside because they love bomb you. They may get all of the attention on one another, so you feel that everything of your life is tied in with the group. And so when you leave, you end up feeling like there's a big gap, and many people return to the cult because of that, but it is more of a reason to leave because it is an endangerment.

Further Resources and Closing

If you want to get more information about this and more religions, get my book, What Do They Believe, at whatdotheybelieve .com.

This podcast is part of the Striving for Eternity ministry. For more content or to request a speaker or seminar to your church, go to strivingforeternity .com.

Dive into New Jersey's rich history and diverse heritage. From colonial reenactments and Victorian architecture, scientific breakthroughs, to the Underground Railroad. We're the crossroads of the American Revolution, birthplace of the motion picture, and home to the oldest lighthouse in the U .S.

Explore our historic museums, view maritime marvels, and travel insightful itineraries. Learn more at visitnj .org. Slash history. Thank you.