Cult-like Behavior in Churches

[EK-ABC-WHBC-Free]

A few weeks ago I asked for help in locating sources for a school project I have about cults. This week I was assigned this topic:

"How closely yoked is society's perception of cults versus acceptable cult-like behavior in mainstream religious groups?"

In other words, what type of things do churches and religious leaders do that are similar to the means cults use to control their followers? As a framework I am using this nine point list of cult traits provided by Robert Snow in Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers:

Quote:1. The group is focused around a living leader to whom the members show unquestioning obedience and commitment.
2. Group members are encouraged to associate only with other group members and to exclude anyone from their lives, including family members, who doesn't embrace the group's beliefs.
3. Group members are required to live in a facility with other group members.
4. Independent thought, dissension or questioning of the group's values is discouraged through peer pressure or punishment.
5. The group leader makes every decision for group members, even the most minor.
6. The group is obsessed with recruiting and fund-raising.
7. Members are expected to give everything they own to the group, including property co-owned by nongroup members.
8. The group believes and preaches that it is an elite organization, has a world-saving mission, and anyone who disagrees with the group is the enemy. Many religious cults preach that nonmembers are not only the enemy but are also agents of Satan.
9. The group claims to have an answer for every question of life.

I would not think any commentary on my part is necessary to explain how most if not all of these traits are present in many fundamental churches. What I am looking for are illustrations of how these things have happened. Quotes by fundamental leaders would be especially helpful. For example, while number 3 is not enforced to the letter, there is the "It takes three to thrive" doctrine and fundy rule #39: "Any church members who are not “here and in their place” during special meetings will be punished by being used as a sermon illustration." Any sayings you have heard or things you have experienced that could help me illustrate the craziness and cult-likeness of fundamentalism to someone who has never experienced it would be greatly appreciated.

[redhot]

Many times the pastor would say/scream: "What would we be if we weren't Baptists?" The response from the audience was: "We'd be ashamed!!"

[myotch]

This angle may work you you, too:

http://www.whatsbestnext.com/2011/06/low...-cultures/

[Tiarali]

"Touch not the Lord's Anointed." I was taught that if the pastor seems to be doing something wrong, then I should understand that he simply has more knowledge about the situation than I do. The Schaap situation suggests otherwise.

I had my pastor suggesting I not report abuse to the police in a private counselling session, not sure if that counts as controlling decisions or not.

Fundraising: "If you don't tithe you are robbing God!"

As far as having all the answers to life:

Quote:The Bible is an extremely powerful book. It has answers and practical applications for any situation you might be facing, and at Lighthouse Baptist Church, it is our desire to help you apply Bible truths to your everyday life. Some of the best and most helpful counselling you can receive is from weekly preaching services. From these messages you will learn what the Bible says, why it’s important, and how to apply it to your life.

I received hate mail from a church member after speaking out about my pastor's attempt at covering criminal abuse.

[jokerman]

Ronald Enroth's "Churches that Abuse" takes on this issue. (I haven't read the book so I can't vouch for it's value.)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...10-7636929

[Ricardo]

I use Rick Ross a lot:

http://rickross.com/warningsigns.html

In his database he has case after case on just about any religious leader you can think of.

I love his #7: A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.

Ain't that the truth:

Someone tells a joke, everyone looks at the pastor to find out if they can laugh...