Former followers have reported deplorable living conditions, mind control, and slave labor. 4 talking about this. Beth HaShem, Jacob Hawkins, Odessa, TX: Sacred name, Sabbatarianism, keeps Old Testament feasts and laws for salvation. Publishes Cornerstone. Dawn Bible Students, East Rutherford, NJ: One of the original Bible Students splinter groups formed after Joseph Rutherford assumed leadership of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. As Samuel was a prophet to Israel in his day, as Jeremiah was a prophet to Israel in the day of captivity, as John the Baptist came as a special messenger of the Lord to prepare the way of Christ's appearing, so we believe that Mrs. White was a prophet to the church of Christ today. Both are necessary and both must be harmonized for proper function. Cosmerism: Mixture of Christianity and Buddhism, but embraces all religions as having truth. International Space Science Foundation, Rick Ardyn, Salt Lake City, UT: UFOs, claims to possess recordings of space people. Smith claimed that the Father and Son appeared to him and called him to restore the true Church. Publishes the News From The Mountain Top newsletter. Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch. Ouija Board: Occult "game" using wooden board and pointer which spells out messages allegedly from the dead (a form of necromancy). For examples of groups that have falsely predicted the apocalypse, see Church of the Living Stone Mission for the Coming Days, Adventism, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The Mind Control or Thought Reform model, as for instance developed by Robert Lifton, suggests that there are specific methods of deception that can be employed by abusive spiritual leaders that may result in a diminished capacity for critical thinking and suppression of autonomy in their followers. LaVey, author of the Satanic Bible, founded the church in 1966 and died in 1997 after which a struggle for leadership ensued between LaVey's daughters, Karla and Zeena, and his long-term live-in partner, Blanche Barton. It will be clear who chooses Jesus and who doesnt. Assembly of Yahweh, Holt, MI: Founded in 1930, perhaps the oldest of the Sacred Name groups in America. Used by many traditional cults, as well as by some religious organizations that are not cultic in their basic doctrine. Universariun Foundation, Inc., Portland, OR: New Age, Ascended Masters, channeling. Salvation by Grace: The doctrine and message of the gospel that eternal life is not gained by or conditioned on works but is an undeserved and free gift from God received through faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior who died for our sins and rose from the dead. Temple of Danann, Michael Ragan, Hanover, IN: Paganism/occult, magic, Wicca, astrology. Types of Yoga include: Karma Yoga (spiritual union through correct conduct), Bhakti Yoga (spiritual union through devotion to a Guru), Juana Yoga (spiritual union through hidden knowledge), Raja Yoga (spiritual union through mental control), Hatha Yoga (spiritual union through body control/meditation), Kundalini Yoga (spiritual union through focusing inner energy) and Tantra Yoga (spiritual union through sexual practices). The Farm, Stephen Gaskin, Summertown, TN: Zen Buddhism mixed with esoteric Christianity, pantheism, communal society. International Meditation Society: See Transcendental Meditation. Eagle's Cry, Denver, CO: New Age/Occult periodical, includes Egyptian revival, channeling, aura analysis. Church of Cosmic Origin, Hope Troxell, June Lake, CA: New Age, Community, Cosmic Christianity, additional scripture includes The Book of Enoch. (Krishnamurti later renounced that role). Light of Yoga Society, Cleveland Heights, OH: Yoga. Blavatsky, Madame Helena Petrovna: Founder of Theosophy. Similar to Unitarian-Universalist. Profile available. To various degrees, virtually all Protestant denominations today share a common heritage concerning the issues of the Reformation. The roots of the movement are obscure, but it eventually developed into the idea that Japan, unlike other countries, was uniquely fathered by the god Izanami, whose consort, the goddess Izanagi, gave birth to the Japanese islands. It finds expressions among blacks, feminists, Asians, Hispanics, and Native Americans, but it is most closely identified with the shift toward Marxism among Roman Catholic theologians and priests in Latin America. Pyramidology: Study of the Ancient Egyptian and/or Central American Mayan pyramids, which are believed to possess keys to hidden mystic knowledge or secret spiritual messages. The Beatles are widely credited with increasing the popularity of Eastern religions in the United States. Society of Pragmatic Mysticism, Mildred Mann, New York, NY: Esoteric Christianity, karma, reincarnation. In extreme cases this mindset can promote violence or murder. Pagan Spiritual Alliance, Selena Fox, Mt. Virgin Birth: The belief that when Jesus was conceived and born of Mary she was a virgin, and that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit. High Point, Vance Harris, Willard MO: New Age, Channeling, astrology. Tibetan Buddhism: (Lamaism) A blending of Buddhism with the occultism of Tibet which developed in the 7th century AD Lamas (priests) are perpetually led by the Dalai Lama who is worshipped as the most recent reincarnation of Bodhisattva Chenresi. Trance: An spontaneous or induced altered state of consciousness, similar to hypnosis, which is often employed by channelers and mediums. An early Kabbalist, Moses de Leon, developed and systematized the philosophy in his thirteenth century work, The Book of Zolar (sometimes spelled Zohar meaning "Splendor"). Pacific West Fellowship: Splinter group of The Way International. Samhain: (pronounced Sah-ween) Alternative name for Halloween. See Maya. Sufi Order of the Sons of the Green Light, New York, NY: See Sufism. Native American Spirituality: The religious beliefs, practices, and rituals associated Native Americans. Out-of-Body Experience (OBE): Any experience in which a person believes that his or her spirit has temporarily left the physical body and then returned to that same body. And He has promised to be with us all the way until the end (Matthew 28:20). Several organizations view the book as scripture. Ramtha: Spirit entity supposedly channeled by J. Mesmer's pupils were later able to induce a "magnetic sleep" (trance state or hypnotic condition) in their patients. Ambassador University, Big Sandy, TX: Now defunct Liberal arts and religious institution founded by Herbert Armstrong. Under former Presiding Bishop Samuel Kramer's leadership, the church has fully returned to a Sabbath-keeping service schedule which had largely been abandoned under Looper's administration. Avanta Network, Palo Alto, CA: New Age, works by Virginia Satir promoted, positive and negative energies. Used to locate people, objects, or substances, and to diagnose illnesses. Contemporary expressions of traditional Satanism are rare, and popular elements of it, including the testimonies of alleged former Satanists and Satanic Ritual Abuse have been discredited. Builders, Norman Paulsen, Oasis, NV: New Age, Christ-consciousness, meditation, Father-Mother God, enlightenment. Cosmic Communication Commune, Decorah, IA: All religions have same common roots, communication from the cosmic Spirit. The earth promised to humanity will be restored, and we will live in the New Jerusalem (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1) that will be established upon it. New Thot Free Thot, Bill Greenhouse, Los Angeles, CA: Seeks to combine the teachings of Christian Science, Unity School of Christianity and New Thought philosophy. Today devotion centers around public shrines and home altars dedicated to ancestors and gods. Occult: From the Latin word, hidden. Spirit of Prophecy Ministry, Las Vegas, NV: Predicted the return of Christ in 1998. Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity: See Unification Church. Scripture Research Association, College Park, MD: Sacred Name movement, the names Jesus and Christ are pagan. Shunning: (Disfellowshipping) An effective technique of control used by Jehovah's Witnesses and other groups to instill discipline, punish, or maintain idealistic purity. LaVey, a former lion tamer, organist, hypnotist, psychic, artist, and photographer. Common Boundary, Chevy Chase, MD: New Age periodical. Mystics explain that from the color of the aura, a person's emotional and intellectual moods can be determined. In this chapter, a prophetic period of 2300 days is mentioned. Crossroads Church of Christ: See International Churches of Christ. Therefore, Bapak says that it is God Who will lead you toward Himself and what really happens in the latihan is that you will be introduced to your real inner selfto the real I'. See Crowley, Aleister. Just as this extreme pain comes directly before the joy of a baby, this tumultuous period directly precedes the joy of the Second Coming. The Tao is composed of conflicting opposites (Yin and Yang) which should be balanced or harmonized through yoga, meditation, etc., to promote spiritual wholeness. Hare Krishna: Nickname for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The foot or hand is seen as a microcosm of the human body and/or the universe. Loving Relationships Training, Sondra Ray: New Age, seminars, rebirthing. Peace Mission Movement: Based on the teaching of founder Father Divine, which contains elements of New Thought, asceticism, perfectionism, utopian communalism, and denies existence of race and strictly prohibits discrimination among members. No more tears. Star Center for the Americas, Montgomery, TX: New Age, pantheism, Divine light or Christ light, meditation, karma. The record of their lives will be reviewed in heaven and they will be judged. Horeb, WI: Paganism, worship of gods and goddesses, Mother Earth. Such occult communication with the dead, known as necromancy, is forbidden in the Bible. Begin your search by clicking on the highlighted letter below that is the first letter of the term for which you are searching (or, if your browser will do so, perform a word search for the term). Superet Brotherhood for Mankind, Josephine C. Trust, Los Angeles, CA: New Age, Father-Mother God, auras, Bible Mysteries. Arizona Network News, Scottsdale, AZ: New Age periodical. beginning of the creation The Bible shows that God takes care of the spiritual state of His people through godly men. Master of Life, Dick Sutphen, Agoura Hills, CA: New Age, Reiki, astrology, automatic writing. It may sound harsh of God to judge peopleespecially when that judgment yields eternal consequences (whether good or bad). Adelphi Organization, Dallas, TX: New Age teachings on Atlantis, karma, seven planes of existence. Its origins are in the German Enlightenment, notably in the philosophy of Immanuel Kant and the religious views of Friedrich Schleiermacher. Although people in the time of Noah obviously had a lot of time to make the decision to join him in the ark prior to the flood coming, that windowthat probationclosed when the door of the ark closed. Institute of Mental Science, Nashville, TN: Mental Science, psychic energy, hypnosis. Discover Christ Church in Jerusalem in Jerusalem, Israel: Oldest Protestant church in the Middle East, designed to resemble a synagogue. The co-founders have been heavily involved with other New Age practices. In 1957 Grady R. Kent went out of the Church of God of Prophecy and formed The Church of God, which adopted its name in 1958. Also called astral travel. Jehovah's Witnesses: Official name of the religion that accepts the authority of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Publishes the Interconnections newsletter. See Stonehenge. Church of All Worlds, Otter Zell, Berkeley, CA: Occult/Pagan theology. Best known for explicit sexual practices in recruiting converts and inner-group life, based on Berg's writings, the MO Letters. Lifton, Robert: Dr. Lifton studied Mao Tse-Tung's programs of "Thought Reform" or Chinese brainwashing while doing research for military intelligence. Vision Quest: Native American spiritual ceremony involving out-of-body experiences or astral projection; also called the Way of Inner Journey. Metaphysics: (Meta, "after" or "beyond"; physics "physical"). York, Malachi Z., See Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek. Apostolic United Brethren: See Corporation of the Presiding Elder of the Apostolic United Brethren. Publishes the Fiery Synthesis magazine. Shintoism: (Shen-Tao "the way of the gods.") Diverse groups teach variations of this doctrine. Radical feminism, however, pushes for a revolution to free themselves from male enslavement and exploitation. Ahabah Asah Prophetic Ministries: See Gatekeepers. It will be a worldwide event (Revelation 1:7). Learn more about the hope we have in Jesus as we look forward to the end of sin and suffering. While we cant predict the future, we can learn from the Bible some of the major themes to expect when this time arrives. Because of this, the gospel went throughout the Caribbean, Scotland, Africa, Europe, India, and other third world countries. Watchman Fellowship usually uses the term cult with a Christian or doctrinal definition in mind. Because of its close proximity to Christmas, the term Yule has often been used as a designation for Christmas. Nathaniel Dandridge Pendleton (18651937) In office from June 15, 1916 to June 21, 1936. Circle of Light, Inc., Honolulu, HI: New Age, follows Lord Michael, astral planes, channeling. The group considers their doctrines and beliefs to be sacred and beyond question. Thus, Jesus Christ is not the Savior of the Jewish people and they should relate to God through the earlier Old Testament or Abrahamic covenant. Regular practice of the latihan enables one to discern one's true self, which apparently turns out to be God. Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman. Jesus Only: Nickname for Oneness Pentecostalism. Publishes the Green Egg periodical. Branham, William, (1909-1965): Oneness Pentecostal preacher who claimed he received healing and prophetic powers from an angel. Feng Shui teaches that there is an energy called Qi (or, Chi) flowing throughout the universe, and in this world through lines, sometimes called channels or meridians, to which one must be properly aligned for optimal health, fortune, and quality of life. contain definitions that reflect the beliefs of Watchman's staff. Ascended Masters School of Light, Toni Moltzan, Carrollton, TX: New Age, channeling, Ascended Masters including Jesus, universal consciousness. Voice of Reality, Phoenix, AZ: New Age newspaper. Sacred Order of Mystic Christianity, Mountain View, CA: New Age, mystic keys, Inner God, Christ within, higher self. Publishes the Harbin magazine. Large numbers of its membership have left to join splinter groups that still teach classic Armstrongism. Members of the New Church believe the One God, Jesus Christ is the author of the Word of the Second Coming, not Swedenborg. Continuum Foundation, Chino Valley, AZ: New Age, dynamic energies, consciousness raising teachings. This is by no means a complete list of cults and religions. Institute of Judaic-Christian Research, Vendyl Jones, Arlington, TX: B'nai Noah, teaches Plural Covenant doctrine, teaches from the Kabbalah, and denies the Deity of Jesus. A form of spiritism normally associated with mediums or channelers, who contact the spirits of the deceased (a form of necromancy). Aum leader, Chizuo Matsumoto (now called Shoko Asahara), predicted the end of the world between 1997 and 2000. It identifies the literary forms of specific parts of the biblical writings, such as the different types of psalms (thanksgiving, lament, etc.) Temple of the Ascended Master, Ted M. Pierce, Yarness, AZ: New Age, channeling, God within, karma erasing. Church of Christ-Consciousness: See Center of the Light. Hinduism) that when a person dies he has the ability to come again to the earth, inhabit a new body, and live as many lives as needed to progress towards a religious goal. Turgeon once claimed to be the prophet Elijah. One Gnostic heresy taught that because matter was evil, Jesus could not have come in the flesh. Practices shepherding, teaches baptismal regeneration, and claims to be the only true church. 3:2126), that God's justice in saving sinners who trust Jesus to save them is vindicated by the blood of JesusHis death in their place, in their behalf. Mantra: Eastern mysticism or New Age term for a word or series of words that are repeated over and over either verbally or silently. One of the marks of a cult is that it preaches a different gospel, that is, a false way of salvation (2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:69). Thus, like liberalism, this view results in a subjective, existential encounter, which denies absolute propositional truth in revelation. Jerusalem Church of God Seventh Day Sanctified CHRIST THE HEAD AND. Jesus talks about a great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now (verse 21). In this system, the Church is led by an Anointed Leader, often referred to as the Presiding Bishop (Presently Bishop Lavell Craig), who is considered to be the "good steward" who is commanded to give the church their "meat (or revelation) in due season". Goals sometimes include altered states of consciousness or uniting the practitioner with the impersonal pantheistic God. The Bible has a relative authority in that it concurs with one's own self-evident experiences, rather than having absolute authority over all human experiences and beliefs, as in evangelical Christianity. Any Suggestions? On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was changing its name to Arefu (Aleph, in English). Pan African Orthodox Christian Church, Detroit, MI: Founded by Albert B. Cleage, Jr. a.k.a. Moyers, Bill: Former Baptist who is known for his exploration of New Age themes on public television. Demons:Fallen angels under the direction of Satan who seek to destroy God's purpose and people. Its churches exhibit an eclectic blend of liberal Christianity, humanism, atheism, and neo-paganism. JERUSALEM CHURCH OF GOD (SEVENTH DAY SANCTIFIED) INC., Philippines company shareholders, registration details, and company report. As those who have been saved live with God in Heaven, they will have the opportunity to see how and why God has judged humanity. Inner Light Institute, Christina Thomas, Memphis, TN: New Age, rebirthing, yoga, inner child, firewalking, Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Consequently the concept evolved that Japanese people are divine and superior to other humans. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures functions as a virtual second canon of Scripture. However, only the Qur'an is considered uncorrupted. The reformers' major doctrinal issues included a rejection of: the authority of the following: the authority of the Pope, church control of Bible translation and interpretation, a distinction in value between laity and clergy, and salvation being a product of the church and its sacraments (salvation by works). School of Natural Order, Ralph M. deBit, Baker, NV: Mixture of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Eastern philosophies. Belief that there are mystical core truths underlying /unifying religions that are unknown to the uninitiated. To this day, Utah allows condemned murders to face execution by firing squad rather than methods that do not shed the criminal's blood, such as lethal injection or the electric chair. Siddha Yoga Dham of America, Swami Muktananda Paramahansa, South Fallsburg, NY: Eastern mysticism, meditation, God-Realization. Despite God rescuing the Israelites from the Red Sea (Exodus 14), establishing covenants with them (Exodus 19-24), providing for them in the desert (Deuteronomy 1:30, 32; 32:10-14) and sending his own Son to die for them (John 3:16), people are prone to forget Gods faithfulness and keep believing lies from Satan. Christ Church in Jerusalem - Atlas Obscura - Curious and Wondrous In the first century AD, Christianity originated with the belief that Jesus was that promised Messiah. Many followers still believe Koresh's messianic claims and expect him to be resurrected soon. Rebirthing International, Leonard Orr: Co-author of Rebirthing in the New Age with Sondra Ray; helped develop and popularize the New Age practice of rebirthing. Later, in modern usage, it usually means experimentation with, belief in, or practice of magic, psychic powers, or the occult. Those who believe in Jesus are supposedly empowered to speak words of faith again, especially in order to obtain bodily health and financial prosperity (both of which are supposedly guaranteed as present possessions in the Atonement).