by Mark Barnard I was ordained as a minister by a lesser known Christian denomination. Because it is not well known, people occasionally mistook it for a cult! At those uncomfortable moments, I assured them that it is more than 100 years old, founded on a vision for missions and anchored on the authority of God’s […]
Category: Organized Religion
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What is a Cult?
The following is a review of an article printed in the February 1994 issue of The Watchtower. Exactly one year earlier, the news reported on the tragedy in Waco Texas that left 86 dead at the end of a standoff between law enforcement and the religious movement founded by David Koresh called the Branch Dividians. […]
The Watchtower society has admitted that the faithful and discreet slave or governing body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. (The Watchtower February 2017 study edition pg 26 par 12 “Who Is Leading God’s People Today?”) This is not just a recent admission but it […]
Peter Gregerson, a witness for almost 50 years reveals the one pivotal question, the examination of which, resulted in his leaving the organization.
In an effort to reach out to inactive ones and encourage them to return to the organization, the Watchtower society has produced a brochure entitled: “Return to Jehovah”. In the introduction it says: “Dear fellow believer:… As you know, the Bible is largely a book about people. Many were faithful men and women who faced […]
Can you detect them? How can you avoid becoming their prey? Deception caused Eve to become prey to the great Devourer, Satan the Devil. Thereafter her husband and children fell into the clutches of a wolfish god who has robbed them of everything in life that is worthwhile—fear of God, self-respect, genuine love for neighbor […]
Don Quixote is a well-known fictional character created by 16th-century Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in his classic novel by that name. In that novel, Don Quixote fills his mind with legends and fables about brave knights in glittering armor coming to the rescue of damsels in distress. Soon he begins to believe that he […]
It is absolutely essential for religions that make the claim of being God’s one true church to convince those outside of its membership that sincerity alone is not enough to please God. Unless you accept their interpretation of scripture and live in harmony with what they teach, you have no hope of salvation. In order […]
Iglesia ni Cristo (“Church of Christ” in Tagalog) is a Philippine-based Christian religion, like other restorationist groups, it professes that it is the one church founded by Jesus. Adherents hold that the Iglesia ni Cristo is the only true church of Jesus Christ as restored through Felix Manalo. However, the church recognizes Jesus Christ as […]
During his ministry, Jesus showed courage by boldly exposing the religious leaders for misleading the people with false teachings. -Matthew 23:13-36. He continued to do this even though his life was threatened. -John 5:15-18. Twice, he fearlessly cleansed the temple, driving out those who were defiling his Father’s worship there. -Matthew. 21:12, 13; John 2:14-17. […]