 Are We A Cult?, Thoughts/Points to Ponder |
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 Mar 10 2007, 11:28 PM
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#46
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500 + posts  Group: Members Posts: 731 Joined: 5-April 06 Member No.: 1,659 Gender: m  |
Both by group and sub-groups, those points sound way too familiar.
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Mar 11 2007, 03:48 AM
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#47
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 1,000 + posts  Group: Members Posts: 2,002 Joined: 18-July 06 From: Sweden Member No.: 1,902 Gender: m |
Unfortunately...
-------------------- Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to teach. {8T 287.2}
Most Noble and Honourable Thomas the Abstemious of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch "I have said it before and I repeat it now: If someone could prove to me that apartheid is compatible with the Bible or christian faith, I would burn my bible and stop being a christian" Desmond Tutu |
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Mar 11 2007, 08:07 AM
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#48
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 5,000 + posts  Group: Members Posts: 10,513 Joined: 17-January 05 From: Nashville, Tennessee Member No.: 830 Gender: f |
Because of the origins, Jehovah's Witness, Branch Davidians, and Shepard's Rod will always be linked to the Seventh-day Adventist.
QUOTE(PrincessDrRe @ Jan 6 2007, 11:10 AM) [snapback]167944[/snapback] On the History Channel recently there was a look back at Cults and the "havoc" that they have wrecked on lives/the US in the past years. They looked at Jim Jones and Jonestown, Charles Manson and the Family, Shoko Asahara and the Sarin in Tokoyo, and finally David Koresh and the Branch Davidians (whom they continually linked to Seventh-Day Adventists). Thoughts? How far are we (SDA's) from being a cult? What is the difference between a cult and a religion? How do you know that we (SDA's) are not a cult? Thoughts?  HISTORYCHANNEL.com<<<---***Click Here to See the synapsis of the Investigation/Report*** Addendum to OP Question: "Back to the definition/characteristics.... what do cults do??" No we are not a cult and do not function like one.....what some have done in their personal extremes (even in leadership) do not reflect the vision or ministry of the church, but rather the lack of directing of the Holy Spirit in the leadership and in the pew. -------------------- "No weapon formed against YOU (Sarah--and every Believer/Servant of God) shall prosper and every tongue that rises against you in judgement you will condemn...."--Isaiah 54:17
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Mar 11 2007, 09:35 AM
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#49
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 5,000 + posts Group: Administrator Posts: 19,829 Joined: 20-July 03 From: Alabama Member No.: 4 Gender: m |
QUOTE(simplysaved @ Mar 11 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]184513[/snapback] Because of the origins, Jehovah's Witness, Branch Davidians, and Shepard's Rod will always be linked to the Seventh-day Adventist. No we are not a cult and do not function like one.....what some have done in their personal extremes (even in leadership) do not reflect the vision or ministry of the church, but rather the lack of directing of the Holy Spirit in the leadership and in the pew. so then the traits of: perfectionism putting down other churches salvation only through our church extrabiblical knowledge spiritual elitism shunning members that leave are considered lost the above traits do not exist in the sda church? -------------------- "you are as sick as your secrets...." -quote from Celebrity Rehab-
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Mar 11 2007, 09:41 AM
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#50
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 5,000 + posts Group: Members Posts: 5,963 Joined: 27-March 04 Member No.: 339 Gender: m |
QUOTE(Clay @ Mar 11 2007, 10:35 AM) [snapback]184529[/snapback] so then the traits of: perfectionism putting down other churches salvation only through our church extrabiblical knowledge spiritual elitism shunning members that leave are considered lost the above traits do not exist in the sda church? the traits are there... |
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Mar 11 2007, 09:58 AM
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#51
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5,000 + posts Group: Members Posts: 5,963 Joined: 27-March 04 Member No.: 339 Gender: m |
QUOTE(simplysaved @ Mar 11 2007, 09:07 AM) [snapback]184513[/snapback] Because of the origins, Jehovah's Witness, Branch Davidians, and Shepard's Rod will always be linked to the Seventh-day Adventist. No we are not a cult and do not function like one.....what some have done in their personal extremes (even in leadership) do not reflect the vision or ministry of the church, but rather the lack of directing of the Holy Spirit in the leadership and in the pew. if this is the case then there is a lot of lack, because under the leadership of more than one pastor in the SDA church, I know I heard too many times that folks have left the truth, just because they left the SDA church, there was a visiting pastor one time at Berean Atlanta, and his daughter, her husband and kids came to visit the church that sabbath, and the man put his daughter on Blast because she left Adventism...next thing you know after church the 1st lady of Berean during this time comes over to visit this family with a sympathy visit, gimme a break, Adventism ain't the truth, Jesus is!!! no matter how u slice it Sarah, we know the deal! |
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Mar 11 2007, 01:54 PM
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#52
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 PrincessDrRe Group: Financial Donor Posts: 9,011 Joined: 8-November 04 Member No.: 712 Gender: f |
QUOTE(Clay @ Mar 11 2007, 11:35 AM) [snapback]184529[/snapback] so then the traits of: perfectionism putting down other churches salvation only through our church extrabiblical knowledge spiritual elitism shunning members that leave are considered lost the above traits do not exist in the sda church? Point blank blunt and to the pernt.... 
-------------------- *"Some folks use their ignorance like a umbrella. It covers everything, they perodically take it out from time to time, but it never is too far away from them."*
PrincessDrRe; March, 2007 ~"Blood = Meat, Face = Meat, Internal "Organs" = Meat - you can try to make it cuter; but it's still meat...."~ PrincessDrRe; September, 2007 *(NOTE: Any advice given by Re' Silvey, MSW is not to be taken as medical/mental health advice. Although trained to be a counselor, currently employed as a therapist, and currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology (ABD/I) - she is not your assigned therapist. Please consult a mental health professional of your choice for a face-to-face consultation.)* |
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Mar 11 2007, 02:20 PM
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#53
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5,000 + posts Group: Members Posts: 10,513 Joined: 17-January 05 From: Nashville, Tennessee Member No.: 830 Gender: f |
Of course there is lack of the Holy Spirit in some of the leadership....that was what I said.
QUOTE(HUGGINS130 @ Mar 11 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]184533[/snapback] if this is the case then there is a lot of lack, because under the leadership of more than one pastor in the SDA church, I know I heard too many times that folks have left the truth, just because they left the SDA church, there was a visiting pastor one time at Berean Atlanta, and his daughter, her husband and kids came to visit the church that sabbath, and the man put his daughter on Blast because she left Adventism...next thing you know after church the 1st lady of Berean during this time comes over to visit this family with a sympathy visit, gimme a break, Adventism ain't the truth, Jesus is!!! no matter how u slice it Sarah, we know the deal! -------------------- "No weapon formed against YOU (Sarah--and every Believer/Servant of God) shall prosper and every tongue that rises against you in judgement you will condemn...."--Isaiah 54:17
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Mar 11 2007, 02:46 PM
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#54
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 5,000 + posts Group: Administrator Posts: 11,145 Joined: 21-July 03 From: Northern California Member No.: 47 Gender: f |
QUOTE Because of the origins, Jehovah's Witness, Branch Davidians, and Shepard's Rod will always be linked to the Seventh-day Adventist. This is true. QUOTE No we are not a cult and do not function like one.....what some have done in their personal extremes (even in leadership) do not reflect the vision or ministry of the church, but rather the lack of directing of the Holy Spirit in the leadership and in the pew. Sarah, you have always maintained this opinion. You are, inded, if nothing else consistent. However, have you looked at the statement you posted? Especially the bolded portion:? What is any denomination if not leadership and layity? WE, here are BSDA since having this conversation last have become even more diverse in our members, experiences in the SDA faith. If all of us heree know at least one person who fits more than fiae of those "cult" traits that is s problem. Even moreso if they are in leadership, after all they often represent us outside of the church on a higher level then the regular member. But the truth is, even you can identify a whole group of at least 20 who resemble almost all of those identifiers, and yet and still identify themselves as Adventists. Not to mention those who midly beleve that only Adventist will be save, All outside of the faith will e lost, etc.Those are quite common with our mainstream. That is enough to give of a "cult" like view to the world. Iti s no longer about a select few who are going astry. they like the Branch Davidians, etc are far to vocal and visible. I understand your need to minimize this issue, but that only permits the problem to go unresloved. At this late date in earth's history, we can't afford to have our heads in the sand about our image problems. The truth is this, as much as we hate to admit it. Our system of churches, schools, publications, etc. have garnered us many, many advantages. However, on very clear disadvantage is that it is raise up generations of very good Adventist, who unfortunately are not good christians. Especially to those who are not doing exactly as they are. Toomany mulit genreational Adventist, if honest with themselves, can admit that their relationship with God started long years into their adulthood, all the while serving as and being excellent Adventist. The church promoted them as one in the same, not true. These are the thing which make us look "cultish". Vestiges of Adventism like OC, Andrews, and LL(where we have basically taken over the city), ae a plus, but we also have to factor in the minuses. Looking as if we want nothing to do with anyone in the world unless you are trying to join us. We have not worked hard enough to erase this perception. in fact, far to many do more to progress it. -------------------- TTFN
Di And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose---Romans 8:28 A great many people believe they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.-- William James It is better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.- Mark Twain |
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Mar 11 2007, 04:28 PM
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#55
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PrincessDrRe Group: Financial Donor Posts: 9,011 Joined: 8-November 04 Member No.: 712 Gender: f |
What she ^^^ said....
Yep.
-------------------- *"Some folks use their ignorance like a umbrella. It covers everything, they perodically take it out from time to time, but it never is too far away from them."*
PrincessDrRe; March, 2007 ~"Blood = Meat, Face = Meat, Internal "Organs" = Meat - you can try to make it cuter; but it's still meat...."~ PrincessDrRe; September, 2007 *(NOTE: Any advice given by Re' Silvey, MSW is not to be taken as medical/mental health advice. Although trained to be a counselor, currently employed as a therapist, and currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology (ABD/I) - she is not your assigned therapist. Please consult a mental health professional of your choice for a face-to-face consultation.)* |
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Mar 11 2007, 04:33 PM
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#56
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5,000 + posts Group: Members Posts: 5,963 Joined: 27-March 04 Member No.: 339 Gender: m |
QUOTE(simplysaved @ Mar 11 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]184589[/snapback] Of course there is lack of the Holy Spirit in some of the leadership....that was what I said. No one said you didn't say that, but you need to realize as it has been pointed out, the characteristics of a cult have been listed...therefore, this has nothing to do with leadership and laity, this has to do with cult tendencies...we in Adventism have them, they aren't right, but we have em... |
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Mar 11 2007, 06:43 PM
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#57
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5,000 + posts Group: Administrator Posts: 19,829 Joined: 20-July 03 From: Alabama Member No.: 4 Gender: m |
as I said we can be cultish.....
-------------------- "you are as sick as your secrets...." -quote from Celebrity Rehab-
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Mar 11 2007, 07:21 PM
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#58
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PrincessDrRe Group: Financial Donor Posts: 9,011 Joined: 8-November 04 Member No.: 712 Gender: f |
^^^
-------------------- *"Some folks use their ignorance like a umbrella. It covers everything, they perodically take it out from time to time, but it never is too far away from them."*
PrincessDrRe; March, 2007 ~"Blood = Meat, Face = Meat, Internal "Organs" = Meat - you can try to make it cuter; but it's still meat...."~ PrincessDrRe; September, 2007 *(NOTE: Any advice given by Re' Silvey, MSW is not to be taken as medical/mental health advice. Although trained to be a counselor, currently employed as a therapist, and currently pursuing her PhD in Counseling Psychology (ABD/I) - she is not your assigned therapist. Please consult a mental health professional of your choice for a face-to-face consultation.)* |
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Mar 12 2007, 06:13 AM
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#59
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5,000 + posts Group: Administrator Posts: 19,829 Joined: 20-July 03 From: Alabama Member No.: 4 Gender: m |
let's test one or two of those characteristics by asking the following questions:
QUOTE Do you need to be a seventh day adventist to be saved? Do you believe the seventh day adventist church is God's true church? what does are the church's beliefs when it comes to those 2 questions? -------------------- "you are as sick as your secrets...." -quote from Celebrity Rehab-
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Mar 12 2007, 08:29 AM
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#60
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 1,000 + posts Group: Members Posts: 1,947 Joined: 24-December 04 Member No.: 770 |
i enjoy that quote very much...
QUOTE(Noahswife @ Mar 10 2007, 02:16 PM) [snapback]184407[/snapback] "...if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps 'the' religion; and if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect; but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult." ~Leo Pfeffer. -------------------- "NATURAL FABRIC! NATURAL FABRIC!!!"
largo, mt, 961 |
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