UNDERSTANDING CULTS
Matthew 24:23-26 "At that time someone may say to you, 'Look! Here is the Christ!' Or, 'There he is!' Do not believe it. False Christ's and false prophets will appear. They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God's chosen people if possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.
"So if anyone tells you, 'He is far out in the desert,' do not go out there. Or if anyone says, 'He is deep inside the house,' do not believe it.
Revelation 22:18-19 I am warning everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If you add anything to them, God will add to you the plagues told about in this book. If you take any words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from you your share in the tree of life. He will also take away your place in the Holy City. This book tells about these things.
C Cut off from the world. Cult leaders and followers are isolated and cut off from normal interaction with people outside the group. They do not have the corrective influence of other perspectives. They lose their ability, and their desire, to verify information the cult gives them. They become alienated from family and friends and have an unhealthy need to belong to the cult group.
U Undernourished--poor nutritional intake and sleep deprivation often characterizes cult members. They are near exhaustion and their resistance is low, so they can be easily manipulated, deceived, and exploited. Inadequate nutrition and sleep is disguised as a special practice or diet to improve health or advance spirituality.
L Leadership is authoritarian and coercive. The leader claims divinity or special knowledge and authority from God, and often uses deception and has hidden objectives. Unquestioning obedience is expected. This leads the cult follower into total dependence upon the cult for belief, behavior, and practice. He or she loses personal freedom and the ability to make choices.
T Theology or beliefs of a cult always involve some unique or new perspectives, and they claim that truth is only found in what the cult says. Cults often promote the "we/they" syndrome, which also keeps members dependent and loyal to the cult
The Methods and Procedures of a Cult
How do the cults lure and deceive their followers?
Give loving attention. Someone attending a cult meeting for the first time quickly finds himself the object of attention and loving regard-"love-bombing." Feelings of warmth and acceptance are experienced as the group presents itself as a closely knit family bound together by ties of affection and common purpose. Grooming or cultivating. If the visitor accepts the invitation to stay with the group, he or she becomes isolated from outside contact and is subject to intense group interaction. The visitor typically receives less sleep than usual, eats low protein food, and, perhaps without realizing it, begins to be exhausted and his or her reasoning capacity is reduced. Intensive indoctrination. During this phase an individual is bombarded with the idea that one's self amounts to very little, that the group and its leader are everything, and that "outsiders" are misguided or hostile and to be feared and avoided. By eliciting confessions of the recruits fears and secrets, the cult produces intimacy and emotional vulnerability. A person's feelings of guilt and personal insufficiency are highlighted, and in such a context the idea of being directed by a perfect leader begins to be attractive. Action. At this point a critical moment arises as the guest, by now a seeker, is requested to take some action. This may involve confession of guilt or weakness, a renunciation of past behavior, and a pledge of loyalty to the group and to its leader in particular. Pressure to evoke a "concrete" expression of commitment typically follows. For example, Peoples Temple members were induced to sign away property holdings, bank accounts, and even their children to the cult. One former member recalled: "After you've made a commitment of this magnitude, it's hard to admit you've made a mistake, and you'll go to great lengths to rationalize what you've done."
The Beliefs or Theology of Cults
Western Cults. These have their roots in Christianity, usually claiming to be the true church. They use the Bible as one of their sources and Jesus Christ as a central figure. These are groups such as the Mormons, Unification Church (Moonies), Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Science. The People's Temple Jones Town (Jim Jones) and the Branch Dravidians (David Koresh) would also be in this category.
Eastern Cults. These do not claim the Bible or Jesus Christ as necessary in their structure, but instead they are a break off of some eastern religion such as Hinduism, Buddhism, or Taoism. Sometimes these eastern cults will claim that they alone represent eastern religion, and they also claim to be compatible with Christianity. But in essence their world view is oriental philosophy. Transcendental Meditation (TM) and the Hare Krishnas are in this category.
New Age Cults. These usually try to unify eastern and western thinking. The Bible and Jesus Christ do not play a key role in the New Age Movement. Nor does it claim to be the true expression of oriental religion. It claims to be a blend of the beliefs, with the overriding theory of pantheism ("all is one," "all is God") and reincarnation. The Heavens Gate cult would be in this category.
Major Beliefs. For the last 2000 years, the Christian church has held certain beliefs to be vital to one's faith. While there is some doctrinal disagreement within the three branches of Christianity - Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant - there is a general agreement among them as to the essentials of the faith, defined in the ancient, universal creeds of the early church like the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. Whatever disagreement the churches may have among its three branches, it is insignificant compared to the heretical beliefs of the cults. I will comment on four of the major beliefs of Christians and show how the cults differ.
God. Christians believe God is personal; that is, He has intellect, emotions, and will. He has existed eternally. He is the creator and source of everything else that exists. He is holy, loving
and just. He is a tri-unity (three in one); one God in three Persons, the Trinity. The eastern and new age cults deny the personality of God - he is just as impersonal force. Western cults deny the Trinity. The Jehovah Witnesses and Christian Scientists say the Trinity is of pagan origin. The Mormons say there are three Gods (among many gods). Authority. Christians believe that the Bible is the basis for their beliefs. It is God's revelation of Himself to humanity. It is inspired by God and is therefore reliable and authoritative. Catholics and Orthodox put more authority in church traditions then Protestants do, but all agree that the Bible is the only inspired book we have. Cults nearly always add extra writings to the Bible, or unique interpretations which alter the Bible's meaning. Some new age cults even claim to have a book dictated via automatic handwriting from extra-terrestrials! (The Urantia Book). Jesus Christ. Christians believe Christ is God's unique and only Son. He also was born of Mary as a human being. He is fully God and fully man. He has all of God's attributes, yet because He was also fully human, Jesus could substitute for us, and be punished by God for our sins. When He died by crucifixion, He was paying the total penalty for our sins.
Christians also believe two other things very strongly about Jesus Christ. One, He was resurrected from the dead after three days and that He ascended to heaven where He now intercedes for us. Secondly, Christ is coming again to judge all people living and dead. At His second coming, Christ will establish God's kingdom and rule.
The cults almost always de-emphasize Christ's deity and the effectiveness of His death. They say he was godly but not God, and that we have to add our work to His work in order to please God.
Human Beings. Christians believe that humanity was a special creation of God to be His image. Human beings have innate dignity and worth because we are God's image. However, even though every person is in God's image, each one of us is deeply flawed because of sin. We have fallen short of God's standard and are sinful. Yet we are still objects of God's love and He seeks our worship and loyalty and a relationship with us. So Christians believe humans are wonderfully made, deeply fallen, yet greatly loved.
The cults, by using techniques of manipulation, deface and devalue God's image in people. They attack the dignity and worth that each individual has in God's image. The eastern and new age cults underestimate the sinfulness and fallenness of people by urging us to seek "the god within you".
Apocalyptic Beliefs:
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The leader's preaching concentrates heavily on the impending end of the world, often at a great battle (e.g. War of Armageddon). In addition (as in the case of the Solar Temple and Heaven's Gate groups) the leader preaches that through group suicide at a particular instant, they will all be transported to a wonderful place and escape the devastation that is about to come to the earth. |
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The group is expected to play a major, elite role at the end time. |
Charismatic Leadership
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They are led by a single male charismatic leader. |
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The leader dominates the membership, closely controlling them physically, sexually and emotionally. |
Social Encapsulation
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They are a small religious group, not an established denomination. |
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The group (or at least the core members) lives together in an intentional community which is isolated from the rest of society. |
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There is often extreme paranoia within the group; they believe that they are in danger and that they are being closely monitored and heavily persecuted by governments or people outside the group. People on "the outside" are demonized. |
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Information and contacts from outside the cult are severely curtailed. |
Other Factors
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The group leadership assembles an impressive array of guns, rifles, other murder weapons, poison, or weapons of mass destruction. They may prepare defensive structures. |
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They follow a form of Christian theology (or a blend of Christianity with another religion), with major and unique deviations from traditional beliefs in the area of end-time prophecy. |
Other dangerous faith groups
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Some religious groups are destructive, and are a hazard more to the public than their own membership. They disseminate hatred against minorities, and those not a part of their religion. They sometimes call for direct and immediate violence against these other groups. They often inspire some of their less mentally-stable members to target these groups randomly. Islamic terrorist fall in this group. |
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Some religious groups recommend that their membership withhold medical treatment from their children, or themselves. The Jehovah's Witnesses suggest that their membership refuse blood transfusions. The Christian Science church suggests that their membership avoid medical help, and seek healing through prayer -- perhaps with the help of a Christian Science Practitioner. |
What is Mind Control?
Mind Control techniques include:
Hypnosis
Inducing a state of high suggestibility by hypnosis, often thinly disguised as
relaxation or meditation.
Peer Group Pressure
Suppressing doubt and resistance to new ideas by exploiting the need to belong.
Love Bombing
Creating a sense of family and belonging through hugging, kissing, touching and
flattery.
Rejection of Old Values
Accelerating acceptance of new life style by constantly denouncing former values
and beliefs.
Confusing Doctrine
Encouraging blind acceptance and rejection of logic through complex lectures on
an incomprehensible doctrine.
Metacommunication
Implanting subliminal messages by stressing certain key words or phrases in
long, confusing lectures.
Removal of Privacy
Achieving loss of ability to evaluate logically by preventing private
contemplation.
Time Sense Deprivation
Destroying ability to evaluate information, personal reactions, and body
functions in relation to passage of time by removing all clocks and watches.
Disinhibition
Encouraging child-like obedience by orchestrating child-like behavior.
Uncompromising Rules
Inducing regression and disorientation by soliciting agreement to seemingly
simple rules which regulate mealtimes, bathroom breaks and use of medications.
Verbal Abuse
Desensitizing through bombardment with foul and abusive language.
Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue
Creating disorientation and vulnerability by prolonging mental an physical
activity and withholding adequate rest and sleep.
Dress Codes
Removing individuality by demanding conformity to the group dress code.
Chanting and Singing
Eliminating non-cult ideas through group repetition of mind-narrowing chants or
phrases.
Confession
Encouraging the destruction of individual ego through confession of personal
weaknesses and innermost feelings of doubt.
Financial Commitment
Achieving increased dependence on the group by 'burning bridges' to the past,
through the donation of assets.
Finger Pointing
Creating a false sense of righteousness by pointing to the shortcomings of the
outside world and other cults.
Flaunting Hierarch
Promoting acceptance of cult authority by promising advancement, power and
salvation.
Isolation
Inducing loss of reality by physical separation from family, friends, society
and rational references.
Controlled Approval
Maintaining vulnerability and confusion by alternately rewarding and punishing
similar actions.
Change of Diet
Creating disorientation and increased susceptibility to emotional arousal by
depriving the nervous system of necessary nutrients through the use of special
diets and/or fasting.
Games
Inducing dependence on the group by introducing games with obscure rules.
No Questions
Accomplishing automatic acceptance of beliefs by discouraging questions.
Guilt
Reinforcing the need for 'salvation' by exaggerating the sins of the former
lifestyles.
Fear
Maintaining loyalty and obedience to the group by threatening soul, life or limb
for the slightest 'negative' thought, word or deed.
Replacement of Relationships
Destroying pre-cult families by arranging cult marriages and 'families'.
Who Do Cults Recruit?
Cults want people who are:
In emotional turmoil.
Intelligent.
Idealistic.
Well educated.
Economically advantaged.
Intellectually or Spiritually curious.
Any age.
How Do I Avoid The Cults?
Cults use sophisticated mind control techniques that will work on anyone, given the right circumstances. Those who think they are immune are only making themselves more vulnerable. Remember the assault is on your emotions, not on your intellect.The two basic principles of psychological coercion are:
If you can make a person BEHAVE the way you want, you can make that person BELIEVE the way you want.
Sudden, drastic changes in environment lead to heightened suggestibility and to drastic changes in attitudes and beliefs.
BEWARE!
Protect yourself! Why go away for a weekend or longer with a stranger or a
strange group unless:
You know the name of the sponsoring group.
You know its ideas, beliefs and affiliations.
You know what is going to happen at the gathering.
You know what will be expected of you.
You know that you will be free and able to leave at any time.
How Do I Help a Cult Member? - The Do's and Don'ts
The Do's
DO try to keep in regular contact via mail or telephone even if there is little response.
DO express sincere love for the cult member at every available opportunity.
DO keep a diary of comments, attitudes and events associated with his/her life in the cult.
DO always welcome the cult member back into the family home no matter what is said.
DO keep copies of all written correspondence from you and the individual.
DO record all the names, addresses and phone numbers of people linked with the cult.
DO try to bite your tongue if the cult member makes unkind comments.
DO read all of the recommended books relating to cults and mind control, as well as reading other information on the cult in question.
DO seek help and information from organizations specializing in counter-cult work. We care about you and your individual situation.
The Don'ts
DO NOT rush into adopting a potential solution before carefully researching the cult problem.
DO NOT say:" You are in a cult; you are brainwashed".
DO NOT give money to the member of the group.
DO NOT feel guilty. This is not a problem caused by families.
DO NOT act in an angry or hostile manner towards the cult member.
DO NOT feel alone. It happens to thousands of families every year.
DO NOT underestimate the control the cult has over a member.
DO NOT antagonize the cult member by ridiculing his/her beliefs.
DO NOT be judgmental or confrontational towards the cult member.
DO NOT antagonize any of the cult's leadership or members.
DO NOT be persuaded by a cult 'specialist' to pay large sums of money without verifying his/her qualifications.
DO NOT give up hope of success in helping your family member to leave the group no matter how long the involvement has already been
DO NOT neglect yourself or other family members.
1. The group believes it—and only it—knows the truth.
If a group claims only they know the true truth or that they will be the sole survivors of some kind of cosmic calamity, they may be a cult. The Heaven's Gate group believed that only they would escape earth's destruction.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only they will be saved following the biblical apocalypse.Some groups have their own "scripture" apart from or in addition to what orthodox Christians consider to authentic.
Christian Scientists have Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health which claims that "Jesus was the offspring of Mary's self-conscious communion with God." The Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation rewrites traditional scripture to fit its theology that only they will be saved at the end of the world. Mormons, for instance, have several additional books including The Book of Mormon, which is believed to be translated from gold plates, and Doctrines and Covenants based on founder Joseph Smith's visions.2. The members are isolated from family and former friends.
Cult leaders use peer pressure and paranoia to isolate members from the "outside" world. According to Mark Muesse, professor of religious studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, "Such groups tend to attract individuals who share their sense of isolation from the rest of society, who are struggling with a sense of identity or purpose in life."
The cult creates a sense of "us" against "them" that strengthens the bond between members--and the paranoia. The Branch Davidians seem to have embraced Koresh's delusions by stock-piling food and weapons at their Waco "compound." (Unfortunately, their paranoia was not completely unfounded.)
David Reed, professor of pastoral theology at Wycliff College at the University of Toronto, believes fear, insecurity, and loneliness of people are exploited by cult recruiters. " Members are attracted to the cult by friendship and communal embrace. The one event in our lives that is more fearful is death. It can be seen as an attractive option to die communally and ritually . . . as seems to have happened in California." But for mass suicides to occur, Reed explains "individuals in the group must first have had their previous world--with relatives and friends--dismantled so that no attachment to the real world remains."
3. The leader believes he or she knows what is best for individual members.
Because the founder of the cult is seen as the conduit through which "God"--or aliens--has revealed the truth, there can be no questioning of his or her leadership and directives. The threat of being excommunicated from the only source of salvation, keeps members under the often oppressive power of the leader.
This absolute power and knowledge--with no accountability--often leads to tragic consequences!
4. Cults tend to be emotionally and, sometimes, physically and sexually abusive.
Cults often put recruits through a grueling indoctrination period. There are many indoctrination techniques to recruit and maintain members into a totalistic ideology." Note how the members and leaders treat women. Most cults treat women unequally, substandard, or as mere sexual "slaves". Some cults also condone underage marriage, multiple sex partners for the "leader" and many restrictions on the sexual activity of the members. Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Joseph Smith had many sexual partners and dictated to the remaining members who or how they could marry. They do this by:
1. Subjection to stress and fatigue
2. Social disruption, isolation and pressure
3. Self-criticism and humiliation
4. Fear, anxiety and paranoia
5. Control of information
6. Escalating commitment
7. Use of auto-hypnotism to induce 'peak' experiences
Once the recruit has been mentally and emotionally dominated by the leader or group, physical and even sexual abuse may follow. Mo David, of the sixties Children of God cult (now called
The Family), encouraged his female members to recruit new members by being "flirty fishers" who offered sex in exchange for attendance at his teaching sessions. Both Jim Jones and David Koresh believed that by having sex them their female members would become more like Christ! (Koresh allegedly had sex with young girls as part of initiation rites.) Six of the dead Heaven's Gate members, including Applewhite, had been castrated as a part of the group's dogma against sexual differences.Often cult members are required to work long hours recruiting and raising money for the cult. The motivation for slavish labor is often a salvation by works mentality. Jehovah's Witnesses believe their salvation is, in part, assured by witnessing door to door.
5. "Christian" cults have a distorted view of Christ.
Just because a cult claims to be "Christian" doesn't mean it's following the
genuine Jesus."Christian" Science believes Jesus is merely a grand "spiritual idea." Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus "is no more than a perfect man" rather than God incarnate. His resurrection was spiritual, so "The man Jesus is dead, dead forever." Mormon leader Brigham Young declared that God ". . . was once a man in mortal flesh as we are, and is now an exalted being." Thus Christ was simply a human on his way to godhood. Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the
Unification Church, believes that the priest Zacharius was the father of Jesus and thus he was "a human being and not a supernatural person." Moon believes he is the Messiah!
Here is a list of many Cults in America and around the world.
The Watchman Expositor's annual Index now includes world religions. We included Christianity (with related doctrines) to provide what we hope our readers see as a positive contrast with the other religions listed. Readers should be able to look up brief descriptions of Christian beliefs along with non-Christian ones. We want to contrast the hundreds of alternative religions with what we believe is truth.
Begin your search by clicking on the highlighted letter on the left 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). If the term is listed, it will be followed by a brief definition. Most of these definitions contain highlighted words that are linked to the definitions for those words; clicking on the highlighted word will take you directly to that definition.
By using the terms "cult," "occult," and "New Age," Watchman Fellowship is in no way implying that the followers or leaders are necessarily evil or immoral people. It simply means that such groups seem to promote doctrine or practices which may be considered outside the realm of historic Christianity.
By its primary dictionary definition, the term cult just means a system of religious beliefs or rituals. It is based on a farming term in Latin meaning cultivation. Sociologists and anthropologists sometimes use the term cult to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines. In modern usage, the term cult is often used by the general public to describe any religious group they view as strange or dangerous. Thus, cult can describe religious leaders or organizations that employ abusive, manipulative, or illegal control over their followers' lives. In addition to these usages, Christians generally have a doctrinal component to their use of the word. Cult in this sense, is a counterfeit or serious deviation from the doctrines of classical Christianity. Watchman Fellowship usually uses the term cult with a Christian or doctrinal definition in mind. In most cases the group claims to be Christian, but because of their aberrant beliefs on central doctrines of the faith (God, Jesus, and salvation), the organization is not considered by Watchman Fellowship to be part of orthodox, biblical Christianity. A Profile is available.
The term, "occult" comes from the Latin occultus or "hidden." Generally the word is used of secret or mysterious supernatural powers or magical, religious rituals. The word "occult" in this publication is used to describe any attempt to gain supernatural power or knowledge apart from the God of the Bible. Generally it refers to witchcraft, satanism, neo-paganism, or various forms of Psychic discernment (astrology, seances, palm reading, etc.).
New Age is a recent and developing belief system in North America encompassing thousands of autonomous (and sometime contradictory) beliefs, organizations, and events. Generally the New Age borrows its theology from pantheistic Eastern religions and its practices from 19th century Western occultism. The term "New Age" is used herein as an umbrella term to describe organizations which seem to exhibit one or more of the following beliefs: (1) All is one, all reality is part of the whole; (2) Everything is God and God is everything; (3) Man is God or a part of God; (4) Man never dies, but continues to live through reincarnation; (5) Man can create his own reality and/or values through transformed consciousness or altered states of consciousness. A Profile is available.
3H0: See Healthy, Happy, and Holy.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People: A book by Stephen Covey.
Aaronic Order, Maurice Glendenning, Murry, UT: Splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), founded in 1942 by Glendenning after he was excommunicated by the LDS Church for receiving and publishing revelations later known as the Levitical Writings.
Abaddon: (Hebrew for "The Destroyer"; in Greek, Apollyon) A demon described in the Bible as "the angel of the bottomless pit" (Revelation 9:11).
Abbey of Thelema, Old Greenwich, CT: Esoteric magic, teachings of Aleister Crowley.
Abode of the Message, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, New Lebanon, NY: Sufism, alchemy, dowsing, meditation to lead to "inner attunement," Native American spirituality, sweat lodge.
Academy for Guided Imagery, Martin L. Rossman & David E. Bresler, Mill Valley, CA: Healing by altered states of consciousness, imagery training (i.e., visualization), hypnosis and magic.
Academy of Religion and Psychical Research, Evanston, IL: Organization founded in 1956 to explore psychic occurrences and metaphysical experiences while evaluating the growing interest in occult phenomena in Christian churches. See Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship, Spiritualism, Divination.
Actualism: New Age teaching based on panentheism, according to which all human beings possess the divine Christ-consciousness and are united with the Mother-Father-Creator God.
Acupressure: See Acupuncture.
Acupuncture: Chinese system of healing using needles or hand pressure (acupressure) applied to certain points on the body, traditionally believed to balance the yin and yang energies in the body by opening blocked meridians (apexes in the pathways). Once the chakras (key points or intersections) are open, the chi, or energy, supposedly can then flow through the body bringing all things into harmony. While some limited physical effects (mostly anesthetic) can be attributed to this practice, these effects have scientific, physiological explanations totally unrelated to the mystical explanation, which derives from Taoism. See Holistic Health. Profile available.
Adams, Dennis, Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, man is God.
Adelphi Organization, Dallas, TX: New Age teachings on Atlantis, karma, seven planes of existence. See Stelle Group.
Adeptco, Chuck McDonald, Omaha, NE: Yoga, crystals, reincarnation, karma and Kabbalah teachings.
Advanced Organization of Los Angeles (AOLA): Promotes Scientology philosophy.
Advanced Systems, Inc.: See Zen Master Rama.
Adventism: Widespread trans-denominational movement inspired by William Miller's prediction that Jesus' "advent" (return) would take place in 1844. Even after the Great Disappointment (the date's failure), many people in the movement continued to believe. Some suggested revised chronologies and new dates, eventually forming groups such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Others, notably Hiram Edson and Ellen G. White, suggested that the 1844 date was accurate but that a heavenly (thus invisible) event had taken place. Their teachings became the basis of Seventh-day Adventism, which eventually spawned its own offshoots, including Armstrongism and the Branch Davidians.
Aesthetic Realism Foundation, Eli Seigel, New York: Happiness can be achieved through the harmony of opposites, e.g., realizing and accepting that the world is both beautiful and horrific (see Taoism). Educators have criticized the Foundation after public school teachers in New York introduced the philosophy into high school English, biology, and art courses.
Aetherius Society, Sir George King: Clairvoyance, karma, reincarnation, psychometry, Great White Brotherhood, UFOs, alchemy, occult secrets of Jesus, mantras.
Affective Education: Also called value-free, or non-directive, education. Influenced by the philosophy of Carl Rogers, affective education programs attempt to facilitate the emotional development of children in order to enhance the learning process, particularly focusing on self-esteem. This contrasts with traditional educational paradigms that focus on cognitive, or intellectual, practices such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Affective education has become particularly influential in drug awareness programs for youth.
Agasha Temple of Wisdom, William Eisen, Los Angeles, CA: Universal consciousness of god, reincarnation, occult pyramidology, Ascended Masters.
Agnosticism: The claim (denied by Romans 1:18-20) that one has no knowledge of God or the origin of the universe. Some agnostics make the claim on a personal level, while allowing that such knowledge may exist but has never been known by themselves. Others assert that such knowledge cannot be had by anyone. Agnostics avoid the charge of dogmatic atheism by acknowledging the theoretical possibility of God's existence. Yet virtually all live as if the non-existence of God was an established fact, and are thus practical atheists.
Agon Buddhism: Sect of Buddhism. Uses the Agon Sutras as scriptures.
Agyeman, Jaramogi Abebe: See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church.
Ahabah Asah Prophetic Ministries: See Gatekeepers.
Ahmadiyya Movement: Sect of Islam following the teachings of Ahmad (1835-1908), an Indian Muslim; most followers in the US are black, Indian, or Pakistani.
AION: Magic, runes, goddess worship.
Akashic Records: Term used in theosophy designating an alleged library that exists on the astral plane containing all the thoughts, actions, and events of mankind. Mystics, through altered states of consciousness, tune into this library for information.
Alamo Christian Foundation: Tony Alamo, leader of this group, has been imprisoned by authorities for alleged illegal activities. Teaches traditional Christianity is dead. Former followers have reported deplorable living conditions, mind control, and slave labor. Operates Music Square Church in TN, Holiness Tabernacle in Dyer, AR, and End Times Book is the publishing arm.
Alan Shawn Feinstein Association, Cranston, RI: UFOs, contactee.
Alchemy: In its original, literal meaning, theories and experiments involving the transmutation (dissolving and combining) of base metals to form gold though chemical and/or supernatural processes. Today, it caries the meaning of a mystical transformation in New Age consciousness through various mystical techniques.
Aleph: New name adopted by Japanese doomsday-cult Aum Shinri Kyo January 18, 2000.
Aleph: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Philadelphia, PA: Combines Chassidic Judaism, Native American spirituality, Eastern mysticism, A Course in Miracles, and New Age practices. Emphasizes combining syncretistic spirituality and psychology.
Aletheia Psycho-Physical Foundation, Jack Schwarz, Ashland, OR: New Age seminars on the inner-self, paraconsciousness, meditation and visualization.
All-One-God-Faith, Emanuel H. Bronner, Escondido, CA: Sells Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, which claims to clean both body and soul. The soap is widely available in health-food stores. Teaches (like Process Theology) that God is continually recreating Himself. God desires all nations and religions to unite in an "All-One-God-Faith" on Spaceship Earth. This unification will come about through following 13 precepts and 20 directives revealed to Bronner by God.
All Souls Unitarian Church, John Wolf, Tulsa, OK: See Unitarian-Universalist Association for similar theological perspective.
All Ways Free, Madison, WI: New Age periodical.
Allah: Arabic, Muslim name for God; see Islam.
Allegro, John: Wrote The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross.
Alphabiotic New Life Center, Dallas, TX: New Age seminars on one's divine being, Ramtha, yoga and channeling.
Alphasonic International, Los Angeles, CA: Company specializing in tapes with subliminal messages.
Altered States of Consciousness: Trances entered through hypnosis, meditation, drugs (including hallucinogenics), visualization, etc. State of being in which one allows the subconscious to take control and guide. May heighten one's vulnerability to suggestion or susceptibility to deception.
Alternative Medicine: See Holistic Health.
Amalgamated Flying Saucer Clubs of America: See Mon-Ka Retreat...
Ambassador University, Big Sandy, TX: Now defunct Liberal arts and religious institution founded by Herbert Armstrong. See Armstrongism.
Ambassadors For Christ, Tustin, CA: See Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for similar theological perspective.
Ameba, San Francisco, CA: Paganism, promotes the teachings of Aleister Crowley, Celtic rituals.
American Academy of Dissident Sciences, Culver City, CA: Studying a wide array of conspiracy theories, the Academy focuses on UFOs and the Illuminati.
American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine, Fairfield, IA: Holistic health association founded by Deepak Chopra while he followed the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (see Ayurvedic medicine; Transcendental Meditation).
American Atheists, Inc., Madalyn Murray-O'Hair, Austin, TX: Advocates strict separation of church and state, and actively opposes Christian influence on society. O'Hair and two children disappeared in 1994 with a sizeable portion of the organization's assets. It is now believed they were murdered. Publishes American Atheist magazine.
American Babaji Yoga Sangam, New York, NY: Hinduism-based philosophy, yoga.
American Constitution Committee: Political organization of the Unification Church.
American Fellowship Services: Splinter group of The Way International.
American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence: A branch of Transcendental Meditation.
American Gnostic Church, Daeva Ares Animo: Paganism, Kabbalah rituals, Egyptian magic, Satanism rituals of Anton LaVey, Gnostic Mass.
American Holistic Nurses Association, Amherst, MA: Trains medical nurses to use therapeutic touch and meditation with patients.
American Imagery Institute, Milwaukee, WI: New Age teachings on visualization, astral projection.
American Leadership College, Inc. Osceola, IA: New Age/occult teachings on trance healings, mediumship, self-realization dreams.
American Pie and the Armageddon Bible Prophecy Home Page: The pop song American Pie, which prophesies the destruction of America, was foretold in the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. See Apocalypse.
American Society for Psychical Research, Simon Newcomb, New York, NY: ESP, out-of-body experiences, mediums, parapsychology, psychokinesis.
American Study Group, UT: Defunct splinter group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) that used the Book of Mormon and the teachings of LDS leaders to speculate on end-time events.
American Temple, Michael Whitney, Portland, OR: A "fourth wave" esoteric and mystical order led by "Patriarch" Michael Whitney reviving the doctrines of the now defunct Holy Order of MANS.
American West Publishers, Tehachapi, CA: Zen Buddhism, shamanism, Sufism.
AMOM: See Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek.
AMOOKOS: Occult, magic, some Hinduism, man is already a master.
AMORC: See Rosicrucian Order.
Ananda Marga, Denver, CO: Philosophy and deities of Hinduism, teaches meditation and yoga.
Anchor of Golden Light, Dorothy and Henry Leon, Grants Pass, OR: UFOs, Ascended Masters, Kabbalah mysticism, alchemy, numerology. Publishes the Anchor of Golden Light newsletter.
Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek, Malachi Z. York, Eatonton, GA: Also known as AMOM, Nuwaubians, the Nubian Nation of Moors, Right Knowledge. A UFO group whose leader, (a.k.a. Dwight York) claims to be form the 19th galaxy, called Illyuwn. A 1993 FBI report calls the group a "front for a wide range of criminal activity, including arson, welfare fraud and extortion." York's group has also operated under other names and organizations including the Nubian Islaamic [sic] Hebrew Mission, the Ansaaru Allah Community, (an Islamic sect with doctrines similar to Nation of Islam), and the Original Tents of Kedar.
Ancient Wisdom Connection, N. Myrtle Beach, SC: New Age channeling, numerology and belief in "Lord Sananda," who is an incarnation of Jesus.
Angels: Supernatural, non-human beings created by God. Angels worship God and serve as His messengers. The angels who followed Satan and rebelled against God are called demons.
Anglo-Israelism: See British Israelism.
Animal Magnetism: See Mesmerism.
Animism: The idea that all things in the universe are inherently invested with a life force, soul, or mind. This belief is an important component of many primitive religions, the occult, and spiritism.
Annihilationism: Taught by most Adventist groups, including the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, this doctrine denies the conscious, eternal punishment of the lost. Instead, humans who do not receive eternal life will be destroyed and cease to exist.
Anointed Class: See Little Flock.
Answers Research and Education, Bud Cocherell, San Jose, CA: Man's destiny is to become a God, keep Old Testament festivals.
Anthropomancy: A form of divination based on psychic readings of the entrails of a human who has been ritualistically sacrificed.
Anthroposophic Society, Rudolf Steiner, Hudson, NY: Similar to the Chicago organization (below), possibly affiliated.
Anthroposophical Society, Rudolf Steiner, Chicago, IL: Occult, related to Theosophy; teachings on karma, meditation, Atlantis and reincarnation.
Apocalypse: Also called Armageddon. From the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning "revelation, disclosure, or unveiling," the term apocalypse refers in the Bible to the summation of human history through God's direct judgment upon the world. Central in biblical apocalyptic literature is the Revelation to John (sometimes called The Apocalypse). A common feature of many pseudo-Christian groups is their attempts to predict the date of the apocalypse. 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.
Apostasy: From the Greek word apostasis, meaning "rebellion," and the Latin word apostasia, meaning "abandonment," the term apostasy refers to a renunciation of the Christian faith. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society applies the label apostate to former Jehovah's Witnesses, who are then shunned by all Witnesses in good standing.
Apostle: From the Greek word apostolos, meaning "messenger," the term apostle refers to those leaders of the early Christian church who were chosen by Jesus. The criteria for being an apostle was 1) the individual was personally chosen by Christ; and 2) the individual must have personally seen Christ. Members of the top two quorums of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claim the title today.
Apostolic Churches: A branch of Pentecostalism including several denominations as well as independent churches with the name "Apostolic"; many (but not all) Apostolic churches adhere to Oneness Pentecostalism.
Apostolic Overcoming Holiness of God, Inc., Birmingham, AL: Pentecostal church, stresses the oneness of God while accepting the Triune Being of the Godhead. Salvation depends upon baptism, tarrying to receive the Holy Spirit, and holiness. Publishes The People's Mouthpiece magazine.
Apostolic United Brethren: See Corporation of the Presiding Elder of the Apostolic United Brethren.
Applewhite, Marshall: See Heaven's Gate.
Applied Kinesiology: New Age diagnostic technique sometimes called "muscle testing." Often patients hold health care products (vitamins, herbs, etc) in their hand while the practitioner pulls or "tests" the reciprocal strength in the finger, arm, etc. to determine the effectiveness or dosage of the remedy. See Holistic Health.
Aquarian Academy, Robert E. Birdsong, Eureka, CA: Jesus only an avatar of the Cosmic Christ, of the Great White Brotherhood of Light. Man's purpose is to reach the transcendental plane, release from the wheel of fate, astral projection, meditation, cosmic truths.
Aquarian Age Teaching, Ruby Focus, Sedona, AZ: Discover the God within, the Father-Mother god, Atlantis, Christ-consciousness.
Aquarian Church of Universal Service, Paul Shockley, Portland, OR: Teaches cosmic awareness but with no specific doctrine. Similar to Unitarian-Universalist.
The Aquarian Conspiracy, Marilyn Ferguson: A book documenting and advocating the widespread growth of the New Age movement.
Aquarian Educational Group, Torkom Saraydarian, Sedona, AZ: Astrology, moon festivals, use the Bhagavad-Gita, Jesus only an avatar. Publishes the Fiery Synthesis magazine.
Aquarian Foundation, Keith Milton Rhinehart, Seattle, WA: Universalism, yoga, spiritism, Theosophy-based philosophy.
Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ: Book written by Levi H. Dowling, a New Age, apocryphal story supposedly based on the Akashic Records.
Aquarian Minyan, Berkeley, CA: Jewish group, yoga, mysticism.
Aquarian Perspectives Inter Planetary Mission, Montgomery, AL: UFO group, receives messages from Futron and the Rainbow Star Legionnaires.
Aquarian Tabernacle Church, Index, WA: Paganism, worship of Mother Earth, goddess worship, sun and moon festival, magic. Publishes the Panegyria newsletter.
Arcana Workshop, Manhattan Beach, CA: Meditation, Great Invocation, moon festivals. Based on the teachings of Alice Bailey (see Arcane School). Publishes the Thoughtline newsletter.
Arcane School, Alice Bailey: Occult, esoteric teachings, connected with Lucis Trust, formerly Lucifer Trust. Similar to Theosophy.
Arefu: Company created and owned by Japanese doomsday-cult Aum Shinri Kyo for real estate brokering, financing and seminars. On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was also changing its own name to Arefu (Aleph, in English).
Arete Truth Center, Paul Lachlan Peck, Las Vegas, NV: New Age, metaphysics, teaches balancing the body, mind and spirit.
Arguelles, Jose: New Ager who staged the Harmonic Convergence.
Arizona Light, Phoenix, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arizona Metaphysical Society, Frank Alper, Phoenix, AZ: New Age seminars on rebirthing, astral projection, channeling, karma, reincarnation, and crystals.
Arizona Network News, Scottsdale, AZ: New Age periodical.
Arm of the Lord, Warren, OH: Teaches that it is a satanic idea to invite Jesus into "one's life."
Armageddon Time Ark Base Operation, O.T. Nodrog, Weslaco, TX: UFO group, channels messages from outer dimensional forces.
Armstrong, Garner Ted: Son of Herbert W. Armstrong who formed his own rival Armstrongism splinter group, the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association. See Church of God, International.
Armstrong, Herbert W.: See Armstrongism, Worldwide Church of God.
Armstrongism: The doctrines and religious movement originating with Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Armstrong rejected such essential doctrines of evangelical Christianity as the Trinity, the full deity of Jesus Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit. Armstrong taught British Israelism and believed that worthy humans could eventually "become God as God is God." Teaches salvation by works predicated on Sabbatarianism, tithing (20-30%), and keeping the Old Testament feast days and dietary laws. Under the leadership of Armstrong's successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, the WCG has undergone a radical doctrinal transformation. Scores of splinter groups, such as the Global Church of God and the United Church of God, continue to teach various forms of Armstrongism.
Arn Draiocht Fein, P.E.I. Bonewits, Nyack, NY: Paganism, Druids, polytheism, nature worship. Publishes News from the Mother Grove newsletter.
Aromatherapy: Holistic health practice of seeking to heal certain diseases or illnesses by inhaling scented steam or fragrances.
Aromatherapy Seminars, Los Angeles, CA: Holistic Healing therapy, oils healing the psyche. See Aromatherapy.
Arunachala Ashram, Bhagavan Sri Ramana: Hinduism-based philosophy, also called Maharshi Center, Inc.
Aryan Nations Church, Hayden Lake, ID: A neo-Nazi paramilitary organization in the Christian Identity movement that preaches against all non-Caucasian groups. The Order, an Aryan Nations break-off group, killed Alan Berg, a Jewish radio personality in Denver, in 1984. The Aryan Nations received national notice in 1992 when the wife of member Randy Weaver was killed in a shootout with the FBI in Ruby Ridge, ID.
As It Is: See Process Church of the Final Judgement.
Asatru Free Assembly, Denair, CA: Paganism, worships Odin as Father-god, Frigga as Mother-god and Nerthus as Mother-Earth. Publishes The Runestone newsletter.
Ascended Master Teaching Foundation, Mt. Shasta, CA: Occult, part of the I AM movement, Great White Brotherhood, similar to Theosophy.
Ascended Masters: Sometimes called the Great White Brotherhood. Occult, New Age belief in alleged teachers or masters who live on an astral plane as non-physical entities beyond time and space. They can supposedly communicate spiritual truths to humans through channeling or other occult techniques. Membership includes Jesus, Buddha, St. Germain (see I AM movement), Ramtha (see Knight, J. Z.), Mafu (see Torres, Penny), Seth (see Roberts, Jane), and others.
Ascended Masters School of Light, Toni Moltzan, Carrollton, TX: New Age, channeling, Ascended Masters including Jesus, universal consciousness.
Ascension Week Enterprises, Santa Fe, NM: New Age, Channeling, reaching out to children with New Age programs.
ASCENT Foundation, Larry Jensen, Sedona, AZ: New Age enlightenment, similar to Silva Mind Control, est, and Lifespring.
Asheville Meditation Center, Asheville, NC: New Age, achieving man's divine nature, transcendence.
Assemblies of the Called Out Ones of "Yah," Sam Surratt, Milan, TX: Sacred Name movement.
Assemblies of Yahweh, Jacob Meyer, Bethel, PA: Publishes The Sacred Name Broadcaster magazine. See Sacred Name movement.
Assemblies of Yahweh (7th day), Cisco, TX: See Sacred Name movement.
Assembly of Scientific Astrologers, George Cardinal, LeGrosoplin, MO: Esoteric astrology, karma and reincarnation.
Assembly of Yahweh, Holt, MI: Founded in 1930, perhaps the oldest of the Sacred Name groups in America. Sabbatarianism. Publishes The Faith.
Assembly of YHW Yoshua, Pueblo, CO: Sacred Name movement.
Associated Readers of Tarot International, Carbondale, IL: Tarot form of divination, Celtic rituals.
Associates for Scriptural Knowledge, Ernest L. Martin, Portland, OR: Anti-denominational group whose Associates study doctrine through a Home Study Course. Teaches universalism, i.e., that all people will be saved (although not all will experience the first resurrection and live in Christ's millennial kingdom), and the Sacred Name doctrine (Martin claims that the name Yahweh was removed from the Bible by Jerome). Martin was fired by the Foundation for Biblical Research (an Armstrongism splinter group in Alhambra, CA) in 1984 for espousing these doctrines. Publishes a "restored" Bible called The Manuscript Version of the Bible, and The ASK Communicator.
Association for Christian Development, Kenneth Westby Auburn, WA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Association for Past-Life Research and Therapies, Inc. Riverside, CA: New Age, reincarnation and astrology.
Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, VA: Pantheism, trance medium (or channeling), life readings, reincarnation.
Association for the Understanding of Man, Austin, TX: New Age, channeling, psychic reading, altered states of consciousness.
Association of Unity Churches: The denominational structure affiliated with the Unity School of Christianity.
Association Sananda & Sanat Kumara, Mt. Shasta, CA: New Age, channeling Christ-consciousness teachings.
Astara, Robert & Evelyn Chaney: New Age, spiritism, yoga. Publishes Voice of Astara.
Astral Projection: New Age/occult doctrine teaching methods to induce an out of body experience (OBE), in which one's soul (i.e., astral body) departs the physical body, travels to various parts of the universe, then re-enters the body. Usually a "cord" is said to connect the soul and body at all times. Also called astral travel.
Astro Computing Services, San Diego, CA: Astrology.
Astrology: An ancient fatalistic system of divination using the position of the planets, moon and sun in the twelve Zodiac positions at the moment of one's birth to gain occult or hidden knowledge of the future. Profile available.
Astrology and Psychic News, N. Hollywood, CA: New Age periodical.
Atheism: The assertion, to be taken on faith, that there is no God. Some atheists, such as Madalyn Murray-O'Hair, have fought to prevent any recognition of God in public life. See American Atheists, Inc.
Atlantic Pagan Council: Association of East Coast pagan covens, magic, moon festivals, paganism. Publishes the Atlantic Pagan Council Amateur Publishers' Association newsletter.
Atlantis: A mythical island/continent said to have sunk beneath the ocean. Purported to have been a highly advanced civilization. New Agers often claim to have recovered lost mystical wisdom and knowledge from Atlantis, sometimes through channeling.
Atman: A term used in Hinduism referring to the eternal or real self and sometimes refering to the principle of life in all things.
At-one-ment: Term used by several Mind Science or New Thought religions (such as Christian Science) referring to the supposed metaphysical unity or "oneness" of human beings and God as demonstrated by Christ. Contrast the Christian term "atonement," which refers to Christ's death on the cross as the means by which he reconciled sinful human beings to God.
Aum Shinri Kyo, Shoko Asahara, Tokyo, Japan: Aum (a mantra) Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth) is the apocalyptic Buddhist sect suspected in the 1995 subway nerve gas murders in Japan. Police raiding cult compounds discovered stockpiles of nerve gas and the basic ingredients of biological warfare. Sect leaders have been charged with abduction and "murder preparation." Aum leader, Chizuo Matsumoto (now called Shoko Asahara), predicted the end of the world between 1997 and 2000. The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has denied Aum claims that Asahara was ever his disciple. The sect has about $29 million in assets and 10,000 disciples in Japan and 30,000 in Russia. The sect has followers in other countries including the U.S. and Australia. On January 18, 2000, the cult announced it was changing its name to Arefu (Aleph, in English). Profile available.
Aum Supreme Truth: See Aum Shinri Kyo.
Aura: A subtle light or energy field said to surround people or objects. Mystics explain that from the color of the aura, a person's emotional and intellectual moods can be determined.
Author Services, Inc.: Promotes Scientology philosophy.
Automatic Writing: Inspired from the spirit world, the writer has no conscious muscular control of his hands or arms. Found in many occult and New Age groups.
Avanta Network, Palo Alto, CA: New Age, works by Virginia Satir promoted, positive and negative energies.
Avatar: Hindu concept of an earthly manifestation of one of the gods in human or animal form, e.g., Krishna is an avatar of Vishnu.
Avatar, Flagstaff, AZ: New Age seminars similar to est and Lifespring, enables participant to have conscious shift of beliefs.
Awake!: Magazine published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Awareness Research Foundation, Inc., North Miami, FL: Astrology, Atlantis, UFOs, ESP and Lord Sananda.
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Center, Pearl Miller, Reno, NV: Eastern mysticism, meditation, homeopathy.
Ayurvedic Medicine: Promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Deepak Chopra. Teaches the balancing of vibrational centers for health through diet, exercise, herbs, and purification procedures.
Baba, Sai: Indian guru, Hinduism, meditation, Kundalini yoga.
Bahá'í Faith,The, Bahá'u'lláh: A sect of Islam evolving into a major independent religion with approximately five million believers worldwide. Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Bahá'u'lláh and others are viewed as a succession of divine messengers. A 19th century Persian teacher, the Báb, (or "Gate") predicted Bahá'u'lláh's coming. Bahá'í advocates a new global order of sexual equality, a one-world economic system to eliminate poverty, and a one-world religion. Profile available.
Bailey, Alice: Founder of the Arcane School. Profile available.
Baphomet: The Goat God, also called the Sabbath Goat, the Great God Pan, Abraxas, Thanateros, or the Horned God. Often used as a symbol of Satan, especially in Satanism, and depicted as a Goat's Head symbol, an upside down five-pointed star (cf. pentagram), or a man with horns and goat-legs.
Baptism for the Dead: Practice of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) whereby living members are baptized by proxy for people who have died without knowing the LDS Gospel. If these dead persons then accept the LDS gospel while in Spirit Prison, they can potentially attain full salvation or godhood (exaltation). This ceremony is performed only in an LDS Temple. See Baptismal Regeneration.
Baptismal Regeneration: The belief that regeneration (i.e., the new birth), and therefore salvation or eternal life, is conditioned upon water baptism. Most groups teaching this doctrine also add that proper mode (immersion or sprinkling) and/or proper minister (one authorized by the organization) is necessary. All Christians should be baptized (Matthew 28:19). The teaching that baptism is a prerequisite for salvation, however, is considered by many evangelicals to be a heretical compromise of the biblical gospel of salvation by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). The extreme version of baptismal regeneration, which denies the salvation even of baptized Christians outside some particular church group, is clearly heretical. See Salvation by Works, Salvation by Grace, Gospel.
Bear Tribe Medicine Society, Spokane, WA: Native American spirituality, Mother Earth, medicine wheel, moon ceremonies.
The Beatles: A highly influential rock-and-roll group from the 1960s. In 1966 they became involved in Transcendental Meditation; later both John Lennon and George Harrison repudiated TM. Harrison then became a devotee of ISKCON and recorded his hit single "My Sweet Lord" as a devotion to Lord Krishna. The Beatles are widely credited with increasing the popularity of Eastern religions in the United States.
Believers International, Tucson, AZ: Compiling a compendium of all of William Branham's teachings. Publishes Believer's News.
Bell, Art: Popular late-night radio talk show host. While his Coast to Coast weeknight broadcast and Dreamland weekend broadcast focus on a wide array of New Age and occult issues, as well as many conspiracy theories, one of the most common subjects discussed by guests on the program is UFOs.
Beltane: Occult, Celtic holiday, also called Walpurgisnacht, celebrated on the night of April 30. Celts are alleged to have conducted fertility rituals and human sacrifice.
Bermuda Triangle: Geographically, the Triangle composes the southwestern quadrant of the North Atlantic, with apexes in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and in the Gulf of Mexico west of Florida. Some people involved in the occult and UFO studies believe the Triangle is a supernaturally dangerous area, with many ships and airplanes disappearing in the Triangle in the 20th century.
Bernard, David: A well-known Oneness Pentecostal writer and speaker.
Besant, Annie: Successor to Madame Blavatsky (founder of Theosophy) who proclaimed Krishnamurti as the Messiah. (Krishnamurti later renounced that role).
Bet Hashem - The House of YHWH, New Haven, IN: Sacred Name, man is the offspring of light, conversion is the union with the light.
Beth El Shaddai, Dick Amos, Plano, TX: Dual Covenant doctrine, denies Jesus is God.
Beth HaShem, Jacob Hawkins, Odessa, TX: Sacred name, Sabbatarianism, keeps Old Testament feasts and laws for salvation. Publishes The Prophetic Watchman newsletter.
Bhagavad-Gita: Meaning "Song of the Lord," this scripture is used in Hinduism and ISKCON.
Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh: Though this Indian guru is deceased, many followers still practice his unique form of Hindu philosophy and sexual yoga system to gain enlightenment.
Bhakti Yoga: Type of yoga or spiritual exercise involving devotion to a guru.
Bible: Considered scripture by Christianity. Consists of the Jewish scriptures (Old Testament) and the Christian scriptures (New Testament).
Bible Believers, Inc.: See Branham, William.
Bible Code, Michael Drosnin: Bestselling 1997 book teaches that prophecies are hidden in a complex network of letters and words within the Old Testament. Drosnin claims that he attempted to warn Israeli leader Yitzak Rabin of his impending assassination based on a prediction in the biblical code. The theory is a form of numerology and has some associations with the Jewish occultism of the Kabbalah.
Bible Speaks, The: Former name of Greater Grace World Outreach.
Bible Students: Various semiautonomous groups that broke away from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society after Joseph Rutherford took control of the organization. Reprints the early writings of Watchtower founder Charles Taze Russell including Divine Plan of the Ages. Groups across the country go under various names (e.g., Fort Worth Bible Students, Chicago Bible Students, etc.).
Bible Talks: Home and campus group studies sponsored by the International Churches of Christ.
Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Oneness Pentecostalism denomination.
Bible Way Publications, Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Bible Students group.
Biblical Church of God, Santa Cruz, CA: Armstrongism splinter group.
Biblical Research Centers: Regional centers for The Way International.
Bind: See Spell.
Bioenergy: New Age practice of healing. Balances the life-energy by opening blocked meridians (see acupuncture).
BioEnergetic Synchronization Techniques: New Age method using the body's life force to heal itself.
Biofeedback: The use of EEG (electroencephalographic) feeback instruments to monitor brain waves and skin resistance with the goal of modification of brain waves. Participants can learn to control heart rates or generate brain wave activity (alpha, beta, and delta) at will to induce altered states of consciousness. Enhances the capacity for relaxation and/or inducing meditative states and physiological control similar to that in yoga and Zen.
Biointegration, Ross Algelo, Dallas, TX: New Age, body alignment, yoga, reflexology, rebirthing.
Bio-Magnetics: New Age, the realigning of magnetic fields allegedly surrounding the body.
BioPsciences Institute, Minneapolis, MN: Astrology.
Black Mass: A ritual in Satanism that attempts to negate or profane the Catholic Mass. Black candles are used and Catholic prayers recited backwards. Allegedly, the communion is occasionally performed using human blood and flesh.
Black Muslim: Generic term referring to Nation of Islam and related groups.
Black Christian Nationalist Movement: See Pan African Orthodox Christian Church.
Blavatsky, Madame Helena Petrovna: Founder of Theosophy.
Blessed Be: A common greeting used among Wiccans to invoke or wish happiness and well-being.
Blood Atonement Doctrine: The belief, taught by the second Mormon Prophet, Brigham Young, that for certain sins the blood of Christ will not atone and for which the sinner's own blood must be shed to receive forgiveness (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 53). No longer taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the belief is often preached and sometimes practiced by members of Mormon Fundamentalist splinter groups. 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.
Blue Lotus, Wilmot, WI: New Age periodical.
Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, Eknath Easwaran, Petaluma, CA: Hindu philosophy, meditation, uses the Bhagavad-Gita.
Blue Rose Ministry, Robert Short, Joshua Tree, CA: UFOs, messages from the "space brothers," channeling. Publishes the Solar Space-Letter.
Blue Star, Mary Thunder, West Point, TX: New Age, sweat lodge, channeling, Spiritual University.
B'nai Noah: Dual covenant doctrine, teaches Jesus is not the Savior of the Jews, Gentiles are to keep the Seven Laws of Noah and study the Torah (or Old Testament) with Jewish Rabbis.
Body, Mind and Soul: Houston, TX: New Age periodical.
Body, Mind and Spirit: Providence, RI: New Age magazine.
Book of Changes: See I Ching.
Book of Mormon: One of the scriptures or "Standard Works" accepted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other sects originating from Joseph Smith, including the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and various Mormon Fundamentalist groups.
Book of Shadows: A journal for recording occult activities.
Bookmark, Santa Clarita, CA: Christian Science splinter group.
Borderland Science Research Foundation Garberville, CA: Alchemy, dowsing, UFOs, astrology.
Born Again: Biblical term used to describe regeneration (John 3:3-7). Some New Age followers teach that the term was Christ's reference to reincarnation or rebirthing. In context, Jesus was speaking of a spiritual event effected by God through the Holy Spirit (see verses 6-8) to restore a sinful, fallen human to right relationship with Him (see verses 16-21). See Gospel.
Boston Church of Christ: See International Churches of Christ.
Bradshaw, John: Prominent New Age teacher on PBS and author of Healing the Inner Child.
Brahma: The creator and first member of the triad of demigods in Hinduism, including Shiva and Vishnu.
Brainwashing: Forced indoctrination using various techniques to cause a subject to abandon basic political, social, or religious ideas or beliefs and replace those ideals with a contrasting belief system. A translation of a Chinese word xinao, "brainwashing" became a popular term to describe the phenomena of radical change in behavior and core beliefs that took place in some prisoners of war held in Chinese camps in the mid-twentieth century. In a more general sense, the word is sometimes used to describe any form of persuasion perceived to be unethical that results in a radical and negative change in personality. See Lifton, Robert, Mind Control.
Branch Davidians, Benjamin Roden: Splinter group of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. David Koresh (A.K.A. Vernon Howell) was leader from 1984 to 1993. He and many of his most devout followers were killed when their headquarters near Waco, TX, was destroyed by fire in 1993 during a government raid. Taught knowledge of the Seven Se