2001-07-26 - 5:04 p.m.
These early warning signs, compiled by exit-counselor Rick Ross, may serve as a useful checklist to determine if you, a family member, or a friend has become involved in a destructive Bible-based religion.
- Isolation from everyone or everything outside of the group and its control.
Mypromise: Everlong;:: try another room unless you want salvation
Snshn820: EVER: if u arent christian and arent thinking about coming one then GET OUT!
BrainSurgerysFun [Me]: Do you only want to talk to people of your belief
Snshn820: umm... yes Brian and i'm sorry if that offends you
Imhereforyababe: brain as a bible beleiving christian i make it a point to keep my distance from the worlds
IMhereforyababe: religeonms
OneLifeUc: TRANS - Jesus can help you..But first are you a Christian?
Arank17: I don't come here to listen to atheists or give them a platform
- A we/they mentality. All those outside the group are somehow negative or not equal; one must be a member. Partial commitment or belief is not tolerated (no shades of grey).
BrainSurgerysFun: Does anyone here feel wary about talking to nonChristians
PepperofTheEarth: Brain, well, we are smarter than you but that's going to be a real life problem too :)
Imhereforyababe: brain if respecting your religeos rights means we are to be happy with those that choose to
Imhereforyababe: live in darkness, thats an impossibility
Imhereforyababe: brain because the essence of your beleif is to beleive what you want,the essence of ours is
Imhereforyababe: to beleive the truth
Imhereforyababe: brain you have a right to be wrong just like anyone else
- Everything outside of the group is evil, of the devil, or worldly.
Lady4RLord: and all who aren without Christ will go to hell
Lady4RLord: no second chances there
Imhereforyababe: brain god respects the fact there are unbeleivers but that doesnt prevent hellfire
- Excessive fasting and praying, extreme tension or stress, which may result in eating disorders, chronic depression, acute anxiety, physical exhaustion, or illness.
BrainSurgerysFun: I'm taking a poll: How many times a day do people in here pray?
SuzyMc01: I pray several times a day
BrainSurgerysFun: About how many?
Jrjackt15: I try to pray at least 3 times a day but it ends up being only a couple of times a day
MSpinx84: i try to stay in prayer all the time
Mritchey21: i pray about 3 times a day
- Hallucinations (i.e. visions or messages from God).
BrainSurgerysFun: Has anyone heard God?
SuzyMc01: I have heard God,,,he speaks to me
BrainSurgerysFun: Are you serious, Suzy?
SuzyMc01: I am totally serious
BrainSurgerysFun: What kinds of things do you hear?
SuzyMc01: I hear him answering me when I ask Him things
SuzyMc01: I am praying directly to Jesus when he answers me
- Compulsively talking about the group, its leaders, and its doctrines. Repeatedly quoting certain scriptures emphasized by the group.
OneLifeUc: Arank17 - Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who speaks boastfully invites
OneLifeUc: Pr 17:19 - disaster
TombofStPeter: 1Peter 3:15-16 If anyone asks you to give an account of the hope you cherish.....
TombofStPeter: be ready at all times to answer for it- but courtesously and with due respect
OneLifeUc: 17 - Commandment 1 This is the first and great commandment. Mt 22;37
OneLifeUc: Jesus said "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
OneLifeUc: with all your soul, and with all your mind.
OneLifeUc: 17 - Commandment 2 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
OneLifeUc: CHEVY - God says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3)
Lady4RLord: Ez.33:8 when I say to the wicked man, you shall surely die, and you do not warn the wicked
OneLifeUc: CHEVY - Jesus says, "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened,
OneLifeUc: and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Lady4RLord: again in Rom1:32 if we approve of the sinner, accept them, thjere sin is our sin too
- Refusing to engage in conversation that may question the group and its leaders. Such criticism may even be characterized as satanic.
Arank17: why should anyone quarrel with the truth
Arank17: only satanists would say.." don't speak the truth it's quarrelling"
- Almost complete or total domination of the participant's time by the group. Attending Bible study, crusades, revivals, prayer meetings, services, or other group activities constantly. Little if any time is left for family, old friends, or other interests.
- The group discourages questions concerning its leaders or doctrines. Doubt may be equated to an attack by the devil upon the follower's mind.
Chevy55SC: God promises to punish children for the sins of their parents (Exodus 20:5)
Jrjackt15: Chevy you need to read the new testament
OneLifeUc: CHEVY - Dont let satan blind you!!
Compulsively and constantly witnessing their beliefs to everyone, often in a confrontational or extreme manner.
BrainSurgerysFun: WWORD, are you trying to convert people?
WWORDMAN: oh my reasonable service brain.
TombofStPeter: Well- whatever your objections to what may seem like bad theology- God bless you all!