Cult News

Cult apologist Philip Arnold trotted out for a Davidian pep rally near Waco last month. And wouldn’t you know that Rev. Moon‘s Washington Times would pop in a plug.

The Moon-controlled newspaper ran the story “Davidians, friends gather in Waco to praise Koresh,” which read more like a press release from cult members, than objective journalism.

Arnold went so far as to compare David Koresh to “Jesus.”

He claimed, “Like Jesus, Koresh came into conflict with traditional theology and was handed over to authorities, who ultimately killed him.”

But does anyone recall passages in the New Testament about “Jesus” abusing women and children, or stockpiling weapons? In fact, didn’t Jesus urge his following to obey civil authority?

Maybe Arnold should brush up on his bible?

Apparently the apologist largely blames the FBI for the tragedy. He stated, “The FBI delivered the apocalypse of the Book of Revelations to the Davidians,” seemingly placing the responsibility for the tragedy with the government.

Arnold runs something called the “Reunion Institute” in Houston and has been touted by the Church of Scientology as a “religious resource.”

During the Waco standoff in 1993 Arnold and an academic friend James Tabor, another “resource” promoted by Scientology, set up shop in Waco and garnered attention with claims they could somehow work with Koresh to end the standoff.

They obviously failed, but don’t expect them to admit this. Instead, the academics insist more time was needed. It seems 51 days just wasn’t enough.

Both Arnold and Tabor were once associated with the controversial Worldwide Church of God, another group frequently called a “cult.”

Various Davidians and hanger-ons rallied for the 10th anniversary of the ill-fated standoff with Arnold, all holding forth with essentially the same refrain. That is, Koresh and his followers were “persecuted” and victimized by federal law-enforcement.

However, two congressional hearings, an independent investigation and a jury concluded otherwise.

Never mind.

Apologists like Arnold and the remaining Davidians are too deeply and personally invested in their positions to face the facts about the cult murder/suicide.

The Washington Times, which is controlled by a purported “cult leader,” likewise is invested in its own agenda and can be expected to slant news coverage accordingly.

Don’t expect a newspaper controlled by Rev. Moon to be interested in an exploration of how destructive cult leaders exercise undue influence over their followers. That might be bad for business.

The Boston Church of Christ founded by Kip McKean in 1978 grew to an organization of more than 100,000 members, with churches around the world. It is now known as the International Church of Christ (ICC).

The group has a deeply troubled history, which has included often being called a “cult.” The ICC has been criticized for allegedly “brainwashing” its members, through a tight system of control it calls “discipling.”

Abuses reported about the group led to it being banned on many college campuses, where it often focused much of its recruitment efforts.

Throughout the troubled years of its controversial existence the ICC was defined and led by one man. Kip McKean was known as its “World Evangelist” and at times compared to the “Apostle Paul.”

Not long ago McKean stepped down and now it seems he has been forced out of the movement altogether. This has been explained as the result of his “sin” and “arrogance,” while acting as the group’s effective dictator.

Now in an apparent effort to stem the tide of departing “disciples” leaving the ICC, key leaders have issued and published on the Internet apologies concerning the group’s abuses and errors.

Whether these apologies actually reflect real and/or meaningful change, or are instead a public relations ploy remains to be seen.

Apparently Al Baird, once McKean’s “right hand man,” is perhaps the “first amongst equals” in a new regime that controls the ICC.

Baird is an elder within the LA Church of Christ, which became something like the Vatican over the organization during McKean’s long reign.

The LA church has issued a statement that includes an apology for “arrogance in the staff,” “authoritarian discipling,” “abusive accountability,” teaching they are “the one true church” and “one way to salvation.”

Baird and other key leaders who endorsed this declaration say, “We are absolutely committed to change.”

But many “cults” have claimed they were “committed to change” and later found guilty of the same abuses.

In fact in an apparent defense of the discipling system that has caused so much grief and damage amongst ICC members the LA church “apology” states, “We definitely believe in Biblical discipling relationships and the need to be involved in each others’ lives.”

What does this really mean? A continuation of some vestige of this destructive system that has claimed so many victims?

Regarding their teaching of “exclusive salvation,” only available through their church organization, LA leaders seemed somewhat evasive.

They stated, “In spite of our many weaknesses and sins, the Lord’s church is still amazing.”

Who then is “the Lord’s church”?

Baird and his associates certainly didn’t name anyone specifically that might share in that title.

They added rather cryptically, “We do need to teach the one way to salvation as taught in the Bible, and let God determine who is in His one universal church… there is one church, and God knows who is in it.”

Once again, they seemingly sidestep a meaningful answer. This may be clever, but it is not clear enough to reflect real change.

The apology posted on line by the South Florida Church of Christ statement was a bit more detailed and explicit.

Its leaders stated, “Effective immediately, we are ending the practice of a discipleship tree, or one over another discipling. We are also ending the practice of assigning discipleship partners.”

But they too seemed to want some “wiggle room.”

“We encourage all members to be involved in several peer one-another relationships…[with] regular times of friendship, teaching [and] personal accountability,” they added.

Florida leaders also said, “Those who are young and newly baptized in the Lord to be involved in at least one ‘mentoring’…so that they will be safe.”

What does this all really mean? It sounds like some form of “discipling” will effectively continue in Florida.

The Florida church also revealed that some of the money its members gave through “special contributions” was “improperly used” to assist the LA church.

The leaders claim there will now be “100% local oversight of the money” with “a full accounting of exactly how the money will be spent.”

They mention an “outside CPA firm [that] conducts an annual audit.” But don’t discuss the details of that report will be published and/or available to members.

Apparently they plan to “appoint a committee” which will somehow “evaluate the financial affairs of the church and individual concerns such as staff salaries.”

But shouldn’t the general membership elect such a committee, given the leadership’s admitted failures and acknowledged history of financial improprieties?

Florida leaders repented regarding the excesses of “one man leadership,” but blamed this on the “cowardice…of the elders.”

However, it is unclear how any “elder” during McKean’s era of dictatorship could have effectively done anything except listen and obey, or leave.

As is often the case within the ICC, problems are blamed on people rather than the system or the church itself.

Florida discussed “dating rules,” but again offered no details.

They simply said, “There needs to be much additional teaching done on this subject.” Whatever that means.

Likewise, the leaders of the church in Florida mention the issue of “church autonomy.”

However they conclude, “We are still committed to a brotherhood of the churches.”

Apparently that “brotherhood” will be largely dominated by Al Baird and an insider’s group of the chosen few.

These recently published apologies don’t appear to reflect any sweeping democratic reforms, or even a concerted or serious effort to effectively dismantle an admittedly abusive and authoritarian power structure.

It doesn’t look like there is any reason to expect any drastic changes in the discipleship system, which is after all, the organizational glue that has always held the ICC together.

What is clear is that Kip McKean is out, removed through something like a “palace coup” and now “there’s a new sheriff in town,” but with largely the same old “posse” of “appointed” deputies.

The ICC remains essentially intact as an undemocratic and authoritarian system of church government, from the top down. It just isn’t limited to “one man rule” anymore.

But there are rumors that McKean is already planning a “comeback,” hoping to return and reclaim his throne.

If the history of other alleged “cults” is instructive, these recent “apologies” may be little more than slick spin.

If the ICC is really intent on change why not begin with a far more explicitly laid out framework, that offers meaningful details.

Why not start with a real “change,” such as the election of new leaders?

Replace what is an admittedly a failed and “sinful” leadership, through a genuine democratic process that includes all ICC members.

Don’t expect this to happen any time soon.

The power players drawing salaries and perks within the ICC establishment have benefited personally and financially from the organization.

It’s doubtful these guys want any change, which might change that.

Tomorrow the world may end, or so says Yuko Chino, the 69-year-old leader of the bizarre wandering “Japanese cult” clad in white called Pana Wave, reports England’s The Independent .

However, a purported “cult” making doomsday predictions is nothing new.

Many groups before the turn of the century seemed enveloped in a kind of “millennial madness,” making dire predictions of coming catastrophe and calamity.

If it were not quite planetary extinction, then at least there would be a kind of technological meltdown due to the “Y2K” computer glitch.

Nothing happened.

Never mind. Cult leaders and/or prophets of doom simply came up with some savvy spin to satisfy their followers and moved on, with the tragic exception of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments in Uganda.

Historically long-established groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses have learned that failed end times dates don’t mean “The End” for them and actually may increase baptisms, essentially becoming a useful recruitment tool.

People join up as if membership is the equivalent of an insurance policy against the event of Armageddon.

Yuko Chino seems to be carefully hedging her bets, by alternating between the claim that a lost seal in the news will somehow save humanity and/or that changes in outer space have already provided for a postponement, reports the New York Times.

One Pana Wave follower said, “I think it will be delayed till around May 22.”

But Japan’s Prime Minister just doesn’t get “why people believe in things said by such a group,” he asked plaintively.

After cult tragedies like “Heaven’s Gate,” the Solar Temple and most notably for the Japanese the doomsday cult called Aum, authorities in Japan are not taking any chances.

This week police raided Pana Wave locations just to make sure the group wasn’t concealing anything dangerous, like Aum once did, reports Mainichi Daily News.

However, one Japanese resident observed, “They’re not dangerous.” And added his main worry was “their…cars blocking…traffic.”

Yuko Chino has become a familiar figure in Japan through a series of such traffic jams. Perhaps that is what she always wanted.

Many cult leaders do seem to crave attention.

Despite Chino’s claims that she is suffering from terminal cancer and at death’s door, it appears the woman in white will be around for the foreseeable future.

Though judging from the reactions reported from several Japanese towns, Pana Wave is not a popular potential neighbor.

Nation of Islam leader Lois Farrakhan’s son was arrested for hit-and-run in Indiana over this past weekend, reported Associated Press.

Nasir H. Farrakhan, of Chicago was held on probable cause for driving drunk with a suspended license, hit and run and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He smashed into the car of an elderly couple, causing $5,000 in damages and sending one to the hospital with apparently minor injuries.

Farrakhan’s 44-year-old son is one of nine children.

It seems this member of the Farrakhan family is not following his father’s teachings regarding the evils of substance abuse and accepting responsibility for bad behavior.

Is Nasir Farrakhan the Muslim version of that old cliché, the preacher’s wild rebellious son?

Scott Caruthers was arrested and charged for plotting to murder four people. He led a group called “Beta Dominion Xenophilia” (BDX), which has been called a “cult.”

But the alleged “cult leader” cut a deal with prosecutors and yesterday was released from jail for “time served,” reports the Baltimore Sun.

After being locked up for 19 months pending trial Caruthers chose a plea agreement rather than take his chances in court. That agreement includes a suspended sentence of 40 years and probation.

The BDX leader entered what is called an “Alford plea,” which means Caruthers conceded that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to convict him, but he did not specifically admit guilt.

However, the judge found him guilty. And the typically talkative man had nothing to say in court before sentencing.

Caruthers later spoke and claimed, “There is not now, nor has there ever been, a cult of any kind.”

But others have described BDX as a bizarre “cult,” which included the claim that Caruthers communicated with a “mother ship” through cats.

He admits, “I write science fiction. … To be a writer, you have to be prolific in your imagination.”

It looks like BDX was based upon such “science fiction.”

Caruthers also said somewhat cryptically, “God knows who I am.”

Whatever the now convicted criminal thinks he is and/or has told others, he should be careful.

If this man with the “prolific…imagination” cooks up another criminal conspiracy even the “mother ship” won’t be able to help him. And he will likely be locked up for a very long time.

Tell that to the cat.

Some evangelical Christians are seriously questioning the practice of so-called “spiritual warfare,” reports Associated Press.

Long-time evangelical cult-watching organization the Christian Research Institute (CRI), founded by Walter Martin and now headed by Hank Hanegraaff, has put out a warning.

Hanegraaff warns the faithful about “spiritual warfare,” a practice popular amongst Pentecostal and Charismatic Protestants, who subscribe to the belief that Christians, can be influenced by “demons” dwelling within them.

Those that believe in this controversial doctrine insist they must literally go to war with the devil’s minions.

This religious activity has also often been called “deliverance ministry.” That is, to “deliver” someone from “evil,” by “casting out demons.”

In one lawsuit a jury awarded a plaintiff $300,000.00 for personal injuries sustained through just such an effort.

Hanegraaff has come out swinging, but not against alleged demons. The radio commentator known as the “Bible Answer Man” is fighting against what he sees as “false doctrine.”

The CRI CEO says that sin should be seen as the effect of poor judgement and that the solution is “spiritual disciplines,” implemented through a “discipleship model,” not exorcism.

Secular authors Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman, within their groundbreaking book Holy Terror, describe something broader and more pervasive, they call it “holy warfare.”

Conway and Siegelman write; “holy warfare appears frequently and fundamentalist texts are filled with words and images depicting God’s armor and militant strength…creating a…reality in which the everyday world becomes a battleground between warring forces, between good and evil.”

This type of thinking may explain seemingly bizarre statements made by some prominent fundamentalist figures.

Jerry Falwell claimed that God’s judgement on America could be seen through terrorists attacking and destroying the World Trade Center. He later apologized.

Falwell also once claimed that the all-female Lilith Fair was “named for a demon.”

In similar fashion evangelical Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, said that Islam “is a very evil and wicked religion.”

But on an individual level “spiritual warfare” and/or “holy warfare” may become personally destructive.

Many fundamentalist believers are often taught to label thoughts and/or feelings contrary to their teachings, essentially as either “evil” or “demonic.”

This process may lead to a self-destructive stripping away and eventual disintegration of individual personality and autonomy.

Perhaps the best defensive weapon people possess against such potentially destructive warfare is critical thinking.

After all, according to the bible didn’t God provide humanity with that capacity? And isn’t it one of the best defensive weapons we personally possess?

Tomomasa Nakagawa once a top leader in the doomsday cult Aum led by Shoko Asahara apologized publicly at the conclusion of his trial for murder, reports Mainichi Daily.

He said, “I’ve been disqualified as a human being, as a doctor and as a religionist.” And admitted, “Mr. Asahara murdered a large number of people. I devoted myself to supporting him. I apologize to those affected by the crimes.”

But Nakagawa’s recognition of the cult’s criminal behavior comes too late. Twelve people are dead. And it is unlikely the Aum leader will escape death himself, as a penalty for his role in this tragedy.

As is often the case regarding the violent crimes of a criminal cult, undue influence and/or diminished mental capacity, which is often sensationally called “brainwashing” does not excuse a crime.

Most frequently a cult member’s apology will not mitigate sentencing.

Despite the fact that Aum members themselves may have been victims of Asahara’s manipulation and madness, the people they murdered and their families remain as the most important victims and the definitive ones to determine sentencing.

The prosecution is acutely sensitive and attentive to those cult victims.

Prosecutors and surviving family members have repeatedly called for the death penalty, which is uncommon in Japan.

Seth Joseph was a senior executive vice president at Digital Lightwave, until he tried to get the sister of Scientology’s supreme leader off the company payroll, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Joseph wanted to dump Denise Licciardi, the twin sister of David Miscavige, Scientology’s apparent leader for life.

Licciardi was reportedly “linked to an accounting scandal.”

However, the CEO and founder of the company Bryan Zhan, a Scientologist, apparently decided his devotion to the controversial church outweighed obligations to stockholders or creditors.

He fired Joseph; it seems to avoid upsetting his religious leader.

So Joseph sued Digital Ligtwave for wrongful termination and eventually landed a $5.2 million dollar judgment, which the company says it won’t appeal.

But maybe the ex-employee should hurry to collect while he can.

Digital Lightwave appears to be on a downward spiral, recently tapping an emergency credit line to keep afloat.

It seems whatever Scientology courses Zhan took failed to provide him with the insight necessary to keep his company from tanking.

Perhaps the CEO should have watched his bottom line more and worried about Scientology less.

Children once separated from their families due to false claims of “Satanic ritual abuse” are now suing Scottish social services, reports Scotland on Sunday.

During the early 90s numerous children were taken from their families by zealous social workers that falsely claimed they were abused by parents suspected as participants in “Satanic rituals.”

One judge called the treatment of the children by social services, “[A] tragedy of immense proportions.”

A plaintiff in the suit looking back on a ruined childhood said, “My education suffered badly and I became withdrawn. I still lack self-esteem. I have no confidence in anything I do.”

Her mother added, “Imagine what it would feel like to have your child taken away from you, not to see her for a year and to have only limited supervised contact for another four. This matter devastated my whole family.”

Such unproven claims of “Satanism” and supposed “ritual abuse” still often go unchallenged within the United States and networks of “survivors” support each other in such claims.

A cottage industry of “helping professionals,” related books and seminars centered on such allegations continues to thrive.

But many US mental health professionals have been virtually put out of business by lawsuits filed by victimized patients and/or their families.

Many children are the proven victims of “cults” such as the Krishna movement, Nuwaubians and Church of God Restoration.

It seems responsible professionals and public servants should focus limited resources on those proven to be victims, rather than pursuing fantastic conspiracy theories.

The controversy surrounding an Easter article run within the Chicago Tribune has spilled over into Christianity Today.

It was reported that more than 250 Chicago churches held Passover dinners called seders this year.

However, some of these “seders” were apparently based upon rather questionable and self-serving interpretations, concocted by groups such as the controversial fundamentalist Christian missionary organization called “Jews for Jesus” (JFJ).

An ordained Baptist minister who once worked for the American Board of Missions to the Jews founded JFJ, which is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Missionaries from JFJ have a traveling road show titled “Christ in the Passover,” which passed through Chicago. This program often serves as a rather viable vehicle for fund-raising.

Basically, the theme of this JFJ program is to present the Passover ritual observance superimposed with alleged prophetic references to Jesus. The actual meaning and historical significance of the traditional seder is thus distorted and/or negated.

After the Tribune ran the report about these pseudo-seders Jews in Chicago protested that their holiday was being misrepresented in the paper. The staff writer responsible for the report admitted to some religious bias.

“Misinformation and outright falsehoods, said one Jewish reader. And added that the piece did “great harm to the cause of interfaith understanding,”

Rabbi Ira Youdovin, executive vice president of the Chicago Board of Rabbis said, “Fundamentalists [who] seek to co-opt an ancient Jewish ritual…appreciate Jews not for what they are…but for this caricatured identity as proto-Christians. This is highly offensive to Jews.”

Another rabbi noted, “We have problems with Christians transforming our symbols and stories into a Christological message that robs us of our holy experience and thoughts.”

Of course JFJ doesn’t seem to care about such things. In fact they probably enjoyed the controversy. Why do you think they chose their name in the first place?

After all, the more controversy, the more attention and that attention just might translate into contributions.

JFJ had a serious shortfall in its budget last year and staff layoffs followed.

It seems many within the evangelical Christian community have grown tired and perhaps a bit bored with the organization. They have actually not produced many “Jews for Jesus,” despite their multi-million dollar annual expenditures.

Perhaps the group hopes its annual “hit and run” Passover programs will rejuvenate some interest and help their sagging revenues?