CULTS
Some of the groups that we believe are properly identified as "cults" are as follows:
Christadelphians
Church of Christ, Scientist
FreeMasonry
Jehovah's Witnesses (Russellites)
Mormons (Latter Day Saints)
Scientology
Seventh Day Adventists
Unitarian Universalists
Unity Church
Additional Links relating to Cults:
http://www.forgottenword.org/cults.html
http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm
There are some "denominations" listed on this website which are seen as cults by other denominations in the same list. Some of the churches on the list of denominations do, in fact, meet SOME of the criteria listed below. As time goes on and churches move further away from the truth, there may well be a need to move some from the denomination list to the cult list. Therefore, it may be necessary for us to define what constitutes a cult. First, the term "cult" is NOT the same as "occult". "Occult" generally refers to "magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies." Dr. Dave Breese, in his booklet entitled "The Marks of a Cult" (1973, Christian Destiny Inc.), provided a list of defining characteristics of a cult which are listed below. Not every cult demonstrates ALL of these characteristics, but the presence of ANY could indicate the possibility of being, or becoming, a cult.
Extra-Biblical Revelation
Salvation by Works
Uncertain Hope
Presumptuous Messianic Leadership
Doctrinal Ambiguity
Denunciation of Others
Claim of "Special Discoveries"
Defective Christology
Segmented Biblical Attention
Entangling Organizational Structure
Financial Exploitation