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Cults and Religions
A cult
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Have you been approached?
"Do you have a moment?"
"We're from an international organisation dedicated to spreading God-consciousness"
"May we come round to do a home Bible study course with you?"
"Why not come along to one of our meetings? They're very lively ... lots of young people!"
"Can you spare a few pence to help our missionary work?"
Sound familiar? Whether in a shopping centre, a train station, outside a sporting event or even on your own doorstep, you're likely to meet someone who wants to talk to you about religion. Most will be polite, sincere, enthusiastic, and their arguments can sound very convincing. Would you be able to tell if they're from a strange religious cult or a genuine Christian organisation?
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Confusing?
Many cult members claim to be Christian however some have 'holy books' that contradict the Bible, some have their own versions of the Bible that have been changed to suit their beliefs and others use the real Bible but twist its meaning. New groups and sects are springing up all the time, each with different and contradictory teachings. It can all be very confusing. You may wonder, 'Are these people genuine Christians or not?' 'Should I buy their literature?' 'Are their meetings OK or am I going to get brain-washed?' 'Is it all right to give them some money?'
Be prepared!
The best way to prepare for contact with such groups is to be clear in your own mind about what the Bible teaches on the most important issues. If you hear anything different, your alarm bells should start ringing! On our own website we have a section called My Father's Business which attempts to show what real Christianity is all about. The pages and web links below may also be of help to you in spotting the differences between real Christianity and substitutes. They also offer advice on how to get released from cults and religions.
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