Many cults were formed in the 19th century. Again I believe that the "Angel of Light" brought them about. We all know who that is if you know your Bible at all. (It's Satan) From Webster's dictionary I offer you the definition of cult (kult), n. 1. A way of worshiping; system of religious rites [a cult of snake worshipers] 2. A fashion or belief that a number of people are enthusiastic about [the cult of sun bathing]. That seems very benign doesn't it? Just another way to worship (God?). The truth is a cult is: a group of people polarized around someone's interpretation of the Bible and is characterized by major deviations from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, particularly the fact that God became man in Jesus Christ. (Walter Martin)

      One of the most prominent cults in America and around the world today is the Mormons, also going by the name Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They, like the Jehovah's Witnesses are prominent because they may arrive at your door and attempt to teach you the Bible. This usually starts with a question of a spiritual nature.

      Joseph Smith started the Mormon religion in 1823 after He began questioning Christianity due to the strife and tension he found there. He saw in a vision the angel Moroni that led him to a secret place that contained several golden plates. At this juncture I feel compelled to place a Bible scripture in the text for your consideration.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:8

   He established what he thought was the restoration of the true church of Jesus Christ. He stated there was no salvation outside of the Mormon Church. They believe in the Bible, "The Book of Mormon", "Doctrine and Covenants", "The Pearl of Great Price" and the Living Prophets. The Mormon reliance on multiple contradictory revelations contradicts the Bible, while the Mormon scripture contradicts itself. The God of the Bible never contradicts Himself. (Josh McDowell, A Ready Defense)

   Joseph Smith died a violent death at the hands of an angry mob and Brigham Young became the new leader of the Mormons. Each leader is considered to be a prophet, true to the definition of a cult. Brigham Young, who led the Mormons to Utah in 1846, was charged with bigamy in 1871. Worldwide there are millions of Mormons who are quite active in preaching their doctrine. Although they appear to be very fine people, their religious beliefs will not stand up to the scrutiny of the Bible.

   Another "Prophet", Charles Taze Russell, started a Bible Study in 1870 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and out of that sprang the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. At his death in 1916, "Judge" Rutherford became the second president. He spent the Depression years of 1929-30 living in a mansion in San Diego called Beth Sarim and riding around in a very expensive luxury automobile. Nathan Knorr succeeded Rutherford and it was under his leadership that the New world Translation was produced. They own a HUGE printing operation in Brooklyn, New York, which is called "Bethel", where most of their printing is done. Since the hierarchy controls what the laity reads, every booklet, every magazine, every bit of doctrine comes out of the Headquarters in Brooklyn.

   Their authority according to them is the Bible, but when they teach it is always from the Watchtower publications.

Rutherford stated:
      "If the six volumes of Scripture Studies are practically the Bible, topically arranged with Bible proof texts given, we might not improperly name the volumes 'the bible in an arranged form,' that is to say, they are not mere comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself. Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years-if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references and had not read a page of the Bible as such, he would be in the light at the end of two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures."

      Another earmark of a cult is when someone has to translate or explain they're doctrine separate from the Bible, it just may be false teaching. How arrogant can a person be to assume he knows more than God on how to present the word of truth to all people of the world.

      Concerning their NWT Bible, it is even more perverted than the new translations produced since 1881. They used to print and use the King James Bible many years ago, but now use strictly the NWT. They have edited it heavily, adding words and changing text to prove and justify their doctrine. John 1:1 reads, "The Word was a god," and in Colossians 1:16,17, they insert other several times. The word other is not in the Greek text. They deny the trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, Hell, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the person of the Holy Spirit, and salvation by grace. They believe that Jesus Christ returned to earth in 1914, which is what they prophesied. They also said the end would come in 1918, then again in 1925, then it was 1941, then again in 1975. Deuteronomy 13:1-5 says to put the false prophet to death. You will notice that in the Bible, Bethel became the place of idol worship. You may remember what was written in the chapter on Bibles about Johannes Greber and the New World Translation.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Mat 10:33

      Not as popular as Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons but equally distant from the Bible is the religion of Christian Science. Started in 1850 by Mary Baker Eddy. They do not believe in the reality of illness, which is why they are reluctant to use doctors for all health issues. Their beliefs are very close to the New Age Movement. They believe the trinity is Life, Truth, and Love, Christ is the spiritual idea of sonship, There is no devil, There is no sin, evil and good are not real, the sacrifice of Jesus was not sufficient to cleanse from sin, God is the Father-Mother, God is Universal Principle, True healing is the result of true belief. Heaven to the Christian Scientist is a divine state of mind. Mrs. Eddy earned a good income by teaching the unreality of the material world. It seems paradoxical that she would do that. She taught pain and sickness were only an illusion yet repeatedly used morphine. She taught there was no such thing as death. Mrs. Eddy died none the less.

      Another religion that began in 1845 is the Seventh Day Adventists. William Miller, a Baptist preacher, predicted the appearance of Christ but when it didn't happen his flock still maintained that Christ entered the Holy of Holies and started what they called the "Investigative Judgement". Although they appear by a reading of their doctrinal statement to be a mainstream Christian church, they place their leader Ellen G. White, on equal par with the inspired writers of the Bible, Peter, Paul, and Luke. They believe in the strict observance of the Sabbath and adherence to the Ten Commandments, which implies a religion of works rather than grace. Ellen claimed to have a substandard education yet was a wonderful writer, owing it to the providence of God, although she has been exposed as a plagiarizer.

      The Unity (New Age Movement) was started by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1889. Their main idea is Metaphysical Thought, having been filled with knowledge from several ancient religions such as Buddhism, Brahmanism, Hinduism, Theosophy, and Rosicrucianism. They send out daily devotional booklets (The Daily Word) to 1.14 Million homes monthly. Although appearing very Christian by using the words we use, they have much different meanings for those words, as do many of the cults of today.

      Doctrines:Unity School of Christianity denies the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the personality of the Holy Spirit, the necessity of the atonement of Jesus for our sins, heaven, hell, sin, and the existence of the devil. Unity teaches reincarnation. "The second birth is that in which we 'put on Christ.' It is a process of mental adjustment and body transmutation that takes place right here on earth." They are largely vegetarians. It teaches that experience, if you are 'in tune' with God, is more accurate and reliable than the Bible. God, though, is a divine universal consciousness. Man is a part of that Divine Consciousness and is, therefore, divine by nature.

      Theosophy, Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky: (1831-1891) Co-Founder of the Theosophic Society. The word "theosophy" literally means "God wisdom." Founded in 1875 to form a universal brotherhood of humanity. Teaches pantheism, reincarnation, striving for Christ-consciousness and occult and paranormal phenomena. Blavatsky leans very much towards the occult, claims God is impersonal, Says Jesus is a reincarnation of an Aryan race, and that man is part of God and we all become "Christs".

      Rosicrucianism is based in ancient Egyptian occult worships. Buddhism has 8 steps to reach nirvana and then there is the pantheistic Hinduism of India. Alice Bailey, Founder of Lucis Trust and the Lucis Trust Publishing Co, (Formerly Lucifer Trust) in 1895, had a moving experience which involved an appearance of a tall European man wearing a turban. She was later in life introduced to the writings of Helena Blavatsky. She spent the majority of her years working on what she called "The Plan". She wrote a tremendous amount of occult books and started many schools. She is credited with being the mother of the New Age Movement. The Lucis Trust was started to establish the "New World Order". Hiding behind the banner of goodwill and love, they work closely with the United Nations to distribute their information, none of which looks even remotely like the Occult. Alice Bailey (NO relation to author) followed Djwhal Khul who supposedly ascended in the late 1800's. Another entrepreneurial follower of D K holds private telephone sessions to teach about channeling. All for $3.00 per minute.
Watchman Fellowship

      The roots of the Bahai faith are in the Shiite sect of Islam. In 1844, Mirza Ali Muhammad (1819-1850) declared himself to be the "Gate." He claimed he was not just a "Gate," but rather the "Gate" of God, a major Manifestation of God equal to the prophet Muhammad. Preceding leaders of the religion have purposefully obscured their history.

      Unitarianism began in the late 1800's in England. They deny the trinity, thought that Jesus Christ was merely a man, not the God-man. The American merger became the Unitarianism-Universalists. They believe God loves all humans and all will go to heaven.

      In the 1980's The LDS church grew by 52% and the Jehovah's Witnesses by 75%. The Bahai religion is growing at a rate of 5.5% per year. Comparatively the Evangelical Christian faith grew by about 2%. Some of the information about these religions was gleaned from the Watchman Fellowship web site, which I am very grateful.

      Witchcraft, now known as Wicca or The Craft, did not start in the 19th Century, but was revived in the 20th Century. Witchcraft is an ancient and pagan religion which is associated with sex and drugs. (and probably Rock n Roll). Not all Rock music is evil but some is totally Satanic in nature and an entrapment for the young and naive. Other names for Wicca are Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic and others. Not all feminists are witches, but it fits in with their beliefs quite nicely due in part to their Goddess worship. I have no doubt that many followers have special powers but I call to mind a scripture from my Lords' Bible.

      This really belongs in the section on television but think about the public television stations' promotion of New Age philosophy and evolution targeting our children. Watch Fox on Saturday morning and you will see the scope of the influence that the New Agers have.

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Cover     Next: Chapter 2b -     Return Home

Webpage property of BillBaileyMinistries. All rights reserved. Maintained by Bill