Shaun30NotPerfectJust4given's blog: "Blogs for thought"

(disclaimer:This blog only covers cults that claim to be "Christian". However, the definition of a cult of ANY religion is defined as: "followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or false religion or sect who often live outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader." So, if you're not a Christian, but, still want to know what qualifies as a cult-there you have it:-) however, if you ARE a Christian, and want to know what qualifies as a cult compared to Christianity,please, read on)

This is an excerpt from another blog that I cut out and pasted here for people who have questions and are trying to distinguish between what a real Christian Ministry is and a Cult hiding under the banner of Christianity. (So don't be surprised if you think you've already read it. I just focus more on the subject of cults here)I don't think legitimate churches are addressing these questions enough to keep people from becoming cult victims. Literally millions of people are being sucked into these organizations every day and the internet is one of the many(and most powerful) tools they use to lure people in. A cult is basically a group of people that define themselves Christian but misinterpret, corrupt and/or  twists God's teachings in order to run their own personal selfish agendas.(people like David Koresh, Marshall Applewhite, Jim Jones and Doug Perry-leader of "Fellowship of the Martyrs" who I found on Youtube a while back) These people will basically tell you that if you are not willing to martyr yourself for Christ, orsubmit to any of the countless immoral practices they engage in, you are not a true Christian. Which is a defining characteristic of a cult. And any True Christian knows is completely contradictory to God's word because Christ already paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we wouldn't have to. The only thing we are required to do to be saved is repent and ask forgiveness and accept what Jesus Christ ALREADY did FOR us.) But some people like to use God's word in order to manipulate vulnerable, hurting people who are willing to follow ANYTHING or ANYONE in an attempt to have a closer relationship with God. And that is how extremist groups and cults get their power. But that is NOT Christianity. I can't stress that enough to those who see that and use it as a reason to oppose or speak against the Christian faith. As it says in 1st John 4:1(as well as other verses in the bible) "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." I know, some people will argue "Doesn't the bible say not to test God?Isn't the bible contradicting itself?"-That verse doesn't say "Test God". It says "test the spirits to see whether they are from God". Big difference. Because a lot of cult leaders claim they get their rules directly from and are speaking FOR God. That's one of the many lies they tell to gain control of their followers. And one way you can tell whether someone is doing that is in Deut 4:2 in the bible that says that no one should add or take away from the commands given in the bible. So if it's not in the bible and someone is telling you to do it or not to do it because it's a command from God, that's a big sign. Here are a few others-

• Single charismatic leader.
• People always seeming constantly happy and enthusiastic. Especially if you discover that they have been told to act that way for the potential new recruits.
• Instant friends.
• If you are told who you can or cannot talk to or associate with.
• They hide what they teach.
• Say they are the only true group, or the best so why go anywhere else.
• Hyped meetings, get you to meetings rather than share with you.
• Experiential rather than logical.
• Asking for money for the next level.
• Some cults travel door to door during times when women are home alone. They, and this is rather sexist, think that women are easier to recruit and once they have the woman then it will be easier to snare the husband or partner.
• Saying that they have to make people pay for it because otherwise they will not appreciate it. This is of course a very silly reason, plenty of people are able to appreciate things which they did not pay for.