Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!rpi!uupsi!njin!paul.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: djj@sequent.com Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: cults Message-ID: Date: 8 Mar 91 09:12:30 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc Lines: 82 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article JMS111@psuvm.psu.edu (Jenni Sheehey) writes: >In article , > geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) says: >> >>True. Unfortunately, it is a term that now carries with it a lot of >>excess baggage. It's become a term that doesn't really mean anything. > >A social psychology professor of mine and I had a discussion about that >once. She said that there was actually some characteristics of cults >that were generally recognized by psychologists. I don't remember what >all she said, but a couple of the characteristics stuck out in my >mind: > > [ characteristics of cults deleted for brevity ] > >There was more that she said, but I don't remember it all. Suffice it >to say that I don't think that the term "cult" is accurately applied to >any of the groups represented on this newsgroup... =) > Reading this article prompted another idea: what about shunning? You know, like "you don't belong to us anymore, therefore, I can't associate or communicate with you..." I've heard of some groups doing this to "former members" who have left the fold for one reason or another. I would like to hear people's opinions regarding shunning. Is there significant biblical reference for/against this practice? It seems this practice is also associated with those groups who receive the label "cult"? I agree, that this label "cult" means little; it has been used so broadly. Any thoughts? ________________________________________________________________________ Dale Juenemann (CCM) Sequent Computer Systems djj@sequent.com (Internet) Beaverton, OR uunet!sequent!djj (UUCP) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Praise Him with the lute and harp... These are my opinions, -Psalm 150 not my employer's. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Here are some passages you might look at: Mat 18:17, which is about how to resolve situations where someone has "sinned against you". If the person ignores attempts at resolution "let him be to you as a Gentile and tax collector". Acts 20:28, on the responsibility of Christian leaders to protect their flock. 1 Cor 5:4-12, which says not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian if he is guilty of a variety of sins, including idolatry. 2 Thes 3:14, if anyone refuses to do what Paul says, have nothing to do with him. 2 John 9-11, says that if anyone doesn't bring sound doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting. Practices of "disfellowshipping" and shunning tend to be controversial. There are clear commands from both Christ and Paul not to judge. However the preceeding passages can be used to justify shunning people who you believe are in error, both to protect the church from their influence and as an act of church discipline to help bring them around (the clear intent of the 2 Thes passage, for example). Results seem to depend upon what people expect, and the spirit in which it is done. In extreme cases, these procedures can be used to help enforce "thought control" -- making sure that people have no contact with anyone that might challenge the authoritative view, and removing any disssenting voice. It can also lead to conflict in the organization. An early example of such a situation is 3 John 9-10, where one Diotrephes was, according to John, "disfellowshipping" the wrong people. It has become increasingly difficult in the last couple of centuries to practice church discipline of any sort. People tend to consider it an attempt to exercise an inappropriate degree of clerical control (possible based on experiences where it it in fact used that way). This makes it hard for even groups that want to use church discipline responsibility to do so. If congregations are not prepared for it, the attempt to impose it can create serious problems. --clh]