Understanding Cults: Characteristics, Definitions, and Famous Doomsday Predictions

1. Cults What is a Cult? The term “cult” is often used pejoratively, to try to criticize others’ belief systems Some Common Features of Cults: • Veneration of the leader – Leader is seen as “holy” • Inerrancy of the leader – If the leader says it, it’s true • Omniscience of the leader – Leader knows all • Absolute truth – Belief in final knowledge/ultimate truth • Absolute morality – Leader has absolute say on moral issues • Pressurized persuasion techniques: • Manipulative recruiting • Pressured to maintain membership • Questioning of principles is discouraged or even punished

2. Some Definitions of Cults • Dictionaries generally give unhelpful definitions of cults • dictionary.com: “a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader” Shermer’s definition: • Hidden agenda – Not everything is told • Deceit – Flaws are hidden • Exploitation – Sexual and/or Financial Carlson’s definition • Any group of close-knit people, usually centered on one person, who attempt to sever or control their membership’s relationships with outside world

3. Doomsday Cults • A surprisingly common belief among cults, and some non-cults, is that the end of the world is coming soon • Some have even tried to ascribe specific dates to these events • What happens when that date arrives, and the world doesn’t end? • The group may commit mass suicide • Sometimes, the leader will predict a new date • The process can then be repeated, sometimes several times • Often the date will become ambiguous, simply “soon” with no specific date • Over time, the group may dissipate naturally • Sometimes, its beliefs moderate over time, and the group becomes mainstream

4. Was Early Christianity a Doomsday Cult? • There is considerable evidence that the early Christian Church thought the end was near • Many quotes attributed to Jesus suggest he thought so: Mark 13:26, 30 “26Then they will see the Son of Mancoming in the clouds with greatpower and glory…30Assuredly, I say to you, this generationwill by no means pass away till allthese things take place” • Though we can debate if Jesus said these things this way, or meant them this way, early members of the church interpreted them this way • Many branches of Christianity still say that Jesus is coming soon • And throughout the years, some have said very soon

5. Some Famous People Predicted Doomsday • Christopher Columbus 1451 - 1506 • Brought knowledge of the New World to Europeans • Thought the world would end in 1656 • Or maybe 1658 • Martin Luther 1483 – 1546 • Founded Protestantism • End no later than 1600 AD • Cotton Mather 1663 – 1778 • Influential Puritan minister • Predicted end in 1697 • Never mind, make that 1716 • Make that 1736

6. The Millerites • William Miller 1782 – 1849 • Army captain during War of 1812 • Around 1815, he became a Baptist • Upon careful examination of the Bible, he predicted worldwould end between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844 • Make that October 24, 1844 • Never mind, he meant 1845 • Um, 1846 • Let’s try 1849 • Actually, 1851 • In 1863, an offshoot group claimed that Jesus had gone to sanctuary in heaven in 1844 • This group still exists today • Seventh-Day Adventists

7. Some Other Famous Prophets • Nostradumus (1503 – 1566) • Made numerous famous predictions, mostly ambiguous and without dates • A few had specific dates, such as X.72: “The year 1999, seven months, From the sky will come agreat King of Terror: To bring back to life the great King of the Mongols, Before and after Mars to reign by good luck.” • Edgar Cayce (1877 – 1945) • Known as the “sleeping prophet,” he mostly gave (bogus) recommendations for medical treatments • He also made many prophecies • Predicted Armageddon in 1998

8. The Bible Student Movement • Charles Taze Russell 1852 – 1916 • Christian Restorationist Minister • Predicted Jesus would return in 1874 • When 1874 came, he and his followers said that Jesus hadreturned, but was invisible • By studying the pyramids, predicted Jesus would becomevisible in 1881 • Make that 1914 • Never mind, he actually meant 1918 • After his death, the group fractured into several groups • The largest of these renamed themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses • They predicted the end of the world in 1920 • Er, 1925 • Actually, some time in the 1940’s • Or maybe 1957 • Or then again, possibly 1994

9. Some More Recent Doomsday Prophets • Hal Lindsey 1929 – • American Evangelist and Christian Writer • Predicted Rapture would come by 1981 • Armageddon by 1988 • Jeane Dixon 1904 – 1997 • Famous Psychic • Death my cometary strike in 1980’s • Pat Robertson 1920 – • Baptist minister and mediamogul • Predicted end times wouldcome in 1982

10. The Branch Davidians • An offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventists, theypredicted the world would end in 1959 • When it didn’t, the group nearly fractured • Lasted for several years but severely diminished • Eventually was led by a failed former rock musician • Vernon Howell 1959 – 1993 • He renamed himself David Koresh • His followers were called “Branch Dividians” • They settled into a compound near Waco Texas • Predicted the world would end in 1995 • In 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms learned they were collecting firearms • They conducted a botched raid that led to a standoff • Four ATF agents were killed during the raid • During a last stand, the compound where they lived caught fire (probably self-ignited), and 80 Branch Dividians were found dead.

11. Heaven’s Gate • Marshall Appelwhite 1931 – 1997 • Served in the Army • Studied and later taught music • In 1972, shortly after losing his father, he got involvedwith a nurse named Bonnie nettles • They developed a philosophy blending theology, popular culture, and UFO’s • In late 1970’s, they formed a group around them,eventually called Heaven’s Gate • In 1985, Nettles died, leaving Appelwhite distraught • He began to preach that UFO’s were coming to bring all his followers to heaven • In 1996, with discovery of comet Hale-Bopp,Heaven’s Gate began preparing for end of the world • March 1997, they expected to be picked up by UFO’s • When that didn’t happen, the all committed suicide, probably by poison