#cult of the Nazarene

[talonabraxas]

The Triumph Of Christianity Over Paganism (Gustave Doré) Talon Abraxas

The Christ The adorable God Kristos (Christ) comes from archaic cults of the fire God. The letters P (pyre) and X (cross) are the hieroglyph which represent the generation of the sacred fire.

Christ was worshipped in the mysteries of Mithra, Apollo, Aphrodite, Jupiter, Janus, Vesta, Bacchus, Astarte, Demeter, Quetzalcoatl, etc.

The Christic principle has never been absent from any religion. All religions are one. Religion is as inherent to life as humidity is to water. The great cosmic universal religion becomes modified into thousands of religious forms. Thus, the priests from all religious forms are completely identifiable with one another through the fundamental principles of the great cosmic universal religion.

Therefore, a basic difference between the Mohammedan priest and the Jewish priest, or between the Pagan priest and the legitimate Christian one, does not exist. Religion is one. Religion is unique and absolutely universal. The ceremonies of the Shinto priest of Japan or of the Mongol Lamas are similar to those ceremonies of the shamans and sorcerers from Africa and Oceania.

When a religious form degenerates, it disappears; yet, the universal life creates new religious forms in order to replace it.

Authentic primeval Gnostic Christianity comes from Paganism. Prior to Paganism, the Cosmic Christ was worshipped in all cults. In Egypt, Christ was Osiris and whosoever incarnated him was an Osirified one. In all ages there have been masters who have assimilated the infinite universal Christic principle. In Egypt, Hermes was the Christ. In Mexico, the Christ was Quetzalcoatl. In sacred India, Krishna is Christ. In the Holy Land, the great Gnostic Jesus (who was educated in the land of Egypt) was the one who had the bliss of assimilating the universal Christic principle, and because of this, he was worthy of being rebaptized with the seity of fire and of the cross, Kristos.

The Nazarene, Jesus-Iesus-Zeus, is the modern man who totally incarnates the universal Christic principle. Prior to Jesus, many masters incarnated this Christic principle of fire.

The Rabbi of Galilee is a God, because he totally incarnated the Cosmic Christ. Hermes, Quetzalcoatl, Krishna are Gods because they also incarnated the Cosmic Christ.

It is necessary to worship the Gods; they help their devotees. --Perfect Matrimony, Samael Aun Weor

[fitsofgloom]

I recently made a rare foray into a multiplex, and found myself wearily sighing at the sight of the row of promotional one-sheets in the lobby: a Nazarene-themed Biblical epic in which Joseph sports a wildly anachronistic haircut, an animated Trolls movie, a sports comedy, a "Hunger Games" sequel, and the eightieth Marvel entry this year. It left me thinking of the great Cult director Fred Olen Ray, whom I recall fondly remembering the days when you could hit the drive-in and see two to five flicks, all of them featuring "Blood" in their titles.

[noovorous]

Now, I don't plan on really writing it but I am amused by an idea for an alternate history setting in which some branch of broadly defined gnosticism (probably one with no ban on reproduction akin to Mandaeism) becomes the mainstream of christianity and world's most popular religion. It would be a delight to have a shallow/"orientalist" depiction of more "standard" christians by members of this faith. Something along the lines of:

"World's oldest doomsday cult, widely known for obsession with displayed bones of their martyrs, they worship the foul demiurge conflating him with the Most High Monad. Their most venerated figure analogous to John the Baptist, Greatest of Prophets is the born fatherless abomination Yeshua the Nazarene alongside his witch mother. Despite the common belief the cannibalism in their rituals is purely symbolic."

You get my vision? And then the POV characters can encounter those non-gnostic christians and be like: actually, they're not that bad, weird maybe but no worse than us.

[beboslatkice]

Satan enter it of xes possession betrayal purple credit event Satan fill him heart love intimate on purpose 1 5 point money off death likely killed anyway step way lefteousness plagiarism inferior instead the roots Nulliparous nonviable christianity parochia ungodly idolatry unholy evil force Devil drugs Church of Satan BBC porn addiction Satanic little play kill lettering (god) those who retire civil pagi Leviticus 18:23 Occlumency Legilimency Murder rate deathadder sharp tongue downward tonic to those who lick animatronic vulva pierce/oscillate labia structure yawn pain brutal nish wrong as correct sheep to crops failure stab hang burn transgression impotent slow slicing thousand cut heart skin torturous execution slashings thru shoulder exposed rib caged mind lungs blood draining tied rope dragged underwater hail drownings scars from the lives lived past boiled flesh off flesh rapid cool dragged to the gallows disemboweled beheaded quartered Poena cullei psychological ugly,unwanted,weak urine stream voices extreme humiliation scaphism exploitation phobias disfigurement denailing hamstringing immurement thumbscrew on Satan Devil Beelzebub exist because majority deny God exist in deed Ni word half seat warmer lukewarm liver in dish blood splash tips fingers Leviticus 20:15-16 principality home apartment incorrect placement animatronic (+) nun yall barn buster peechones are hypoallergenic paint aint cheap curse wisdom as sage elders who attempt hands that extent to good strength dignity curse blessings praises hail idleness only further as blasphemy to hurt kill torcher fold piece of meat the arm newly born fell magistrates drown during baptism sin own the will sword drawn conjure enmity faithful & discreet chaste congregation flock anointed yhwh jireh nissi rapha blood lust blood let blood spill pollute holy spirit pollute lust revenge rage Krampus intercourse bone casting spirit cooking teeth tears hair invert agility turn away & pervert tetragrammaton yod heh waw heh elohim pit of leeches synagogue ruination semen projection demon play writing on the walls hand shakes Adonai to split hoof unclean because of good left help less “the devil smiles” asher nounced dork mincuss dincuss doface(cum covered) fuck moses rape yokheved invoke curdle disassociate screams yhwh honky flat foot pigeon waddle buttwad fat head neck gills hashem majestatis matres lectionis wannabe scribbles & if you feel sum way Gay Faggot covet chowder shat bumstickty slant eye look around joke placement everyone else laughing but you still feel included as actual confession said same group raped & beat yhwh curn county jungle gym but a survivor practical pro triconsonant qere & ketiv Cults Ouija séance incubi succubi spindle spire blk rape lanterne of light every night see not amalgamation yellowing eyes shallow breaths uphills stomach bubbles from demon sperm ting spiel throat leviathan nest rats door floor trap dust rust 444 yhwh nest snakes in dream nest tenticles monsters inc. Mike Krusinski abduction muffled bereavement unto thy self Satans Jihad supernatural dangerous mobile IP address trace calling walware tracking syltherine program on Nazarene festering flesh wounds smelling rotting maggot varmint infection puss pore pop pain burn iontless torcher totalitarian annihilate intestines bursting witch kraft decompose blotting unless interstellar change devils mind to faint sight blood haha      

[ap0stle]

speaking of religion i was in a church for the first time in years for my great granny's memorial service and the preacher was sooo awful like even for a nazarene preacher. i lost count of the times he said "o Lord" in one prayer, like he treated it like a comma. and then (this is probably normal) he kept peppering in shit about how we needed to follow jesus if we wanted to see granny in heaven again. like holy shit cant you just. celebrate her life without turning this into propaganda for your cult

[kamreadsandrecs]

Title: White Lady, Black Christ

Author: Charlson Ong

Genre/s: mystery, thriller

Content/Trigger Warning/s: police brutality, vigilantism, reenactments of the crucifixion, drug use, depiction of a cult, kidnapping

Summary (from publisher's website): When an explosion occurs in front of Dr. Chester Limhuatco’s condominium, events unfold leading to his discovery of Emily, the “white lady” he has been having visions of. To discover her identity, he enlists the help of former classmate Jefferson Po, a government agent Emily works closely with. Together, Chester and Jefferson pursue the mystery surrounding Emily and her involvement with Tata Peping, a modern day “Itim na Nazareno” or Black Christ.

Set in the midst of Quiapo, the heart of the frenzied devotion and veneration of the statue of the Black Nazarene, White Lady, Black Christ is a high-stakes pursuit of the truth behind a strange brotherhood and the rituals surrounding blind devotion and the search for salvation as told by a masterful storyteller.

Buy Here: https://www.milflorespublishing.com/product-page/white-lady-black-christ

Spoiler-Free Review: I'm sad I have to say this, but: this was disappointing. I picked this one up out of curiosity: it was billed as Smaller and Smaller Circles meets Himala, with the summary on the publisher's website implying that it was more along the lines of a thriller than F.H. Batacan's novel, which was very much a mystery novel.

But whatever this was, it definitely wasn't a thriller. It's not that I was expecting pulse-pounding, balls-to-the-wall action, since not all thrillers are built like that and frankly, I need to be in a very specific mood for that sort of thing to be any kind of fun. But I was at least expecting an intriguing plot: something with a cool mystery to untangle at the heart of it. The fact that this book centers around the Black Nazarene and Quiapo implied that the author would be mining the extremely rich vein of Philippine folk Catholicism, with the angle of tackling the many fringe practices and cults that are the byproduct of syncretization between Spanish Catholicism and precolonial beliefs.

Sadly, none of that comes to fruition in this book. First off, the pacing in this book is completely out of whack.  While there’s nothing wrong with going off on occasional tangents to show what’s happening with other characters, there was just way too much of that happening here to make for a tightly-told story.

This pacing is a reflection of the plot, which was just as out of whack as the pacing. I can see what the author was trying to do, but they just didn’t pull it together tightly enough for it to be any kind of fun read. There was a moment, about two-thirds of the way into the book, where there is a big explosion in a cave, and then the next scene cuts to the characters back in their safe spaces, celebrating Christmas. I know these quieter moments are vital and they contribute greatly to character development and plot movement because you can’t always have the action going full speed, but that was VERY badly placed.

The way flashbacks were handled was also poorly done. I think the author was shooting to make each chapter a complete entity unto itself, so he writes each chapter as if telling a short story about the character who’s the current focus of that chapter, but it just doesn’t work when you’re trying to do tension and intrigue in a scene. There were so many of these moments where something tense was happening, only for it to be broken because of a flashback. Of course, this meant the pacing and plot were further hobbled, unable to get any kind of real momentum.

Not that I'm talking of flashbacks, I think I need to talk about characters. For one, I think there were way too many POV characters in this novel - and this is coming from someone who reads fantasy on the reg, where sometimes you need a list of characters at the start of the novel just to keep track of who's who. The problem is that it felt like the author was trying to make EVERYONE a main character, but none of them had "main character energy", so to speak, save fr one or two, but they tended to get lost in the crowd of other characters who, quite frankly, just weren't interesting enough to hold my attention.

Additionally, the characterization also felt weirdly flat in places. I understand that in most cases, thrillers are about plot and not so much character development, but these characters felt like cardboard cutouts trying to sound more profound than they actually are. I think this might be because they’re all trying to be the main character and it’s just not working out. The way dialogue was formatted also didn't help, because there was something about the way it was handled that meant I sometimes didn't know who was talking in any given scene. On top of the fact that most of the characters aren't really THAT fleshed out, it's easy to get lost and wonder "Who the hell is saying this now?"

What I suspect the main problem here is, is that this book was written with the themes in mind first, and everything else built around those themes. Which, when you look at the themes presented in this book, is kind of admirable: the intersections between the wealthy, the powerful, the Church, and corruption in the Philippines; how Catholicism in the Philippines has valorized poverty and suffering instead of trying to uplift those who are poor and suffering; justice as commodity to be bought and sold by the corrupt and powerful, instead of a right guaranteed to all; the deep-seated wounds of colonialism and where that intersects with white privilege and cultural appropriation. These are all amazing ideas. But the book doesn’t let these emerge organically from the story through the characters and the plot; instead, it feels like the characters and the plot were made in service to the themes. Which then explains all the other problems this book has, in my opinion: the characters are reduced to puppets, and the plot reduced to a series of mere lines to be put into their mouths, with things happening TO them instead of BECAUSE OF them.

And again, this is all very disappointing, because I can SEE how this could have been an awesome read, but the execution just wasn't up to snuff. Maybe in the future someone will try this sort of thing again - honestly Philippine folk Catholicism is a VERY rich vein for story material and really should be mined more - and I hope it does the job better than this book. Which, frankly, isn't going to be that hard.

Rating: 1 estampita

[christian-perspectives]

The Paul And Felix Story In the Bible

A Roman commander found out that a group of Jews planned to kill the Apostle Paul. To protect Paul he sent him to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix the governor. Paul planted many churches throughout the Middle East. He wrote a good portion of the New Testament. Yet he also experienced some occasions one might refer to as “failures.” Why is this important to us? Because in our Christian walk, we also experience occasions we might refer to as failures. So be encouraged as we take a look at the story of Paul and Felix. I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters. Acts 23:35 Five days after Felix said those words the accusers of Paul arrived in Caesarea to present their case. They addressed the governor and brought the following charges against Paul. - We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. - He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. - He was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. Acts 24:5-7 They also told Felix that he could find out the truth of their accusations by examining Paul himself. So the governor allowed Paul to offer a defense. He said the following. My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing. Acts 24:12-13

Paul Boldly Proclaimed the Gospel

The apostle didn’t try to hide the truth or shy away from who he believed in and what he stood for. In fact, he compared himself with his Jewish accusers. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. Acts 24:15-16 After Paul finished speaking, Felix decided to adjourn the hearing and wait to make his decision about the case.  He instructed that Paul be kept in custody. He give him some freedom and allowed his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. It seemed that Felix was intrigued by Paul. A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. Acts 24:24 The apostle Paul took full advantage of the opportunities given by Felix to speak the gospel to him. Conviction of the Holy Spirit brought the governor to a breaking point. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” Acts 24:25

Felix Ended the Conversation with Paul

At that moment Felix ended the conversation. Conviction will always bring a person to a decision. They will either choose reception or rejection. History doesn’t tell us if Felix ever accepted the Lord or if he was even interested in receiving Him. We know and I’m sure Paul knew what motivated Felix to continually meet with him. He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. Acts 24:26 Maybe Felix sought a bribe from Paul because of something the apostle said during his defense. After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. Acts 24:17 Paul wasn’t concerned about the reason Felix continued to meet with him. He used each occasion to tell the governor and everyone with him the truths of the gospel. 

Did Paul fail in His Ministry to Felix?

I don’t see how we could call Paul a failure in his attempt to win Felix to the Lord. To our knowledge, he did what he could in the time frame he had. Paul didn’t give up on Felix after a week or a month. No, he persistently ministered to him for 2 years. He didn’t allow any discouragement to set in and stop him. In fact, Paul understood a simple principle that all of us should take to heart. He wrote it in his first letter to the Corinthian Church. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

Watering and Planting

We don’t know if the apostle was planting or watering. But we do know that Paul witnessed to Felix and trusted the Lord for the governor's spiritual growth. God declared through the prophet Isaiah that we are his witnesses. But we tend to declare success or failure according to the outcome. Witnesses though don’t convict, they tell what they know. So when God uses you in leading someone to the Lord, it’s ok to rejoice. Because you won’t be rejoicing alone. Listen to what Jesus said at the end of His parable of the lost coin. “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:10 If you feel you have failed in leading someone to the Lord, you haven’t. You have either planted the gospel in a person’s life or watered it. Watering can also come by praying for that person. Lord, thank you for your encouraging Word. Often we forget how important our role is in leading others to Jesus. When we plant and water the seed, help us to trust you for its growth. Check out some other posts written on chapters in the Book of Acts - How To Continually Rely On The Grace Of God - When You See A Miracle, Faith, & Repentance Work Together - Hearing The Voice Of God Is Important - The Holy Spirit Will Guide You In This Life - How To Be A Good Disciple Of Christ - Are You The Man Of God? - His Yoke Is Easy Read the full article

[bills-bible-basics]

SECTS AND HERESIES -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List King James Version Bible verse list compiled by Bill Kochman concerning the topic "Sects and Heresies". Visit my page at https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see all the lists I've compiled to date. Thanks! In the KJV Bible, the word "sect" is derived from the Koine Greek word "hairesis". This word is also translated as "heresy" and "heresies". However, believe it or not, originally, it was not a negative word. According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, it refers to a group of men who adhere to a particular set of political or religious tenets. In the Scriptures, this included the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Christians. It was only later that the word "sect" was given an evil and dangerous connotation, and was used to defend one's beliefs and practices against an opposing set of beliefs and practices. Today Satan -- and organized religion -- has equated the word "sect" with the word "cult". Why is this? The fact is that the word "cult" is intentionally used to scare people, and to drive them away from something or somebody. I propose that organized religion does this because it is afraid of losing its power and control over people who choose to worship the Lord and fellowship with other Christians in a smaller, more intimate environment, such as a Home Church. Think about it, and beware! If you don't belong to a big, recognized, popular church or denomination, and prefer a Home Church or Home Fellowship, they WILL try to find a way to demonize you, and you WILL be labeled a dangerous cult sooner or later, even if you are not one. "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation," Acts 5:17, KJV "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Acts 15:5, KJV "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . . . But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:" Acts 24:5, 14, KJV "Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Acts 26:5, KJV "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." Acts 28:22, KJV "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." 1 Corinthians 11:19, KJV "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21, KJV "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/sects-and-heresies-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=30145&_unique_id=63f2445523a69&SECTS%20AND%20HERESIES%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[basshole-astard]

reblogging again becuase i was so peeved about how patently untrue it is that Only Evangelical Christianity is a cult (all christanity kind of all a cult lads!) that i went through Steven Haussan's BITE model and ticked off every one that matched my experiences of being raised christian

some notes before i give you the list: as far as I know I did not attend any evangelical churches - except for one for a few months before me and my mom both went "this is kinda weird" - and if i did attend an Evangelical church before that one i stopped attending and moved to a Nazarene church at age 12. i DID however also attend a private christian school for three years, but either way... having been to all these different churches and school...... the only major difference is that the Evangelical church was WAY more aggressive about trying to get us to join the church ~family~ which included paying them money.

everything i ticked off on the BITE model i encountered some flavor of at all churches, because they ALL encourage believing in jesus or you won't be saved, they ALL encourage you to think only good thoughts, they ALL encourage you to think in ways of "us" vs "them", where only other christians - no matter the flavor! - can be trusted, and people who don't beleive in jesus want to hurt you and/or take over the world and make it Worse because it won't follow Biblical Ideals on how the Country Should Be Run. this is something ALL variations of christianity will teach you.

anyway. 2000 words. full list + my comments ft examples of everything in the BITE model that i could say was taught to me at church. under the cut.

BEHAVIOR CONTROL

Dictate where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates or isolates // (not exact, but its definitely encouraged to not interact with people who aren't also christian, for fear that the secular world and people with corrupt you)

When, how and with whom the member has sex // (sex before marriage is bad! gay sex is bad! etc)

Control types of clothing and hairstyles // (if you look too punk you aren't godfearing!!! i cannot tell you how often i heard my church or parents make Comments about how people look because it was too Wild even if it wasn't actively controlled. you could show up to church looking however you wanted but if it was too crazy you WOULD be judged)

Restrict leisure, entertainment, vacation time // (not actively restricted, but definitely discouraged to interact with certain types, ""secular"" media actively mocked or claimed to be bad, i literally had a class at a private christian school where the teacher played a lady gaga song and actively encouraged us to view it as flawed and insincere because a secular artist could never understand the purity of love. i wish i was joking.)

Rewards and punishments used to modify behaviors, both positive and negative // (can't think of any examples, can't rule this out tho)

Discourage individualism, encourage group-think // (exactly what it says on the tin. like there was a lot of feel-good preachings about "god made each of us unique" and so forth but that mostly applied to what skills you had that you could put towards the church, not about thinking thoughts differently than what your pastors were preaching)

Impose rigid rules and regulations // (even if they aren't enforced its encouraged to Act a certain way and that if you Don't then you're a Bad Christian and don't actually Love God)

INFORMATION CONTROL

Distort information to make it more acceptable // (sermons are really kinda just this. a pastor up on stage preaching to you about why you should think x thing, twisting current news - including leaving parts out of it! - to fit christian views, etc. i was not restricted from looking up this information myself, but its encouraged that your pastor wouldn't lie to you, becuase lying is a sin, so if your pastor is telling the truth, why would you need to look up other points of view. it is built this way to make you think like that and to discourage people into looking into things themselves, even if they are perfectably capable of doing so outside of church hours)

Deliberately withhold information // (not withold - though i suppose sermons do do that! - but did you know the christian private school i went to had a whole section in science class about disproving evolution and about how to rationalize big bang thru christian world creation myth. if you ever have someone mock evolution because it says we evolved from monkeys and that's dumb right - or any such thing - that is the christian doctrination speaking! subsequently even though we were not like prevented to get our news from sources that weren't church.... i cannot say we were encouraged to, either. is the thing. thinking things through yourself instead of letting your pastor tell you the thoughts wasn't encouraged, and i realize you can't exactly cram critical thinking lessons into an hour and a half sermon that you go to on sunday, but still... )

Minimize or discourage access to non-cult sources of information, including: Internet, TV, radio, books, articles, newspapers, magazines, media // (certain media discouraged for not being christian, etc, even if not actively restricted from me….. except by my parents, who were told certain medias weren't good and wouldnt' let me interact with them, anyway)

Keep members busy so they don’t have time to think and investigate // (did you know there are church services / clubs / etc nearly every night!!!! you're encouraged to volunteer!!! and give your nights and weekends to the church!! its not REQUIRED but actively encouraged to spend every free hour you have there. lol)

Compartmentalize information into Outsider vs. Insider doctrines // (not exactly as BITE model describes, there aren't tiers of membership exactly and information isnt' actively restricted, but it is a very very very actively preached "us vs them" rhetoric, and that its us against those who don't have faith, who are trying to hurt us, or who WILL try to hurt us some day… etc etc etc. we are encouraged to welcome them in but not TAHT much and not THOSE kinds of people and if they say no thats on THEM and THEY won't be saved but WE will etc etc etc)

Extensive use of cult-generated information and propaganda // (maybe not extensive, but all the churches i attented made their own newsletters and youtube videos and so on)

Misquoting statements or using them out of context from non-cult sources // (how can i twist popular secular song lyrics to be about God tm, which is kind of mild, but,)

Withholding forgiveness or absolution // (not quite as BITE describes, i think, but christianity's Whole Model is that jesus forgives you of all sins no strings attached…! SO LONG AS YOU ACCEPT HIM AS THE LEADER AND MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE AND IF YOU DO NOT PUT HIM BEFORE ALL ELSE YOU DO NOT REALLY LOVE HIM AND YOUR SINS WON'T BE FORIGVEN, ACTUALLY, YOU'LL GO TO HELL. imagine being an adhd kid of 12 who could not actually sit thru a whole sermon without thinking about the video game i wanted to be at home playing and the message i took away from that was that i was going to hell because i didn't REALLY put jesus first in my life/heart/whatever. does a real number on you.)

THOUGHT CONTROL

Require members to internalize the group’s doctrine as truth // (maybe not "require" but again the whole. jesus is god and god created the world and we were made in god's image and you have to do everything in your life to please god or you don't really love him and won't be saved. that shit is pretty firmly engrained and taught as Basic Truth About The World that "they" don't understand and we're the truly enlightened ones, becuase we were blessed to know and be introduced to jesus etc)

Adopting the group’s ‘map of reality’ as reality // (yeah)

Instill black and white thinking // (yep)

Decide between good vs. evil // (uhuh)

Organize people into us vs. them (insiders vs. outsiders) // (that one too! i talked about that already)

Change person’s name and identity // (this is not a thing i personally experienced at my churches BUT christianity and its offshoots - such as catholocism where i THINK it's a big thing but i'm not ex-catholic lol - anyway its like a big deal that you get baptized and then GET A NEW NAME, right? like that wasn't part of the baptism process at my church, but that is very much a common enough thing we joke about it, don't we)

Use of loaded language and clichés which constrict knowledge, stop critical thoughts and reduce complexities into platitudinous buzz words // (depending on your pastor, sermons are probably going to be some variation of this)

Encourage only ‘good and proper’ thoughts // (there's a whole ass parable in the bible that says if you look at a woman with lust that's as bad as doing sexual assault, if you look at your brother and think violence that's as bad as actually hitting him or stabbing him, etc, etc, etc. if you think bad things in your heart then you are actually a bad person, because thoughts are as sinful as actions are.)

Teaching thought-stopping techniques which shut down reality testing by stopping negative thoughts and allowing only positive thoughts // (i do not remember being taught anything like this, or if i was i have forgotten all the details, but "if you are unsure, pray to god for answers!" sounds like a thing that probably came up a lot)

Forbid critical questions about leader, doctrine, or policy allowed // (not forbidden but discouraged. remember what i said about lying is a sin so the pastor must only ever be telling the truth, and that's not like enforced but also something you are taught to just accept as a Basic Fact about the world? yeah.)

Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate, evil, or not useful // (most of the anti-muslim propaganda comes from christian sources! christanity also paints judiasm as being backwards thinking and that jewish people just missed out on the enlightenment of jesus etc. so. yeah. its Not Good. this was in fact the breaking point that made me go actually i'm not gonna be christian anymore, they way it default treats muslims and jews is kind of gross!!! but revisiting the BITE model and doing this whole post made me even gladder for leaving!!!)

EMOTIONAL CONTROL

Manipulate and narrow the range of feelings – some emotions and/or needs are deemed as evil, wrong or selfish // (sex is demonized, being poor is glorified, wanting money is the devil with no distinction… like if i'm poor and want enough money to afford rent i'm pretty sure that is also painted as selfish. fascinatingly, we were never told that billionares have too much money despite there being a whole parable about the rich man won't go to heaven until he gives away all his possessions, becuase loving jesus is all you REALLY need. but mostly the sex being demonized thing. also anger is bad. you shouldn't feel angry ever. and you shouldn't want things for yourself. if you care about worldy possessions you dont' really love god. as a child i definitely had an episode where i, furious and despairing, wondered if my ps3 breaking was punishment from god - becuase how dare i care more about the ps3 than about him? its NOT GOOD)

Make the person feel that problems are always their own fault, never the leader’s or the group’s fault // (not intentional i believe, or at least "never leader or group's fault" isn't on the table, i think, but the way christanity teaches about sin and guilt makes it feel like its YOUR fault if you sin and YOU need to try and be better and youre just BAD and need JESUS' GRACE to be a GOOD PERSON etc etc etc. i've got a lot of shit i need to recalibrate about when something is actually my fault or something i could have actually changed. it's so.)

Promote feelings of guilt or unworthiness, such as:

Identity guilt // (are you a real christian? a good christian? etc)

You are not living up to your potential // (you could do so much more with god in your life)

Your family is deficient // (if they aren't christian, then yeah, they sure are!)

Your affiliations are unwise // (are you dating someone who isn't a christian? that's a bad idea! you have friends that aren't christian? be careful they don't poison you with their secular views!)

Your thoughts, feelings, actions are irrelevant or selfish // (i can't come up with a specific example off the top of my head and for my own mental health am not going to dig but i promise it's in there. selfish for having basic wants is a BIG one; like maybe thats the growign up poor trauma speaking, but i don't think the christianity helped, is the thing)

Instill fear, such as fear of:

Thinking independently // (is that what GOD would really want? does that match what you were taught? maybe you should talk to your pastor/counselor/etc)

The outside world // (it's BAD and SECULAR and they'll CORRUPT YOU with their ideals!!!!)

Enemies // (if they aren't a believer then they want nothing good for you and if they aren't actively oppressing you then there will be a time in the future where the tables have turned and the devil rules anything and you WILL be prosecuted!!!!!)

Losing one’s salvation // (if you don't REALLY put jesus first in your life you dont' REALLY love him and therefore you aren't a true believer and won't be saved, because whether or not you go to hell is dependent on whether or not you love jesus - despite jesus' love and forgiveness being marketed as unconditional! there's literally a whole verse in revelations about how jesus hates people who halfass their faith, hates them more than people who dont' believe in him at all. that verse / the teaching i got on it fucked me up REAL bad)

Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about leaving the group or questioning the leader’s authority // (definitely no active threats from my church and there was no fear about questioning leader's authority it was just. why would you do that, they're a good person, good people don't lie, so there's no reason to distrust them)

No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group // (jesus is the one and only way to salvation and happiness)

Shunning of those who leave; fear of being rejected by friends and family // (not active shunning, but when you grow up in a church and all your friends are from church… if you leave, when will you see them again? you have eto make new friends?? which you probably don't already have becuase you were actively discouraged from hanging out with secular circles?? and if you're a kid, you can't leave anyway, that's up to your parents. definitely totally believable that children have been disowned or kicked out for saying they don't care about jesus. it's probably better once you are an adult not beholden to your parents religious beliefs, but…)

Never a legitimate reason to leave; those who leave are weak, undisciplined, unspiritual, worldly, brainwashed by family or counselor, or seduced by money, sex, or rock and roll // (all of this!)

anyway that's everything off the BITE model, but here's some bonus thoughts:

did you know that when you are listening to music live, like you are in the same room as a vocalist and a guitar and good drums, your body just kind of produces feel good chemicals about it? like you're in a heightened state of being? some kind of euphoria?

did you know, every church i went to, they claimed that feeling was the presence of god in the room, even though i could've gone to a MUSE concert and felt basically the same thing, if i wanted?

i just thought that was interesting.

music worship sessions as an emotion control. huh.

so yeah. christianity as a whole has all the trappings of a cult in the way the basic belief system about jesus and salvation works. even if you are not actively prevented from leaving, or actively going to come to harm by attending church...

the things they teach you about pure thoughts and self worth and putting jesus first Or Else is kinda... ungreat. gotta say.

and All Versions Of Christianty Do That

like, this is not as extreme as Evangelicals are, no. but. even the "tame" christians aren't much better, in terms of "i would not like to base my entire country's laws off of these beliefs, actually"

this shit fucked me up. its' fucking our country up. and it's not just Evangelicals that are doing it.

thanks, hope this was educational.

y'all need to understand that fox news and Sean Hannity Show and the like isn't just reactionary gibberish it's conditioning viewers to view "liberal" or "leftist" ideas in the most negative, paranoid, suspicious light possible.

as much as I understand WHY people don't want to optimize how "palatable" they can make their ideas, conservative media has installed a button in the heads of half the American populace that explodes their brains when something is said that sounds Scary. Most hardcore Republicans are Evangelicals and involved with conspiracy theories like Qanon. Both of these things are cults.

like I was homeschooled and part of a right-wing christian homeschool group, and y'all would not believe the fear and paranoia that rules these people's worldview

[dailychapel]

Lord, I know how much you love me. It’s hard for me to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me.

Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with your help, I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you.

Acts 24:1–27 NLT - 1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: "You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. 4 But I don't want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. 5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. 7  8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself." 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true. 10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing. 14 "But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. 17 "After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there--and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, 'I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!'" 22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case." 23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. 24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again." 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

[teethrotter]

weird 04:00 ark fact: i was raised in a cult !

[combinecremator]

i see a lot of people talking about lupisvulpes and speculating that she’s in some kind of uber christian cult, and who knows, maybe my experience is similarly fuckin unhinged but the things that she was saying in her little sunday sermon “apology” are ALL things that i’ve heard from evangelical types. growing up and even attending church in the rural south, i guarantee you that kind of shit is everywhere, you don’t have to go to a televangelist college to hear it, american christianity really is just like that lmao

you can absolutely argue that it’s cultish and fucked up (bc lets face it it kind of super is) but i don’t think lup is in some kind of jonestown or heaven’s gate cult scenario or was necessarily “groomed” into that mindset. it’s fairly common

[bills-bible-basics]

SECTS AND HERESIES -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. In the KJV Bible, the word "sect" is derived from the Koine Greek word "hairesis". This word is also translated as "heresy" and "heresies". However, believe it or not, originally, it was not a negative word. According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, it refers to a group of men who adhere to a particular set of political or religious tenets. In the Scriptures, this included the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Christians. It was only later that the word "sect" was given an evil and dangerous connotation, and was used to defend one's beliefs and practices against an opposing set of beliefs and practices. Today Satan -- and organized religion -- has equated the word "sect" with the word "cult". Why is this? The fact is that the word "cult" is intentionally used to scare people, and to drive them away from something or somebody. I propose that organized religion does this because it is afraid of losing its power and control over people who choose to worship the Lord and fellowship with other Christians in a smaller, more intimate environment, such as a Home Church. Think about it, and beware! If you don't belong to a big, recognized, popular church or denomination, and prefer a Home Church or Home Fellowship, they WILL try to find a way to demonize you, and you WILL be labeled a dangerous cult sooner or later, even if you are not one. "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation," Acts 5:17, KJV "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Acts 15:5, KJV "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes . . . But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:" Acts 24:5, 14, KJV "Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee." Acts 26:5, KJV "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." Acts 28:22, KJV "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." 1 Corinthians 11:19, KJV "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21, KJV "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 2 Peter 2:1, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/sects-and-heresies-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=223122&SECTS%20AND%20HERESIES%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[solsearchingnights]

Learn about religion from this.

Also I have so many thought about the way religion is taught. But I was also brainwashed in first a Nazarene and then a baptist church for my childhood. So now I overcompensate by knowing way too much about cults, faith-justified genocide, and the sociological factors that make people choose their beliefs (especially beliefs that espouse bad science).

But yeah, lit class is way more fun.

Sol save me! I'm at school and have to do school stuff!

D: its 3 am for me and im watching a video essay about anime made by a cult....i dont think im the best role model to suggest school alternatives...

sketch things in a notebook? that's what i usually did all day.

[scpfictives]

Masterlist of Masterlists + List of SCP Headmates

Series Masterlist

This is our masterlist of all the fictives we have from the SCP foundation as of 02/12/2023. A few have fused since we last edited this list.

Old O5 Council

O5-01 - The Founder

O5-02 - Nazarene

O5-03 - Kid

O5-04 - Frost

O5-05 - Blackbird

O5-07 - Green

O5-08 - Magnolia

O5-09 - Willow

O5-10 - Stone

O5-11 - Jings

O5-12 - Cyrus

O5-13 - Tamlin [Advisor for the current O5-13]

Personnel

Agent Andrea S. Adams [Advisor to O5-12 - Dr Alto Clef]

Agent Briar Rose (OC)

Agent Darian Carver (OC)

Agent Diogenes

Agent Dmitri A. Strelnikov [O5-02]

Agent Draven Kondraki [O5-08]

Agent Jack “Poor Yoric” Dawkins

Agent Troy H. Lament [O5-11]

Dr Alto Clef [O5-12]

Dr Agatha E. Rights [O5-07]

Dr Benjamin Kondraki [O5-04]

Dr Blaire Roth

Dr Charles O. Gears [O5-13]

Dr Django Bridge [O5-01]

Dr Epiphany Trebuchet

Dr Everett King

Dr Everett Mann [O5-03]

Dr Frederick Heiden

Dr Iceberg

Dr Ivan Mocker [OC]

Dr Jack Bright

- 23/10/2022

- 13/07/2023

- 02/12/2023

Dr Jeremiah Cimmerian

Dr Lillian S. Lillihammer

Dr Michael Edison

Dr Murphy Echo (OC)

Dr Robbie Cheno [OC]

Dr Rodney J. I. Gerald

Dr Simon Glass [Advisor to O5-05 - Dr Jack Bright]

Dr Sophia Light [Advisor to O5-07 - Dr Agatha R. Rights]

Dr Zyn Kiryu

Professor Kain Pathos Crow [O5-10]

Researcher James Talloran [Advisor to O5-08 - Agent Draven Kondraki]

Researcher M. Paenic (OC)

Robert Scranton

Watch | Isaac Watchthorn

SCP's

408 [SCP-408]

4999 [SCP-4999]

508 [SCP-507]

Abel [SCP-076]

Bubba [SCP-999]

Cain [SCP-073]

Cheshire [SCP-662]

Dýo [SCP-035]

François [SCP-049]

Iris Thompson [SCP-105] [Advisor to O5-04 - Dr Benjamin Kondraki]

Lilith [SCP-336]

Meri [SCP-166] [O5-09]

Mr Forgetful [SCP-909]

Rainer Miller [SCP-4051]

Sarah Bright [SCP-321]

Sauelsuesor [SCP-179]

The Lunatic [SCP-1233]

TJ Bright [SCP-590]

Other

Agent Ukulele [O5-12-02 [Tiebreaker]]

Alison Chao [Advisor to O5-09 - Meri]

David Bright

Francis Wojciechoski [O5-12-01]

Kai | Aeron (OC)

Moon Friend

Decided to also add the “unofficial” O5 advisors that are people picked from sources outside of SCP in case any advisors in source are dormant or are busy with something else. So here they are:

Disclaimer before we begin - we have introjects from controversial sources, that does not mean we support it or the actions done by people involved in said source, we sadly can’t control who we split.

Unofficial O5 Advisors

DRP!Technoblade | Source ;; An old DSMP RP we did with a few friends [Advisor to O5-06 - Mikell Bright]

Loki Laufeyson | Source ;; Marvel [Advisor to O5-01 - Dr Django Bridge]

Narinder | Source ;; The Cult of The Lamb [Advisor to O5-12 - Dr Alto Clef]

Odysseus | Source ;; The Odyssey + Epic The Musical [Advisor to O5-04 - Dr Benjamin Kondraki]

Technoblade | Source ;; DSMP [Advisor to O5-02 - Agent Dmitri A. Strelnikov]

[woodsfae]

Lately I am once again really feeling the permanent, uniquely painful homesickness that comes with being raised in a culture I would never go back to. A culture that's restrictive and hateful and that I abandoned as soon as I could. And yet, the adriftness remains. There's no one around me who understands my childhood, understands the way I was raised, has the same legends and childhood stories.

I hang out in ex-evangelical and homeschool recovery spaces, but my childhood was so much more extreme than most of theirs', and the concrete overlaps are so small and tangential. I make the most innocuous comment "they [my former cult] schismed from the Nazarenes because the Nazarene denomination was getting "too liberal," someone hurt, someone traumatized by being raised Nazarene: "seeing someone say the Nazarenes were too liberal is like seeing someone say Arizona is too humid."

sigh.

Tired of being a cultural outsider literally everywhere I go. Tired of being an outlier even in recovery and support spaces. Tired of talking about my trauma only for those in the trauma recovery spaces to be more startled by the extremity of my life than supportive of my journey.