This writing is in direct response to a recent writing of Ardith Keef in which she details evaluating cults by belief. This is absolutely substandard, wrong, and reflects a complete lack of research into the subject. First off, the term cult is perfectly meaningless as it can be ascribed to virtually any large group (for instance, Christianity itself falls under the man made definition of cult.) What we’re really talking about is a “destructive cult.” That is, a group of people dedicated to a common belief in which the membership is hurt in one way or another by the group. This may come from destruction of relationships, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, abusing the member’s finances, or any harm to the individual as a result of the group.

Can a destructive cult be evaluated based on beliefs? Absolutely not. I am a Christian – does that allow me to evaluate any other group as to weather or not they are a destructive cult? Of course not. By evaluating beliefs the best I can hope to determine is weather or not they are conducive to what I believe Christianity should be. Totally subjective on my part.

No, weather or not a group is destructive is based on what happens to those around them. Plain and simple. What happens to the members? To the members families? Are relationships strengthened or attacked? Are marriages helped or hurt? Are people encouraged to give? How much? 10% or 100%?

Interestingly enough the biblical standard in evaluating a church is to “test the fruit.” Well, that is clear in establishing the validity of any group and weather or not they are destructive. I consider Scientology a destructive cult, not because they have a science based religion but because there is considerable evidence that their members are hurt financially and emotionally, as well as the doctrine of SPs and members separating from those same SPs. I consider Anchor Missionary Fellowship a destructive cult based on virtually the same factors – though I do not feel that they take advantage of their membership in the financial realm as much as Scientologists do – though I once heard their leadership say it’s OK to tithe 100%.

If a group separates familys it is, in my opinion, a destructive cult. I know that Anchor is first hand because I’ve watched it happen. Of course, there are other areas in which Anchor qualifies as a destructive cult and I encourage the reader to peruse this blog to find more. Just remember that weather a group believes in Jesus Christ as Lord or the flying spaghetti monster as creator does not determine weather or not the group is a destructive cult. It only determines if their beliefs are parallel to your own. Destructive cults hurt their members.