I'm thinking of starting a cult, but I can't decide on my belief systems. Any suggestions?
359318
Sure ..tell the people what they want to hear and take their money. Tell them whatever makes them happy.
983756
Sounds like a cult to me.
413741
I was in a cult, awhile back. It was considered a church, and from all appearances, it seemed to be. They followed the Bible, they were very social, and at first, it was fun and I learned alot about the Bible. After several years, things got tougher, as the church "discovered new truth" and the atmosphere changed from seeking the truth in God's word to complete "CONTROL! We were watched, members reported to the ministry about what other members were doing, ( tattletaleing) There was alot going on, and it was not a feeling of God's love, and family, anymore. They disfellowshipped people because they asked questions, or were considered troublemakers. Then other members were not allowed to talk to them, and if they did, someone reported them to the ministers and they were disfellowshipped. \nThey then instituted a "biblical" no makeup for women rule, which made some of us want "proof" from the Bible, and it just wasn't there. At that point, this and having more and more control put on me, and questioning it, I was disfellowshipped..It was a Blessing in disguise! \nI kept in touch with many other former members of this church, and we helped each other in de-programming ourselves from this cult. We met for many years, privately, where we proved all things according to the Bible, and got out from a controlling situation. \nWhen I first got into this church, it was wonderful, but then when things changed, lots of members left, and lots got kicked out, but it was very traumatic for all of us, because we had been brainwashed into believing that we were losing our Salvation, and that made us fearful to leave. Of course, when a person is brainwashed, they don't know they are brainwashed! We all believed, at the time, that we were in the one and only "God's true church!"\nThe membership of this church, which still exists, has droppped over 75%. \nThis was a long time ago, and I won't ever forget it or the fear I had. I've grown Spiritually since that time, and I've not joined another church, as the lessons I've learned have been very valuable...and one of them is that I can worship Christ as a personal relationship, and that the "true Church of God" is made up of many people from all over the world, those who follow God. We don't have to go to a building, as the church is not a building.\nI too, have come back to life, and have never felt freer!
197416
a controversial belief system developed by L. Ron Hubbard, based on a person being an immortal spiritual being whose survival depends on him/herself and his/her attainment of brotherhood with others and the universe\nHope that helps ya! God Bless!!
7891
Try this link: http://www.faithresource.com/SpiritualAbuse/ArticlesSpiritAbuse/ReligionversusCult.htm\n\nI used the search engine.  Keywords: Religion vs Cults
82383
I think Wicca would be nice; if not Wicca, I'd chose being a witch cause then I'd have the power of casting spells.  But maybe Buddhism is the best choice. Having said that, please understand that I am reborn and new to the faith.  Praise Jesus and pass the potatoes, too (just kidding).  Amen.
874929
Yes Mulimah I think you may be on to something. My house is very eclectic, I have antiques, modern pieces, artwork and it all seems to mesh together. That is pretty much how I am with my faith as well. I adapt and take many concepts of various beliefs and find truth as well as lies in all of them. But I see all of them as valid ways for each individual to have a personal relationship with god. That was interesting I never thought of it that way.\nI wish you well
224210
Go to www.beliefnet.com and take the Belief O Matic quiz.  It is not definitive but it can give you a good idea of what religion to investigate.  :)
134195
i am in a similar situation.  I want to understand what is out there.  how others believe and all of that.  I have been doing alot of reading.  Looking stuff up on the net. Asking people questions.  I am at a point where I want to go to places and see what they do what they go through.  I want to see what they see and try to feel why they do.  I want to know why they believe in what they believe in.  Dont be afraid to search and ask.  You might get slack for it.  Ppl tellin you its not necessary. (i have gotten that.  they say this is the faith theres no need for all this)  It isnt their journey, its yours.  If there is anything in particular you are curious about.  start there.  And as you go your search will guild itself. And most of all listen to your heart.  if your search leads you some where and your heart and soul are ok with it, stick with it.  if your soul or heart says stay clear then listen to it.  Thats what the journeys all about.
1085183
welcome to the club sister.  I don't think you have a problem at all.  I think that you are a free thinking and open minded person.  It's when you feel that pressure to conform and be like everyone else and resist it, that you truly begin to gain a greater perspective of reality.  I suggest you read "the herd" chapter from Nietzsche's "Beyond Good and Evil".  This is the book in which the phrase was coined "God is dead".  Don't let that scare you.  What I think he really meant to teach was that organized religion and the God they invent is dead.  He challenges you, in the chapter entitled "the herd", to ask yourself if all these things that people are telling you that "God" has said are indeed from "God".  Or, are they something made up by leaders of church to influence the masses opinions to get a desired social result.  That result is control.  Don't let anyone but God control you.  He wouldn't force control on you.  He doesn't want to control you.  He offers suggestions and you choose freely.  To me though, all this damnation and hellfire are not products of Christ at all.  Christ is like the sweetest friend I have ever had.  I don't live right at all.  I have done bad things in my life.  Yet, he has never left me.  People, on the other hand, have behaved terribly...  and for that matter... so have I at times.  I decided that I would not be controlled by "the herd" either.  People will accuse you of rebellion.  Rebellion it may be, but against whom?  God?  I don't think so...  The "herd", definitely.  I had to separate myself from them, and while it is lonesome at times, it is at least free.  Knowing God should never feel like being in a social or political prison in which you are interrogated and punished.  They're like religious nazis and they have confused social control with God.  Welcome to freedom sister.  You may find groups that you "fit" with...  I never did.  This is the tragedy of the genuine individual.  Perhaps you should start your own "group" on yahoo groups.  If you do, let me know, and I will join.  This topic is certainly worthy of discussion.  Don't feel like you are alone.  There are many, many, people who have went through this...
1101595
I can well understand your confusion. Maybe this will help ... #1: No one but YOU can judge whether or not you're a Christian. If you say you're one then you are one. OK, that part of your question is settled. #2: To whom do you give the authority to decide what else you believe? Who has authority over you and can tell you what you must believe as a Christian? Isn't that a little like whether or not you're a Christian? Isn't that YOUR call? Isn't that between you and your concept of God ... And NO ONE else? #3: The paranormal, aka psychic phenomena. Can you integrate that into your Christian belief system? Well, maybe. Maybe its not nearly so foreign to that belief system as you've been lead to believe. Maybe you've just been misinformed by people who in turn were misinformed or who in their studies misunderstood the thing. Maybe ... Think about these things ... Psychics have visions of the future, channelers talk to angels and others, readers of various types make predictions, and astrologers look at the stars and find wonders there. Any biblical co-relations here? John had visions of the future. Lot talked with angels. Prophets have made many predictions. And the Wise Men from the East? They were Persian Magi, well versed in astrology. They followed a star, and found a Great Wonder. Maybe, just maybe, the Bible and REAL Christianity is wrapped all around the paranormal. Maybe its just that certain things go by different names in different schools of thought and that confuses an issue that otherwise wouldn't be confused at all. Maybe to be a Christian you have no choice but to believe in the paranormal. Maybe other Christians just use different words to describe the same things and the only real problem of integrating these "seemingly different" belief systems rests there and no where else. Maybe. ~ Peace & Blessings ~
1061673
Yes, and some dude wrote about it too.  What makes mormons a cult is the fact they believe American Indian fiction.  (that would make an interesting conversation - you: so I hear you believe in American Indian folklore  they: .... it's true, I KNOW it is!)
630878
I'll share with you my beliefs, but "warning": to most, they may be "controversial" or even "blasphemous".  I consider myself to be a highly spiritual person, but I do not believe in "organized religion" and churches.  In fact, I believe that the more involved one is in a particular religious sect, the further away from Our Creator they become. Why? Because I believe that our relationship to our Creator and to other people- our spiritual relationships, start from within, as an important "question", looking for an "answer".  Too many relgions (all!) seem to "provide" ALL the "answers", but, each "answer" to the same question is different, depending on who you "listen to".  Why not listen to your heart, when it comes to spiritual questions.  I believe that Our Creator lives inside of us all, and speaks to us all, through our emotions, our feelings, our spirits.  And I believe that it is this spirit within that IS part of God, as we, I do believe, ARE God's "children" and thus we are connected to "Him", 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever we are, and under any circumstance.  We don't need a "church" to worship in, just a moment of peace and quiet, to "tap into" (and remember!) that "connection" that is always there for us.  They say that it is our "emotions" that make us "different" from other animals- and when it comes to "love", I believe this is true. Where does "love"  originate- but inside of us, it "connects" us- it "lifts us up"- and inside us all, there lies an unlimited source- that gives us our spirituality. Don't need a church for that, or a religion to teach us this.  In fact, most religions do not accept beliefs that differ from their own, a concept that is, in my book (and God's!) "anti-Christian" and anti-spiritual. The path of spiritality differs for every person, and I believe that if they are "looking" for the "way" (on their own, one on One with our Creator)- they will find it, and perhaps "faster", WITHOUT a church's interference.\n\n                                            -TERA\n                                          (time4u420@yahoo)
1040602
Religion is a personal coice. I persanaly would recomend a denomitation of christianity. I found this website very useful in discovering my true religion. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html\nTake the test and tell me what you think.
1149482
NO PROBLEM!  I practice TRUE CHRISTIANITY as taught by Jesus the Christ!  \n\nNO CULT AT ALL!.. My site has been up for YEARS and has brought many to HIM!  \n\nI escaped R.C. and PRAISE HIM every day for that!\n\nNew Age Stuff?  That is in reality OLD AGE stuff as taught by Madam Blavatsky etc.  \n\nDoing comes after faith-- It is a result of Faith.... it is not, or should not be - ""Working ones way to Heaven!""\n\nAny more  Q or Comments-- please keyboard!\n\nSmiles and Blessing on YOU!   Don D.
1103439
I don't think there is any point where you can just *decide* to believe.  At least, I never found a way too.  Instead, I researched different religions, and tried to determine which ones would have positive effects on me.  Once I found a few that I thought might work, I put them into practice. When nothing clicked, I moved on to another.   After going through this several times, I realized that I DID have firm religious beliefs, but they didn't come from any one religion.  Mine come from Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Wicca, to name a few.\n\nI think calling mine a "path" is very accurate, because I am constantly searching for Truth, and I will follow it wherever it leads me.
1186108
My church is kind of like that. We are a methodist church but with an open policy. Anyone is welcome with no judgement from the church. After all, Christ did say all should come to the temple and worship him. He didn't truly specify.\n\nAnd to whoever says we should make our own decisions, we have. We CHOSE to believe in God. Just because YOU have problems with who you are and where you belong, don't take it out on those who have figured it out.