Merry Christmas, Y'All !

Davis Smith says -- What horror stories some of these people have. I am glad that you published the list of these cult leaders.

Gillian Andersen says -- Having read a lot these people's stories, it amazes me how things can get so out of hand in such a short time. At least that's what it sounds like. I am praying for all that God will restore the families.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray. Things got out of hand quickly because of the power of television. The Faith Movement owns and operates Trinity Broadcasting Network and therefore has a world-wide audience to enable them to spread the garbage that they are teaching.

Menhardt Ryker says -- I'd like to say that your blog has really opened my eyes to some of these insidious things that are going on in the so-called Christian community. The fact that these cults are on television every week is frightening. There needs to be a grass-roots revolt against these groups.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- True Christians need to be demonstrating at all of these churches with placards every week. They are on TV because they can be. Unsuspecting Christians are sending them money to supposedly spread the Gospel. This allows them to pay for television time to perpetuate their false teachings world-wide and it gives them access into millions of homes. The simple answer to this is to stop sending money.

Gayle Grisham says -- My children have been drawn deeper and deeper into one of these churches. At first, I didn't really see what was going on but I have just been uninvited for the holidays because their "new" family is coming. We always had a good relationship before they started believing that if they gave "seed" faith, they would be hugely rewarded here...there is no basis for this in anything that I have read.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- This story is a good example of how these groups, with the help of Satan, are using brainwashing and mind control to ruin families. The Grand Poo-Bah's family also refers to other members of their "church" as "mom & dad." This will be the third Christmas I haven't seen my three kids or seven grandchildren. These cults instruct their people to have nothing to do with anybody who disagrees with their teachings.

"Seed" faith appears nowhere in Scripture. This is a concept developed by the Faith Movement leaders to get people to part with large sums of their hard-earned money with the promise of a huge return on the investment. "Seed" faith has allowed these corrupt faith leaders to amass huge fortunes. It was a very clever scheme that worked. The Christian community continues to build their fortunes week after week and allows them to own cattle ranches and multiple lavish homes around the world. The answer to this problem is simple -- keep your hard-earned money!

Erika Harrison says -- I would like to add my story. Last year my fiance met a pastor at some function. He was invited to an event at this guy's church. He really liked it so decided to keep going to the men's meetings once a week. (We were new to the town and really didn't know anybody.) Within six months, he had broken up with me because I refused to go to the church with him. Now just over a year after his first meeting, he is married to someone at the church that was hand-picked by the pastor. His parents were devasted because he didn't even tell them that we had broken up.

B. & G. Adams says -- Our story is very similar to yours. Our two sons and their families have been involved with a Word of Faith church now for almost six years. We have not seen them or their families for four years. Their new spiritual family (the church) controls everything that they do...or that's how it seems to us. Please add us to your prayer list for restoration of our family. We are praying for everyone on the list.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Rest assured that we will be praying for you. My youngest son was a youth pastor for one of Bishop Keith Butler's churches in Toronto (no Bible-school training). It's a Word of Faith church. Butler has apparently raised enough money from unsuspecting Christians through his network of churches world-wide to work on running for the United States Senate. God forbid that this should ever happen.

The McIntosh Family says -- Give it up. You and these writers have no idea how wonderful it is to be part of a great community that loves and cares for us when our families have turned us away. We totally feel sorry that you all are missing the blessings of God.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- This loving and caring community you talk about is using that as a cover for their real agenda -- to get their hands on your money. You have a need to be loved and cared for. The cult knows this and is using it to take advantage of you. You need to leave this cult and go back to your family. They did not turn you away but rather you allowed the false teaching of this church to come between them and you. They are right and you are wrong. You need to ask for forgiveness for being so guillible and needy and go back home.

Terese Wyatt says -- I hope your family is reading also. Everyone who has been in any kind of contact with any of these people should read your blog.

Karl Wilson says -- Wonderful blog. We wish you all the best as you continue the fight against these cults.

Jane Teston says -- It's about time that someone took on these faith churches. They are such a crock. My daughter and her family have been in one of the churches that you have mentioned. They get more distant from us every week. They have not been involved long so I am hoping that we can get her to read this blog when we visit her at Christmas. Thank you for openly discussing your issues.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Distance between family members is a huge flag that something is very wrong. Satan is at work in their lives. He is doing some of his "best work" right under our noses inside the church (especially the Pentecostal church.)

M. Gray says -- Well, don't you think you're clever. I am sorry that you think you have the right to criticize other churches. We believe that we are being taught the whole Word of God and not just what the traditional churches teach. You really should stop writing this garbage and get yourself right with God. Then He will bless you!

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- I have a serious problem with your assertion that traditional churches teach less than the whole Word of God. This attitude is elitist and a bald-faced lie from the pit of hell. Your acceptance of this statement is also appalling. You obviously have a very limited Christian background and you don't know a falsehood when you hear it.

Criticizing false teachers and their teachings is Scriptural. When someone tells you that they are the only church teaching the "whole Word of God" it marks them as a cult. To repeat myself, this is a lie direct from the lips of Satan and many people like yourself are being suckered in.

God has called me to write this blog and He is obviously blessing it and I am thankful for that. To my knowledge it has not helped my children yet but as long as it is helping someone I will continue to write it. Only God's Holy Spirit can bring about the desired result of getting people out of these cults.

The Apostolics say -- You are really testing our patience. Your comments are unfounded as we are growing healthier each day with the help of our Lord. Before He strikes you down, you should just stop this vile blog.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- For your information, I am very well-read on the subject of these Faith Movement, Word of Faith, Victory Churches International cults. You need to read some of the books I have pictured in a previous blog. The Apostolic Movement does not have even one Bible-scholar anywhere in its ranks. If you knew your Bible, your Movement would not even exist.

Don't you think if I wasn't supposed to be writing this blog He would have struck me down by now! This blog is serious business. People's eternal destinies are at stake when it comes to these cults and their false teachings. Far too many Christians are totally unaware that Christianity is in crisis due to the existence of the Faith Movement, Word of Faith and Victory Churches International. The before mentioned groups are claiming to be Christian and have no right to do so based on their teachings. The Health and Wealth Gospel simply is not true and has no basis in Scripture.

O. Talbot says -- Having just found your blog, I find it utterly unbelievable that so many people can be taken in by something that is so wrong. No-one is supposed to expect to be wealthy and healthy as a right. If God chooses that for you, fine. But we cannot tell God what to do. I will be watching and reading your blog with some interest in the future.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Appreciate your comments. Look forward to hearing from you in the future.

T.S. Callerone says -- Isn't it interesting that we are just now seeing the seriousness of these cult leaders after many, many years of watching them come along and gradually gobble up innocent and gullible people. Having watched my church lose over half our members to the local "feel good" religious leader, I am appalled at how easy it was for him to lure these people in. Keep up the work, Brother...it is not in vain.

Annie Balder says -- I guess I was fortunate. I was invited to one of these churches and from the moment I went through the door, I knew there was something evil there. It's all very nice at first but there is a lot of darkness in the one I visited. When the chanting and gibberish started, well, I picked up my purse and left. There's nothing that could convince me to ever go back.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- The same thing happened to me. I visited Barrie Victory Centre with my wife and her daughter (in the early days before brainwashing had taken hold) for a baby dedication. After about an hour of what you describe in your comments, we had to leave. On the way to the car, we were all shaking our heads, looked at each other and said, "There's something very evil going on in that place." There was this terrible awareness of evil and darkness. We all came to the conclusion that this was Satan's church. Satan is having his way with these people. What a sad situation. Good for you. Wise decision. We haven't been back either.

R. Ryler says -- We are in agreement with your assessment that the mainstream churches are not assisting those of us with family members or friends in these cult churches. It's as if they think at least they are going to church. But with a church like this, they'd be better off not going. We enjoy reading your blog and are glad that someone like you is able to take a stand and not knuckle under to keep the peace in your family.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Most churches have programs for this and for that. There is no shortage of groups for every need or interest. In these last days there needs to be a cult-awareness program in every church to protect future generations from this serious threat. There are plenty of materials on modern day cults available.

In a free society, cults will continue to grow. Guard your children and teach them well and pray hard. Satan is very busy in the church these days.

Manny Ramieras says -- Honestly, when will these people stop whining and figure out how to get their family members back on track. Or leave them alone there and move on. If they are adults, they can choose their own path.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Your seemingly total lack of concern for this issue is alarming. It's just this attitude that allows these cults to exist and run rampant over Christian churches. It's hard to imagine that if you had family members involved in a cult that you would have nothing to say. Maybe you are not a Christian and do not understand the ramifications of such an attitude. If you read some of these books, you would have a completely different understanding of the cult issues.

H. Harry says -- What awful problems these false teachers create. I am glad that I do not have any children that I have to raise in these end times.

Bonita Inks says -- We have several of these cultic churches in our town and have watched with great concern as they have grown at an alarming rate. They started small, in people's homes, and have now moved into other churches (renting) or store-front facilities. One of our friends has had her niece start attending and she has undergone a personality change that is frightening. Your blog has provided a lot of information that I can share with my friend.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Personality change is one of the marks of a cult. My three children have all undergone personality changes. They are not the children I used to know. Please pray for Jason, Darren and Glenn and their families.

N. Boisvert says -- I was amazed at some of the stories that people are willing to share about their personal lives. Guess they have to get things off their chests but surely they see how pathetic they look when they cannot control their own wives and children. What is wrong with these people?

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- What is wrong with these people is that they are needy and cults are in the business of "meeting needs." That's how they get their converts and also how they hold on to them.

D. Grey says -- I have lost my wife to these charlatans. Her pastor has gotten involved with a number of the wives and they are now moving to another state where they can "feel the Lord" without outside influences.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- Charlatans" is a good word to describe Faith Movement, Word of Faith, Victory Churches International leaders.

"Feel the Lord" Key word here is "feel." A belief system that is rooted in feelings will eventually let you down. You will become disallusioned, walk away from the church and never return. I am very sorry to hear about your wife.

Words of Wisdom for the New Year:

Zig Ziglar says: "Truth is true even if nobody believes it and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it."

Sign Seen on a Billboard: If you find yourself going in the wrong direction, always remember, Christ accepts U turns.

New blogs will be posted in the New Year.

Hope My Family Are Reading!

Grace Donner says - The more I read about what is going on with different families, the more worried I am about my children. They are involved in different churches in different parts of the world but all seem to have a similar slant on Biblical truth. They can tell God what to do and expect Him to provide exactly what they ask. They can all be healthy (fortunately, none of my family has any illnesses) and that they will have little or no opposition to becoming wealthy or whatever else they desire. This is so non-Scriptural. Christians are supposed to have trials. We do not get our reward until heaven and material blessings have never been part of the Apostles or Jesus' life. Bless you for sharing your story and the stories of your readers. I have noted some of the books from the photo and will try to purchase them so that I can read for myself. Thank you.

B. & R. Post says - These stories are almost beyond belief except for the fact that we are in the midst of a similar situation. Our grandchildren were invited to one of these "cults" by some friends. Our children had not gone to church in years and all of a sudden, the family means nothing and their church family is everything. We are beside ourselves about how this could have happened that we have now been told that we are not welcome in their homes at Christmas because their spiritual moms and dads are going to be there and we would be out of place. How did this happen? We know that you don't have the answer but please print our story so that others can be aware of how easy it is for children to be duped by these cults. We did not realize that they were involved in a cult til we started reading your blog. Thank you. We hope you can stay strong so that your family will eventually see the light.

Nance Smith says - It is nice to see that you are able to be objective and allow people to have their say. I enjoy reading your blog and look forward to many more informative and insightful comments from you.

Mitchell Graeffe says - Given all of the stuff going on with these fringe churches or cults, why aren't the main-stream churches doing something? Aren't they interested in protecting people from this type of influence? I guess as Canadians we are too "polite" to interfere but what does that say about our Christianity? My rant for the day.

The Grand Poo-Bah says - The mainstream churches are failing miserably in this area. When you talk to anyone in the mainstream churches about cults, they look at you kind of funny. The truth is they are not knowledgeable about the huge threat that cults represent in modern-day society. It requires reading to be knowledgeable on this subject. My experience on trying to find information about cults since I realized my children were in one is that many of the Christian bookstores are not carrying books on cults because these books implicate the Pentecostal church directly or indirectly. Many of the Christian bookstores are owned and operated by members of the Pentecostal church and they do not want these books on their shelves. I had to go to www.amazon.com, Chapters and websites to get most of my books on the subject. Sorry, I really don't have an answer to your question. Maybe somebody else can send in an answer.

D. Dee says - Well.. how do you manage to attract all of these individuals who are so misguided? Our pastor only wants what is best for us based on God's Word. Why would we read any books that are not divinely inspired by God? You really should take a good look at God's book and concentrate on it instead of reading works of man.

The Grand Poo-Bah says - Cults put blinders on people so that they can be controlled and manipulated by the leader. This is what your pastor has done to you. You need to read these books to make your pastor accountable for what he is teaching. What can possibly be wrong with reading books written by world-renowned Bible scholars? Your pastor is not God; he is just a man. After you read the books, I'm sure you will have a number of questions for your pastor to answer. You need to understand that he will not tolerate you questioning him. Then you will know for sure that you are in a cult and you need to get out ASAP. I hope this is helpful to you and any other readers.

Name Witheld says - I am very interested in this subject. We have had one of these "cult" churches open in our small town and they have been actively recruiting at our local high school by inviting the teenagers to "fun nights". My daughter went to one because her friends were going and when she came home, she was very concerned about what she had heard at this "fun" night - that this was the only place in town where the Spirit of the Lord was at work and that all other churches are dying. She was also assigned a "buddy" who has not stopped phoning her for weeks. We are going to have to change our phone number because they just won't quit. We are now reading Christianity in Crisis -- thanks to the Grand Poo-Bah. Forewarned is forearmed! Thank you.

Amiee Thornton says - Yes. John McArthur is a wonderful author and very knowledgable about this frightening phenomenon that is sweeping the world today. The sad part is the people get caught up in wanting everything now and not having to wait for anything. This puts them as prime candidates for this false Christianity like "health and wealth" theology. We as Christians need to pray that God will open the eyes of the foolish to where they are going to end up if they continue to follow this path.

Mariessa Browne says - My parents are involved in one of these places. I didn't know it until I was researching a paper on Joel Osteen and your blog came up. After reading some of the stories, I am very frightened for my parents' financial future. Thank you.

The Grand Poo-Bah says - I am also concerned for the financial future of my children. The pastor is the owner of their church/business. Health and wealth churches don't stop at 10% giving. There are numerous on-going opportunities for followers to part with their hard-earned money to various "worthy" causes on a weekly basis. Faith Movement churches are like big money-sucking machines with only one purpose in mind; making their pastor rich. You will soon discover that the Health and Wealth gospel is mostly about making the pastor rich while keeping the followers hoping for riches.

S. Shears says - Keep plugging on. Eventually, your sons will become disallusioned with the lack of fulfilled promises and get out.

D & D. Sisson says - We are very tired of you continuing to debase our church. You are just making us more determined to wait for God's blessings in health and wealth.

The Grand Poo-Bah says - You are the one being debased here. Your pastor is getting rich and guess who's contributing to his riches every week? You are. How long are you willing to wait for your riches -- a day, a month, a year, five years, ten years? Some people spend a decade in one of these false churches before they realize it's all a crock and that they're never going to be wealthy and finally get out. I just hope you are not willing to wait too long.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

These books can be obtained at various sources. Some can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore, amazon.com, Chapters Bookstore, or the ministry website of the author. The Grand Poo-Bah will be publishing the websites of the various authors in the near future. There is lots of information available on false teaching and it's easier than you think to know for certain that you are not in a true Christian church but you must do some research.

More Comments From Our Readers:

Corine McIntosh says -- Boy, I am really glad that I have found your blog. The comments and the research that you have done make me realize how easy it is to get taken in by the "health and wealth" gospel teachers. I am sure that God will touch your boys and that they will see the hidden agenda of their pastor.

Tammy Smith-Redmond says -- Some of these stories are tragic. So is mine.. I lost my sister to these "Pastors" and I use the term loosely. I haven't seen her for over 9 years. Please pray for a safe return of Donna Smith.

Andrea Boisvert says -- It is sad to read some of these people's stories. My husband was dabbling in the "health & wealth" gospel (as a lay preacher) when God opened his eyes to what he was doing. Taking offerings from people who could ill afford to feed their families. He has now stopped doing any preaching but we are finding it very difficult to get out of our church without losing all of our friends.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- I know for a fact my son Glenn gave $1,000 "seed faith" offering to Barrie Victory Centre at a time when I know, he did not have a pot to p_ _ _ _ in. Instead of saying I'm sorry, we cannot take this money from you, you need it more than we do, they took it! These churches have no shame when it comes to money. Fear of losing all your friends is what the cult leader is counting on. This is how cults function to hold onto their people. It will take a lot of courage but you must get out of the cult ASAP.

Brian Campbell says -- What a terrible time to be in such a mess with your family. Our prayers will be with you. Do not lose hope.

Robert & Maisie Kennelley says -- We are very thankful that such a Godly man as you is fighting on behalf of those who are so taken in by these "cults." In our state, there are new ones springing up every month. Our children have gone from one bad one to another -- now it's the trust God for everything. They no longer go to doctors (prayer over the sick person only is allowed); and so on. Our children were raised in a Methodist Bible-believing church -- where did we go wrong?

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- If you think we are living in the latter days, and many people do, including Dr. David Jeremiah. He did a series of sermons on this recently and has written two books on the subject. I relate to this situation but I don't think we should blame ourselves. We taught our children the truth and we raised them in a Bible-believing church. The thing that this generation is dealing with that previous generations did not have to deal with is the huge proliferation of cults around the world including cults claiming to be Christian. The number of new cults rising up is astronomical. The largest and the easiest ones to get involved with are the ones that come into your home every week or some of them every day on television. When people see large crowds coming to hear a certain individual or a massively huge church filled with people, it tends to give the message credibility so people are drawn to it. Most of the people who get involved with these modern-day Christian cults are unsuspecting Christians who likely are lacking knowledge about the cult problem. Scripture teaches that we are to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. You and I have to trust that this Scripture is true and that our children will all return to the fold; hopefully sooner rather than later. We have personal experience with a friend of ours, who attended an extreme Pentecostal church, who's wife passed away at age 40 simply because she would not take the cancer treatment the doctors were offering. Instead they were expecting a healing miracle from God which never came. Also, this current generation doesn't seem to have any understanding of the concept of "common sense."

Maurey Davis says -- How did Christianity become so perverted as being taught by the list of those pastors? We should be praying for all of them to see the light; even though some of them are unknown to us. The scariest one of all is Joel Osteen -- no Bible-training whatsoever -- and have your best life now? Where does it say that in Scripture? IT DOESN'T! Keep pressing on, Brother, keep pressing on.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- You are definitely right about Joel Osteen. It is frightening to realize that so many people are sitting under the weekly tutelage of someone who has no Bible-training whatsoever. Most of what Joel Osteen says is not in Scripture. It is just more "possibility thinking" which Robert Schuller is well-known for. A non-Christian could write most of his sermons. We need to pray for all those people sitting in the pews at Lakewood Church in Florida with those blank looks on their faces because they are being sold a "bill of goods" and what he is teaching is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sadie Krostolous says -- Have been following your blog for some time, I find it refreshing that you are prepared to publish comments of all sorts. It makes you look like a very objective person which makes some of the things you say more believable to someone who might be mixed up in one of these "churches." Some of the stories are heartbreaking like the man who lost his wife. I don't have any such stories to share but I enjoy reading someone else's. God bless you for trying to make a difference.

R.W. Abbotteye says -- Having accidently found your blog when I was looking up one of your "false" teachers, it was interesting to see the different perspectives from both you and your readers. I have huge concerns about the teachings of these people and was amazed to see how many of these TV evangelists are involved. Then I did some further investigation and learned about some of the lavish lifestyles. Appalling. Keep it up as sometimes it is the squeeky wheel that gets results.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- The Copelands, Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes, Oral & Richard Roberts, Joyce Meyers and others -- it is a well-known fact that they all have amassed huge fortunes from their "ministries." People think they are sending money to help spread the Gospel but a large portion of their giving ends up in the pockets of the leaders. To my knowledge, Billy Graham never took more than $70,000 in salary out of his ministry. These people are not accountable to anybody and therein lies a serious problem with TV evangelists.

Sherry Tamblyn says -- Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is an amazing resource for our family. We have two nephews and their families who have gotten involved in one of these. We would not have known where to start getting information without the Grand Poo-Bah blog. We are starting with Christianity in Crisis. Thank you.

The Grand Poo-Bah says -- You made a very wise choice. Christianity in Crisis is the absolutely best place to start for information about the Faith Movement or Word of Faith teachings.

Graydon & Ruby Pount say -- We wish you all the best at this Christmas time. It took us many many years and thousands of dollars to have an intervention done which only lasted less than six months. We wish we had found you earlier.

Pat & Pearl Poppins say -- Our daughter thought she was going to be given the husband of her dreams after attending a Joyce Meyer Christian Women's Conference. She didn't think anything through but went blindly down a bad road (in the name of Christianity). The first guy she met at church -- that was it! Needless to say, it has been a disaster. Somebody ought to get these people off TV because that's how Dora found her [Joyce Meyers]. We now have not seen our daugher for over five years but we understand that she has no mind of her own anymore. As others are adding their names for prayer, please add ours. Thank You.

Melanie Hopwood says -- I hope that your sons read some of the horror stories here. I could not even imagine some of these things happening inside a church. I guess I was lucky. I started attending a Word of Faith church in BC and the kicker for me was when everyone would go down to the front and end up flat on their backs moaning because the pastor touched them. I now know it was mass hysteria because we sang the same monotone songs over and over again until we lost touch with reality. If you didn't go to the front and fall down (they had catcher people), you were brought up on stage and ridiculed for not having enough faith. I never fell down and after the 2nd bout on stage, I walked and never went back. I guess God had other plans for me and I am now attending a Bible-preaching church in Washington. Keep praying and remember that God is in control.

The Grand Poo-Bah says --Thank you for your comments and I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to my lovely wife, Gail, who has spent hours and hours with me working on this blog. Thanks, Honey!

Jason, Darren, Glenn....Please Read...

O. Davies says - I found the comments very interesting because I thought I was alone dealing with this. The health and wealth people are destroying my family. I am very glad that I found your blog. Keep up the fight, Brother.

R.G. Bastido says - I will be looking forward to seeing where you found your information. Being well-read about this subject means being able to see clearly when things don't seem right.

M.J. deLuca says- I don't know where you are getting your information but it cannot possibly be correct. I know that our pastor isn't out to take our money but rather we have the responsibility to make sure that he and his family have enough to live on. It is our duty as Christians to make sure that he has what he needs. You have no right to assume that they are not interested in saving souls.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Having enough to live on is a far cry from living in the lap of luxury with multiple homes all around the world. If your pastor is preaching the "health and wealth" gospel to his congregants on a regular basis, he has a secret agenda of gaining personal wealth through the mininstry. Appearing to be interested in saving souls is an excellent cover for this agenda.

Carina Landis says - Thank you for sharing your story (Grand Poo-Bah). My husband and I have just realized that we are in a fringe church after finding out that our pastor is expecting a brand new high-end car for Christmas from our congregation and we were all asked to contribute $500 each for his gift. Our pastor doesn't teach all of the things that you have outlined in your blog; however, he does think that the Copelands are great spiritual leaders.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Some churches do get together and buy their pastors a new car. There is nothing wrong with that in itself but the red flag had to go up when your pastor "asked" for the $500 gift. This is not done in regular churches. The other red flag is the Copelands or anybody on my list in the previous blog.

David Miller says - Well, it's great to see you are finally back. It is great to read the excerpts from the research that you are doing for this worthwhile cause. I am looking forward to hearing your insight into these charlatans.

B. Smith says - Having stumbled onto this blog, I am amazed at your insight. Hang in there. Your children will eventually see the error of their ways and get out of the Barrie Victory Centre. We got out of the one in Owen Sound and it was the best thing that we ever did.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Good for you for seeing the light and getting out of Crossroads Victory Church in Owen Sound. I praise God for your freedom from the cult. If you attend Centre of Hope Victory Church in Kincardine, Gateway Victory Church in Wiarton, Mount Forest Victory Church or Victory Impact Centre in Newmarket; you need to exit these churches ASAP because they are all cults. Victory Churches International is a cult because they are involved in false teachings. The "health and wealth" gospel is false doctrine.

Douglas Brennan says - I think that you should leave your adult children to their own devices. All you can really do is pray and let God take care of it.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: So what you are saying is that if you knew for a fact, based on your research, that your adult children were involved in a cult, you would have nothing to say to them. It would be just fine with you. Praying and letting God take care of it is good but we, as Christians and parents, have a responsibility that we cannot set aside.

L. & C. Campbell says - I truly hope that your family sees the errors of their ways. What a disgusting and vile bunch of children you have; however, we will be praying that their eyes will be opened before it is too late as it was for our daughter. She committed suicide after realizing that she had given everything to this "health and wealth" garbage and ended up broke, alone and not able to see any way out. We wish we had found your information earlier. God Bless.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: I am sorry to hear of the death of your daughter. The things you talk about in your comments are the very things that I am concerned about for my own children. Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully it will help someone else.

J. Ridgeway says - You have an interesting take on something that means so much to so many. I do not think that all of the people on your list are leading people astray. I think people make their own judgments based on experience and we can determine our own futures.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: They all teach the "health and wealth" gospel and therefore, they are all false teachers who are leading people astray -- no doubt about it.

Meghan McPhail says - Doesn't this cartoon just say it all! Have really enjoyed reading your blog. Hope your family soon sees the errors of their ways before it is too late and we are raptured away without them.

Lorianne del Guzman says -Thank you for taking the time. I know you are doing it for your family but it is helping mine.

Terry Greene says - None of these people know anything about the wonderful gifts of God that we receive from our pastors. They deserve to have the best of everything.. that's our responsibility as their followers.. to ensure that they have all that they need and desire. You really need to stop posting this drivel.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Your comments make it very obvious that you have not read any books about what is wrong with the Faith Movement. There are many books available on the subject. I will be publishing a list of some of these books in the near future. You need to avail yourself of some of these materials so that you can speak from a position of knowledge rather than ignorance.

Lew Thomas says - How I wish that I had paid more attention to what was going on with my wife. Now it is much too late and she has passed away because she stopped taking her medication for diabetes. Her "minister" told her that God would heal her if she only stopped taking her insulin and had enough faith. Needless to say, between that and "The Master's Diet," she fell into a coma while I was at work. By the time I got home, it was too late. And I have no recourse against this minister. He and his family packed up and moved to another state where they have started another "cult" even more nutty than the last one.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: I was very sorry to hear about the passing of your wife. I was very disturbed to hear about the reasons that she passed. I have a diabetic son who attends Barrie Victory Centre and I am always concerned that they will encourage him to stop taking his insulin because having diabetes does not fit in with the "health and wealth" gospel. Please pray that my son, Glenn, will not do the same thing as your wife. I have limited knowledge about The Master's Diet but I have heard that it is dangerous.

C. & C. Blackweild says - After reading the comments, it is apparent that my family was not the only ones taken in by these charlatans. The $500 gift for the pastor must be a common thread in these organizations because we have been asked twice this year to "celebrate" something with the pastor. My husband wrote the first cheque and we found your blog very shortly thereafter. After reading a lot of the blog, we have sadly come to the realization that we are in a cult and are in the process of trying to extract ourselves. My husband is on the Board but it is a straw organization because nobody can question any decision our pastor makes. Please pray for us.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: These comments should sound familiar to my son, Darren, who is on the Board at the straw organization called Barrie Victory Centre. I hope, Darren, that you read this comment over a number of times and really absorb what the writer is saying. Oh, by the way, how much are all of you at Barrie Victory Centre donating to Pastor McCullough's Christmas gift?

K. Hicks says - This is a sad fact with what is going on out there. Those TV evangelists have ruined many lives.

M. Whyteside says - Don't you think it's time you stopped this vile blog; you are attacking all the crazies who don't believe what God really wants for his people.

Stan Byrd says - Given how passionate you seem to be about this issue, maybe you should become a "travelling" preacher. You certainly couldn't do any worse than these nutbars like Benny Hinn.

Rob Richards says -It is so sad to read some of these stories. My granddaughter and her family have moved into a compound in Texas where their "cult leader" has insisted that the men live in one part and he lives with the women and children. Now what does that tell you! We are distraught and the worst part is that they started out in a seemingly normal church and ended up there because the emotional high needed to be fed. Keep up the work, Brother Pooh-Bah.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Any church where an emotional high needs to be fed is not a normal church. The type of cult you describe in your comments can develop when a leader has complete control over all of his followers with no checks and balances in place. Sounds a lot like Barrie Victory Centre, don't you think, Jason, Darren & Glenn?

M & T. Way says - Grand perspective. Have really enjoyed reading your stuff over the last year or so. It is stunning to read what has happened to other families who have been suckered into these cults. We hope your family will see the error of their ways sooner rather than later.

Heather McKye says - WOW!! I am sad to read some of the comments. It's heartbreaking to the families and to you. My group will pray for all of you.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: Thank you for your prayers.

Anonymous says - When are you going to stop this drivel! Nobody in their right mind would believe any of this stuff. You cannot win.

The Grand Poo-Bah says: It's not about me. Truth always wins in the end. God gets the final word. If drivel is the only word you have at your disposal to describe these world-renowned Bible scholars, then you need to do a reality check. If you haven't read any good books lately, there are many available on what is wrong with the Faith Movement. Leaving the Faith Movement or Victory Churches International would make you a winner!

What Our Readers Have To Say...

"I have been following your blog for almost the whole time. You have taken a stand which most people would just say "so what" and tolerate this situation with your boys. I wish that I had been able to do that instead of going along and ending up losing my entire family and nearly my soul as well. Thank you. (Martin O'Keefe)

It is hard to stand by and watch your family fall apart. I'm sure if I knew then what I know now, I would have put up more of a fight for my wife. Instead, I watched her slip away because I thought it was just another Pentecostal church and now am grieving her loss to the wiles of her pastor. (David Miller - South Africa)

You actually had one of your children say to you, we are "only interested in you, Dad, we have no interest in having anything to do with your wife." How disgusting! I hope that you sent them packing with a firm kick in the behind and a "don't darken my door again until you apologize to my wife." Anything else is simply not acceptable and if one of my kids had said that to me about my lovely and kind 2nd wife, it would have been the last thing that they ever said to me. (Alf Ormont)

Going along with such treatment of your wife is absolutely unacceptable. She must be a saint to have put up with this. I will be praying for strength and protection for you both during this trying time. I have been following your blog and it has been most helpful in clarifying some things that concerned me with Victory Churches as I have family members in this cult in Alabama. Keep up the writing. Thank you. (M.B. Browne)

And these relatives are Christian? How awful for you and your wife. My family will be praying for all of you during such a Satanic attack as this. (Sandra DeVilbiss)

You and your wife must be beside yourselves over these ungrateful offspring (they don't deserve to be called your children); however, it is apparent that you love them and want what's best for them so we will add all of you to our prayer chain at our church. (Bruce & Jane Ashford)

It must be difficult to have such a situation as you describe. Keep pressing on. (Ryan Davis)

Thank you for this blog. We have read all of the articles and will be purchasing a copy of the book. We found your blog when searching for information on the "health and wealth" gospel as our adult children and their families have been taken in by the Copelands. Please pray for our children as we go through this. We also have not seen our grandchildren for some years and it is most difficult. Our prayers are with you and please keep us in yours. Thank you. (Denis & Debra Lezzard)

What a great post. We also feel like we are crying in the wilderness about this subject. At least our children are out now after six years of following that false prophet, Benny Hinn. The unfortunate part is that they no longer see any value in the Christian life. We would ask that you pray for Joelene, Adam, Michael, Brenda and their families as we will pray for you and yours. (Charlotte Wu)

I have just finished reading the book. I am giving copies of this to my girls for Christmas. I had no idea they were being drawn in under Joel Osteen's milarky. (Matthew T. Grey)

Yes, it is in crisis. When are you coming back to writing? (T.S. Smith)

The Grand Poo-Bah says:

I would like to thank all of the above readers for their comments. I have printed these comments all together in a single blog for a couple of reasons.

1. You are not alone in the fight against false teaching.
2. Your comments can have an incredible influence for the cause of Christ.

If you have personal experience in dealing with Victory Churches International or any of the other false teachers of the "Faith Movement," I would urge you to share your story. You never know who you may be helping along the way -- as you can see from the above comments.

I first realized that my children were all involved in a modern day Christian cult when, one day out of the blue, one of my sons said to me, "Dad, you didn't teach us the whole gospel." Since they were raised in an evangelical Baptist church from the time they were small children, I was shocked to hear this statement out of the mouth of one of my children. I was immediately suspicious that something was wrong at the new church they were currently attending. I wondered what this church had told my children to convince them that their father, who loved and cared about them, had basically lied to them their whole lives about the truth of the gospel. Convinced that something was very very wrong at Barrie Victory Centre, I proceeded to do some research and was shocked at what I discovered.

If you attend a church which promotes any of the people on the following list, you are likely involved in a cult and need to get out ASAP and stop sending them money. The only way to stop these people is to cut them off at the knees. They have no interest in your eternal soul; they are only after one thing -- your money. Many have amassed huge fortunes by promoting a "different" gospel. People from all over the world have become caught in their web of lies and don't even know it.

Here is the list of false teachers that I have found (in no particular order):

Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, E.W. Kenyon (founder of the Faith Movement), Frederick K.C. Price, George & Hazel Hill (Victory Churches International Founders), Jerry Savelle, Joel Osteen.

John Avanzini,John Hagee, John Paul Jackson, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth "Dad" Hagan (Rhema), Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Marilyn Hickey, Morris Cerullo, Oral & Richard Roberts.

Pat Robertson, Paul & Jan Crouch (founders of Trinity Broadcasting Network), Paula White, Peter Marshall (kingpin for Victory Churches International), Peter Popoff, Peter Youngren.

Reinhardt Bonnke, Robert Schuller, Robert Tilton, Rod Parsley, Rodney Howard-Browne, Smith Wigglesworth, T.D. Jakes, T.L. Osborn, Todd Bentley, Andrew Prince and Paul & Debbie McCullough (false teachers at Barrie Victory Centre where my children attend.)

All of the above are members of the Faith Movement and promote the "health and wealth" gospel which has made the majority of them all very very rich. This list is likely incomplete due to the fact that new cult leaders are popping up every week wanting to get in on the "money feast" which is taking place at the expense of unsuspecting Christians around the world. We need to stop doing this immediately.

The next blog which I post will be a bibliography of the books I have read and that you may be interested in reading as well if you have family members involved in Victory Churches International or any other arm of the Faith Movement.

Look forward to hearing your comments. Thanks for reading.

The Bible Answer Man Knows...

Treasure House in Barrie will order this book, "Christianity in Crisis, 21st Century," for you. It can also be ordered from Chapters or through www.amazon.com.

If you are currently involved in a church that has had its beginning in recent years, you urgently need to read this book. It is authored by a well-known and respected Bible scholar. Hank Hannegraaff has a daily call-in radio show, "The Bible Answer Man." You can listen on-line to any of these shows if you wish. He answers questions about the Bible and alerts people to the many false teachings out there today which are being espoused as Christianity.

If you attend Barrie Victory Centre, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! There is something in it that your "pastor" does not want you to know. Do not read it or you may find yourself not wanting to attend his "church" anymore. Be careful! We wouldn't want any of you thinking for yourselves. Don't forget, pastor says, "You must not read this book!" I wonder why? What is he so afraid of?

Extended Vacation

As it has been a very rough year with all of the issues and difficulties with the Grand Poo-Bah's family (and the saga continues on) with no end in sight, he will be continuing his respite and vacation until the beginning of September.

We thank you for all of your support during the past year and look forward to your continued support during the coming years.

Time Off For Good Behaviour!

The Grand Poo-Bah is taking a well-deserved break for the month of July to collect his thoughts and prepare for future warfare. The battle for truth will continue.

Hey Glenn, Get A Pre-Nup!

Since I won't be seeing you before you get married, and in good conscience, I couldn't attend a "cult wedding" anyway; here is some advice that might be helpful for your future. Make sure you get a pre-nup agreement signed that establishes which religion your new family is going to be. This will help you avoid what happened to me.

Your mother and I were both raised in the Baptist Church and I thought I was marrying a Baptist and a Christian. Halfway through the marriage, I found out she was open to mysticism, speaking in tongues and glossolalia; and therefore was not a Christian. No true born-again Christian can accept the teachings of the Pentecostal Church (Barrie Victory Centre).

Since you and your fiancee are both currently involved in the Hoo-Haw church, you need to get it in writing that there will be no changing of religion halfway through the marriage unless you both agree that it is the right thing to do. God forbid that Joy Lynn should decide she doesn't want to do the Hoo-Haw thing anymore and becomes more interested in truth than in self-interest. Hoo-Haw is all about "me." (Read my previous blog.) It happens all the time. You need to protect your marriage from future failure. If you don't nail it down now, you could find yourself and your new wife going off in different directions and ultimately ending in the break-up of your marriage. This is what happened to me and that is why your mother and I are no longer together. I knew what I believed and why I believed it. She did not and unbeknowst to me at the time, she was not ever a true born-again Christian. If she were, the teachings of Barrie Victory Centre would not be acceptable.

I would likely still be married to your mother had she put family ahead of mysticism. By getting involved with speaking in tongues, glossolalia, and emotional hoo-haw, she created on-going turmoil in our home. When you don't know what you believe and why you believe it, you will fall for anything. This division eventually scuttled the marriage and made it clear to me that she was not a Christian. If you don't want this happening to you, get the pre-nup signed or you will have serious regrets later on. Most Pentecostals eventually tire of the constant emotional roller coaster ride. One of you will decide this before the other does and then the problems will start.

Just so you know, I didn't show up at the meeting at Tim Horton's because I thought the meeting was with you. I came alone and I expected you to come alone; but you didn't. When I saw Darren's car hidden over behind the beer store, I anticipated an ambush, by not one cultist but by two, so I just kept on driving and went back home. I do know that one of the cornerstones of cults is "Trust no-one outside the cult, especially family." That's why Darren was there when he had no business being there.

I know it's been over two years since we talked to each other, Glenn, but what I can't understand is, what is it that you are so afraid of that you can't talk to your father one on one? You should know by now that I have your best interests at heart, always have, always will. I would never lie to you or lead you away from truth. My goal as a parent has always been to direct my children towards truth and that hasn't changed. Once a father, always a father. Sorry about that!

After the failed meeting, and since my wife and I wanted to meet Joy Lynn, we invited both of you to go out for dinner to celebrate your engagement. We received a response from Joy Lynn which thanked us for the invitation and said that it would be nice to meet and she would be in touch with us. I'm not sure what happened next but we never heard another word. It soon became very clear to us that you were not interested in meeting with "us" but rather were only interested in meeting with "me." This can have only one purpose, and I am sure it was directed by the cult, to "divide and conquer." (put a wedge between us.) I cannot and will not allow this to happen. I have never been happier in my whole adult life. The cult may control you but it is not going to control me.

I have been told on one recent occasion that we are "only interested in you, Dad, we have no interest in having anything to do with your wife." I believe that the cult is responsible for this immature, childish, un-Christian attitude. My wife deserves to be treated with courtesy, kindness and respect. She is a human being. Almost twenty years have gone by since the mother of my children and I separated. It's time to grow up, move on, and act with true Christian love. God is Love -- He would not approve of this behaviour. You all need to get your act together on this issue. Anything less is totally unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated. It would be nice if we lived in a perfect world, but we don't. We have to make the best of the situations we find ourselves in. None of us will be perfect until we get to Heaven.

If you haven't already figured this out, here it is. My life would be a lot simplier, a lot easier, and have a lot less stress, if I didn't care and therein lies the main problem. Stated simply, it is obvious to me and I know with great and ever-increasing certainty, that since you have hooked up with Barrie Victory Centre, you have gone down a wrong road which will ultimately end with you being disillusioned, disappointed, deceived, likely poor, and so angry that you have been duped by false teaching and eventually will walk away from the church and never set foot in it again for years. This is why I am so deeply concerned about your involvement with Barrie Victory Centre.

This is exactly what happens to people who get involved with cults and finally figure out that it's a fraud. No good can come of it! It may take years, but sooner or later, you will find out that I am right. If you hear anything from this blog, hear this! Barrie Victory Centre is a cult and a cult of the worst kind because they are claiming to be Christian and nothing could be further from the truth. I guess your life would be better if I stopped caring? Keeping my mouth shut is easy; fighting for truth and the souls of my children and their families is hard. Sorry I can't keep my mouth shut! I will continue to write this blog until your eternal souls are back in the fold and out of the hands of Satan. "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul." If you believe the teachings of Barrie Victory Centre, you will never see eternity in Heaven.

The only way that someone can keep their mouth shut when their children are involved with a well-known cult which there is plenty of literature available on, is because that person is not a Christian. How could someone who claims to be a Christian stand idly by while their children go further and further away from truth. The only way that this could happen would be if that person were not a Christian.

I know a family where the mother is claiming to be a Christian (I don't know this to be a fact) who has two children involved with the Jehovah's Witnesses and two children involved with Barrie Victory Centre (also a cult). She welcomes all the cultists into her home on a regular basis and has nothing to say to any of them. There can only be one reason for this and that reason is this, she cannot possibly be a Christian. She will have to answer someday for keeping silent on Satan's behalf.

If you were brought up in the United Church, you could very easily fall into the hands of a cult because the United Church does not believe the Bible to be inspired Truth from cover to cover. Again, I ask, how does this parent keep silent and allow family get-togethers to continue under these circumstances? What's more important - family or the destination of one's eternal soul? If you put your family ahead of their eternal soul's destination, I guess it's easy to keep your mouth shut. Just what Satan wants!

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing!

"Full Gospel" Rant

In Barrie, Ontario where I live there is a church on St. Vincent Street called the Full Gospel Lighthouse. I have occasion to drive by it numerous times because it is on the way to my doctor's office. Every time I see the name of that church, I want to get a can of black paint and cross out the words "Full Gospel" and change it to the word "One" because in my Bible there is only one Gospel and it is referred to as "The Gospel." I would never do this; but I really really want the name of this church changed. A good name would be The Gospel Lighthouse Community Church. I will probably be delivering a copy of this rant to the Full Gospel Lighthouse in the near future. The use of this term really upsets and angers me as a born-again Christian but I think that is what the term is intended to do, upset people who go to the lesser churches.

Where is the term "full gospel" in Scripture? Answer - nowhere. The term "full gospel" implies by its very nature that there is a partial/half/lesser gospel. This concept is totally foreign to the Word of God. The Pentecostal Church has made up this term to create the illusion for Christians that there is something more when there isn't. The Bible refers to "the" Gospel, meaning ONE. "Full Gospel" implies that there is more than ONE. The world must see Christians as a very confused bunch of people because they have "the Gospel" which is in Scripture and the "Full Gospel" which appears in the names of many Pentecostal churches.

Scripture does not teach that Christians are to seek after the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues and it certainly is not a command anywhere in Scripture which some churches teach. This term is very confusing and in serious error. Every time I drive by this church and see this name "Full Gospel Lighthouse" I think to myself that the people who attend there must be a bunch of Christian snobs who think that they are better than the rest of us.

What the Pentecostal Church has done by using the term "full gospel" in any context, they have created a class system within Christianity. There are the first-class Christians who go to the "full gospel" church, and there are the second-class Christians who go to all the other Christian churches. This is snobbery beyond belief and I often envision the adherents of this church walking around looking down their spiritual noses at the rest of us. Other phrases that come to mind are "We are the haves and the rest of you are the have-nots." We are the greater and you are the lesser Christians. We are the powerful and you are the powerless Christians. Some Christians are strong like the "full gospel" Christians and some are weak like the rest of us are made to feel by the use of this term. There are the big larger-than-life Christians who attend the "full gospel" church and there are the little minor insignificant measly Christians who attend all other churches. This term is a threat to my personal self-worth. It makes me feel like I am a lower-quality Christian and nothing could be further from the truth.

This snobbery has a very definite purpose within the Pentecostal Church. Its purpose is to create the illusion that there is something more, that they've got "it" and the rest of us haven't. I find this whole idea highly offensive and the use of this term needs to be stamped out immediately.

Christianity is what it is! Jesus is who He is! For 2000 years, He was the God-man who died for our sins. Now all of a sudden, in the twenty-first century, the Pentecostal Church is trying to tell us that He's somebody very different. Glossolalia/tongues-speakers are now saying that not only is He the One who paid the price for our sins but now He's also the One who provides health and wealth. This is like saying to Jesus, hanging on the cross with nails in His hands and His feet; "What do you mean all we get is forgiveness for sins? We want more! We want health and wealth!" I can just see all the Penetcostals looking up all the Scriptures in the Bible that refer to health and wealth and deciding that all they have to do is quote these Scriptures often and we will be able to make health and wealth part of the reason that Jesus died on the cross (the Atonement).

What do you think God's attitude is towards this kind of thinking? The Bible teaches that nothing is to be added or taken away from "the Gospel" that was delivered to the Saints. There's something new in Penetcostal churches all the time. The history of their church shows that they never ever get to the truth. What was new truth becomes old truth and is quickly discarded to be replaced by the next new truth. This says to me that the "new truths" must be falsehoods if they can be so easily discarded and set aside. Falsehood makes the Pentecostal church a cult and they are full of it.

There is nothing new in Christianity unless you're a Pentecostal or a tongues-speaker. Tongues or glossolalia creates the illusion that there is something more because they are not used in most churches. The reason they are not used in most churches is because it is not Scriptural. Scripture teaches that tongues will cease. If you fall for the ruse of glossolalia, you will most certainly be convinced there is something more when there isn't. Ministers also claim that God speaks to them when the truth is the total revelation of God is contained within the Scriptures. Another way that the illusion of something more is created.

Scores of phony, unverifiable healings also contribute to the illusion there is something more when there really isn't. "Full Gospel" is a very offensive term and is totally confusing for the Christian population in general. What must the world think? Things that come to mind are; What is the matter with Christians? Don't they know what they believe? There seems to be two Christianities. Which one is right? How do I decide which church to go to? And I would hazard a guess that a lot of people thinking this way end up going nowhere rather than make the wrong choice because they both can't be right.

Any church using the term "full gospel" in their name needs to change that name to something else immediately to end the total confusion it's creating in Christendom.

Experience over doctrinal truth - about me

Miracles, signs and wonders - about me

Emotional high / feeling good - about me

Doctrine of subsequence - about me

Health and wealth - about me

Visions - about me

Healings - about me

Speaking in tongues - about me

Annointing - about me

New revelation - about me

Blessings - about me

Spiritual gifts - about me

Mysticism - about me

Glossolalia - about me

Hi, my name is "PENTE." I like it when the world revolves around ME! That's why I left the Baptist Church because not enough was about ME!

More Thoughts

Being totally self-centered you feel very comfortable at the Pente/tongues cult but what does Scripture say? Did God set up the church for our benefit? No! He set up the church to spread the good news about Him. The church was set up for His benefit; not for ours.

It's about Him, His death, burial and resurrection. The only thing about "us" is that we get our slate wiped clean, our sins forgiven. (It is finished.) Any and all tongues-speaking cults feel they must offer "more" to attract constituents. They do it because it works. Large numbers of people fall for it every year.

The tongues-speaking cults exist solely for the benefit and self-worship of its adherents. You need to remember here that just because so many people are being drawn to it doesn't justify it or make it right. Satan has been extra busy since the Faith Movement arrived on the scene in the early 80s. This movement has given Satan a perfect tool to work with to throw Christians off the road and into the ditch. He has had great success with it and will likely continue as long as Christians give him an open door.

We live in a very self-centered world where everything is about "me." The "me" cults play constantly to this weakness in our society. This current generation has often been called the "me" generation and it applies to the church as well. Christ would be appalled at what's going on in the tongues-speaking cults. How will they explain themselves when they stand before God someday to give account for why they totally misread and misunderstood Scripture and worst of all, shared this misunderstanding with millions of people around the world.

Hoo-Haw! (Sounds Like Hee-Haw!)

What is Hoo-Haw?  Hoo-Haw is a phrase that I use to describe speaking in tongues because that's what it sounds like.  A Hoo-Haw church is any church where they try to speak in tongues.  They really don't speak in tongues.  They really participate in glossolalia which is not speaking in tongues but they think it is!

Scripture clearly teaches that tongues is not for today.  It was used at a specific time for a specific purpose and that time has passed.  You will have to forgive me for my total lack of respect for people who try to do the Hoo-Haw thing when Scripture teaches against it.  Not only are my three sons doing the Hoo-Haw thing but two of them are in leadership roles teaching others to do the Hoo-Haw thing which is in direct conflict with the teaching of Scripture.

Hoo-Haw is not a heavenly language.  This term appears nowhere in Scripture.  Hoo-Haw is not the Biblical gift of tongues.  Hoo-Haw is "counterfeit tongues" which is gibberish and nothing more.  Spiritual gifts were never intended for the benefit of the gifted individual.  This is an abuse of tongues.  Tongues, according to Scripture, is real language, not just noise, grunts and groans.

Tongues will cease permanently according to Scripture.  The verb pauo in the Greek means "to cease permanently."  That means that they will not start up again.  Can I make it any clearer?  If you are trying to speak in tongues, you are in error.  You are in serious error!

There is only one conclusion that can be made about what is being touted as "tongues" today.  It is really just so much "Hoo-Haw."  Hoo-Haw is from Satan.  It is a "deceitful spirit" and a "doctrine of demons."  Tongues is nothing more than "learned behaviour."  Anyone can learn to do it including non-Christians.

Why do people do it?  They do it because of peer pressure to belong, to perform, to have the same gifts that everyone else has.  Remember the devastating effects that peer pressure had on you when you were a teenager.  Sounds dangerous and very destructive to me!

Spiritual Growth

The third reason people join cults is spiritual.  Many honestly want to know and serve God, and the vitality of evangelically-minded groups attracts them.  A young man who came to me for advice claimed his "relationship with God" had grown as a result of his involvement in a cult.  An Ivy League graduate told me that what attracted him was the group's "zealous Christianity."  A young woman from New England with a graduate degree joined a campus fringe church because it appeared to her "more biblical" than the church in which she was raised.

Three things should be kept in mind here.  First, we each have a spiritual need that beckons us to begin a quest.  Second, a person's search or spiritual quest may be intensified when he or she has had inadequate religious training and nurturing.  And third, the spiritual quest may also be intensified when a person has been adequately nurtured by a sound church!

I am continually surprised by the spiritual hunger I see in the young people at Wellspring.  So many who were burned in cult involvement started out with a sincere and praiseworthy desire to serve God.  Yet it was the cult or fringe church that offered a vital solution to their quest, and not the church, which was often viewed as impotent and bland by comparison.  

We all have spiritual needs.  These needs may be intensified by a deficient religious upbringing.  I do not suggest that only children from such backgrounds will enter cults or fringe churches or that parents should feel guilty for whatever inadequacies existed in the religious training given to their kids.  A number of studies have shown that the type of childhood religious training does not necessarily determine who will eventually join cults or abusive organizations.  Rather than feel guilty, parents should consider how they may better facilitate the spiritual needs of their children, communicating with them and offering sound spiritual alternatives.

In fact, people young and old join cults not only because of a weak religious background but also because of a strong one.  Many join because they have come from active, vital churches, and they often see a "fringe Christian" group as a further step to a vibrant and dynamic Christian life.  For example, a solid evangelical Baptist becomes a leader in the Children of God.  Or, a graduate of an evangelical college, and a dedicated Christian, joins the Mormon Church.  Or, three seminary graduates from solid evangelical divinity schools wind up in a "fringe church,"  where they are burned, betrayed, and used.  

Why do genuine, dedicated Christians join cults or fringe Christian churches?  The reason is that we all desire "something more."  Our dedicated youth do not often see the cult's level of zeal and dedication in their own churches.  The siren song of a cult or a fringe group beckons them.  All too often we confuse vitality and charisma for truth and soundness.

(from Cult Proofing Your Kids by Dr. Paul R. Martin)

Establishing Friendships and Relationships

Young people also join cults for friendships and relationships.  Parents need to keep in mind that cults are usually better at showing attention, concern, and love than the average religious organization.  Part of cult-proofing your kids is to forewarn them that any group or person seeming to be too loving, too caring, and overly-concerned must be responded to with extreme caution.  

According to Harold Bussell, cultic recruits were attracted by "group sharing, community and caring."  In my own work with former cult members I can certainly concur.  One young college man I counselled was attracted to a cult because of the warm "relationships" between people.  A young woman who attended one of the Big Eight universities told me she joined a fringe church because they spent time with her, teaching her how to become a Christian.  A young man from the east coast joined a well-known cult, The Way International, because he "made a lot of friends in the group."  And a woman from Pennsylvania with a degree from the University of Michigan joined a hyper-charismatic fringe church because of the "fellowship."  She also said that the "relationships were phenomenal" in this group.  

Characteristics of Cultic Friendships

Cult members seem to be friendly, caring, sensitive and honest.  In realty, however, they are often dishonest, manipulative, and destructive.  Following is a list of characteristics of cultic friendships.

1. Cultic friendships do not encourage honesty and openness.
2. Cultic friendships are one-way relationships.
3. Cultic friendships do not affirm your talents and interests.
4. Cultic friendships discourage your relationships with friends and family.
5. Cultic friendships try to change your personality.
6. Cultic friendships try to change your morality.

(from Cult Proofing Your Kids by Dr. Paul R. Martin)

Healing for Emotional Hurts

Why do people join cults?  Doctrinal issues alone -- such things as the nature of God, the Trinity, the inspiration of Scripture, the return of Christ, the person and work of Christ, and the incarnation, -- have little, if anything, to do with why most people join cults.  The three main reasons why people join are: (1) healing for emotional hurts, (2) establishing friendships and relationships, and (3) spiritual growth.

Early childhood experience usually contributes to the emotional needs that one exhibits as an adult.  The unmet emotional needs of a child from a broken, cold, or abusive home may make a cult seem more attractive.  "Here," the person may reason, "is the love, the warmth, and the security that I never had as a child."  He or she may think, "I've found my true family."  The person enmeshed in the cult may often in fact start to call the leaders of the group "Mom" and "Dad."

Others are attracted to cults because they offer help with personal or drug problems.  Sad to say in these cults the members often feel more loved, cared for, and secure than in more traditional churches.  They enjoy teaching, often-wanted, and needed discipline, and a strong prayer life.  And they learn how to help and express love to others.  

Research shows that young people are more vulnerable to cultic affiliation during or immediately after suffering a severe crisis.  Some of these crises are the death of a relative or close friend; a broken romance or a divorce in the family; job loss or inability to find employment; poor grades or failure in school; excessive amounts of business-related travel for one or both parents; illness, whether of self or a close friend or relative; transition from high school to college; or, criminal victimization, including burglary, rape, or mugging.

Why are kids more vulnerable during or after one of these crises?  It is because each one of these situations represents a loss -- and introduces both a lack of control and feelings of helplessness.  We all need certain things to live life normally, including friends, a job, a sense of being accepted by our peers, a feeling of self-worth, and an absence of trauma.  

Most cults train their recruiters to minister to felt needs.  Susan, a college student, had recently lost a close friend and had performed poorly on exams.  Susan mentioned the loss of her friend to Leann, a casual acquaintance.  Leann, a fringe church member and active recruiter, carefully and sensitively responded to Susan.  They got into a conversation.  Leann listened attentively and occasionally uttered such remarks as, "Oh, that must be a terrible loss for you," or "You seem sad and feel that no one understands."  Finally, she offered to talk with Susan again, then she invited her to a meeting.  

People in cults or fringe churches are good listeners.  This casual friend allowed Susan to open up about her personal troubles.  During a crisis situation, Susan was not concerned with why someone would care so much about her problems, or why a casual acquaintance would seem a bit too caring.

Jehovah Witnesses actually recruit some members by reading and following up on the obituary columns, because they know people are vulnerable after the loss of a spouse, a relative, or a close friend.  One of my good friends, Don, lost his mother to the Jehovah's Witnesses after his father died.  In the first few weeks after his death, friends, relatives, and members of their church were supportive -- they sent cards and flowers, and made frequent visits with words of support.  People dropped off meals and offered to run errands but after the first several weeks the pastor, the church members, and the friends erroneously assumed the crisis was over.  They went back to their normal affairs and left the grieving widow alone but the Watchtower cult didn't; they continued to support Don's mother.  She was lonely and grieving, and they were there for her.

This woman had been active in the church all her life, and she prayed and read her Bible daily.  She took pains to see that her three sons were raised in the church and were active as Christians.  Nevertheless, she joined the Jehovah's Witnesses.  Why?  Simply because this group gave her the continued love, support, friendship, and understanding that she needed during a crisis.  Actually, people need the most support after the two-to-three weeks of a severe crisis or loss.  The cults have learned that when most people stop calling and showing care, that that is the time to begin.  They did it and the church didn't.  She is still a member of the Watchtower society, viewing the church she once faithfully attended and served as an apostate group falsely worshipping Jehovah.

(from Cult Proofing Your Kids by Dr. Paul F. Martin)

What Is A Cult?

Many Christians think they know all there is to know about cults.  They may reason something along these lines:  "Oh, I've heard about cults; you know, Jonestown, Satanism, and that survivalist group in Montana.  They're simply too smart -- anyway, they're very involved in our church ..."

However, most Christians actually know very little about cults and what makes people join cults. To test your own general knowledge about cults, take a few minutes to answer the following true-or-false quiz.

The Cult Susceptibility Quiz

1. I am lonely a good part of the time.
2. I tend to be a follower more than a leader.
3. I am not very satisfied with my church.
4. Somehow, I feel my idealism and purpose in life haven't been properly tapped or challenged.
5. I've been having some personal problems I can't seem to solve.
6. The cult issue is not much of a problem in society.
7. There are about ten to twenty cults in the U.S.
8. I could spot a cult with little effort.
9. Most cultists wear unusual clothing or uniforms.
10. Most cults recruit on the street by selling flowers or books, or by requesting a donation.
11. There are very few cultic problems within evangelical Christianity.
12. All cults teach non-Christian or heretical doctrine.
13. I'm not the type of person who joins a cult.
14. Most people who join cults are weird.  They have "problems."
15. Truly dedicated, Spirit-led Christians would never join a cult.
16. People are in cults because of spiritual problems.
17. People in cults are not "saved."
18. Cultism has little to do with totalitarianism or addiction.
19. People who join cults know what they are doing.
20. Groups that preach the Gospel and are winning many to Christ cannot be cultic.

If you answered "True" to any of these questions, you may be susceptible to cults.  Most people are susceptible to cults either because of unmet needs or ignorance of cult issues.  The first five questions on the above quiz suggest that personal unmet needs make a person vulnerable to the right pitch.  The remaining fifteen questions reveal typical "myths" and misinformation about the cult problem.

Everyone is Susceptible

Parents may not fully realize the subtlety and deceptiveness of the lure of the cults.  But the truth of the matter is, virtually anyone can get involved in a cult under the right circumstances.  The president of the student body at Wheaton College later became one of Jim Jones' right-hand men.  David Berg, a preacher's son who was briefly a Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor, later became one of the most notorious cult leaders in the 20th century.  The truth is that smart, well-adjusted kids from good Christian homes can and do join cults.  

One reason few recognize their vulnerability to cults is that we fail to understand that our society is faced with a growing and pervasive cult problem.  The danger from cults is more insidious than ever as cultic groups become more subtle and skilled in recruiting and retaining members.  Many older cults adapt to the times with cosmetic changes designed to make themselves look more acceptable.

The Definition of a Cult

Traditionally, cults have been defined as groups that deviate from the orthodox tenets of the Christian faith.  For example, Harold Bussell, author of Unholy Devotion:  Why Cults Lure Christians, states that among other things a cult is "any religious body that holds beliefs and practices clearly in opposition to historic Christianity as expressed in the Apostles' Creed."  In his book The New Cults, Walter Martin defines a cult as "a group religious in nature which surrounds a leader or a group which either denies or misinterprets essential biblical doctrines."  And Ronald Enroth has aptly commented that "for the Christian, the most significant component of a definition of a cult is theological in nature."  

While heresy can and does cause psychological damage, orthodoxy does not guarantee that similar psychological and moral injury will not occur.  Therefore, a strictly theological definition of the word cult is not enough.  There also needs to be a psychological definition.  Ronald Enroth points out that Christians have neglected the psychological aberrations of cults, and he quotes a concerned Christian layman who said, "I think there is merit for placing more stress on the other danger zones created by cults, such as psychological and moral injury, disruption of family ties, impairment of scholastic and professional careers.  

Therefore, many definitions of cults included not only theological, but also psychological elements.  Here are a few examples:

A group that uses methods that deprive individuals of their ability to make a free choice.  They use deceitful recruitment techniques, they deceptively and destructively use the devotees' energies and they capture the devotees' minds.

Destructive cults are those which tend to use extreme and unethical techniques of manipulation to recruit and assimilate members and to control members' thoughts, feelings, and behaviour as a means of furthering the leaders' goals.  Although most cults that have aroused concern are religious, they can also be politicial, commercial, or pseudotherapeutic.

A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to highten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.

With these above definitions in mind, another aspect of the cult problem becomes apparent -- cults can include groups and organizations that typically are not viewed as cults.  These could be fringe churches, psychotherapy groups, New Age organizations, and various extremist political movements.

(from Cult Proofing Your Kids by Dr. Paul R. Martin)

If you attend Barrie Victory Centre, you are in a cult.  Make no mistake about it.