Cults Do Not Allow Questioning

True leadership allows questions, and even recognizes the importance of disputes on occasion. One of the prime hallmarks of cults or other groups with cultic tendencies is the condemning of questioning.

A friend commented recently on how upset she was on seeing a bumper sticker that read "Question Authority." Like so many other evangelicals, she saw questioning authority as a sign of anarchy, disrespect, and rebellion. However, the Bible not only permits the questioning of authority, but it also says it is every Christian's responsibility to question authority. For example:

• Paul chides the believers in Colosse for not questioning their leaders. He writes, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ" (Colossians 2:8). He adds "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day," (Colossians 2:16). He tells the Colossians, "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize" (Colossians 2:18).
• The Bereans were commended because they didn't just blindly accept Paul's interpretation of the Scriptures. As Luke put it, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true" (Acts 17:11).

In contrast to this spirit, cultism thrives in the belief that questioning authority is sin. But questions can represent a legitimate inquisitive and analytical mind. If only the people had been allowed to question Jim Jones long before they drank the poisoned beverage. It is not questioning itself that reflects rebellion, as almost all cultists teach, but the attitude of the questioner that may indicate defiance of authority.

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

The Grand Poo-Bah says: If you attend Barrie Victory Centre, you need to check out my blog dated Friday, February 20, 2009. After you have read it, I would assume that you would have some questions to ask Mr. & Mrs. McCulloch about what they teach at your church. Good luck with that! Barrie Victory Centre is a cult and questioning will not be tolerated, I guarantee it.

You also need to be aware that if you accuse them of not allowing questioning, they will allow a few questions strictly for the purpose of debunking that charge. But what you will really find is that if you question too much, too long, or too hard, your questioning will be frowned upon or you will be told that you can lose your salvation for asking so many questions. You are supposed to just "trust" them unquestioningly. Try it and see what happens! You will get shot down so fast you will not believe it. To attend Barrie Victory Centre, you have to be an automaton with absolutely no individual thinking skills.