| Coercive Persuasion & The Church by Anna M. Caison | ||||||||||||||||
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INTRODUCTION Purpose of Study Self-examination
PART 1
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 IntroductionI wouldn't have believed that anyone with a working knowledge of the Bible could end up in a religious cult until it happened to me. In part, our susceptibility to cults is in not having an extended definition of the term "cult." In the past if you said "cult" to me I would think about Jim Jones, the Moonies, the Waco Incident and other such extreme gatherings that appear to be Christ centered, but are controlled by self-appointed leaders who claim to be divinely inspired to better humanity. I never associated the word "cult" with mainstream Christianity. Webster defines the word cult as, (1) formal religious veneration: worship (2) a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents (3) a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents. The word "cult" simply means a religious gathering. The word "religion" means a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. It can be "directed to an acknowledged reality or deity" (Webster Dictionary). A cult can be destructive, and it can be constructive. Destructive cults are those that erode a person's self esteem and render him helpless in exercising free will. In this study I will be sharing excerpts from FACTNET's "Guide to Cults" and "Coercive Mind Control Tactics" with examples of how apostate pastors use these methods to twist scripture to gain control of their followers. It is my hope that this study will inspire you to follow Paul's admonishment that we consistently examine ourselves to ensure that we have not unknowingly compromised our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) for personal gain and glory. Also, it is my desire that we remain informed of Satan's tactics as a prevention/intervention strategy for our families, the household of faith and those who would accept Christ as their Savior through our testimony. Many Christians look the other way when they encounter churches that spiritually abuse the congregation. When we keep silent, we become a partaker of that leader's sin. The New Testament is not silent about the spread of false doctrine among the people of God and neither should we (1 Timothy 1:18-20, 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3; 2 Peter 2; 3 John 9-11). COERCIVE PERSUASION & THE CHURCH – Part 1 Coercion, to restrain or dominate by force; to compel to an act or choice; and to bring about by force or threat (Webster’s Dictionary) Coercive Persuasion, today’s terminology for Mind Control or Brainwashing, a tactic used in cults, is now showing up in main stream Christianity. Leaders use coercion to induce their personal agendas onto their followers. These tactics are systematically applied in small steps to unsuspecting members that in time will create a strong dependency and allegiance to the leader. When members try to exercise critical thinking or free will in questionable commands of the leader, they become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. They become fearful of being labeled unfaithful to the leader and detrimental to the well being of the group if they don’t follow the leader’s exact instructions so they give in to his will. Pastors and other leaders in the church who succumb to compromise (rebellion against God’s Word) in their personal life and in ministry, and refuses to acknowledged their sin and repent, open the door to self-idolatry. “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” – 1 Samuel 15:23 Once a pastor or leader is open to self-idolatry, seducing spirits began to operate in and through the leader onto the unsuspecting members seducing them into worshiping and serving the leader and his agenda disguised as worshiping and serving Christ. Notice King Saul’s fall from God’s favor:
Never did Saul repent of his sins; if he had his life would have ended favorably.
COERCIVE PERSUASION & THE CHURCH - PART 2 Pastors and Leaders who turn away from the truth of God's Word uses Coercive Persuasion (mind control alias seducing spirits) to control and manipulate unsuspecting members. Before we look at some of the tactics used in Coercive Persuasion, let me share with you my experience in a ministry gone wrong. “Like the Prophet Samuel who agonized in prayer over apostate King Saul, I spent several years in agony, crying out in prayer for my former pastor, not wanting to believe that he knowingly and willfully had departed from the truth of God’s word. I had become very attached to him and his family, and had wholeheartedly invested my time, monies and gifts into helping him build an outreach ministry that slowly turned into an organization that no longer exalted Christ as Lord, but exalted him and his greatness. I was drawn to this ministry during its infancy in which its leader expressed with sincerity the desire to be used of God to reach substance abusers, ex-offenders, the downtrodden and homeless with the gospel of Jesus Christ that they might inherit eternal life and experience victory and purpose in their life. Our ministry was open to all who wanted to worship the Lord Jesus in spirit and in truth. Acts 2:38-47 and Galatians 6:10 were the hallmark of our fellowship. As an ex-drug addict delivered by the power of God, our pastor’s theme verse to other ex-drug addicts who received their deliverance through Christ was Luke 22:32 – “when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Within a short period of time we reached radio and TV fame in the Chicago area for our residential program that assisted drug addicts and ex-offenders in changing their lives through Christ. Our program began with an 8-bed dormitory over the church and was funded by tithes, offerings and donations received from radio and TV listeners. As our waiting list increased, mainly from soon to be released inmates who sought entrance into our program, it was suggested that we present our program to the Department of Corrections in hope of obtaining a contract that would assist us in being able to provide for more ex-offenders. Off to Springfield we went with boxes of files verifying the success of our program with DOC clients. The director was impressed and in a few months we were signing our first contract with the department. However, after six months our contract was cancelled and to reinstate it, we had to compromise our program. For starters, we could no longer present Christ as a source of deliverance from substance abuse and recidivism. Nor could we require church and Bible Study attendance. We also had to give up our right to screen potential clients into our program. The department of corrections would now decide who would come to our program and the majority of clients sent to us by DOC did not want a program ran by Christians. Little by little the “ministry of reconciliation” was stripped from our program; we no longer were doing the work of Christ, we were now servants to the Department of Corrections who replaced our instructors with their own. We became nothing but a holding facility for reprobated ex-offenders who were resistant to change. With Christ removed from the program, our purpose changed. Before, our working with substance abusers and ex-offenders was a ministry, now it was job. No longer were we pursuing the glory of God, we were now pursuing the glory of man. Whereas our ministry began with sharing and caring of all of its members’ needs, the focus now shifted to meeting the desires of the pastor and his family. Those of us who left our jobs to work for the ministry at less than minimum wage now found ourselves working multiple jobs, 18 hours, 7 days a week with no increase in wages to free up additional monies needed to run the residential program, supplement the church and enhance the new lifestyle of the pastor and his wife. Our families began to suffer because we were not allowed any time for part-time employment elsewhere to compensate the meager inconsistent pay from the ministry. Since 2000, I personally have missed 4-5 monthly paychecks per year. My husband has missed 2-3 paychecks in the past two years. Another couple with young children on several occasions received only enough money to pay their rent. Becoming stressed and frustrated that we had fallen away from our original purpose, I resigned from the residential program and began to seek employment outside of the ministry. In retaliation to my defection, I was ostracized, berated and labeled unfaithful to the Lord. Shortly afterwards, I was relieved of duties as associate pastor and released from the fellowship. To prove that he was a "real man" and still loyal to the pastor and faithful to God, my husband was coerced to end our marriage of 2 years and 11 months. Our pending divorce was sanctioned across the pulpit by the pastor as acceptable to God since I had strayed away from the group.”
“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;” - 2 Peter 2:1-3, 15 NKJV
COERCIVE PERSUASION & THE CHURCH - PART 3 Following are 7 Common Tactic used in Coercive Mind Control obtained from Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley. For an extensive study in Coercive Persuasion log on the FACTNET at: www.factnet.org/coercivemindcontrol.html?FACTNet TACTIC 1
Two things were repetitiously drilled in our minds at my former church. (1) Accountability to the leader is top priority. At the beginning of each day, we had to report our entire outline for the day, including time spent with extended family members, friends, doctor appointments, job, school functions with our children (if we were in school we had list subjects taken), etc. It seemed harmless until ministry assignments were given on days that were planned to be spent with family or friends outside of the group. (2) “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Proof that you had been converted was that you were able to persuade your family or best friend to join the group. TACTIC 2
It was mandatory for the staff (inner circle) and their immediate family to spend holidays such as 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, New Years’ etc. with the leader and his family. Permission had to be given to attend any type of gathering with family and friends including a relative’s graduation, christening, wedding, funeral, birthday/Mother’s Day/Father’s Day etc. Almost always permission was denied. Group was coerced to look toward the leader and his wife as the spiritual father and mother who God would use to provide everything needed. TACTIC 3
No one is allowed to share their opinion about anything that differed from the leader to those within the group or without. All communication within the group had to parrot the leader word for word. Permissible topics discussed with outsiders were those selected by the leader and it had to be said exactly the way the leader said it with no room for debate or question. TACTIC 4
Through twisting of scripture, the leader destabilized and undermine our ability to utilize critical thinking skills and make independent decisions. We were led to believe that God had called the leader to be the group’s spiritual director to make the necessary decisions we were incapable of making to better our life. (For examples of twisted scriptures and Bible terms used to manipulate and control click the following link: “The Language of Enslavement” http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/6312/abuse5.html ) TACTIC 5
The leader purposely created situations designed for us to fail to prove that without him as our guide we’ll make shipwreck. TACTIC 6
When anyone from the group questioned the leader’s interpretation of scripture or a rule, he’d demote the individual and or mock him before the group as unteachable and rebellious. Punishments were in the form of group shunning and the individual had to go through a period of silence. The group was ordered to watch the individual and report any conversation of complaint said to other members. Those who blindly followed the leader's teachings and commands without question were quickly promoted in rank and privileges. TACTIC 7
We were repetitiously warned that if we strayed from the group or failed to follow the leader’s exact instructions we would return to drugs, become mentally retarded, suffer financial ruin and lose our families. If a person did leave the fellowship the group was ordered not to associate with or receive any calls from the individual. Scriptures used to coerce control over unsuspecting church members As we stated earlier, pastors and leaders operating in coercive mind controlpresent themselves to the group as spiritual parents appointed by God to exclusively govern and direct each member’s life. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” It is evident from the context in which Jesus spoke He was talking Spiritual. In our natural families we have fathers who are fleshly and fallible as we are, and we respect them as our natural fathers. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, He becomes our Spiritual Father. He is Spirit and He is infallible. He alone is the creator and source of our new life. If we call our pastors our Spiritual Fathers we have placed them on the same level as God, a level they are incapable of fulfilling because like you and I they are susceptible to error, our true Spiritual Father, God, is not. God would never put the spiritual well-being of His children exclusively in the hand of man who is incapable of presenting us faultless before Him and keep us from falling (Jude 24). In Paul’s statement to the Corinthian Church (1 Cor. 4:15, “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel,”) he wasn’t declaring himself to be their spiritual father in the same sense as God is our Spiritual Father. He meant in example as a natural son is expected to follow in the natural father’s footsteps. Since he was the vessel that led them to Christ they should also emulate his example in being a servant of Christ (1 Cor. 4:16) instead of wasting time comparing one minister against another as to who was superior to the other. All saints, whether apostles, pastors, teachers, prophets, evangelists, or elders, are laborers, and workers of God, servants of Christ. All Christians, leaders and laity are ministers of the New Testament (2 Cor. 3:6); each has been given the ministry of reconciliation; we are all Ambassadors of Christ sent my Him (2 Cor. 5:17-20); and regardless of which part of the Body of Christ we fill, we are all equally important and valued by God (Rom. 12:3-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-25). We are all one in Christ. Spiritual Abusive Leaders also take scriptures such as Luke 14:26 out of context to teach and command their followers to dissolve all relationships with family members who will not submit and become apart of their church. What the above scripture actually teach is that devotion to family (including spiritual/church family) must be second in comparison to devotion to Christ. Hebrews 13:17, another favorite of abusive leaders in controlling their flock, is taught to mean that God requires absolute obedience to the leader even if he’s in error, because God will protect them because of their obedience to the leader. However, when this scripture is taken in light of other scriptures concerning leaders in the church we understand that God does not give the leader dictator rights to the flock (1 Peter 5:1-3). Leaders are not to be overlords of God’s people, but by example they are to lead the people into developing a closer relationship with Christ. By example, they are to demonstrate self-denial, mortification of the flesh and its cravings, and practice holiness. They are to do their job with a willing mind that takes pleasure in serving the Lord. The flock helps to keep pastors humble when they follow the example of the people of Berea, who followed behind Paul’s teaching by searching the scriptures to see if what Paul taught was of God (Acts 17:10,11). In an abusive church, members are ridiculed and humiliated before the congregation as being rebellious and unteachable when they question the leader’s interpretation of scripture, or any demands or rules and regulations he places on the membership. Yet Jesus welcomed questions from His disciples, the Pharisees, and the multitude (Matt. 15:1-2, 12; 19:7, 8; 22:15-17, 36). Ephesians 4:11-14 further teaches that pastors (apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers) are gifts from Christ to the church for the purpose of equipping the saints for ministry, and for the growth and maturity of the Church. They themselves are not the head of the church, nor do they symbolize the head of the church, Christ alone is the head of the church (Col. 1:18). Leaders are chief servants under Christ ministering to the needs of the body in accordance to the Word of God.
IS YOUR CHURCH OR GROUP A DESTRUCTIVE CULT? Does your pastor/leader exercise supreme authority over the church? Does your leader teach the importance of you being accountable to someone? Who is he accountable to? Do you have access to his superior’s phone number and address if you needed to lodge a complaint of misconduct? If he is not accountable to anyone, how are disputes of misconduct handled?WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ON MATTERS LIKE THIS? The head of the Church is Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23), not the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher. The 5-fold ministry gifts are servant leaders set in the church to nurture believers toward a personal intimate relationship with CHRIST! Matthew 18:15-17 applies to all saints including leaders. WARNING: Matthew 18:6 When a dispute did arise within the early church it was handled according to Matthew 18:15-17. READ: Galatians 2:1-14; Acts 15:1-35 Is your pastor/leader domineering? Does the Leader encourage members to come off their jobs and work for the ministry at an insufficient wage for meeting the needs of their families? Are members discouraged from accepting job promotions? If a member chooses to accept a job promotion, or quits working for the ministry to take a job that will meet the needs of his/her family, is he/she mocked, and label as selfish making his job a god? Are members told by the Leader that if they sacrifice the needs of their family for the ministry God will bless them? Have the living quality of members who work for the ministry decreased in comparison to an increase in the quality of living of the Leader?THE BIBLE SAYS – "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8 NKJV "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality." 2 Corinthians 8:12-13 Does the Leader teach that members must disassociate with relatives (including spouse) who refuse to join the church and submit their life to the authority of the Leader? THE BIBLE SAYS – "Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters-yes, more than his own life-otherwise he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26 LIVING BIBLE Love for CHRIST, not the PASTOR/LEADER must supersede the love of family. Loving Christ more than family and self produces a healthy mature love for family and self that reflects the agape love God has for mankind. Loving a Leader more than family and self produces a destructive abusive love for family and self that is contrary to God’s word. Does the pastor/leader command allegiance to him or her? Does the Leader repetitiously make statements that members owe him loyalty for all he’s done for them? THE BIBLE SAYS – "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. - Jeremiah 17: 5, 7 (Read 5 – 10) NKJV "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." – James 1:17 NKJV Good and Perfect Gifts does not produce guilt, debt and bondage to the leader. Good and Perfect Gifts come from God the Father producing a life of Liberty and Freedom (without stress and anxiety) in Christ. READ: 1 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:1; John 8:31-32 Does your pastor/leader dictate every aspect of your spiritual experience? Does the Leader decide who the group fellowship with? Does the Leader enforce shunning and mocking of members who leave the ministry to pursue what they believe is God’s direction for their life? Does the Leader decide what is best for the group in every aspect of life? Does the Leader define himself as the Spiritual Director of the group’s life?THE BIBLE SAYS – "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." - John 16:13 NKJV When the Holy Ghost is operating in a True Leader of Christ, he will not glorify (uplift and promote) himself, but will glorify Christ and will encourage each believer to submit to the leading of the Holy Ghost manifested in them. READ: 1 John 2:20, 27; Hebrews 8:10, 11; John 14:26; Ephesians 4:11-12 Note: True Leaders will not - coerce respect of persons; demand accolades & honor to self; coerce divisions between relatives and shun members based on their non-biblical teaching & practices; will not demand group submission to self that is contrary to the word of God; demand loyalty and allegiance of church to self. The person who is a True Leader of Christ will encourage submission to Christ the Head of the Church which will produce godly (according to the scriptures) submission to one another. WARNING: "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 7:21 If you would like to receive this Bible Study in booklet form to share with others, send an email request with your mailing address to Anna M. Caison; RE: I Just want Someone to Love Me! at: acaison@christmadeknowninme.org Feedback and Comments to this study are welcomed by clicking the button below.
Additional Writings from Anna M. Caison: REHOBOTH: The Lord Has Made Room for Me! Scriptural Truths concerning Christ & Homosexuals I Just Want Someone to LOVE Me! Meditations for Leaders in the Making Walking on the Water with Jesus! Losing Hair: A Personal Testimony of Triumph Over Breast Cancer
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