Have you ever encountered a person with a cult-like mindset?

[phoenixrrt62]

Anytime someone comes on CAF and asks a question about having sex with his or her spouse, and the question begins with, “Are we allowed to…”

That is an example of a cult-like mindset.

yep yep…

 

[Being_Brave]

When I was a Baptist preacher I never met these people. I had scores of people who couldn’t wait to disagree with me.

I bet those are the ones who would come to me and repeat everything you said word for word lol

Truthfully, you did a good job if you provoked questions from your members.

 

[JustaServant]

I bet those are the ones who would come to me and repeat everything you said word for word lol

Truthfully, you did a good job if you provoked questions from your members.

I learned my lesson early on and typed out my sermons, memorized it, so when asked I could simply go back and read word for word what I said, even though at the time it looked like I was ‘winging it’.
I remember a preacher who got in trouble for reading from the book of Psalms. They said “it was the WAY you were reading it”.

 

[Adam_Warlock]

I met an elderly gentleman who tried to convince me of the falsity of the Holocaust, in addition to some other weird paranoid fantasies which I forget. Then he made me an offer of marriage . . . . .

That is extremely disturbing!

 

[RobHom]

I think that some “denominations” are capable of producing people with a cult-like mindset, though I think for the most part you will run across people who are just wound a little too tight. I think for the most part they are genuine in their feelings and desire to spread their feelings and beliefs with people…but they can have the tendency to be a little overbearing or their approach lacks any finesse. They probably are for the most part “well intentioned” and harmless… BUT, if your “spidey-sense” or as I refer to it…your GUT FEELING is to “exit stage left”…do so. I know that in my case…and my experiences…my gut never lies to me.

Someone in a Catholic Church recommending that you watch EWTN may be doing so because he or she may have just “discovered” it themselves, or has always been a serious watcher and wants you to take advantage of the “Good News” and content presented.

In my life I have only seen a couple of people that were Catholic that raised an eyebrow or two…but they were exceptions…and were nice people…

 

[JHow]

…I remember a preacher who got in trouble for reading from the book of Psalms. They said “it was the WAY you were reading it”.

Could happen with Song of Solomon, too:

My lover is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. :kiss4you::blushing:

 

[Vixit]

I have been involved with so many religious groups, and I think about that a lot. After reading about some of the Saints, I wonder how many people today would give them a wide berth? Many people we call Saints today were probably thought of as ‘cult-like’ to their neighbors. I used to think this one guy was kind of weird- he’d come to Mass with a big scapular on the outside of his shirt, and he’d kneel in the aisle the whole time with his arms in the air, crying (relatively silently) and swaying back and forth. But then I read about how a lot of Saints did things like that. So I try not to judge.

Now, if someone keeps bugging me about joining a particular lay organization that I’m not called to, I do tend to get impatient and try to avoid them. The beauty of the Catholic Church to me, is that there are so many ‘cults’ (like the ‘cult of Mary’, not a “cult” cult!)- everyone can find a devotion or group tthat fits their brand of spirituality. There is Franciscan spirituality, Dominican, Carmelite, etc, there is the Militia Immaculata, which I am involved in, the various third orders, devotion to the Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, Immaculate Heart, Total Consecration,Saints, etc, etc. There are those who focus on penance and mortification, those who are devoted to the Way of the Cross, those who concentrate on Eucharistic adoration, etc. There is something for everybody.

 

[Vixit]

I deal with one on a daily basis too. She’s a Catholic neighbor of mine. Basically she takes the pope’s every word on theology and morality as though it were an infallible declaration of God. It’s sickening really. It’s next to impossible to get her to even look at a book or other document with an alternative view!

Technically, we are commanded to treat the Pope’s teachings on morality and theology with all seriousness, even if not taught ‘ex cathedra’. It’s never a bad idea to take the advice of the Vicar of Christ! At least I hope not! He’s not some Baptist preacher in Mudhole, Alabama for crying out loud!

 

[LoyalViews]

You know what, though, when sometimes I am talking to somebody with sede-vacantist beliefs, they come across to me as very cult-like. It`s almost scary! Though, I have met “average” Catholic who come across to me as very cult like. For example, liturgists