Joyce Leiphon and Light of the World Cult

I was asked recently how could anyone stay under someone and give mo' money until it hurts.  Unless you've been there it would be hard to understand.  If your pastor/teacher/mentor exhibits any of the following characteristics, you too, may be in a cult.

Signs Of Cult Behavior:

1. Cult members are focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment. The leader is a strong-willed, domineering character who rules the group with tight control. She lets it be known in subtle ways that she is “in charge” of the movement. She makes the plans, she orchestrates the movements of the group or groups (sometimes she exercises her sway over several groups). Frequently, they even begin to imitate her mannerisms in terms of dress, voice inflection, language patterns, aggressive attitudes, etc. They become “clones” of their esteemed leader. It is not uncommon that the leader knows of weaknesses or past problems of people within her group and uses intimidation and fear to keep them under her control.
2. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged, and there can be pressure or social punishment when there is disagreement with the “boss.” Those who disagree are made to feel as though they are stupid or inept. They are brainwashed with the notion that they do not have the knowledge or experience to question the leader. Younger people are particularly vulnerable to the leader’s “anointing.” No matter how radical the leader becomes in her decisions or actions, the cult members will not criticize her. Even if there should be mild disagreement, no specific expressions are voiced. The members feel that although she may be mistaken in some of her judgments, but the overall good she accomplishes outweighs any minor flaws. Members are taught to “rationalize” the conduct of the leader.
3. The leader is preoccupied with money. There is always a need for increasing finances. New projects are always “in the works.” Members are strongly encouraged to greatly sacrifice for the leader’s pet projects. There is always pressure to give; members of the group must be kept excited on a continual basis. The cult leader always takes the major credit for the movement’s accomplishments. Members become psychologically dependent upon him. “What would we ever do without our spiritual mother?,” is the cult mentality.
4. The cult leader generates within her members “a polarized” mentality. Her people evolve an “us-versus-them” mentality. Little-by-little she criticizes other groups with which her members might tend to associate, undermining confidence in them, attempting to discredit anyone who could have influence over her “flock.” Cult members become suspicious. No one is really as “sound” as “we” are. We are an “elitist” group. And so, seeds of isolationism are sown. The movement leader discourages reading any material, examining any ideas that hedoes not initiate.
5. The cult leader has a clearly defined “anti-authoritarian” disposition. Within the context of the church, for instance, she would have an “anti-elder accountability” attitude. Elders would be recipients of constant critical remarks. No cult leader would affiliate himself with a congregation having elders to whom she must be in submission. “Control” could not be maintained in such an environment, so Elders are rendered impotent, or non existent.  The cult leader would constantly criticize preachers, particularly those whose knowledge of the Scriptures eclipse her own. Members must be made to feel that she is the “chief authority” in spiritual matters.
6. Cult members are seen occasionally to take on a new personality. They begin to act differently. They become increasingly antagonistic to family members and long-time friends. They may even boast that, “I am not the old [name] that you used to know; I am a new person now.” And indeed they are. They have become strangers to those who knew them well. They have been transformed into the image of their leader.

So there you have it, potential cult members. Take the time to climb through the Word of God as your pimp is twisting it from the pulpit. Read it in context – don’t just flip to the verses she tells you to read. If you still believe that your pimp descended from the right hand of the Father, then stay.