Posted by Mike W. on February 28, 2002 at 07:30:48:
In Reply to: Good observations, Mike posted by Acheick on February 27, 2002 at 21:51:49:
One more thing about the COG that's really ususual is it's schitzophrenic character. Most cults maintain an ideology, and stick with it. For instance, the Hare Krishnas are based upon the ancient vedas (scriptures) of India. They base their belief on something that's accepted by a large amount of other people. They don't have "new light" through prophecy or visions or anything like that. So, there's a certain amount of consistancy with them. With the Hare Krishnas, and with many other cults, there are no hidden doctrines, and these doctrines are perpetual (they don't change). What you read in cult literature is basically what they believe.
Not so with the COG. With the COG, David Berg and Maria could change or add a teaching upon a whim, simply by saying that "The Lord has said this or that" and PRESTO CHANGE-O! you have a new doctrine, or a revised doctrine, or you completely eliminate a doctrine! This is chaotic. It's what I think of as schitzophrenic religion.
Also, to show that the COG is OCCULT in nature, the word OCCULT means "hidden", such as in "hidden knowledge". Occult knowledge is usually only given to those who have learned up to a certain point, or who have proven themselves worthy of the knowledge. AND this knowledge comes from where? The spirit world. That is occult.