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[Johann]

It reminds me of the time when i first came to 3ABN. Everything seemed so perfect that I felt this must be an excellent "Blue Zone" bringing an impact of the best of Adventism to that commiunity in Southern Illinois. Some of the people I talked to were not so sure, so I thought I had better aske the "President" himself. His immedite reply was,

- No, they all hate us.

I could not believe it. Later I discovered why Danny was making a true statement at that time.

[horsethief]

Wait a moment... WHOA!!!

This topic is questioning whether or not 3ABN is a cult WITHIN adventism.

Not claiming that adventism is a cult.

The SDA church, in this members opinion, doesn't meet any of these described cult characteristics.

But has 3ABN approached any of these above listed characteristics?

[Murcielago]

The SDA church is by and large a typical protestant church. Its members are average people with average lives (except that they live longer than most) and they are no more cultish than their Baptist or COG brethren. On the other hand, 3ABN has certainly shown ample signs of cultish behaviour. A brief study of cults, their leaders, and the followers, will demonstrate that by commonly accepted criteria, there is certainly a a very cultish relationship between all parties involved there.

[horsethief]

Jorgan Van Braun wrote an interesting story called 'THE TELEVANGELIST'. One should read that to get a good understanding of how a cult leader can draw impressionable people in and then take control over their lives.

That can be found over on the '3ABN links' on this site.

[Artiste]

Do you think that there are some who haven't read that yet?

[HaroldT]

Has anyone noticed the line up of speakers and musicians for this years fall camp meeting? All staff members.  Won't anyone else volunteer?

[horsethief]

i'll volunteer...

[Johann]

Has anyone noticed the line up of speakers and musicians for this years fall camp meeting? All staff members.  Won't anyone else volunteer?

Yes, Herold, at one  place, but then I also notice than Jack Blanco is listed as a speaker. 3ABN might sell some of his Bibles.

[horsethief]

What is a cult?

What is a cult? In our society, we think of a cult as a group that practices Satan worship or sacrifices animals. In reality, cults often appear as innocent groups who provide physical and religious assistance to a community.

There are basically two kinds of cults. The first kind is a manipulative group who controls its members completely and demands complete commitment and loyalty. The second kind of cult is one who deviates from biblical Christianity.

The Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions defines a cult as: "A separate religious group generally claiming compatibility with Christianity but whose doctrines contradict those of historic Christianity and who practices and ethical standards violate those of biblical Christianity."1

The respected book Kingdom of the Cults, quotes Dr. Charles Braden as defining a cult to be: "…any religious group which differs significantly in some one or more respects as to belief or practice from those religious groups which are regarded as the normative expressions of religion in our total culture."2

Basically, what makes a religious group a cult is a denial of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. For example: denial of the deity of Jesus Christ or the Trinity, denial of Jesus' resurrection, denial of salvation by faith, etc.

Another distinguishing factor of cults is the way they twist the Bible and interpret it incorrectly. Many cults take verses out of context, combine passages that aren't relevant to each other, and use incorrect definitions of theological terms.

These theological teachings are presented to people slowly and the thinking process of the person is gradually changed. As an inquirer hears the doctrine presented repeatedly, they gradually accept points one at a time.

1 John 4:1-3 instructs us: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."

Learn More about Religious Cults!

[HaroldT]

I saw that, too, Johann, but isn't Jack on the board?

[Johann]

I saw that, too, Johann, but isn't Jack on the board?

That would  be a recent addition. . .

[Bob Pickle]

I saw that, too, Johann, but isn't Jack on the board?

He's not listed at http://www.3abn.org/administration.cfm as a board member.

[HaroldT]

Thanks, Bob.  I stand corrected.

[horsethief]

Excerpt from
The Televangelist
 by Jorgan Van Braun  Walking down a blue-carpeted hallway, a new employee is led to a large oak door. The secretary lightly knocks and opens the door on an airy oak-paneled office. From behind a pile of paperwork, the televangelist glances over his reading glasses toward the door. His face lights up in a warm, welcoming smile. He nods a brief dismissal to the secretary and his new employee is now alone with God’s messenger for the last days. He graciously asks the new employee to have seat on an overstuffed couch, and starts asking about this person’s life. He invites the employee to eat lunch with him at a local restaurant. Over the meal, and for another thirty minutes, the televangelist asks brief questions and listens to the new employee.

Back in his office, the televangelist goes in for what will become his insurance on this employee’s fidelity. He has asked the right questions, and listened carefully to everything that was said. He has deduced certain things about the employee’s life from the conversation. Now he says, “God has just shown me some things about you.” He gives a few generalities regarding some personal weaknesses. “The Holy Spirit is telling me that there are some problems… some secrets that you need to tell me about. You know that I already know what they are, but God is telling me that you need to confess them.” Leaning forward, he takes the employee’s hands in his own and continues, “What we talk about will stay between us and God.” Tears slide down his cheeks as he prays that God’s Spirit will fill this new employee with repentance, forgiveness and peace. Dark personal secrets are spilled. Dusty old skeletons rattle as they fall out of their closets. Painful memories are relived. A prayer of thanksgiving is intoned, tears are shed, and the meeting is adjourned.

Information gleaned from friends, relatives, co-workers, former employers, enemies, emails that are being monitored, church, and other sources is added to the file for future use.

This story has played out time and again, its conclusion being that when employees leave, they are told that if they say anything that would be detrimental to the televangelist or his ministry, their testimony will be discredited with the personal knowledge that the televangelist holds over them. The televangelist tells them, “I will be forced to protect God’s ministry by revealing to the world your history and what kind of a character you are.”

[Johann]

Insurance policy

Excerpt from
The Televangelist
 by Jorgan Van Braun  Walking down a blue-carpeted hallway, a new employee is led to a large oak door. The secretary lightly knocks and opens the door on an airy oak-paneled office. From behind a pile of paperwork, the televangelist glances over his reading glasses toward the door. His face lights up in a warm, welcoming smile. He nods a brief dismissal to the secretary and his new employee is now alone with God’s messenger for the last days. He graciously asks the new employee to have seat on an overstuffed couch, and starts asking about this person’s life. He invites the employee to eat lunch with him at a local restaurant. Over the meal, and for another thirty minutes, the televangelist asks brief questions and listens to the new employee.

Back in his office, the televangelist goes in for what will become his insurance on this employee’s fidelity. He has asked the right questions, and listened carefully to everything that was said. He has deduced certain things about the employee’s life from the conversation. Now he says, “God has just shown me some things about you.” He gives a few generalities regarding some personal weaknesses. “The Holy Spirit is telling me that there are some problems… some secrets that you need to tell me about. You know that I already know what they are, but God is telling me that you need to confess them.” Leaning forward, he takes the employee’s hands in his own and continues, “What we talk about will stay between us and God.” Tears slide down his cheeks as he prays that God’s Spirit will fill this new employee with repentance, forgiveness and peace. Dark personal secrets are spilled. Dusty old skeletons rattle as they fall out of their closets. Painful memories are relived. A prayer of thanksgiving is intoned, tears are shed, and the meeting is adjourned.

Information gleaned from friends, relatives, co-workers, former employers, enemies, emails that are being monitored, church, and other sources is added to the file for future use.

This story has played out time and again, its conclusion being that when employees leave, they are told that if they say anything that would be detrimental to the televangelist or his ministry, their testimony will be discredited with the personal knowledge that the televangelist holds over them. The televangelist tells them, “I will be forced to protect God’s ministry by revealing to the world your history and what kind of a character you are.”