How to discern sectarian groups within
organized religion
Part 1
Simple questions to ask yourself
before joining an overly zealous religious group
Originally published in 2000
Part 1
Simple questions to ask yourself
before joining an overly zealous religious group
Originally published in 2000
INTRODUCTION
This relatory was drawn up from the personal experience of a close friend of The M+G+R Foundation. It was prepared at our request. Our only instruction to the author was "What would Jesus say?" if confronted with such groups.
THE TESTIMONIAL
After my conversion in 1993, I was seeking a closer relationship with God. I found a group, or should I say, Regnum Christi found me. I would later learn that they purposely targeted people who had money and/or position in the community and who could be used to further their cause.
This group, like many others, claimed that they followed God, the Pope and his teachings. On the surface they looked holy, but when I became a member they began to slowly manipulate me.
This group told me they wanted to work within the parish, help teach CCD and work with the youth programs, etc. At that time I taught two Religion classes and knew the parish needed workers. However, within one hour of joining the group I was told to stop teaching and only work with their approved apostolate.
I should have run in the opposite direction. But I kept thinking it was me--that I must have misunderstood, these were good and holy people, so I thought. The more I found out about the group the more that inner voice told me there was something wrong and that there was a problem.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, I suggest that you ask yourself: "What would Jesus do?" and "What has He said?"
Would Jesus only
call the wealthy or important or righteous or intelligent?
Romans 10:12-13
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his
riches upon all who call upon him. 13 For, "every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be
saved."
This group used front groups. They never tell the people the name of the true group behind all their apostolates.
Would Jesus be
dishonest?
John 14:6-7
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father, but by me."
Matt 10:26-33
26 "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will
not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, utter in the
light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill
the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your
Father's will. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you
are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will
acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will
deny before my Father who is in heaven.
God gave us a free will and intellect but this group wants you to blindly follow their directions without question.
Would Jesus take
away your free will or intellect or the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Matt 16: 13-17
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John
the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them,
"But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
Luke 9:18-20
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples
were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?" 19 And they answered, "John
the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen." 20 And
he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of
God."
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
They do not reveal information to all their members. Only a select few know all the true goals.
Did Jesus reveal
all to His people?
John 15:14-15
14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer
do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called
you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.
John 18:37
Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You
say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear
witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice."
Tobit 12:6
6 Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them:
"Thank God! Give Him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good
things He has done for you, by blessing and extolling His Name in song. Before all men,
honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising Him."
They all believe they are saved because they are in the group. They believe all others outside the group are lost.
Who are the children of God?
Malachi 4
1 "For behold, the day comes, burning like an oven, when all the
arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD
of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name the
sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go forth leaping like calves
from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of
your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. 4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses,
the statutes and ordinances that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 "Behold, I will send
you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. 6 And he will turn the
hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and
smite the land with a curse."
Matthew 22: 10-14
And the servants going forth into the ways, gathered together
all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went
into see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him:
Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the
King said to the waiters: bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there
shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.
John 10:16
And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring
them also, and they will heed my voice.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
9 The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be
with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those
who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends
upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, 12 so that all may be condemned
who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
They raise their founder and his writings as important as God and the Bible.
Whose words are
most important?
Exodus 20: 1-3
1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 "I am the LORD your
God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Matthew4:4
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
They say they have people positioned in all parishes and will soon take over the church , and believe me they do and they will.
Will they win in
the end?
Matt 16:18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this
rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
They say they honor Mary but say the Pope can’t declare her co-redemtrix because it will ruin their plans of a One Universal Religion.
Judith 16 : 5-24
5 But the Lord Almighty has foiled them by the hand of a woman.
6 For their mighty one did not fall by the hands of the young men, nor did the sons of the Titans
smite him, nor did tall giants set upon him; but Judith the daughter of Merari undid him with the
beauty of her countenance. 7 For she took off her widow's mourning to exalt the oppressed in
Israel. She anointed her face with ointment and fastened her hair with a tiara and put on a linen
gown to deceive him. 8 Her sandal ravished his eyes, her beauty captivated his mind, and the sword
severed his neck. 9 The Persians trembled at her boldness, the Medes were daunted at her
daring.
10 Then my oppressed people shouted for joy; my weak people shouted and the enemy trembled; they lifted up their voices, and the enemy were turned back. 11 The sons of maidservants have pierced them through; they were wounded like the children of fugitives, they perished before the army of my Lord.
12 I will sing to my God a new song: O Lord, thou are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible. 13 Let all thy creatures serve thee, for thou didst speak, and they were made. Thou didst send forth thy Spirit, and it formed them; there is none that can resist thy voice. 14 For the mountains shall be shaken to their foundations with the waters; at thy presence the rocks shall melt like wax, but to those who fear thee thou wilt continue to show mercy. 15 For every sacrifice as a fragrant offering is a small thing, and all fat for burnt offerings to thee is a very little thing, but he who fears the Lord shall be great for ever.
16 Woe to the nations that rise up against my people! The Lord Almighty will take vengeance on them in the day of judgment; fire and worms he will give to their flesh; they shall weep in pain for ever.
17 When they arrived at Jerusalem they worshipped God. As soon as the people were purified, they offered their burnt offerings, their freewill offerings, and their gifts. 18 Judith also dedicated to God all the vessels of Holofernes, which the people had given her; and the canopy which she took for herself from his bedchamber she gave as a votive offering to the Lord. 19 So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary for three months, and Judith remained with them.
20 After this every one returned home to his own inheritance, and Judith went to Bethulia, and remained on her estate, and was honored in her time throughout the whole country. 21 Many desired to marry her, but she remained a widow all the days of her life after Manasseh her husband died and was gathered to his people. 22 She became more and more famous, and grew old in her husband's house, until she was one hundred and five years old. She set her maid free. She died in Bethulia, and they buried her in the cave of her husband Manasseh, 23 and the house of Israel mourned for her seven days. Before she died she distributed her property to all those who were next of kin to her husband Manasseh, and to her own nearest kindred. 24 And no one ever again spread terror among the people of Israel in the days of Judith, or for a long time after her death.
10 Then my oppressed people shouted for joy; my weak people shouted and the enemy trembled; they lifted up their voices, and the enemy were turned back. 11 The sons of maidservants have pierced them through; they were wounded like the children of fugitives, they perished before the army of my Lord.
12 I will sing to my God a new song: O Lord, thou are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible. 13 Let all thy creatures serve thee, for thou didst speak, and they were made. Thou didst send forth thy Spirit, and it formed them; there is none that can resist thy voice. 14 For the mountains shall be shaken to their foundations with the waters; at thy presence the rocks shall melt like wax, but to those who fear thee thou wilt continue to show mercy. 15 For every sacrifice as a fragrant offering is a small thing, and all fat for burnt offerings to thee is a very little thing, but he who fears the Lord shall be great for ever.
16 Woe to the nations that rise up against my people! The Lord Almighty will take vengeance on them in the day of judgment; fire and worms he will give to their flesh; they shall weep in pain for ever.
17 When they arrived at Jerusalem they worshipped God. As soon as the people were purified, they offered their burnt offerings, their freewill offerings, and their gifts. 18 Judith also dedicated to God all the vessels of Holofernes, which the people had given her; and the canopy which she took for herself from his bedchamber she gave as a votive offering to the Lord. 19 So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary for three months, and Judith remained with them.
20 After this every one returned home to his own inheritance, and Judith went to Bethulia, and remained on her estate, and was honored in her time throughout the whole country. 21 Many desired to marry her, but she remained a widow all the days of her life after Manasseh her husband died and was gathered to his people. 22 She became more and more famous, and grew old in her husband's house, until she was one hundred and five years old. She set her maid free. She died in Bethulia, and they buried her in the cave of her husband Manasseh, 23 and the house of Israel mourned for her seven days. Before she died she distributed her property to all those who were next of kin to her husband Manasseh, and to her own nearest kindred. 24 And no one ever again spread terror among the people of Israel in the days of Judith, or for a long time after her death.
Esther 16 :19-24
19 'Therefore post a copy of this letter publicly in every
place, and permit the Jews to live under their own laws. 20 And give them reinforcements, so that
on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, on that very day they may defend themselves
against those who attach them at the time of their affliction. 21 For God, who rules over all
things, has made this day to be a joy to his chosen people instead of a day of destruction for
them.
22 'Therefore you shall observe this with all good cheer as a notable day among your commemorative festivals, 23 so that both now and hereafter it may mean salvation for us and the loyal Persians, but that for those who plot against us it may be a reminder of destruction.
24 "Every city and country, without exception, which does not act accordingly, shall be destroyed in wrath with spear and fire. It shall be made not only impassable for men, but also most hateful for all time to beasts and birds."
22 'Therefore you shall observe this with all good cheer as a notable day among your commemorative festivals, 23 so that both now and hereafter it may mean salvation for us and the loyal Persians, but that for those who plot against us it may be a reminder of destruction.
24 "Every city and country, without exception, which does not act accordingly, shall be destroyed in wrath with spear and fire. It shall be made not only impassable for men, but also most hateful for all time to beasts and birds."
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."
I know these are simple questions and answers. I am a simple person and that is how God worked in me.
Read the Bible so
you will know what Jesus would do and what He has said
Matt.24:3-44
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him
privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of
the close of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Take heed that no one leads you astray. 5 For
many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6 And you
will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but
the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there
will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the
birth-pangs.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.
15 "So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; 18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. 19 And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 Then if any one says to you, 'Lo, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Lo, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, 'Lo, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out; if they say, 'Lo, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 28 Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; 30 then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; 31 and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.
15 "So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; 18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. 19 And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 Then if any one says to you, 'Lo, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Lo, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, 'Lo, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out; if they say, 'Lo, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 28 Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; 30 then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; 31 and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one is taken and one is left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one is taken and one is left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Beware of groups who promise utopia here on earth. We cannot save ourselves only Jesus saves!
NOTE Added on August 16, 2005: We recommend the reader of this document to read Michael S. Rose's "Vows of Silence" book review before or after reading this document. It will give the reader a better understanding of what the Legionnaires of Christ and Regnum Christi are all about.
En Español: Cómo discernir grupos sectarios dentro de la religión organizada
Originally published in 2000
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How to discern sectarian groups within organized religion:
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(this document)
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