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Controversial Groups
There are literally thousands of groups that some might call cultic.
You will find links to some of them listed at the bottom of this page.
These controversial groups have come to our attention for several reasons:
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Experiences of Former Members - Former members of the groups listed below report practices and conditions in the group which have caused psychological and/or physical damage. It is important to recognize that not all allegations of abuse are true. However, when many former members testify to similar conditions, a pattern emerges which strongly indicates an abusive environment. The intent is not to judge any particular group, however, for former members who believe they have suffered abuse, their perception is their reality.
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Public Attention - Negative media attention, although not always reliable, can indicate abnormal group practices. It is important to listen to reports with a critical ear and to investigate whether or not the media is reporting without bias. Many of the groups listed below have received consistent negative press.
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Objective, Observable Criteria - To research whether or not a group is abusive, it helps to use observable, objective criteria. Robert J. Lifton developed a widely-used model for measuring whether or not a group is totalistic and high-controlling. These criteria have been applied to the groups listed below with results indicating a cultic environment. (You can view Lifton's 8 criteria using the navigation button on this page.)
A
Activated Ministries (See The Family of Love)
Ananda Maya Yoga
Anthroposophical Society (Rudolph Steiner)
Aryan Nation- Christian Identity Movement
Assemblies of Yahweh -
Association for Research and Enlightenment (Edgar Cayce)
Atherius Society (UFO cult)
B
Body, The - (aka The Attleboro Sect)
C
Children of God ( aka the Family of Love)
Christian Identity Movement- See Aryan National Alliance
Church of Bible Understanding - .
Church of the Living Word (The Walk) - What Jesus is, we become.
Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgianism)
Church Universal and Triumphant (Elizabeth Clare Prophet)
Course in Miracles, A
Cult Awareness Network (now an instrument of Scientology)
D
E
Emissaries of Divine Light
EST (The Forum)
F
Faith Assembly - Hobart Freeman
Family of Love (Children of God)
Forum, The (EST)
Foundation Church of the Millennium
G
Greater Grace World Outreach - Carl Stevens
H
Hare Krishnas (International Society for Krishna Conciousness)
Holy Order of MANS, The - (Earl Blighton)
I
J
K
King James Onlyism
L
Lavey, Anton (Church of Satan)
Laymen's Home Missionary Movement -
Local Church, The - (Witness Lee)
M
Megiddo Mission -
Messianic Communities (aka Twelve Tribes, Island Pond, Vermont, Northeast Kingdom Community Church) - .
N
Narcisstic Personality Disorder
Nation of Islam- News Story from Conservative News "Farrahkan's Million Man Math"
New Age Movement, The
New Thought Movement - .
No-Name Fellowship (Champaign/Urbana Ministries)
O
P
Peace Mission Movement - The leader claimed to be God and the Holy Spirit.
Q
R
River of Life Ministries
Rosicrucianism
S
Self-Realization Fellowship (Paramahansa Yogananda)
Set Free Christian Ministries
Spiritism
Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship (Arthur Ford)
T
Theosophic Society, The
Two by Twos (aka Church with no Name, Go-Preachers, Cooneyites)
U
United Church of Religious Science, The
United Pentecostal Church - (see "At a Glance Chart")
Unity School of Christianity - Jesus was a perfect man indwelt by the Christ Consciousness present in every person.
University Bible Fellowship
V
W
Westboro Baptist Church (Fred Phelps)
White Revolution
WiccaWord of Faith Movement
