• confluence@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    I worked as a pastor and professor for a global, evangelical television ministry/college. They knowingly conceal scholarship on the Bible and punish their pastors for asking any questions that undermine their most closely held traditions (including anti-evolution, mental illness is supernatural, etc.). They tell their US viewers that they can’t call themselves Christians if they don’t vote Republican, while still enjoying tax-exempt status. They use pseudohistorians to inspire Christian Nationalism over their network, and are one of the largest propaganda networks for the Religious Right. A U.S. Capitol police commander told me his men were fighting people who were wearing the network’s brand.

        • vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works
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          2 years ago

          I feel like there are minimum two definitions of cult, that being a high controll group like say jones town and to a lesser but still damaging extent seventh day adventists for example and just a smaller religious grouping.

    • Rainmanslim@lemm.ee
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      2 years ago

      Man, this shit pisses me off.

      Especially since I went to a catholic school, we read the bible, especially the parts that condemned using faith to further your own wealth, power or status, using the word of God as a con is pretty much a guaranteed express ticket to the deepest darkest pits of hell.

      • confluence@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        To them, it means if you’re depressed, schizophrenic, or otherwise incapable of controlling your emotions or perceptions, you’re being either possessed or “oppressed” by demon spirits.