如果你的朋友/家人參加了耶穌生命堂，4件你應做的事

我的朋友 / 家人正在參與耶穌生命堂，怎麼辦？

1. 合宜地以朋友或家人身份關心他們；

2. 鼓勵他們多閱讀不同的基督教書籍和參與主流教會活動，從中思考信仰並與主流教會保持連結；

3. 密切留意他們有否被教會領袖傷害或操控，如有的話需作出即時跟進︰

– 如果你是來自主流教會，讓教會內的傳道人或牧師知道你的朋友和家人的情況；
– 亦可通知耶穌生命堂關注組作出跟進；

4. 為他們切切禱告，適當的話把他們介紹到主流的正統教會。

有需要亦可以參考︰胡志偉牧師︰家人返了異端，怎麼辦？

4 Practical Steps if your friend or family joined Jesus Lifehouse

My friend / family member joined Jesus Lifehouse, what should I do?

The “K.E.E.P" Principle

1. Keep showing your care to them as friend or family;

2. Encourage them to read different Christian books and join activities from mainstream churches, help them to retrospect on faith and stay connected with mainstream churches;

3. Extra attention to see if they were hurt or controlled by JLH leaders, if YES, immediate action is needed:

– If you are from mainstream churches, inform your pastor about the situation;
– Or inform JLHCG for follow up;

4. Pray for them, refer them to mainstream churches when appropriate.

Fw: Warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader

Potentially unsafe groups or leaders “come off very nice at first, they go for vulnerable people who are looking for answers, lonely, what you’d call ‘normal people.’ They’re very good at what they do and can get people to believe anything. You might think you’d never get taken in, but don’t bet on it. “

— Margaret Singer, Ph.D.

By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention Specialist

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
8. Followers feel they can never be “good enough".
9. The group/leader is always right.
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
2. Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower’s mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused–as that person’s involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
3. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as “persecution".
4. Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
5. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
6. Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
7. A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
8. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
9. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
10. Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Ten signs of a safe group/leader.

1. A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.
2. A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.
3. A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.
4. A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.
5. A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.
6. A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
7. A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.
8. A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
9. A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
10. A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

Don’t be naïve, develop a good BS Detector.

You can protect yourself from unsafe groups and leaders by developing a good BS detector. Check things out, know the facts and examine the evidence. A safe group will be patient with your decision making process. If a group or leader grows angry and anxious just because you want to make an informed and careful decision before joining; beware.

The Ross Institute
email: info@culteducation.com / URL: http://www.culteducation.com

Copyright © Rick Ross

[Document forwarded from “The Ross Institute", http://www.culteducation.com/warningsigns.html]

Chapter missing in the JLH Books – What are Cults and Heresies? (Part 2)

CULTS/HERESIES (Part 2)

Cult

• Some define it more widely than others so there is a range from heresies to cults
• could be commercial, psychological manipulator and exploiters, and are not limited to religious sects. Usually a cult starts from heretical cells. Heresies if taken further will become cults.

Cultic Behavior: having ideological beliefs and philosophies to disseminate to people through pulling and holding them together by charismatic relationship; having a popular charismatic leader that people look to and lift up; demands total commitment to the group

Cultic Beliefs: teaching opposes or denies essentials of orthodox Christian faith; subverting, destabilizing and destroying the core of Christian faith; they appear Christian but in reality is an enemy of the faith. An example is Oneness Pentecostal who believe God is Jesus only and not the Father or the Holy Spirit.

They use the same vocabulary and languages as Christians do but define them differently – some describe it as a Trojan Horse. Heretic beliefs depart from orthodoxy in these subjects:

• Revelation- claim special revelation/knowledge from God to them with special authority;
• God – distortion of the true God and his attributes – e.g. He is only love and no wrath and there is no judgment from God;
• Christ – he is only divine or only human, or he is an angel;
• Salvation – promotes either legalism or license to sin; e.g. Christians are not sinners and there is no need to confess sins;
• Church – they are the only true church; demands loyalty to a charismatic leader and they lead people away from the Church (meaning other fellowships of Christians);
• Future – claim divine revelation, knowledge and authority about Christ’s return.

Why are people drawn to heretic groups or cults?

They have special tactics to recruit, convert and hold people by targeting the weaknesses that people have – love bombing, close attachments.

Those who are vulnerable:

• No training or little knowledge about the truth;
• having gone through emotional crisis and are needy of love and care;
• who lack rational thinking because of confusion through physical or psychological disorders;
• who seek recognition, attention, or satisfaction of their ego or power; that is why we see famous celebrities in cults.

“One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet" (Pr 27:7)

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief"  (Pr 14:12-13)

We have a responsibility to the gospel, to the church and to the Word of God, and to care for those who are misled and fall into the trap.

The best safeguard is to have a mature grasp of the scripture and become discerning. How the Bible talks about it?

a. _____________________________ (2 Tim 2:24-25)

b. _____________________________ (Act 17:11)

c. _____________________________ (1 John 4:1)

d. _____________________________ (Heb 5:12-14)

e. _____________________________ (Eph 4:12-14)

f. _____________________________ (1 Thess 5:21-22)

Permission obtained from authors. Please state “JLHCG: https://jlhcg.wordpress.com” when forwarding.

Chapter missing in the JLH Books – What are Cults and Heresies? (Part 1)

CULTS/HERESIES (Part 1)

All religions address similar questions:

• Ultimate reality
• Nature of the world
• Nature of humanity
• Primary humanity problems
• What happens after death

Our commission:

“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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” – Matt 28:19-20

Q: How we are going to teach them?

A: We must get to know the Word to teach and we must defend the Word and the faith – 1 Peter 3:15-16a “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience…”

Biblical warnings from Jesus himself and Apostle Paul and Luke about heresies and cults

a. _____________________________ (Jude 1:3-4)

b. _____________________________ (Acts 20:28-31)

c. _____________________________ (2 Cor 11:3-4)

d. _____________________________ (Matt 7:15)

e. _____________________________ (Matt 7:21-23)

f. _____________________________ (Matt 24:4-5)

g. _____________________________ (Matt 24:11)

h. _____________________________ (Matt 24:24)

i. _____________________________ (Gal 1:6-7)

Permission obtained from authors. Please state “JLHCG: https://jlhcg.wordpress.com” when forwarding.

耶穌生命堂沒有教導信徒的關鍵一課 (下)

邪教與異端 (下)

邪教

• 以廣泛的定義來說，由異端到邪教之間可以有一個很大的範圍；
• 可以是商業性、心理性的操控者和剝削者，而不僅限於宗教派別。通常一個邪教組織是由異端細胞開始。異端進一步就演變成為邪教。

邪教行為：透過魅力吸引, 從而建立關係把人們拉攏在一起，藉此傳播其思想信仰和哲學； 他們通常有一個受歡迎又有魅力的領袖，使人們仰慕並高舉他； 他也需要人們全情投入到他的群組。

邪教/異端信仰：教導違反正統基督教的基要信仰; 他們顛覆、動搖、破壞基督教信仰的核心。他們看似是基督徒，但現實是基督信仰的敵人。例子是《耶和華見證人》，簡稱《耶證》(Jehovah Witness)， 他們否定耶穌是神; 《耶穌基督後期聖徒教會》，簡稱《摩門教》(Momonism)，他們在聖經上加上另外的經書, 相信多於一位神，也相信人可以成為一個「小神」; 《獨一神格五旬節派》(Oneness Pentecostal)，他們相信耶穌是神，但不相信聖父或聖靈同時存在。

他們使用相同的基督教詞彙和語言，但他們卻抱有不同定義——有人形容他們為「特洛伊木馬」(Trojan Horse)。異端信仰通常在以下的題目上偏離正統基督教信仰：

• 關於啓示—神對他們有特別的預示及上帝賦予他們有特殊的權柄；
• 關於神—他們扭曲真神和神的屬性，例如他只有愛，沒有憤怒，也沒有神的審判等；
• 關於基督—他單是神或單是人，或他只是一個天使；
• 關於救贖—提倡律法主義或容許犯罪；例如倡導基督徒不是罪人，所以沒有必要認罪；
• 關於教會—他們是唯一真正的教會，要求信眾對其有魅力的領袖忠誠，他們帶領人們遠離教會（不容許信眾參與其他的基督徒團體）；
• 關於將來 – 他們宣稱擁有由神而來關於基督再來特別的預示、知識和權柄。

為什麼人們被吸引到異端或邪教團體？

他們有特殊的伎倆來吸納、改變和操控人，特別利用他們的弱點——用看似愛的行為與他們緊密聯繫。

以下的人容易被異端或邪教吸引：

• 沒有深入認識或對真理一知半解的人；
• 在經歷感情危機而特別需要愛與關懷的人；
• 因為身體或心理的障礙而不能理性思考的人；
• 因為要滿足自我或權力的追求而尋求認同，重視，所以名人也會跌入邪教。

「吃飽的人連蜂房的蜜也厭惡；飢餓的人連一切苦的東西都覺得甘甜。」(箴言 27:7)

「有一條路，人以為是正路，走到盡頭卻是死亡之路。人在喜笑中，心裡也會有痛苦；歡樂的結局，會是愁苦。」(箴言 14:12-13)

我們對福音、教會和神的話語都有一份責任，並要關懐那些被誤導而跌落陷阱的人。

最好的保障是熟習聖經，並擁有一個辨別的靈。聖經怎樣說？(可按括號內的經文連結到答案)

a. _____________________________ (提犘太後書2:24-25)

b. _____________________________ (使徒行傳17:11)

c. _____________________________ (約翰一書4:1)

d. _____________________________ (希伯來書5:12-14)

e. _____________________________ (以弗所書4:12-14)

f. _____________________________ (帖撒羅尼迦前書5:21-22)

(如非另外註明，本文中文聖經乃取自新譯本)

– 感謝本文原作者慷慨提供予耶穌生命堂關注組使用。如需轉載，請註明出處 –

耶穌生命堂沒有教導信徒的關鍵一課 (上)

邪教與異端 (上)

所有宗教都回應以下的問題：

• 終極的現實
• 世界的本質
• 人類的本性
• 人類基本的問題
• 死後會如何

我們的大使命

「所以，你們要去使萬民作我的門徒，奉父子聖靈的名，給他們施洗，我吩咐你們的一切，都要教導他們遵守。這樣，我就常常與你們同在，直到這世代的終結。」 (馬太福音 28:19-20)

問. 我們要如何教導他們？

答. 我們必須要先認識神的話語, 然後才教導及捍衛神的話語和信仰 — 彼得前書3:15-16上「只要心裡尊基督為聖，以他為主；常常作好準備，去回答那些問你們為甚麼懷有盼望的人。但要用溫柔敬畏的心回答。當存無愧的良心…」

耶穌自己、使徒保羅和路加在聖經中如何警告有關異端和邪教︰
(可按括號內的經文連結到答案)

a. _____________________________ (猶太書 1:3-4)

b. _____________________________ (使徒行傳 20:28-31)

c. _____________________________ (哥林多後書 11:3-4)

d. _____________________________ (馬太福音 7:15)

e. _____________________________ (馬太福音 7:21-23)

f. _____________________________ (馬太福音24:4-5)

g. _____________________________ (馬太福音 24:11)

h. _____________________________ (馬太福音 24:24)

i. _____________________________ (加拉太書 1:6-7)

(如非另外註明，本文中文聖經乃取自新譯本)

– 感謝本文原作者慷慨提供予耶穌生命堂關注組使用。如需轉載，請註明出處 “https://jlhcg.wordpress.com"。

[轉載] 異端的多種程度與界說

[以下文章節錄自滕張佳音博士︰《「基督門徒福音會」是異端嗎？—《可蘭經》等同《聖經》的默示嗎？ 》]
原文地址︰http://hk.cgner.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6:cdc001&catid=1:2008-10-25-02-37-53&Itemid=7

異端有多種程度與界說：

異端乃指與純正聖經真理存有差異，又因其差異的程度而產生不同的界說：

2.1 非正統信仰 (Unorthodox Beliefs) vs.正統信仰 (Orthodox Belief)

非正統信仰乃指偏離了正統的信仰。

2.2 新興宗教（New Religion Movements, New Cults）vs傳統宗教(Traditional Religion)

當人們還未或不敢去界定一些新近冒起的教派時，較安全的就稱之為新興宗教（New Religion Movements, New Cults），以表示他們有異於一般傳統的宗教 (Traditional Religion)。

2.3 極端/偏激教派(Extreme or Fringe Sects) vs. 全面/平衡真理(Full & Balanced Faith)

一個被稱為極端或激進教派（Extreme or Fringe Sects），未必已完全進到異端的地步，但却因偏執於某方面的真理，而缺乏全面而平衡的真理教導。

2.4 異端教派（Heresies）

當一個教派否認了核心的福音信仰，諸如：否認三一神論、否認或貶低基督、否認聖經乃唯一至高的啟示權威等等。我們就要公告天下，它已經成為一個異端教派了。

2.5 邪教教派(Cults or Destructive Groups)

當一個教派不單在教義信仰上出現偏差，還在道德倫理上有違秩序、破壞家庭、有乖倫常等一般社會所不容的行為，可被稱為邪教。

由傳統正統信仰、變成非正統信仰或新興宗教、變成極端/偏激教派、再變成異端教派、最後淪為邪教教派，這是一個演變的過程，亦突顯出程度上的差異。

[有關異端程度與界說的講解請參聽「正邪一綫間」護教講座現場錄音CD(宣道出版社2006)]

—
延伸資源︰
網上購買「正邪一綫間」

[轉載] 你的信仰是否含有毒素？

1. 你的家人是否抱怨你老是參加教會聚會，而沒有時間陪他們？
2. 你是否因為某個禮拜天沒有去教會而充滿罪惡感？
3. 你是否感覺神每時每刻都監督著你，假如你做得不夠多，祂可能會對你發怒或拒絕祝福你？
4. 你是否經常命令孩子該做什麼事，卻沒有向他們解釋原因，因為你認為自己是對的？
5. 你是否感覺自己不再有時間從事休閒活動，因為現在總是忙於各個教會活動，委員會，小組(家聚)等？
6. 是否有人抱怨，你在談話中總是拿經文(屬靈原則)教訓人，以至於別人無法與你溝通？
7. 你奉獻金錢，是否因為你相信奉獻可以得到神在物質上的祝福？
8. 你是否做每個決定都需要徵詢牧師(對一、家主家母或宗教團體領袖)的意見，甚至只是小小的問題？
9. 你是否認為你的牧師(對一、家主家母或宗教團體領袖)擁有比其他人更大能力？
10. 你的信仰是否導致你過著與人疏離的生活，使你愈來愈不容和家人或朋友互動？
11. 你是否仰賴牧師(對一、家主家母或宗教團體領袖)為你長久以來的某個問題提供快速的解決？
12. 你是否因為微不足道的過失或一點點的美不足而產生極大的罪惡感？
13. 你是否因為激烈的信仰而導致與最親近的人關係惡化，因你的信念認為對方比你軟弱(屬靈較差)？
14. 你是否曾認為神要你去摧毀自己或其他人，以便能到祂那裡去？
15. 你是否感覺神在生你的氣？
16. 你是否認為自己仍然因為兒時所做的某些事情而受到懲罰？
17. 你是否感覺只要更加努力工作，神就會赦免你？
18. 是否有人曾告訴你，某個牧師(對一、家主家母或宗教團體領袖)正在操控你的思想和感受？

摘自：《走出迷霧》一書
﹣ 版權所有．如欲轉載請注明出處．並提供原文連結 ﹣

原文連結︰http://www.cgner.org/index.php/resources/checklist/tfchecklist

延伸資料︰
(香港中文網站) 新興宗教關注事工網站 http://www.cgner.org/index.php

[轉載] 潛藏危險教派或領袖的標記

有潛在危險的教派或領袖(下稱隱患教派) 常以正直良善的形象來取得別人的信任。他們樂於為孤單失落的軟弱者提供終極的人生答案。這些教派或領袖裝備十足，能言善道，讓人相信他們所說和所做的一切都是真實和合理的。也許你認為自己不是弱者，頭腦靈活，經驗豐富才不會輕易上當受騙，可是我要向你們發出忠告：「不要過於自信而掉以輕心，因為他們是偽裝的高手啊！」
–Margaret Singer, Ph.D. (譯名：瑪格麗特‧辛格博士)

關於如何識別隱患教派或領袖的十個標記：

1. 絕對專權，唯我獨尊，欠問責制度
2. 不容許發問及批評性的查詢，對外界的發問或質疑不予容忍
3. 沒有相關的財政公佈，如財政收支表，或由專業核數師覆核的財務報告
4. 對教派以外的世界有非理性的恐懼，如可能會發生的大災難，陰謀論和迫害等等
5. 一入教門深似海，離教者被標籤為「後退」、「消極」和「邪惡的」
6. 離教者不約而同地訴說曾受精神或肉體施虐的經歷，而且都表現出同一的哀傷模式
7. 有關教派或領袖的操控行為已被外界的資訊廣泛揭露
8. 跟隨者認為自己「永遠做得不夠好」
9. 教派/領袖永遠是「對」的
10. 該教派/領袖對「真理」有絕對的詮釋和確認權，是真理的唯一「代言人」

身陷隱患教派信徒的十個標記：

1. 對教派/領袖極度信任和沈溺因而排除一切理性的忠告
2. 教徒會隨著參與教派的年日增加而身份模糊。他們更混淆了教派，領袖或是上帝的位份和角色
3. 無論教派/領袖受到批評或質疑，他們會覺得是「被迫害」
4. 刻意模倣教派或領袖人的言行舉止或生活習性
5. 倚靠教派/領袖去解決問題，提供答案，疏於思考，使用教派專用術語，集體行為模式，漸漸喪失獨立的思考和分析能力
6. 全副精神和時間聚焦在教派活動和領袖身上而毫無保留地放棄了個人的目標或嗜好
7. 瞬間失去自發性及幽默感
8. 除非家人親友對該教派或其領袖表露有興趣和投入，否則會跟他們日漸疏離
9. 教派/領袖所作所為，無論如何嚴酷和有害的，也是情有可原
10. 前信徒是被標籤為邪惡，消極和受迷惑。他們應避免與他們個人接觸

健康教會的十個標記

1. 健康教會/領袖不會口出審判和懲罰之言
2. 健康教會/領袖會公開其財政資料，如一份已由核數師核實的相關財政收支，透明度高，樂意回答任何問題。
3. 健康教會/領袖會顯出民主風範，願意與人分享交流，商討對策並注重誠信及願意接受外界監察
4. 健康教會/領袖即使對前信徒有不認同的地方，但不會出言誹謗，或阻止其他信徒與他們接觸。
5. 健康教會/領袖不會有排山倒海的負面記錄，書籍，文章和報告。
6. 健康教會/領袖會鼓勵家人之間的溝通，社會互動，保留現存的友誼及不認為與外界接觸而受到威脅。
7. 健康教會/領袖會於其他人接觸時會清楚自己的界線和限制，不會逾越。
8. 健康教會/領袖會鼓勵批判性思考，提升信徒個人自主和自尊。
9. 健康教會/領袖會承認失敗及錯誤，並接受建設性的批評及意見。
10. 健康教會/領袖不會是唯一的知識來源和學習的對象，相反他們會珍視與外界對話和互動交流。

以上資料節譯自
美國邪教問題專家Rick Ross (譯名：瑞克‧羅斯)的網站http://www.rickross.com

中文翻譯：新興宗教關注小組 翻譯組

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原文連結︰http://www.cgner.org/index.php/resources/checklist/rrchecklist

延伸資料︰
(中文網站) 新興宗教關注事工網站 http://www.cgner.org/index.php
(英文網站) Rick Ross Institute: http://www.culteducation.com/