In America, we have experienced evil people manipulating the Bible to control people’s lives. Pastor Jim Jones took his “followers” to Guyana to create a happy, peaceful colony. He controlled his 900 followers and they killed themselves or were shot when Jim Jones felt threatened by an American Congressman. Other cult leaders included Charles Manson, David Koresh, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Marshall Applewhite, and many more.
Why haven’t American leaders called ISIS and other terrorist groups, evil cults?
The Religious Basis for Islamic Terrorism states, “The Islamic terrorists can legitimize their movement as an act of violent Jihad permitted by the Quran essentially because of religious sanctions that permit the use of violence as an act of defense and to preserve the will of God in Islamic communities.”
Cult leaders and their lust for power can inspire followers with their philosophies with horrifying results. Cult leaders gained international recognition, but Americans spoke up and exposed the dark side of humanity.
GOOD Religions / EVIL Religions (Cults)
Freedom to speak up / Leaders in control
Supports freedom to debate ideas / Controls mission and behavior
Encourages support for families / Separates family from follower
Encourages “Love thy Neighbor” / Distrust & exposes nonbelievers
People look within for forgiveness / People don’t question, they follow
Welcomes everyone / Uses guilt and punishment to control
Offers love and support / Creates hate, division, and violence
What can we do and what can they do about it?
Guns, bombs, and ground forces alone, cannot change an evil religious ideology. People can fight the growing threat of terrorist cults if they are understanding what else they can do. The Afghan people and Americans need to know about the awesome power of the human spirit and prayer to overcome evil. The number of good Afghan people is much greater than the evil men who want to control and brutalize them into submission. They can save themselves by spreading the word about the power of prayer and turning to a loving God.
Freedom is an inner journey, not a submissive path. The Afghan people must stand together with their creator to become free people. Praying to a loving God is far more powerful than most people believe. The beginning steps are spreading the power of faith and love to overcome evil. The Afghan people can quietly support each other to find the resolve and commitment to defeat evil! Gradually, strong men and women will evolve with faith and unshakable conviction. That is the big difference between free people and the ideology of total control. It has been achieved before; it can happen again.
“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:5
