False Teachers Foretold (11/6/14)

— Margaret Singer, Ph.D.

 

I love the Word of God, I truly do. Reading, studying, imbibing and breathing it in, does, as this precious book says, brings life.

IF.

‘IF’ is the operative word here.

If there is no ulterior motive in using Scripture to control, harm, manipulate, or destroy. Discernment is key. Trusting the Holy Spirit is paramount. Blindly and unquestioningly following anyone leads to terrible results. Trust me. I know.

Please allow me to try to explain.

While I understand Tactics’ choice of Scripture here: False Teachers Foretold – Tactics is segueing into the next post, How to Tell If Pastor is a False Teacher/Prophet – the reader has no benefit of further comment from Tactics. Why is this a problem?

Is Tactics talking about Bob Scott? I truly believe that he is.

But.

If Bob Scott were using this Scripture, he’d be using it against me. Or my fellow ex-CTers. Or anyone who has ever spoken out about Calvary Temple.

Why?

Because Bob Scott prooftexts Scripture. All of the time. Every time. During my tenure in this cult, I can’t tell you how often this wolf used 2 Peter, Chapter 2 for his own evil purposes, masterfully manipulating the Word of God to meet his own selfish, lie-weaving ends. His intent was, is, and always will be to control what is left of his paltry kingdom.

Just as Tactics intends here for the reader to believe that God is speaking specifically about false teachers like Star Robert Scott, Bob Scott would use that same Word to speak of people like me, and our little band of warriors.

But, Bob, you can’t have it both ways, can you. Remember, the Truth always prevails.

Always.

It’s an age-old issue. Bob Scott isn’t the first wolf to do this, nor will he be the last. Which is essentially the main point of 2 Peter 2.

So, what can you do? How do you keep from falling prey to the likes of a Bob Scott?

Rick Ross is one of the leading experts on cults. I cited his material when I wrote my college paper, “COM220 Wolves Among Us”, back in 2008. Taken from Rick Ross’ Cult Education Institute, take a look at the following:

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.

Source: Cult Education Institute/Warning Signs

I love this! To my little band of ex-CTers…remember when we first came up with that moniker for Bob???? “Don’t be naive, develop a good BS (Bob Scott or insert other BS word) Detector.

As always, my goal has, from the start, been to warn people of the dangers of Calvary Temple located on Triple Seven Rd in Sterling, VA. It is not a safe place for you, your family, or your friends. There are true churches in the area. Calvary Temple is a known abusive cult under a long-time investigation by the Loudoun County Sheriff Office for child sexual abuse. Do your research. Do a Google search. Please. Stay far away from Calvary Temple.

#exposecalvarytemple #TestTheScriptures #TrustTheHolySpirit #BobScottIsAWolf #BobScottIsNoPastor #CalvaryTempleIsACult #CalvaryTempleIsNotSafe #CalvaryTempleIsADangerousPlace #DoNotEnter #ForSuchATimeAsThis #Ezekiel34