Cult Catalog Of The Other Jesus CULT CATALOG OF THE “OTHER” JESUS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ahmadiyya ÿMovement ÿ- Founder: ÿHazat Mirza. ÿ”Jesus was not ÿa partner in the Godhead, as was not Jacob. Both of them were beloved prophets of God” (True Christianity and How it Leads to Islam).
::::::::::::::::::::::::: American Atheist Center – Founder: Madalyn Murray O’Hair. “There is no God, thus Jesus is not the Son of God.”
::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ananda ÿMarga ÿYoga – Leader: ÿShrii Shrii ÿAnandamurti. ÿÿJesus ÿis considered God, but there is no Trinity. “Be constantly absorbed in the thought of God and you too will become God.” ÿ(Baba’s ÿGraceDiscourses of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti). ::::::::::::::::::::::::: Anthroposophical ÿÿSociety ÿ- ÿLeader:Rudolf ÿÿSteiner.
“According to Steiner, Jesus of Nazareth was just an ordinary man until, ÿÿat the age of thirty, ÿhe received the ÿChrist-Essence during ÿhis baptism at the Jordan” ÿÿ(Spiritual ÿCounterfeits Project in Berkeley, ÿCA : Letter, ÿFeb, ÿ1977) Steiner was an ÿoccult ÿmedium who interpreted the ÿBible ÿthrough clairvoyance.
::::::::::::::::::::::::: Arica ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿOscar ÿIchazo. ÿÿ”The ÿpoint ÿof ÿArica ÿis enlightenment, ÿman’s transcending from the state of ego into what’s known as the void. ÿThis is a state of consciousness . . . ÿIts not God. ÿIt’s God Consciousness.” ÿAricans blend physical exercise and meditation. ÿÿGod ÿis ÿformless, ÿÿthus ÿChrist ÿcannot ÿbe God (Awakening Ways to Psycho-Spiritual Growth, C. William Henderson).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: Assemblies ÿof ÿYahweh – “John 2:19) ÿis sometimes ÿpresented ÿas evidence that Yahshua is the Almighty, that He is co-equal with His Father, ÿÿand that He had the power to resurrect Himself. ÿThis, ÿÿof course, ÿÿÿis ÿa ÿfalse, ÿÿtrinitarian ÿconcept” ÿÿ(The ÿSacred ÿName Broadcaster, ÿÿLincoln ÿFrost). ÿÿ”We ÿfind ÿthe ÿtrinitarian doctrine to be foreign to the Inspired Scriptures” (Doctrine #5).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Baha’i ÿWorld Faith – Baha’i, ÿan independent world religion based on “a ÿunique ÿrevelation ÿof ÿGod,” ÿtraces its roots to an early division within Islam. ÿGod, called by different names, is one but unknowable. ÿChrist was a “manifestation” of God and a way to God, but not the ONLY way to God.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship – Leader: Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. ÿ”God is a secret and a mystery, but man is also a mystery. Only God can see God. ÿSo if man is to see God, ÿhe must become God. Man becomes God, and ÿGod ÿbecomes ÿman. ÿÿIts ÿno ÿbig ÿdeal,” ÿÿsays ÿÿBawa (Psychology, April,1976).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Black ÿMuslim – Leader: ÿWallace D. ÿFard (Allah-God) ÿand ÿElijah Poole (Elijah Muhammad – ÿFard’s prophet). ÿAlso called “The Nation of Islam.” ÿElijah Muhammad said that Jesus was “only a prophet ÿand not the equal of Moses and Muhammad, ÿand His religion was Islam, not ÿthe ÿChristianity ÿof ÿÿthe ÿPope ÿof ÿRome” (Pittsburgh Courier, 1959).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Buddhism (Hinayana Buddhism and Mahayanna Buddhism) – “In Hinayana Buddhism there ÿis ÿno ÿgod ÿas we conceive of God . . . The followers of Mahayanna Buddhism tend to deify Buddha. ÿTheir idea of God; ÿHowever, has no such comprehensive attributes as has the Christian God” ÿÿ(Religions ÿin a changing World, Howard F. Vos) This eliminates the possibility of Jesus as a deity.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Cabala ÿ(Kabbalah) ÿÿ- ÿCabala is a system ÿof ÿJewish ÿMystical thought which originated in Southern France and Spain in the 12th and ÿ13th centuries. ÿThe Cabala doctrine of deity recognizes ÿonly two ÿdeities ÿ- ÿthe hidden god, ÿthe ÿinfinite ÿgreat ÿdivine Nothing; ÿand the dynamic god of religious experience (Spiritual Counterfeits Project).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Center ÿfor Spiritual Awareness – Leader: ÿRoy Eugene ÿDavis. Also called: ÿChristian ÿSpiritual Alliance. ÿBuddha, Sri Krishna, and Jesus were enlightened souls. ÿ”The second coming of Jesus is ÿa fanciful ÿÿhope. ÿÿThe ÿawakening ÿof ÿindividuals ÿÿto ÿÿthe realization of their own Christ-nature is what will liberate man and transform society” ÿ(Darshan: ÿThe vision of Light, ÿRoy E. ÿDavis). Jesus was a man who reached Christ-consciousness and was on earth to share the truth of this consciousness.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Children ÿof ÿGod ÿ- ÿLeader:David Brandt ÿBerg ÿ(Moses ÿDavid). Started ÿÿas ÿÿa ÿÿfundamentalist ÿÿcounter-culture ÿministry, but degenerated ÿinto belief in the occult, ÿreincarnation, ÿÿand sexual permissiveness. ÿThe COG believes that Berg is the ONLY endtime prophet; ÿthat ÿthe ÿCOG ÿIS the ÿremnant church of the last days; ÿÿthat ÿits ÿauthority is absolute; ÿand in ÿthe ÿuse ÿof blasphemy, ÿprofanity, ÿÿvulgarity, ÿand pornography (Moody Monthly July/August 1977).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Christian ÿScientist – Founder: ÿMAy Baker Eddy. ÿJesus was ÿa mere man who demonstrated ÿthe ÿChrist ÿ(i.e. ÿa ÿdivine idea). It doesn’t ÿmatter ÿwhether ÿChrist ÿever existed, ÿÿand ÿHis ÿblood doesn’t ÿcleanse ÿfrom ÿsin ÿ(Science ÿand ÿHealth with Key to the Scriptures, The First of Christ Scientist and Miscellany, both by Mary baker Eddy).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Church of the Living Word – Leader: John Robert Stevens. ÿAlso called:THE WALK. ÿ”Jesus Christ came to participate in humanity and make ÿthe ÿbridge ÿof ÿcommunication ÿso ÿthat ÿGod ÿcould communicate ÿhimself ÿinto ÿour very beings. ÿWhat He ÿis, ÿÿwe become” ÿÿÿ(The ÿWord ÿBecame ÿFlesh, ÿÿa ÿÿLiving ÿÿWord Publication). ÿAccording to Stevens, ÿthis begins with contemporary revelations ÿwhich ÿmake ÿthe ÿÿthe ÿLiving ÿWord ÿ(Christ) to the World. ÿAlthough some acknowledgement is made of ÿthe inspiration and authority of the Scripture, ÿin practice the source of teaching is ÿcurrent ÿrevelation, ÿnot the Bible. Stevens considers himself God’s chief intercessor.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Church ÿUniversal and Triumphant – Leader: ÿÿElizabeth ÿClaire Prophet. ÿAlso called: ÿSummit ÿInternational or Summit Lighthouse. The ÿChurch Universal and Triumphant is a mixture of ÿeastern religions, ÿÿTheosophy, ÿÿChristianity, ÿand many ÿother ÿthings. Elizabeth ÿis ÿÿrecognized ÿÿas ÿone ÿof ÿÿthe ÿtwo ÿwitnesses of Revelation 11. ÿHer late husband and founder, ÿMark, ÿis considered a man that had the ÿChrist Consciousness within him. He was one of many who achieved the “God self” witness.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Dhyana-Mandiram ÿÿ- ÿÿLeader: ÿÿPandit ÿUsharbudh. ÿÿ”God ÿÿis essentially formless . . ÿ. ÿGod may manifest Himself-Herself-Itself in any form, at any time, at any place, on any planet . . . Jesus may be accepted as ÿone ÿof the many incarnations of God” (Hinduism: An Introduction, Pandit Usharbudh and Yorke Crompton).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Divine Light Mission – Leader: ÿGuru Maharaj Ji. ÿGuru Ji ÿis the Living Perfect Master. ÿÿJesus ÿwas the Perfect Master of His time, ÿbut Ji has replaced Him. ÿJi claims the world needs ÿthe knowledge ÿof ÿReality, ÿÿand he claims to be the ÿsource ÿof ÿthat knowledge and ÿof ÿpeace ÿin ÿthe ÿworld, ÿÿaccording ÿto ÿDavid J. Hesselgrave, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ECKANKAR ÿ- Leader: ÿSri Darwin Gross. ÿECKANKAR says it ÿis ÿthe wellspring and essence ÿof all religions, ÿphilosophies, and sacred doctrines. ÿIt claims to be the way to God-realization via the “ancient science of soul travel.” ÿECKANKAR makes the biblical God into a demon who ÿas ÿcreator is responsible for the evil in the world ÿand ÿdefines Christ as “god as all men are god” ÿÿ(“Eck ÿWorld News, December, 1978, page 13).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Findhorn ÿFoundation University of Light – Leaders: ÿPeter and Eileen Caddy. ÿ”The Devic (Deva is a being of light) would emphasize that man ÿhas ÿto ÿdo one thing to reverse the trend of events ÿon ÿthe planet: ÿÿhe has to recognize within himself the ÿDivinity ÿand wholeness of which he is a part” (The Magic of Findhorn, Paul Hawken). ÿÿThey ÿseparate Jesus and Christ and appear ÿto ÿbe panthiestic. ÿThe group, ÿa form of spiritism, ÿbecame famous because the Findhorn community in Scotland has a producing garden near the Arctic Circle which is supposedly taken care of by plant spirits.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Freemasonry – “. . . ÿWe tell the sincere Christian that Jesus of Nazareth was but a man like us” (“Morals and Dogmas” by Albert Pike in How to Respond to the Lodge).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hare ÿKrishna – Founder: ÿChaitanya Mahaprabhu. ÿAlso ÿcalled: International Society ÿof ÿKrishna Consciousness (ISKCON). To the Krishnaite, ÿthe world is not real; ÿits illusion. ÿSalvation comes ÿby chanting the name of their god, ÿHare Krishna, ÿat ÿleast 1,728 ÿtimes daily. They believe in the literal interpretation of the Hindu scriptures, but they also accept the Bible as one of the scriptures. They consider Jesus one of their gurus.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: “I ÿAM” ÿMOVEMENT – Leader: ÿGuy Ballard (Pen Name: ÿÿGodfrey ÿRay King). ÿJesus, ÿa ÿman, ÿdeveloped the I AM/GOD SELF within himself. This ÿalmighty ÿI ÿAm ÿpresence ÿis a ÿpure ÿreservoir ÿof ÿenergy stationed over the head ÿwhich ÿcan ÿbe ÿdrawn on at will. Jesus is seen as one of the many Ascended Masters. ÿThey do not recognize the Trinity. ÿThis cult is an off-shoot of the Theosophical Society. ÿIt modern form is ÿcalled ÿthe ÿSummit Lighthouse or Church Universal and Triumphant. ÿHowever, ÿthe “I ÿAm” ÿmovement still exist as an independent ÿorganization ÿ(The ‘I Am’ ÿÿDiscourses, ÿÿSaint ÿGermain Press).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Iglesia Ni Cristo – Leader:Felix Manalo. ÿ”We believe in Jesus Christ, ÿbut we do not ÿbelieve ÿthat ÿHe is True God. We believe in only one true god, ÿthe god of creation. ÿJesus Christ is a ÿgreat savior and was commissioned by God to be the savior” (“Research Center Bulletin,” Far East Broadcasting).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Inner Peace Movement – Leader: ÿRev. Francisco Coll, DD. ÿA form of ÿspiritualism ÿand spiritism combining ESP, astro- projection, ÿÿpsychic ÿphenomena,etc., ÿthey introduce ÿseven
levels of consciousness. Christ consciousness is the highest. Jesus had ÿreached ÿChrist ÿConsciousness ÿand taught this while on earth. ÿÿJesus was a man. ÿThey separate Jesus and Christ. ÿGod is impersonal ÿand ÿspoken of as The All, ÿThe Cosmos, ÿand The ÿUniverse (Every Wind of Doctrine, Hobart Freeman).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Integral Yoga Institute – Founder: ÿSwami Satchidananda. ÿ”There are not many gods; there is only One. And that One has no name, no form, ÿÿno ÿplace. ÿ(Thus Christ is not God.) ÿHe is ÿeverywhere-in actuality, ÿneither he, ÿnor she, ÿnor it . . . The two sides ÿare positive and negative, light and shade. ÿEvil is also God.” says the Swami (The Youth Nappers, James C. Hefley).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: Islam – Christ was a prophet of Allah, ÿbut was superseded ÿby Muhammad’s teachings and authority.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Jainism ÿ- ÿFounder:Mahavira. ÿÿ”Jainism begins ÿby ÿdenying ÿthe existence of an external supreme being, creator, or Lord, who is the mainstay of the universe. ÿ(Thus,no Christ.) ÿFor these non-theistic ÿhumanist, ÿÿthere is no need to assume a ÿFirst ÿcause” (Religions in a Changing World, Howard F. Vos)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Jehovah’s ÿWitnesses – Jesus is a created being, ÿÿMichael, the first creation of Jehovah and the “Son of God.”
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Laymen’s ÿHome ÿMissionary Movement – Leader:Raymond ÿJ. ÿÿJolly. Similar to the ÿJehovah’s ÿWitnesses, ÿÿthey ÿdeny the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. “John 4:24-God is a Spirit. Luke 24:39- A Spirit hath ÿnot ÿflesh ÿand ÿbones ÿ. ÿ. . In the first place, God directly tells us that Jesus ÿis now a spirit being” (Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures). “Trinitarians have grossly mistranslated and ÿmiscapitalized this passage to read their ÿtrinitarianism ÿinto it, ÿas they have ÿdone ÿin other cases. ÿThe proper translation shows ÿthat Christ is not Jehovah . . . He is Jehovah’s ÿappointed Savior for the world, not Jehovah Himself” (Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures-Series 1). :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Liberal ÿÿCatholic ÿÿChurch ÿ- ÿÿLeaders:Charles ÿÿW.
Leadbeater and Vincent M. ÿMatthews. ÿ”Obviously, ÿGod is not and cannot be a person. ÿ(Thus, ÿno divine Christ.) ÿThe persons of ÿthe Holy ÿTrinity ÿare ÿrepresentatives ÿor ÿmasks ÿfor the One God who is beyond individuality; ÿis unlimited; ÿeminent; ÿand transcendent” (The One Existence, ÿE.M. ÿMatthews). ÿThe LCC is independent of the Roman Catholic Church ÿand ÿblends ÿelements ÿof ÿtheosophy and pantheism (These Also Believe, Charles Samuel Braden).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Megiddo Mission – Founder:Rev. ÿL.T. Nichols. “Christ, Emanuel, ‘God with us,’ is not the eternal God but the Son of God, conceived of the Holy ÿSpirit, ÿborn of a virgin, ÿbut ÿwholly human in his nature -Matthew 1:23,Hebrews 2:16,17 ÿ. ÿ. ÿ.”(History of the Megiddo Mission, published by Megiddo Mission Church).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Mormons-Founder:Joseph Smith, ÿJr. Also Called: ÿChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. ÿÿJesus is a pre-existent spirit, also the Father, ÿone of many gods. ÿChrist was God-man, and men can be just like him (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce McConkie).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Nichiren ÿShoshu Soka Gakkai – Soka Gakkai substitutes ÿGautama Buddha and Nichiren for ÿthe ÿTrue ÿGod and replaces the Bible with the ÿLotus Sutra, ÿa ÿfalse scripture. ÿSoka Gakkai translates to “Value Recreation Society” (“Views on Christ,” John Weldon). ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Peace ÿÿMission ÿMovement ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿFather ÿÿDivine ÿÿ(George Baker). ÿBaker ÿdistinguishes ÿbetween ÿJesus and Christ. “I say
B.J. ÿnot B.C. ÿbecause it was before Jesus yet, in my opinion, ÿit was not ÿbefore ÿChrist” ÿÿ(The ÿNew ÿDay, September 1,1945). “Jesus, he (Baker) seems at times to regard as merely the temporal and ÿphysical ÿembodiment ÿof the Christ” ÿÿ(These ÿAlso ÿBelieve, Charles Samuel Braden). ÿÿBaker ÿhas ÿclaimed ÿto be God and the Holy Spirit. ÿÿThere ÿare ÿalso references in Baker’s ÿwritings ÿto indicate that Jesus is God (Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin).
:::::::::::::::::: Psychiana – Leader: Frank B. Robinson. “At no time has God, nor will God, ÿmanifest ÿHimself ÿon ÿthis ÿearth or anywhere as a person ÿ. . . Jesus was no more than a human acting out ÿthe ÿGodpower” ÿÿÿÿ(They ÿÿÿHave ÿÿÿFound ÿÿÿa ÿÿÿFaith, ÿÿÿÿMarcus ÿÿÿBach).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Radha ÿSoami Society – Leader: ÿCharan Singh. ÿGod is seen ÿas attributeless, ÿformless, ÿand impersonal without ÿpersonality and name, although they give “him” the qualities of love, ÿgrace, wisdom and power. ÿThe Society asserts that there are countless gods and goddesses, ÿlords, rulers and governors in the universe (The World of Gurus, ÿVishal Mangalwadi), ÿthus Jesus Christ is ÿnot Lord of Lords.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Rajneesh Meditation Centers – Leader: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. “But God (thus, ÿChrist) ÿis ÿnot ÿa ÿperson. ÿGod is the process . . .Existence is without cause . . .In the beginning, ÿthere is no cause so in the end there can be no purpose” ÿ(Beyond and Beyond, ÿAcharya Rajneesh).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Rosicrucianism ÿ- Jesus was ÿa ÿreincarnated ÿman, ÿÿthe highest ÿluminary ÿpossible. ÿÿThe ÿChrist ÿspirit ÿin ÿHim ÿwas ÿa manifestation of the cosmic Christ (“Rays ÿfrom ÿthe ÿRose Cross,” December, 1978).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Ruhani ÿSatsang ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿKirpal ÿSingh. ÿÿ”Jesus ÿChrist ÿwas essentially ÿa man of the East, ÿand his teachings are imbued ÿwith oriental mysticism. It is even speculated that he spent many of his ÿearly ÿyears ÿin ÿindia ÿand learned ÿfrom ÿthe ÿYogins ÿand Buddhist monks” (The Crown of Life, Kirpal Singh).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Sacred Mushroom of the Cross – Leader: John Allegro. ÿChrist was a mushroom (Sacred Mushroom of the Cross, John Allegro). ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Sanatana ÿÿDharma ÿFoundation ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿYogeshwar ÿÿMuni. (also called Kayavarohan). Jesus is a man who achieved a divine state through meditation. ÿÿSanatana ÿDharma ÿis
considered the eternal path to truth leading to fulfillment and divinity. “Thus men, ÿfor the first time on Earth, ÿcould achieve the God level not only in ÿconcept, ÿÿbut ÿin physical manifestations as well” (Vishvamitra Newsletter).
::::::::::::::::::::::::: Satanism – The introduction to the ÿsatanic bible says, ÿÿ”What amuses us most is that ÿyou ÿindicate ÿthat a mere command to Satan in Jesus’ name is sufficient to dismiss him. ÿThe Prince of Darkness regards both God and ÿJesus Christ a figments of man’s more infantile imagination, at least insofar as their supposed power is concerned. ÿGod is dead, ÿand Christ was but a man” (Every Wind of Doctrine, Dr. Hobart Freeman).
::::::::::::::::::::: Scientology-Founder: L. ÿRon Hubbard. ÿHubbard claims to have found the spiritual technology to dispense the one “true way” ÿÿto man. ÿIt is a process working through ÿlevels of self-knowledge and knowledge ÿof ÿpast lives to awaken the primordial ÿdeity ÿwithin until a person is ÿable ÿto regain total godhood. ÿChrist is a ÿman “who ÿachieved ÿa ÿ’state of clear’ ÿbut not the higher ÿstate ÿof ‘Operating Thetan” (“Certainty” magazine, Vol 5, No 10). :::::::::::::::::::::::::
Self-Realization Fellowship – Leader: Paramahansa Yogananda. Group also ÿcalled ÿ”Yogoda ÿSatsanga ÿSociety.” ÿÿSeparates Jesus ÿand Christ. Jesus was indwelt by the Christ Consciousness. “Let the omniscient ÿChrist ÿConsciousness come to Earth a second time and ÿbe born in ÿyou, ÿÿeven ÿas ÿit ÿwas ÿmanifested ÿin ÿthe mind of Jesus” (Metaphysical Meditations, SRF Publishers.
::::::::::::::::::::::::: Shintoism – “Deity is spirit, ÿwithout form, ÿunknowable . . . changeless, ÿÿeternal, ÿÿexisting from the beginning of ÿHeaven ÿand Earth ÿup to the present, unfathomable, infinite . . .” ÿ(Source of Japanese Tradition, Vol 1, editor William Theodore De Bary).
::::::::::::::::::::::::: Shree Guru Dev Siddha Yoga Ashram – Leader: ÿSwami ÿMuktananda Paramahansa. ÿÿAlso ÿcalled: ÿÿ”Sidha Yoga Dham.” ÿThis ÿis ÿa ÿself realization group whose leader claims to be god. “This is the praise of ÿthe all-pervasive, ÿformless, ÿÿunmanifest, ÿÿAbsolute ÿBeing ÿwho manifest Himself in a thousand forms . . . Above all, you will receive Divine ÿGrace ÿand finally realize your ÿown divinity.” ÿRejects God manifesting Himself in Jesus Christ (Songs of God, Guru, Self – Kabiraj).
:::::::::::::::::::::::: Sikhism – Founder: ÿNanak. ÿÿSikhism developed an ÿabstract and ÿmystical monotheism. ÿGod is formless, ÿsovereign, ÿunknowable and absolute. However, ÿa righteous person can call upon the grace of Sat Nam – God. If a person reaches salvation, which is by works, he absorbs into God. rejects the idea that God ÿrevealed ÿin ÿa Person ÿof ÿJesus Christ (Cults, World Religions and ÿYou, ÿÿKenneth Boa). ::::::::::::::::::::::: Sivananda Yoga ÿÿVedenta ÿCenters ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿSwami ÿSivananda. Also ÿcalled ÿ”International ÿSivananda Yoga Society.” ÿGod ÿ(or
Christ) ÿis not a person or spirit, ÿbut Consciousness. ÿÿHe is sometimes reborn as a man, ÿother times as an animal, plant, ÿor even inanimate object. (The World of Gurus, Vishal Mangalwadi).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Spiritual Advancement of the Individual Foundation. – Leader: Sri Satya Sai Baba. Jesus Christ is seen as an “Avatar,” ÿa deity descended ÿto earth in bodily form. ÿSai Baba is Jesus Christ ÿwho was returned. ÿMan, ÿaccording to Baba, ÿis Atman – Self or God. Man is under an illusion so that he forgets that he is God. Baba also teaches that God is ultimately without attributes (The World of Gurus, Vishal Mangalwadi).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Spiritual ÿFrontiers ÿFellowship – Founder: ÿArthur Ford ÿand others. ÿ”There was no Christ 2,000 ÿago. ÿThere was a man 2,000 ÿago through ÿwhom ÿthe Annointed One was able to ÿmanifest. ÿÿThe ÿman died, Christ lived, and as the Holy Spirit has been helping . . . The Divine ÿMind ÿor the Concept of God has within himself ÿall ÿthe faculties ÿor qualities of both male and female. ÿThere can ÿbe no creative expression, ÿthere can be no life ÿwithout ÿthese ÿtwo qualities. ÿÿSo God is neither man nor woman.” ÿFord, ÿa ÿformer Christian minister, ÿmade these comments during ÿa seance March ÿ18, 1965 (Unknown but Known, Arthur Ford).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Spiritualist – Jesus was an outstanding Jewish ÿmedium ÿ(Kingdom of the Cults – Walter Martin).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Sri Chinmoy Centers ÿ- ÿLeader: Sri Chinmoy. ÿGod is seen as Consciousness and Light. Realize the divinity within you. “It is not because of his (Jesus’) ÿmiracles that ÿhe ÿis ÿworshipped, ÿbut because he ÿbrought ÿdown ÿthe eternal ÿConsciousness, ÿthe infinite Consciousness” (Kundalini: The Mother Power, Sri Chinmoy).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Still ÿPoint Institute – Leader: ÿSujata. ÿChrist is an ÿevolutive god, ÿÿa ÿcosmic Christ. ÿA ÿheavy influence of Zen Buddhism negates the personal God (The Still Point, William Johnson).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Subud – Leader: Muhammad Subuh (Bapak). ÿGod is a “Great Life Force that ÿflows ÿthrough everything and everyone. ÿIt ÿis ÿimpersonal.” (Thus no divine Christ.) God is felt through “latihan” which is an inner vibration. ÿThe objective is Subud is to become ÿpassive ÿso that you can experience and feel latihan (New ÿGods ÿin ÿAmerica, Peter Rowley).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Sufism ÿ- ÿLeader: ÿÿÿPir-O-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan. ÿGod is an “Abstract ÿSound” ÿwhich is the creative life principle in ÿall ÿof nature. “The goal of Sufism is union with God in this life.” Because of ÿits link with Islamic philosophy, ÿit would ÿnot ÿconsider Jesus as ÿGod ÿ(Awakening ÿWays ÿto Psycho-Spiritual ÿGrowth, C.William Henderson).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Swedenborgism – Founder: E. Swedenborg. A ÿform ÿof spiritism which also ÿdenies the person of ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit. ÿHe is ÿcalled ÿan efficiency or sanctifying influence. ÿ”We ought to have faith in God the Savior Jesus Christ, ÿbecause that is faith in the visible God in Whom is the Invisible; and faith in the visible God, ÿWho is at once Man and God, who enters Man” ÿÿÿÿ(True ÿÿChristian Religion, E. Swedenborg).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Taoism – Greatest philosopher: Chuang Tzu. ÿÿ”There is no personal Creator-God” (Cults, World Religions and You, Kenneth Boa).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Tarotology ÿ- ÿThe most serious form of cartomancy ÿ(divination by cards). It has been linked with magic, numerology, astrology and other ÿcults. ÿFor all the languages about God, ÿSpirit and ÿthe Truth of God, ÿthe God and Truth of Tarot are in no way those of Jesus Christ. ÿIt ÿis ÿan ÿidolatrous ÿsystem (Dennis Hesslegrave, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School). ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The ÿFarm ÿ- Leader: ÿÿStephen. ÿÿAn eastern mysticism commune in Summertown, ÿÿTN. ÿÿJesus, ÿa ÿteacher, ÿwas a good man indwelt ÿwith Christ ÿConsciousness. ÿÿ”In the telepathic medium of ÿthe ÿHoly Spirit, Christ consciousness, ÿBuddha consciousness, call it what you will, exist all the time. … ÿYou don’t have to call it ÿJesus ÿor ÿBuddha ÿor ÿKrishna, ÿÿit’s ‘the ÿconsciousness'”(Hey Beatnik! 1974).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The ÿFoundation ÿChurch ÿof the Millennium – leader: ÿÿFather ÿJohn. Denies ÿthe deity of Jesus Christ. ÿIt ÿis an off-shoot of or ÿthe front ÿfor ÿthe ÿProcess Church of ÿthe ÿFinal ÿJudgement ÿ(below) although ÿthey ÿdeny ÿaffiliation. ÿÿThey ÿwere ÿboth ÿfounded ÿin September, 1966; began in Xtul, ÿMexico; ÿlisted their midwest address as 1529 ÿN. Wells Street, ÿChicago, ÿIL; and have both since moved.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Holy Order of MANS – Leader: Earl Blighton. ÿHolds the occulteastern ÿview ÿthat Jesus was a great teacher, ÿbut merely a man who attained an impersonal kind of “Christ ÿConsciousness.” ÿThey separate Jesus and Christ. ÿThey believe ÿall can attain ChristConsciousness (Spiritual Counterfeit Project, Berkeley, CA). :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy. – Founder: ÿSwami Rama. “In order to become true members of the Church of Christ, a ÿperson must know not who Jesus was, ÿbut what Christ is. Christ, Ishvara, is the very personal force pervading the universe ÿthat ÿguides ÿand illuminates every aspirant. . . It is not an embodied person, ÿÿbut rather a force in which all individual beings are divine sparks. . .”(Meditation in Christianity, Dr. ÿPandit Arya). ÿSwami Rama has said, ÿ”Jesus Christ was perhaps the greatest of all Yogis.”
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Process Church of the Final Judgement – Founder: ÿRobert De Grimston. Jesus is a mere man. “The Processeans believe in three gods: Jehovah, Lucifer, and Satan” (Sata’s Devices, Kurt Koch)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: The 3 HO Foundation – Leaders: Yogi Bhajan and Guru Ram Dass. The 3 ÿHO means Happy, ÿHealth ÿand ÿHoly. ÿ”What is God?… He is cosmic energy… ÿHe is yin-yang; ÿHe is positive an negative. ÿHe is male, female… ÿÿWhen you say cosmic consciousness, ÿÿyou ÿmean God… ÿYou are God… ÿGod is you. Man has never realized he is God… ÿGod is a stick… God is a cup…. God is a woman” (The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan, Bhajan).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Unification ÿChurch – Leader/Fonder: ÿSun Myung Moon. ÿMoon states that God has dual qualities – spirit and energy. ÿGod is a personal being ÿwith consciousness, ÿintelligence, ÿlove and purpose. Salvation ÿcan ÿcome only through the Messiah ÿwho ÿachieves perfection, ÿmarries, ÿÿand ÿhas perfect offspring. Christ, Moon says, ÿÿwas to do this, ÿbut He failed because he died before he could marry. ÿBecause He was resurrected, ÿMoon says, ÿJesus ÿdid redeem ÿman ÿspiritually. ÿÿThe ÿphysical ÿredemption of man will happen through a second Messiah, ÿbut not Christ. The implication is that Moon is the second Messiah. (Moody Monthly, July 1977).
::::::::::::::::::::: The Way International – Leader: ÿVictor Paul Wierwile. A very close counterfeit of Christianity. ÿThey believe in God, the Bible, Jesus Christ, salvation, ÿand eternal life, ÿbut not the Trinity. ÿJesus is NOT ÿGod, ÿand the Holy Spirit is a synonym for God (Jesus Christ is Not God, Victor Paul Wierwille).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Theosophist – Christ took the body Jesus, a man, ÿto become a teacher. Eventually all men become Christ.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Transcendental ÿMeditation – Leader: ÿMaharishi Mahesh ÿYogi. Also ÿcalled ÿ”Spiritual ÿÿGeneration ÿMovement,” “Student’s International Meditation Society,” ÿ”TM.” ÿMaharishi says the reason ÿfor ÿcreation ÿand ÿindividual ÿlife ÿis ÿthe ÿexpansion ÿof happiness. ÿThis is done ÿby expanding one’s consciousness through seven ÿlevels ÿof consciousness. ÿJesus is considered an ÿEnlightened One. ÿLeaders have attempted ÿto claim that TM is not a religion, but courts have ruled that it is, ÿand the nature of its initiation rites prove that it is Hindu derivative. (Meditations, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi).
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Unitarians – Jesus was a man who believed in One God, not the Trinity.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Unity School of Christianity – Jesus was a perfect man, ÿindwelt by the Christ Consciousness, present in every human being.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Vedanta Society – Founder: ÿSwami Vivekananda. ÿAlso known as “Ramakrishna ÿOrder.” ÿÿÿ”They ÿÿ(gods) ÿÿÿare ÿÿhuman ÿbeings with extraordinary, ÿÿoriginal ÿpowers ÿand ÿentrusted ÿwith ÿa ÿDivine commission. Being heirs of Divine power and glories, they form a class of their own. ÿTo this class belong the ÿincarnations of God, like Christ, Krishna, Buddha, ÿand Chaitanya and their devotees of the highest order” (Hindu View of Christ. Swami Akhilananda).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Witchcraft ÿ- “Down through the centuries, ÿÿmany ÿwitches and sorcerers consider ÿGod ÿand ÿSatan ÿas merely symbols of power, with no real existence as personalities” ÿ(Kingdom of Darkness, F.W. ÿThomas). Some witches may see Jesus as a wizard who was able to master natural and occult forces.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Worldwide Church of God – Leader: ÿHerbert W. Armstrong. Jesus is a part of the godhead (God is a family) and men can become like Jesus ÿand ÿpart ÿof the God family – Sons of God. ÿThey ÿdo ÿnot believe ÿin a closed godhead (TRINITY). ÿThe Holy Spirit ÿis ÿnot considered a person, ÿbut the Father and the Son work through it. (Derivate cult – International Church of ÿGod. ÿÿLeader: ÿSon of Herbert, ÿÿGeorge, ÿÿwas disowned by his father and ÿstarted ÿthis group that believes the same but claims that the Worldwide Church lost its authority when Herbert divorced his wife.)
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Zen ÿBuddhism – “Since Zen does not affirm the existence of the living God, ÿit is ÿnot ÿonly ÿabsolutely destitute of the special revelation ÿof God in His Word, ÿbut is wholly alien to the God ÿof revelation.” says Lit-Sen-Chang (The Kingdom of the Cults, ÿWalter Martin).
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Zoroastrianism – Founder: Spitoma Zoroaster. This is one of the first monotheistic religions in the world, and adherents of this religion are thought ÿto ÿhave been the ÿoriginators ÿof the Wise Men from ÿthe East who searched out Jesus when He was born. ÿThis cult doesn’t recognize ÿa ÿpersonal ÿGod. ÿÿTheir god, Ahura Mazda, is impersonal and has no physical nature ÿ(Cults, ÿWorld Religions and You, Kenneth Boa).
::::::::::::::::::::: Computers For Christ NOTE – Those organizations not shown with references ÿare ÿon ÿfile ÿwith ÿthis ÿministry ÿwith substantial confirmation ÿof the statements. ÿThe computer ÿphone ÿdata service ÿhas many of them outlined in depth. ÿSYSOP – ÿComputers For Christ.