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There must be a difference though, because Ria is a member of a cult and the other stories are those of Abraham's binding of Isaac in the Hebrew Bible, and Jesus's sojourn on Earth as recorded in the New Testament.

While the passage of time is probably the only way to distinguish between extreme religious conviction and delusion, the same modest claim need not be made for the distinction between a religion and a cult. That line can be demarcated with relative ease, but not in the ways that it usually is

Cults are typically defined by five characteristics. First, cults tend to centralize power in the hands of a single individual or small group that is considered beyond question. Second, they treat all questions about the group and its beliefs as intolerable challenges to the group's authority and authenticity. Third, they demean all those who do not share their beliefs and sow fear and mistrust among their believers about all such people. Fourth, they typically cut off all or most opportunities for members to interact freely with those outside the group. And finally, they take revenge upon those who choose to leave the group in ways that include cutting them off from all relationships with those who remain inside, confiscating material goods and even physical harm.

he began to get a following. In 1968, he and several followers drove to Southern California.

What prompts cult leaders to go completely over the edge, like Applewhite? Power. It corrupts them. They break down and become psychotic. We saw it down in Waco, Texas with the Branch Davidians, and we saw it down in Guyana with Jim Jones' Peoples' Temple. Then they go one of two ways: They build up an arsenal of weapons to prepare for the apocalypse, or they go the passive way. And that's what probably happened to Applewhite. His whole world was breaking down, and he induced his followers to go along with him. He used the old cry of "Let's do it before it happens." Every suicide that I've ever treated wants to take matters into their own hands. It's their last power. And they all believe that there is another world. These people (Heaven's Gate members) packed suitcases before they committed suicide.

In 1978 they staged a fake disbanding of the group in response to the negative media attention following the Jonestown tragedy.

The many "false prophets" that will deceive many, in v.5; it corresponds to the 1st seal, the "white horse" (Rev.6:2). The False Prophets are also mentioned in v.11, and in v.24, during the Great Tribulation

To support its erring doctrines, the Watchtower organization (which is the author and teacher of all official Jehovah's Witness theology), has even altered the Bible to make it agree with its changing and non-Christian teachings.

They are strongly encouraged to have friends and acquaintances that are only JW's, thereby keeping outside examination to a minimum

. They are told to shun those who leave their group

Mr. Jeffs, when he goes into deep prayer, does not eat or drink,” Piccarreta said. “Occasionally, that has some medical repercussions. The jail needed to deal with a deteriorating medical condition, and they dealt with it

Since arriving at Mohave County Jail in February 2008, Jeffs has been in solitary confinement. Carter said he’s been a good inmate except for incidents involving religious practices. She explained that Jeffs sometimes prays while kneeing to a point where his knees develop sores, and jailers enforce a policy against self-injury.