So much evidence yet denial on the part of Catholics. It’s stunning really.
The examples that have been seen are akin to those seen among cults. While not precise or accurate enough, given aspects of which include:
From the theological viewpoint, any group or religious system, whether it calls itself "Christian" or not, that offers other criteria as equal to or superior to the Bible, including but not limited to erroneous and/or exclusive interpretations of Scripture, should be considered a cult.
....Cults have shifted their theological point of authority away from God's full and final written Word, the Bible, to their own unique, self-promoting opinions about the Bible; they generally will use parts of the Bible but will have their own unique scripture which is considered to be superior to the Bible.
...The cult leader is looked to as the infallible interpreter of Scripture, specially appointed by God to be a special saint, guru, or contemporary messiah, and thereby, has divine authority that must not be violated.
...Each cult group, regardless of what other doctrines are taught, will all have this one common idea -- "The Only True Church Syndrome." The members of each specific organization have been taught that their church, organization, or community, is the only true group and that all other groups are false.
...Cults tend to focus on one verse or passage of the Bible to the exclusion of others, and without regard for the context in which Scripture is given
Cults often demand total commitment by their converts to an organizational involvement that entangles them in a complicated set of human restrictions, giving the impression of passionate and often irrational devotion to a cause.
Occult influence is many times found in either the origin of the group and/or in its current practices.
- http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/marksof.htm -----------------
1. New scripture
Cults almost always exclude themselves from legitimate Christian churches.
Cult groups typically revere (and in some cases deify) their leader...It is biblical to follow the example of Christian leaders (Heb. 13:7), and God uses leaders to make an impact on people. However, we should follow Christian leaders only if they themselves are following God.
Singer describes the cult structure like an inverted “T” with the leader at the top and all others at the bottom.[9] In other words, cult leaders have all of the authority in decision-making and the direction of the organization. Furthermore, leaders of cult groups are not accountable to anyone, and they make decision by fiat. -http://www.evidenceunseen.com/world-religions/what-is-a-cult/