Walter Martin
Kingdom of the Cults: The Definitive Work on the Subject
ISBN: 978-0-7642-2821-6
Pages 36-7
First and foremost, the belief systems of cults are characterized by closed-mindedness. They are not interested in a rational, cognitive evaluation of the facts. The organizational structure interprets the facts to the cultist, generally invoking the Bible and/or its respective founder as the ultimate source of its pronouncements. Such belief systems are in isolation; they never shift to logical consistency. They exist in what we might describe as separate compartments in the cultist’s mind and are almost incapable of penetration or disruption if the individual cultist is completely committed to the authority pattern of his organization.
Second, the cultic belief systems are characterized by genuine antagonism on a personal level. Since the cultist almost always identifies his dislike of the Christian message with the messenger who holds such opposing beliefs.
The identification of opposing beliefs with the individual in the framework of antagonism leads the cultist almost always to reject the individual as well as the belief, a problem closely linked with the close-mindedness and one that is extremely difficult to deal with in general dialogue with cultists.
Theoretically speaking, if one could drive a wedge between the individual (or the personality of the individual toward whom the cultist is antagonistic) and the theology (which is the real source of the antagonism), it would be possible to deal with the individual cultist by becoming in his or her eyes a neutral objective source of data. The Christian would then become a person who maintains a system of theology opposed to theirs but not necessarily involved on a level of the personal antagonism toward the cultist. Experience has shown me that when this is accomplished it is the first step in a systematic undercutting of one of the basic problems all cultists face in interpersonal contact—the problem of hostility toward those who reject their interpretations.
Such a procedure can go a long way toward allaying hostility, for once a cultist, who has been thoroughly “brainwashed” psychologically by his own authority system (the Watchtower Society, Mrs. Eddy’s books, the writings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young), is confronted by a Christian whom he can learn to accept on a personal basis apart from differences of the theological opinion, the possibility of communication improves markedly.
In effect, the cultist is faced with a dilemma: “How can this person (the Christian) be such an acceptable personality, yet not share my (the cultist’s) theology?”
The cultist, then, quite often begins to wonder how it is possible for the Christian to accept him as a person and yet not accept his beliefs. This can be the beginning of rapport in the realm of personal evangelism.
Since almost all systems of authority in cult organizations indoctrinate their disciples to believe that anyone who opposes their beliefs cannot be motivated by anything other than satanic force or blind prejudice and ignorance, a cultist’s encounter with Christians who do not fit this pattern can produce startling results. A discerning Christian who gives every indication of being unprejudiced, reasonably learned, and possessed of a genuine love for the welfare of the cultist himself (which is easily detectable in the Christian’s concern for his soul and spiritual well-being) can have a devastating effect upon the conditioning apparatus of any cult systems.
