From August 27 to 29, the Center for Inter-religious, Traditionalist, and Ecumenical Studies (CITES), in conjunction with RidingTheTiger.org, convened a conference to discuss the effects of sectarianism and political cults around the world. Together, they issued a joint statement in which they condemned the sectarian motives of people exploiting religious principles to incite political instability. High on the list were the Falun Gong cult in China, the Baha’i cult, various New Age groups, and a number of Protestant groups in America.
RidingTheTiger.org member Dawud al-Sini presided over the joint investigation, which concluded that the aforementioned groups not only violate the teachings of all mainstream religions, they are effectively exploited to create civil unrest and political instability by liberal imperialists in order to destroy national sovereignty around the world and impose their version of sanctioned government on nations. The cults in question were condemned not on only for the distortion of traditional religious teachings, but for the interference in the everyday lives of ordinary people. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the origins of many cults are political in nature, and were created at the expense of true revealed religions to undermine the stability of societies around the world.
A close examination of the Falun Gong cult from a religious perspective revealed that it not only contradicts the teachings of Buddhism and Chinese beliefs from which it claims to be descended, but it also promotes blind loyalty to Li Hongzhi. The ideas of Li are considered a bizarre departure from any rational approach to “qi gong”.
Self-inflicted damage, mental instability and suicide were being reported among the practicioners of Falun Gong. Such findings are in agreement with years of research provided by experts such as Rick Ross and Margaret Singer, and also corroborated the same conclusions of the Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists to “face up to and denounce the cult Falun Gong jointly.” The discussions on Falun Gong were concluded by saying that while some actions taken against the group were heavy handed, the group as a whole is not an. As such, attempts to secure the wanton freedom of Falun Gong cultists under the guise of “religious freedom” is merely old propaganda using a new slogan designed to interfere with China’s internal affairs
Regarding the Baha’i cult, an expert witness, Dr. Ali Hassan Homayoun said, “The Baha’i cult is both heretical and a dangerous influence for the Iranian people regardless of background.” From its beginnings, Baha’i was a false teaching conceived as the antithesis to Tradition in general and Islam in particular. The creation of the false religion was also aided by foreign (particularly Russian, English, and Jewish) Marxists and atheists. While they claim they are a descendant of the Islamic faith, they reject the Prophet Mohammed as being the Seal of the Prophets, and reject belief in the Day of Judgement. Among one of the more extreme teachings of Baha’i is the “need” to destroy the Ka’bah and distribute its rubble throughout the world. The Baha’i have continued, ever since the foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to endeavor to weaken and destroy the foundation of the Islamic Revolution, and have been actively involved in supporting Zionism and revolts against the Iranian government.
The Baha’i cult was also condemned for their endeavors to establish a one-world state with Baha’i as its religion.
Experts on the Christian faith from the Catholic Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, and Russian Orthodox Church also took steps towards criticizing the Protestant groups in America who mix politics and religion, and use the pulpit to promote Zionism. Ultra-liberal churches were also criticized for the support of lifestyles incompatible with Christianity. One member, who was also a representative of the Society of Saint Pius X, stated: “The 1,500 different cults under the umbrella of Protestantism constitute a dangerous threat to the spirit of real Christianity. With widespread liturgical and doctrinal abuses, they are degenerating into circuses, and promoting political ends which are incompatible with our faith in Christ. We must reject all things which are inconsistent with our faith and renew all things in Christ.” Several Christian members agreed with this statement.
(Riding The Tiger, August 30, 2011)
Original text from: http://www.ridingthetiger.org/2011/08/30/decision-cults/
