LOOKING FOR ANSWER

Some sincere people tried to convince me to join their religious group to be saved. How can I tell if they are right?
When contacted by religious groups about which we have very little knowledge, there are a number of questions to be asked which will provide a test of belief.

LOOKING FOR ANSWER

How can I recognize a religious cult?
Concerning cults, Mr. Graham has said: "Cults can take many forms."

MY ANSWER

How do cults differ from Christianity?
Billy Graham writes, "Cults reject the basic beliefs of the Christian faith—beliefs that Christians have held in common for almost 2,000 years."

MY ANSWER

How can I politely tell my aunt to stop sending me pamphlets about her religious cult?
Billy Graham writes, "Members of religious cults often are strongly convinced that they, and they alone, are right, and everyone else is wrong."

MY ANSWER

Has the Christian church hidden the full truth about God?
Billy Graham writes, "Jesus was God's final and complete revelation of Himself, and for almost 2,000 years the Church has looked to the Bible to tell us about Him."

MY ANSWER

Does the Bible tell us all we need to know about God?
Billy Graham writes, "For almost two thousand years Christians have agreed that the Bible alone is God's Word, and that it tells us everything we need to know about Him."

MY ANSWER

Why do religious cults always seem to hurt people—financially, emotionally, and spiritually?
Billy Graham writes, "One of the ways some people seek to fill the empty place in their souls is with false religion—and when a cult leader persuades them that he has all the answers, they will sacrifice almost anything to follow him."

MY ANSWER

What is your definition of a cult?
Billy Graham writes, "Whenever any group claims that they, and they alone, have all the truth about God, then an alarm bell should go off in your heart and mind. Christ's followers are found within countless denominations and churches."

MY ANSWER

Some people come to our door and claimed their Bible shows Jesus was not divine. What do you have to say about this?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sure your visitors were sincere but I urge you to examine their claims very carefully. Sincerity is not the test of truth; only God's Word is our final authority."

MY ANSWER

On TV the other day, they were talking about a man who claims to be God's one true prophet. Could this be true?
Billy Graham writes, "Don't be deceived by those who reject the Bible or twist its clear meaning, or claim the Bible needs the 'wisdom' of some later prophet to make it complete."

MY ANSWER

How can I know whether or not my sister has gotten involved with a cult?
Billy Graham writes, "In general, cults differ from Christian churches first of all in what they believe. Cults always deny some part of what the Bible teaches."

MY ANSWER

My sister says the group I'm thinking of joining is a cult. They've been very kind to me, but I don't want to do something wrong. What exactly is a cult?
Billy Graham writes, "How can you know if this group (which you don't name) is a cult? First, cults almost always claim that they, and they alone, have the truth."

MY ANSWER

Some years ago, I got involved in a cult. But after a few years I became a Christian. How can I help the cult members I left behind?
Billy Graham writes, "Pray for those who are still in this group; only God can open their eyes to His truth. Then use whatever opportunities God gives you to show Christ's love to them. People may argue about your beliefs, but they can't argue about your love."

MY ANSWER

If God hates sin, then He must hate me a whole lot because I've done just about everything bad you can imagine.
Billy Graham writes, "Satan wants you to believe that God has rejected you and won't forgive you—but it isn't true."

MY ANSWER

My friend says the Bible was incomplete, so God sent a prophet from their religious group to finish His message to the world. Is this possible?
Billy Graham writes, "Although I don't doubt your friend's sincerity, as a Christian I cannot agree with this group's teaching. Let me explain why."

MY ANSWER

My wife is demanding that I either join her religious group or she's going to move out. What's going on?
Billy Graham writes, "Elsewhere in your letter, you mention the name of the group that has attracted your wife, and unfortunately, it is a cult that has a reputation for demanding absolute loyalty from its followers—even if it means leaving their families."

MY ANSWER

Why would an otherwise intelligent person get involved in a cult?
Billy Graham writes, "I don't know why this particular person has gotten involved with this group; people get involved in cults for all kinds of reasons. For example, some people are very lonely, and cults often go out of their way to make them feel accepted."

MY ANSWER

My friend says her church is the only one that has the whole truth. But isn't it enough to believe in Jesus?
Billy Graham writes, "I'm sure your friend is sincere, but I can't agree with what she says about her church being the only one that possesses the full truth about God."

MY ANSWER

My friend claims to believe in God, but she also has become fascinated with some kind of witchcraft recently. She doesn't see any contradiction in this, but I'm not so sure. What would you say?

MY ANSWER

This couple keeps coming to our house and inviting us to come to their assembly hall to study the Bible. I'd like to know something about the Bible, but a friend of mine says this group is a cult. What exactly is a cult? They seem like nice people.