How Unsuspecting Individuals Are Drawn into a Religious Cult

Previously published in Examiner
Part 2 of Defining a Cult series

How a cult works

In the beginning the cult life may really be attractive; but after awhile one of two things happen. These people surrender everything to the church including their money, their freedom, and their minds, or they become disenchanted with the cult and try to leave, only to find out that in many cases they cannot. They are trapped in the world they thought was so good that turned out to be so bad.

Family and friends who try to get their loved ones out of these cults are also faced with two possibilities, either they will be met with resistance by the new cult member who wants to stay or if the cult member wants to go they have to figure out a plan for an escape. Unfortunately, all too often, the cult member will fight them to stay.

Canadian Cult

In October 2006 W-Five aired a program investigating the Dominion Christian Church in Hamilton, Ontario. One family is accused of kidnapping their daughter thought they were trying to rescue her from the claws of the church.

When W-Five interviewed the pastor, Peter Rigo, they were told that the church was a safe haven for anyone who wanted to live God's word 24/7, and those that joined but refused to toe the line were told to leave.

According to W-Five, Rigo's version of religion is an extreme form of evangelical Christianity. Rigo claims his mission is to bring the word of the lord to the world.

Several families who have loved ones who have joined the Dominion Christian Church beg to differ. They say that this church is a cult, and a destructive force ruining the lives of its members.

The Dominion Christian Church is far from a traditional church. Instead of hymn singing, the Sunday service starts with a 1-hour rock concert. The Pastor plays the drums.

In one sermon Rigo said, "For the most part, Church is just a nice outhouse. You simply go once a week, move your conscience bowels, get a little relief and go back out and eat like a pig for another seven days. That's why churches mainly stink."

From the site info: Info-Cult is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1980 based in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) that offers help and information about cults, new religious movements and related groups and subjects.

Sources:

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/16397/w-five-investigates-christian-dominion-centre

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/16399/dominion-christian-centre-tv-investigative-report