Do Fear and Guilt Fuel the WMSCOG?
That’s what Michele Colon said in her interviews with the media. But this is not an idea of Colon alone—this is the same theory spread by “cult experts,” and those who label the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) as a cult. How true is this characterization of the Church? I decided to look into their claims and see if they have any credibility.
This Is Where the “Cult” Label Creates Religious Discrimination
As I explained in one of my previous articles, the members of the World Mission Society Church of God face a tremendous amount of religious discrimination because of people’s wrong perception when the word “cult” is used.
The label “cult” implies that members cannot think for themselves and that they are manipulated to do things they don’t want to do. It strips members from the basic principle of worshiping God and following Him on the basis of the Bible, because now things that are completely normal to do in Church are seen in a negative light. This brings us to the accusation about fear and guilt.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Although the Bible calls for us to fear God and keep His commands, when you apply the label “cult” this is no longer a principle of Christianity, but it now becomes “systematic psychological techniques” used in order to “manipulate” the members. The Bible contains more than 100 verses on the topic of fearing God and keeping His commands. It goes on to explain the blessings we receive when we obey God’s commands and the curses brought upon us when we disobey them. Yet we cannot freely practice the faith because our Church is then labeled as a “cult.”
Jesus Used “Fear and Guilt” to Manipulate His Disciples
If they are going to accuse the World Mission Society Church of God of being a “cult” because it uses “fear and guilt” to keep its members, then they must also accuse Jesus of being a “cult leader” since He also used “fear and guilt” to manipulate His disciples.
John 8:23-24 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.
Could we say that Jesus used fear and guilt to manipulate His disciples to follow Him? If we go by the standards of “cult experts” and Michele Colon, I guess we should. But we know that is not the case. Jesus was just preaching to His disciples the gospel that leads to salvation. Let’s see another example.
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Judging the teachings of Jesus Christ by the standards of those who judge the WMSCOG, we must say that Jesus used “fear and guilt” to manipulate His followers. But since Christianity is a socially accepted religion, we don’t label mainstream Christian churches as a cult.
The World Mission Society Church of God Is Simply Teaching What the Bible Says
Would you say that your doctor is using “fear and guilt” when he warns you that eating too many donuts will give you diabetes? Or that if you don’t quit smoking you might get cancer? I don’t think so. In the same way, the WMSCOG simply teaches the blessings that God promised if we obey His commands and the consequences of disobeying God’s commands.
I understand that some people might be ignorant to what the Bible says, or they might just be religious intolerants who deliberately twist the teachings of the WMSCOG to be perceived as something evil. However, even the Bible already warned us about this.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 But thanks to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
In conclusion, the World Mission Society Church of God is not using “fear and guilt” to manipulate its members; the Church simply teaches what the Bible says. The teachings of the Church are no different than what’s recorded in the Bible.
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Cult Claims
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Fear of God is a command of God and a teaching in the bible. So foolish for “cult experts” and those who speak against the Church of God to have so many false accusations with nothing to back it up with.
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Like I once heard to the ones wearing blue-lens glasses all seems Blue, and to those who wear red-lens glasses all seem red. Though the Christ came 2,000 years ago in the flesh in order to save his people from their sins, the Religious leaders dared to say it was ” by the prince of demons” that he did the Gospel. They were intolerant of Christ and ignorant of the scriptures by making such accusations, it is no different now. People who decide to slander the WMSCOG do so out of self-ambition, and the bible clearly reveals their deeds. In the years of attending the WMSCOG, Ihave come to realize the words of God being fulfilled one by one without any lack. So please give your self a chance to see through “Clear” glasses before categorizing the WMSCOG in a negative light.
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I really love the World Mission Society Church of God. It is the only church that teaches God’s truth with the Bible. The analogy of the doctor and patient is so clear and makes sense. Doctors advise patients for their healthy well-being in the same way God teaches us how to carry out His will so that we can enter Heaven. We are grateful for God’s love and teachings for our salvation. These so called cult experts do not have clue of what they are talking about.
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It’s saddening to see people speak against the Church of God when all I have witnessed is great effort to obey God and follow God correctly. People go a long way and put so much effort to speak against the church and ultimately against God and the teachings in the bible. How can such a great number of people be guided solely by fear and guilt? Please understand this is not the sole purpose of why people preach and continue to attend. I believe the members of the WMSCOG fear God and obey the commandments because they have become aware of the blessings and consequences, they do not fear the people. I believe there are better things to be focusing on to have a better future for both our spirit and life on earth.
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It’s like the self proclaimed cult experts are using fear and guilt on the families to make them do what they want, and perceive what they want to about our church. That’s more of a mind game than anything. At the Church, there’s no mind game. The truth will be revealed, and people will see the light of day. Thank you for posting this article!
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Fear and guilt? My parents raised me with fear and guilt, are they a cult? My teachers used fear and guilt, were they a cult? My boss uses fear and guilt still, is my job a cult? If that’s the standard, the so-called cult experts seem to be the ones instilling more fear and guilt than anyone. So…what would we label them??? Silly..
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Great article! Basically, now fearing God is a problem as well. So we basically can’t have faith because if we do now we are a cult? Come on!! Fear of God is the beginning if the faith and one of the most important attributes as a Christian! Not to mention the way to have wisdom according to Gods teachings. Isn’t it written:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 NIVNot only that but when God asks us to fear him it’s not like a dictator commanding us but like a parent who loves us and wants the best for us and warns us about doing what is wrong like any parent would.
“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.””
Exodus 20:20 NIVGod wants us to fear so that we fear sinning. The reason is because of the outcome sin brings.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 NIVAll God wants is to give us eternal life. Thank God for his love and thank God for establishing the World Mission Society Church Of God which teaches what God has commanded us.
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The more excuses these slanderers come up with the more it seems they are really running out of ideas to use against us. We follow the teachings of the bible, from God and they follow rules of men. It’s so simple to understand who is victorious here, Give up already!
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I’m so happy to read this amazing article. The reason why is because my mom actually accused me once of belonging to a cult (of course she got that idea from the internet) and when I heard the comment I asked her “do you even know what that even means?” No response (of course). Actually “cult” can be applied to almost anything, like for example:
1- School (uses fear and guilt by telling students that if they don’t study and do their homework, they will fail)
2- Work (uses fear and guilt by telling you that if you are late to work you will get fired)
3- Your own parents (uses fear and guilt by telling you that if you don’t behave, you will be punished)
Thanks to Fatger and Mother, once my mom got to see how amazing the WMSCOG is and how we follow the teachings in the Bible, she had no more words to speak against the church. You can’t base your judgment on the opinion of others but you have to come, see everything and make your own judgment based on your own experience.
I’m happy to be part of the WMSCOG who is recognized by presidents and governors from all over the world for beautiful deeds and for putting God’s teachings into practice!
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The Church of God teaches the Bible’s teachings and that’s it. What is the problem??
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I always took the phrase “fear God and keep His commandments” as “love God who is taking care of you”. Parents raise their children with love teaching them what is helpful and what is harmful, how much more God Almighty; the Parents of our spirits! The Church of God only teaches the will of God according to the Bible, which includes God’s commandments and love. If someone says “be careful! If you get bit by that snake, you will die in less than five minutes!”, then were they just trying to instill fear and guilt?
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It’s so odd. As I’m reading these articles, it’s such a shame what these critics and cult experts have to say.
It’s becoming clear to me now that everything they say is a mere reflection of themselves.
OoO i just realized, it’s scary to think about it. How twisted the minds of these “cult experts” are.
They say WMSCOG breaks up families, but THEY break up families, they say that the WMSCOG wants to take people’s money, but THEY want to take peoples money, they say WMSCOG “love bombs” but they are the ones “LOVE BOMBING” “victims” (ex members) and comforting them just to get them to join their slandering for popularity and exposure.. they say WMSCOG instills “fear and guilt”..
Now, that is just crazy !
These cult experts make it their life goal to instill fear into the hearts of those who want to practice the bible by saying “beware, your being brainwashed” and scarying families as well. Not to mention after all the negativity they produce how can someone feel safe letting their family member continue to do bible studies? They put guilt into the minds of many people who’s loved ones are trying to be a christian, of course they feel guilt if they don’t “warn” or “deprogram” their loved ones from being in a “cult”
Wow. It’s a true saying ” you point your finger, you havr three more pointing back at you” these people who spread these malicious rumors are actually the true antagonists!
It’s like the end of a movie when at the end the conclusion is the true enemy is the one who tried to look like the hero.
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Thanks so much for this article , In my opinion if you don’t fear God then you gotta be atheist. which Christian would say “I don’t fear God “, it’s nonsense. I believe fear of God is wisdom for that leads us to obey all his commandments. So Michelle Colon is totally wrong…..again! about this matter .
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I just wanted to share some of these verses concerning this topic… pretty sure fearing God has been a teaching all along 🙂
“Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. Riches are meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 5:7
“Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God.” Leviticus 25:43
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God.” 1 Peter 2:17
“He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens.” Revelation 14:7
“May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.” Psalm 61:5
“He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” Joshua 4:24
“Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take you oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 10:20
And I know the article used this one, but it’s just so perfect!…
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
There were so many more I found but I didn’t want to make a longer post than what I already have. So in conclusion, to be a true Christian, fearing God, is apart of the deal! It’s sad that people take this teaching and distort it to make it seem like the WMSCOG is doing something wrong.
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Fear and guilt? Really? I agree with Yuri, if that’s the case then our parents and teachers have been using this tactic our whole lives without us knowing! What else will these “cult experts” think of next? Good article keep them coming!!
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