“Fear and Guilt – That Is What Fuels This Cult,”

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.