How to avoid cults

They’ll ask you to give up the power you already have.

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

Deuteronomy 13

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version.

Keeping to my understanding that much of the Bible is an allegory, I understand that the “LORD your God” is you, your highest self which is connected with — one with — the universe or “all that is.”

It is the All-That-Is that should be obeyed because it knows everything and loves you. The prophet, psychic or dreamer may say accurate things, but if they’re not connected to the All-That-Is then that just means they have special talents or skills.

Throw in “wise men,” sages, philosophers, and self-help metaphysicians, no matter how effective they seem to be. If they say, “Do as I say” instead of “Listen to the God who is in you,” then they’re asking you to follow “other gods.”

Whether they’re starting their own cult or are asking you to worship some paranormal spirits or elements of nature, they want you to…