Is the "House of Jacob" a Cult?

When is the last time you asked your pastor or overseer if you could go on a trip? When is the last time you paid your tithes? When is the last time you attended service? If you are a member of the "House of Jacob" both you and your pastor know.

This is a list of items to look for when identifying a cult from www.ex-cult.org. I have added examples after each item in all capitals for easy comparison.

1.Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God.

THIS WOULD BE " FATHER".

2.They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work.

3.They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon; being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital part of the mind control process.

"HOUSE OF JACOB'S " TECHNIQUES INCLUDE "THE BACKSEAT," " GET YOUR NAME ON THE BOOKS," " REBELLION," AND " ETERNAL LIFE."

4.Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked); signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed; selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of their "ministry". At the same time, they ridicule christian churches that take up free-will offerings by passing collection plates. They usually brag that they don't do this. This gives outsiders the impression that they are not interested in money.

HOJ'S TITHING IS OBSESSIVELY CHECKED AS WELL AS BEING MANDATORY. THEY ALSO DEMAND ADDITIONAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS ON RALLY DAY, DAY'S LABOR, ANNIVERSARY, AND JULY 4 (WHEN MONETARY GIFTS ARE GIVEN TO THE "FATHER"). THERE ARE ALSO MONTHLY FEES FOR THE NURSING HOME, SENIOR SAINTS, BURIAL FUND, AND THEIR MONTHLY PUBLICATION (AVAILABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS OF HOJ), THE CONTROL CENTER COMMUNICATOR.

5.There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group's activities. They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is also a vital part of the mind control process.

HERE IS A TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE. SUNDAY: CHURCH SERVICE TWICE, SOMETIMES 3 TIMES; TUESDAY: SERVICE; WEDNESDAY: DAUGHTERS OF GOD MEETING OR CHOIR PRACTICE; THURSDAY: SONS OF GOD MEETING; FRIDAY: SERVICE. PLUS MANDATORY BIBLE SCHOOL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL BEFORE OR AFTER FIRST SERVICE ON SUNDAY. ATTENDANCE AT THESE FUNCTIONS IS ALSO RECORDED AND REPORTED.

6.There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on "how to be a true Christian" or "being obedient to leadership". Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do.

THE HOJ OWNS A LOT OF LAND IN OVER 40 STATES AND HAS COMMUNAL LIVING AREAS (WHICH THEY CALL " THE FARM" HOUSING SITES IN OHIO, MARYLAND, AND FLORIDA. MEMBERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO CALL THEIR PASTOR OR OVERSEER TO ASK PERMISSION BEFORE GOING ON ANY MAJOR TRIP, VACATION, OR SIMPLY TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK.MEMBERS MUST CALL YOUR PASTOR OR OVERSEER BEFORE "CHURCH SERVICE" IF THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND.

7.Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal.

ALL HOJ PASTORS WORK REGULAR JOBS. THEY DO RECEIVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TITHES BEFORE IT IS SENT TO HEADQUARTERS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO LIVE ON. THE CHURCH ALSO STRESSES THAT EVERYONE IS EQUAL, SO WHEN ONE GOES TO CHURCH, ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 30 MAY BE CALLED ON TO PREACH. MEMBERS ARE NOT GIVEN ANY TYPE OF NOTICE. CHURCH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE WHO IS GOING TO PREACH AND THEN THEY SING A SONG. THE LENGTH OF THE SONG IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT PERSON HAS TO PREPARE A SERMON.

8.Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained.

THIS IS SELF-EXPLANATORY. "VIGILANTLY MAINTAINED" RELATE TO THE PRACTICE OF THE BACKSEAT.

9.Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. This could be in the form of "dobbing" on fellow members (including family) under the guise of looking out for their "spiritual welfare". They may be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception) or give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment.

MOTHERS WILL TURN THEIR CHILDREN IN TO THE PASTOR OR MAKE THEM CONFESS ON SECOND SUNDAY TO "SIN," KNOWING THE CHILDREN WILL BE PLACED ON THE BACKSEAT. THIS ALSO MAKES THE PARENT SEEM CLOSER TO GOD TO SACRIFICE THEIR CHILD TO THIS PUNISHMENT.

10.Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may be met with threats. Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by other members with coercion to get them to return to the group. Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that involve their lives or have signed a "covenant" and feel threatened by this.

THIS IS EXPLAINED FURTHER UNDER " REBELLION," " GET MY NAME ON THE BOOKS," " REINCARNATION"/"ETERNAL LIFE," AND " WORLD/WORLDLY."

11."US VERSUS THEM" MENTALITY: Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil", "worldly", or "unenlightened". Their enemies now include, the christian church, the govt., former friends, family members not associated with the group, and society in general.

THIS IS TRUE EVEN FOR CHILDREN. THE HOJ DISCOURAGES ANY UNSUPERVISED CONTACT WITH " WORLDLY" CHILDREN AND ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THE BOY OR GIRL SCOUTS. MOST CHILD MEMBERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND BIRTHDAY PARTIES OR HAVE FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL OVER TO THEIR HOUSE, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE " WORLDLY".

12.ABUSE OF TIME AND ENERGY: The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion.

BETWEEN THE FIVE-DAY CHURCH SCHEDULE, MANDATORY BIBLE/SUNDAY SCHOOL, WORK, AND PUBLIC SCHOOL (WHETHER GRADE OR COLLEGE LEVEL), MEMBERS REPORT BEING COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.

13.ABUSE OF FREE WILL: They must unquestioningly submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will" actually becomes the group's "will" without their realizing it. This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt".

YOUR WILL IS USUALLY REFERRED TO AS " REBELLION" AND THE HOJ'S WILL IS "THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIGHT". A GREAT EXAMPLE OF MEMBERS' SUBMISSION IS MENTIONED ABOVE IN #6, REGARDING ASKING PERMISSION TO GO ON TRIPS.

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