---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Headline News" (a column from the Christian Research Newsletter, Volume 5: Number 3, 1992) by Ron Rhodes. The editor of the Christian Research Newsletter is Ron Rhodes. ------------- *Critics of the Boston Church of Christ Call It a Cult and Accuse Its Leaders of Dictatorship.* An article in the May 18 issue of _Time_ magazine says that exit counselors are seeking to pressure Boston church members to quit; universities across the country are seeking to curb the activities of its evangelists on their campuses; and critics are mailing out booklets and tapes denouncing the group. Some church defectors charge that "the church has done them psychological or spiritual harm. Many are crying 'cult,' although dropout Rick Bauer thinks 'authoritarian sect' is a better label." Much of the current hostility focuses on the rigid control the church hierarchy exercises over the lives of its members. "Each baptized member is subject to a personal 'discipler,' who gives advice not only on spiritual problems but also on daily life. Dropouts complain that the advice, which members are expected to obey, may include such details as where to live, whom and when to date, what courses to take in school, even how often to have sex with a spouse. One former convert says he was led through a detailed financial inventory to ensure that he would contribute heavily," _Time_ reports. Church leaders have admitted that some disciplers have gone too far and say the church will "re-adjust" its discipling practice. Al Baird, a veteran Boston elder, says that "members were told to obey leaders not only on specific biblical commands but also on matters of 'opinion.' Now, he says, leaders may demand specific evangelistic efforts but not dictate 'such things as choice of food, car, clothes, [and the] exact amount of giving.' A discipler's advice may be rejected 'without sinning' if a member is convinced he is doing God's will," _Time_ reports. Defectors predict, however, that the demands on church members will probably change little. The article notes that the control system in the church is designed to focus the energies of members on proselytizing. "All you think about is recruiting," said Mark Trahan, a former church leader in New York. When Trahan left the church in 1990, he says he was "marked" -- meaning that former church friends were instructed not to contact him. Exit counselor Jeff Davis contends that the biggest problem is that "the group identifies itself so closely with God that people fear they must forsake God in order to leave it." The church, founded in 1979 by Kip McKean, has grown from a single congregation to 103 congregations around the world with a total attendance of 50,000. All this is nettlesome to the conventional Churches of Christ, a conservative body of 1.6 million adherents from which the Boston Church of Christ broke away. _An article on the Boston Church of Christ is planned for a forthcoming issue of the CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL._ ------------- *The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Is Reportedly Moving Away from Its Mormon Roots toward Protestantism.* This theological shift is documented in two side-by-side articles written by Peggy Fletcher Stack for the April 25 issue of the _Salt Lake Tribune._ In one of the articles -- entitled "Reorganized LDS Church Embarks on Move Away from Mormon Roots" - - Stack notes that "the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was born in 1844 at the death of prophet-founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. Most Mormons chose to follow Brigham Young to Utah and that group maintained the LDS name. However, a smaller group remained in the Midwest, led by Joseph Smith III." Today, the article reports, the RLDS church is "officially established in nearly 40 nations, with a worldwide membership of more than 240,000 (compared to 8 million LDS members). Wallace B. Smith, great-grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr., is the prophet-president." What kinds of doctrinal changes are being made in the church? In Stack's second article -- "RLDS Theological Changes Favor Protestant Tenets" -- we find a list of theological changes which include: "* Removal of sections of the Doctrine and Covenants which discuss baptism for the dead. * Removal of [Doctrine and Covenants] section 113, which said that Joseph Smith Jr., 'has done more [save Jesus only] for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.' * Challenging the belief that the Inspired Version of the Bible written by Joseph Smith is a superior work of correcting and restoring the scriptural text.... * Rejecting the idea that the Reorganized Church is the 'only true church with authority to administer the sacraments.' * Rejecting the belief that the Reorganization is the penultimate restoration of the New Testament church. * Questioning the Book of Mormon as a history.... * Softening traditional teachings on the ancient apostasy and the need for a restoration.... * Ordaining women to the priesthood." Despite this theological shift, there are certain aspects of the RLDS church that will always distinguish it from any Protestant denomination. For example, the church is led by a "prophet-president" who receives "revelations," and the church accepts the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. Furthermore, the church is in the process of building a sacred temple. _CRI's research department will continue monitoring further developments in the RLDS church. Watch for reports in future issues of the *Christian Research Newsletter.*_ ------------- *The Church of Scientology Has Filed a $416-Million Libel Suit against _Time_ Magazine, Its Parent Company Time-Warner Inc., and Reporter Richard Behar.* The suit charges that a _Time_ magazine cover story last May -- entitled "The Cult of Greed" -- was "maliciously constructed from its inception to attempt to destroy the Scientology religion," the April 28 _Los Angeles Times_ reports. According to the same day's _Wall Street Journal,_ the suit "alleges that a biased reporter was put on the story and that the article was false and defamatory." A _Time_ spokesman responded by saying that the article was "a solid piece of journalism, thoroughly researched, and we stand very much behind it." The church has also filed libel suits against several sources quoted in the _Time_ story. ------------- End of document, CRN0046A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Headline News" release A, June 30, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- YOURS FOR THE ASKING The Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin -- is a clearing house for current, in- depth information on new religious movements and aberrant Christian teachings. We provide well-reasoned, carefully-researched answers to concepts and ideas that challenge orthodox Christianity. Did you know that CRI has a wealth of information on various topics that is yours for the asking? We offer a wide variety of articles and fact sheets free of charge. Our informative newsletter is freely available upon request as well. Write or call us today for information on topics of interest to you. Our first-rate staff will do everything possible to help you. Christian Research Institute P.O. Box 500-TC San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (714) 855-9926 --------------- End of file.