Chaplain To Talk About Cults

Chaplain Jim Nielsen of Pullman will be at Opportunity Presbyterian Church on Wednesday to talk about how to recognize cults and who is vulnerable to them.

Often people who are taken in by cults are going through a crisis or problem, Nielsen said. Sometimes it is young people, away from home for the first time, isolated and with no support system. But perhaps most importantly, they don’t recognize the cult for what it is.

“A person who’s in a cult group doesn’t see it as a cult,” Nielsen said.

A cult often has a charismatic leader who believes he or she has a direct pipeline to God, Nielsen said, and the leaders have authoritarian personalities. Very little, if any, questioning is permitted.

Cult members often are required to give total allegiance to the cult leader, which may result in giving up personal possessions and money. “It really varies with each group,” he said.

Cults disguised as religious movements are based on some heavy misinterpretation of the Bible. “You can use the bible to justify just about anything,” Nielsen said.

Despite all the characteristics that can be looked for, it is sometimes difficult to exactly define what a cult is. Christianity was even termed a cult when it first began, said Nielsen.

The free presentation will be at 6:30 p.m. at the church, 202 N. Pines. For more information, call 924-9750.

Rummage, bake sale today

Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite, is hosting a rummage and bake sale today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Petunia starts and perennials will also be available. A homemade soup and pie luncheon will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The soup is $1.50 and the pie is also $1.50.

Children’s musical Sunday

The children of the Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene, 10814 E. Broadway, will present the musical “Good Kings Come in Small Packages” Sunday at 6 p.m. The musical tells the story of King Amon and King Josiah. The special Mother’s Day performance is free and all are welcome to attend.

Mother’s Day breakfast

Opportunity Presbyterian will host a free Mother’s Day breakfast Sunday from 8 to 11 a.m. The menu includes ham, breads and fruit. All members of the community are invited to attend.

Project Joy orchestra performs

The 30-member senior orchestra of Project Joy will perform at the Berean Bible Church, 10919 E. Boone, on Monday at 1 p.m. Project Joy, sponsored by the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, is a volunteer group that entertains the elderly in retirement homes. The performance is free.

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