Is the Jesus Army a Cult?

Before this question can possibly be answered, another one needs to be asked: What is a Cult?

Historically, Cults have been defined in different ways: theologically, sociologically, or a mixture of both.
The word 'Cult' does not have a universally accepted definition - it is a very ambiguous term which means different things to different people.

The Jesus Army often claims that is NOT a Cult because, amongst other things, it subscribes to the doctrines of what we may call 'historically accepted Christian faith', including a belief in the Bible as being fully inspired by God almighty and Jesus Christ as being God incarnate.

The fact is, however, that when most people use the word 'Cult' (and especially when it is being used by people within the media), there are characteristics which they have in mind that have little to do with the what a group believes in or doesn't believe in.

Listed below are six characteristics that many writers on the subject of Cults believe to be important.

Characteristic One:

Cults have a leader who is looked up to as having a 'special' relationship with God that gives him/her greater spritual knowledge than the rank and file member.
This leader is normally self-appointed and has ultimate authority concerning ALL matters relating to the doctrine and lifestyle of the Cult.

FACT: Noel Stanton, the self-appointed leader of the Jesus Army, is insistent that he is as much subject to the authority and guidance of other Jesus Army 'elders' as they are to him.
FACT: Noel Stanton holds a unique position at the head of the Jesus Army authority structure.

Characteristic two.

Membership of a Cult is considered to be more important than anything else.
Members are often estranged from families and former friends and take on a 'new identity' within the group.
Individuals no longer retain the freedom to make important decisions concerning their life (e.g. career/choice of partner/ accommodation etc.) without approval from leaders within the Cult.

FACT: There are different categories of membership within the JA which demand different levels of commitment.
FACT: Those members who live within a 'Community household' are the ones who most closely conform to the above characteristic.

Characteristic Three.

A Cult is secretive about crucial aspects of its lifestyle and teaching. It considers that the world 'out there' is essentially hostile to what it is trying to achieve, and an 'us and them' mentality often exists.

FACT: The Jesus Army claims that it has learnt from past mistakes and is doing everything it can to align itself with the wider church and, so far as possible, with society in general.
FACT: Building the 'Kingdom of God' remains central to what the Jesus Army believes in. Jesus Army members inevitably feel themselves to be 'set apart' from the both the world and, to a greater or lesser extent, from many other churches.

Characteristic Four.

Cult members are led to believe that questioning and criticising is wrong - and are made to feel guilty for doing so.

FACT: During my own period of membership, we were explicitly taught that ANY criticsisms or reservations we had sprang from an 'impure' heart.
FACT: Testimony from those who have left within recent years suggests that members are still made to feel guilty if they challenge the authority and teaching of the Jesus Army.

Characteristic Five.

Those who leave Cults are considered to be traitors/and or backsliders.

FACT: Pressure is still put on members to remain within the Jesus Army. The degree of pressure, however, is different for different types of membership. Some JA members seem to be able to come and go quite freely with little recrimination.
FACT: Some recent ex-members who have left remain highly supportive of what the Jesus Army stands for. Others, have harrowing stories to tell of how difficult it was for them to leave and of the accusations that were made against them.

Characteristic Six.

Cults spend an inordinate amount of time recruiting new members.

FACT: The Jesus Army invests a huge amount of time, money and effort into its evangelisation programme. It denies that this is primarily for 'recruitment' and points to the 'good work' it does amongst the destitute.
FACT: The Jesus Army does not believe in charity for the sake of charity. Its evangelism programme DOES have specific aims, which include making converts for 'the Kingdom of God'.

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