Missionary Threat (Rick Ross): David Clark Responds To Rick Ross and “The Missionary Threat” Booklet
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- Missionary Threat (Rick Ross): Evaluating The Missionary Threat - Introduction
- Missionary Threat (Rick Ross): David Clark Responds To Rick Ross and "The Missionary Threat" Booklet
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Rick Ross, on the other hand, has crossed over one of the most essential lines: that of religious or spiritual orientation. When one reads “THE MISSIONARY THREAT” one may be deeply troubled by the adversarial, inflammatory and polarizing language chosen by the author. It denigrates Christian missionary organizations without proper distinctions being made between destructive mind control organizations and mainstream evangelical ministries. This definitive categorical problem is similar to that of understanding the distinction between deprogramming and that of exit counseling. Serious lines have been crossed. The ethical assistance of those who are truly deceived and abused in destructive groups on one hand does not justify inflammatory bigotry on the other. Mixed messages challenge the credibility of what one is advancing. What is the ultimate agenda behind this kind of rhetoric? My orientation as an orthodox Christian requires that I point out the distinction between biblical Christianity and unorthodox cultic practices of deception unethical control and abusive manipulation. I believe Rick Ross provides a tremendous public service when he exposes dishonest practices of destructive groups whether they be cultic or otherwise but his gaining access to troubled families with Bible or Christian difficulties without their awareness of his anti-Christian diatribing is a bit unsettling. One could understand why Rick might want to alert the Jewish community about unethical and deceptive organizations, whatever flag they might fly under, but open and honest Jewish and Christian differences have existed since the inception of first century Christianity.The opening paragraphs of Rick’s booklet identify his targets: “Missionaries,” evangelical Christians and born again fundamentalists. Notice it does not open with the clearly recognized destructive and abusive cult categories or groups. Yet as the booklet develops its presentation, it makes clear references to cultic warning signs and deprogramming the victims. He uses one of my cases to make his point, representing it as a deprogramming, although he was fully aware through contact with me that it was a voluntary exit counseling and after years of lengthy discussions between us regarding the distinctions between exit counseling and deprogramming. This kind of misrepresentation and confusing mixed messages only feeds cultic propagandists who will be only too eager to take advantage of the opportunity when they get their hands on it, I can assure you. Legitimate and ethical missionary activity can only be harmed by this kind of lumping together with illegitimate activity in the name of Christianity.
Missionary Threat (Rick Ross): Evaluating The Missionary Threat - Introduction
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