Apologetics Index: Information about religious cults, sects, movements, doctrines, apologetics and counter-cult ministry.  Also: daily religion news, articles on Christian life and ministry, editorials, daily cartoon.
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Lalich, Janja

The entry on Janja Lalich has been moved.

Lama

Literally: wisdom.

A priest or monk teacher in Tibetan Buddhism.

Tibetan Bla- ma ("superior one"), in Tibetan Buddhism, a spiritual leader. Originally used to translate "guru" (Sanskrit: "venerable one") and thus applicable only to heads of monasteries or great teachers, the term is now extended out of courtesy to any respected monk or priest. The common Western usage of "lamaism" and "lamasery" are, in fact, incorrect terms of reference for Tibetan Buddhism and a Tibetan monastery.
[...more...]

For the importance of such Lamas, see "Control of Tibet a question of faith"

- See Also -
» Dalai Lama
» Karmapa Lama
» Panchen Lama
» Reting Lama

Lamaism

The Mahayana Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia. Marked by tantric and shamanistic ritual and a dominant monastic hierarchy headed by the Dalai Lama. See also: Lama

Tibetan Buddhism: (Lamaism) A blending of Buddhism with the occultism of Tibet which developed in the 7th century AD. Lamas (priests) are perpetually led by the Dalai Lama who is worshipped as the most recent reincarnation of Bodhisattva Chenresi.

Landes, Richard

Professor of medieval history at Boston University. Director of its Center for Millennial Studies

Landmark Education

Formerly known as est and the Forum. This is a so-called LGAT - Large Group Awareness Training program.

Extended Entry See Extended Entry

Langone, Michael

Cult expert. Executive Director, American Family Foundation (AFF). Editor, Cultic Studies Journal

- Books -        Click On Titles To Order At Discount           » More Books

Grey Zone, Unsure, or OffkeyAberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or UnorthodoxProfess to be Christian but are outside orthodox Christianity Larson, Bob

 referral See this page

Profess to be Christian but are outside orthodox Christianity Latter Day Church of Christ

A polygamous and incestuous sect of Mormonism, which itself is a cult of Christianity. Also known as the Kingston clan or family. Size: 1000-1500 people.

- News Database -
» See at Kingston Clan

Profess to be Christian but are outside orthodox Christianity LDS

Latter Day Saints, a cult of Christianity. Full name: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Commonly known as Mormons.

Aberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Latter Rain Movement

 referral See this page

LaVey, Anton Szandor

Founded the Satanic Church (1966).

Lausanne Covenant

The Lausanne Covenant was ratified at the International Congress on World Evangelization, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in July 1974. The contents of the Lausanne Covenant were agreed upon by approximately 2,300 people, representing 150 nations from all over the world. Since then it has become a confession of faith for a wide variety of evangelical ministries and associations. The text of the Lausanne Covenant is taken from official editions printed by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.
As found on the EMNR site

Layton, Deborah

L'Engle, Madeleine

Popular New Age author

Christian Leadership U.

"Resources for Life and Ministry"
A ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Excellent apologetics section Apologetics: Additional On-Site Information

Christian "Lead Us Not Into Deception:"

Subtitled: "A Biblical Examination of Moral Government Theology" Book by Alan Gomes on Moral Government Theology.

Download the entire book

Lee, Jason Samuel

Canadian cult leader.

- News Database -

» Database of archived news items regarding Jason Samuel Lee
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)

Lee, Witness

(1905 - 1997)
Founder of the Local Church (Lord's Recovery) Movement. Discipled by and a co-worker of Watchman Nee. Lee claimed God was present only in the Local Church Movement, and taught that Christian victory was gained by speaking, singing or shouting "O Lord, Amen, Hallelujah" rather than by studying doctrine, praying, or any other way.
- Articles -
Christian Faith Misguided: Exposing the Dangers of Mysticism An excerpt of Arthur L. Johnson's book, Faith Misguided. Helps to understand the mystical influence Watchman Nee had upon Witness Lee, and subsequently, upon Witness Lee's entire Local Church movement

Left Behind (Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins)

See this page

Leo J. Ryan

Secular Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation [Cult-Info]

Name adopted by Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Cult Info, a cult awareness organization. Leo J. Ryan was the US congressman who was murdered by members of Jim Jones' Peoples Temple. Not affilliated with the Glendale, CA-based foundation by the same name.

Non-Christian Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation [Scientology]

The Glendale, California-based Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation is owned by Edgar Carty. Internic lists the domain information as

Registrant:
Leo J Ryan Education Foundation (EDUCFND-DOM)
   p.o Box 9946
   Glendale, CA 91226

   Domain Name: EDUCFND.ORG
Accessed Aug. 14, 1999

That is also the mailing address for

Registrant:
Relay Point, Inc. (SITEGATEWAY2-DOM)
   PO Box 9946    Glendale, CA 91226

   Domain Name: SITEGATEWAY.COM
Accessed Aug. 14, 1999

Relay Point, Inc. is owned by Doug DeStafeno, a Scientologist (according to literature published by WISE, a Scientology frontgroup)

This foundation is not affiliated with the Bridgeport, CT-based foundation by the same name.

This group uses the domain name EDUCFND.ORG. The domain name leads to the "Anti-Brainwashing Campaign." Its purpose is stated as follows:

The Anti-Brainwashing Campaign is a movement founded by individuals dedicated to educating the public on the real facts about "deprogrammers" or "thought reform consultants" or "exit counselors."

We are dedicated to eradicating the dangerous use of brainwashing techniques being used under the guise of "counseling."

The type of information provided, the spin-doctoring, and the overall "feel" of the article is typical of other Scientology-sponsored or connected hate campaigns. Considering the fact that Leo J. Ryan was murdered by cult members, the use of his name for a site like this is reprehensible.

- See Also -
For accurate information on the topics mentioned, see

» Apologetics Index Statement regarding brainwashing, deprogramming
   and exit counseling
» Brainwashing
» Deprogramming
» Exit Counseling
» Thought Reform Counseling

Lesbianism

Levitating

See Transcendental Meditation

The alleged practice of "floating" above the ground - a condition said to be reached through meditation.

Lewis, C.S. (1898-1963)

 referral See this page

Lewis, Gordon R.

Founder and first president of Evangelical Ministries to New Religions (EMNR).

- Books -        Click On Titles To Order At Discount           » More Books

AcademicPluralistic Lewis, James R.

Extended Entry See Extended Entry

LGATs

Large Group Awareness Trainings. "Encounter groups" generally marketed to businesses as ways of enhancing communication among managers and/or other employees, fostering "group spirit," promoting spiritual development, etcetera. These seminars and programs are part psychotherapy, part spirituality, and part business.

Non-Christian Liefhebber, Peter

Dutch journalist. Co-editor of Share International

Non-Christian Life Space

Lifeline

Dutch-language magazine of the Worldwide Church of God

Lifton, Robert

Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, City University of New York, as well as at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Graduate School and University Center, and the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Director of the Center on Violence and Human Survival at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

(...) During an acclaimed scholarly career that has spanned 20 books, including his best-known, ''The Nazi Doctors,'' Lifton has interviewed Hiroshima survivors, cult members, global terrorists, survivors of Armenian genocide and other victims of war or human rights atrocities.
(...)

In addition to his teaching and writing, Lifton, a recipient of more than a dozen honorary degrees, is director of The Center on Violence and Human Survival at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

Lifton continues to expand his range of subjects. His new book, which will be published by William Morrow in November, is an examination of the death penalty in the U.S., with co-author Greg Mitchell. It's titled ''Who Owns Death: Capital Punishment, the American Conscience, and the End of Executions.''
Scholar Studies Why We Hate Times Union, Nov. 3, 2000

Articles

Secular Book Excerpt: Totalism
Secular The Death Penalty's Days Are Numbered Excerpt from an opinion item, from the Los Angeles Times, Jan. 3, 2001
Secular Scholar Studies Why We Hate Excerpted news article from Times Union, Nov. 3, 2000

- Books -        Click On Titles To Order At Discount           » More Books
Secular Destroying the World to Save It : Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence, and the the New Global Terrorism by Robert Jay Lifton "As with all of Lifton's reflections on politics and psychology, this one has many powerful and compelling insights." - The New York Times, Richard Bernstein. "astonishingly intimate portrait of Aum Shinrikyo, the Japanese cult that became world-famous when it released a nerve gas called sarin into the Tokyo subway ... extremely detailed. ... But the book is much more than a story of a single cult. It's an exploration of the idea of cults: how they grow, who joins them, who leads them. ... An intelligent, ambitious exploration of the power of cults and a definite eye-opener." - American Library Association, David Pitt.
Secular Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism : A Study of Brainwashing in China by Robert Lifton

News Archive

Items added after August, 2002:
» Religion News Blog News Collection, various sources

Older Items:
» Database of archived news items
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)

Christian Light of Truth Ministries

CAUTION: The Local Church, which theologically is a cult of Christianity, has taken over the late Jim Moran's web site. Information currently posted at the web site, which is now under control of the Local Church, can not be trusted. See this page for details.

Light of Truth Ministries was established in 1989 by Jim Moran to research and to report upon the beliefs and practices of Witness Lee and The Local Church movement. The primary purpose of this ministry is to provide detailed information about Witness Lee and the Local Church movement from an evangelical Christian perspective so that visitors to this Website can make informed conclusions about the claims of this particular movement.

Li Hongzhi

Lindsey, Hal

 referral See this page

Non-Christian Lisa McPherson Foundation

Set up by Scientologists in response to the creation of the Lisa McPherson Trust. The Scientologists claim the latter is a hate group, but indications are the Lisa McPherson Foundation is the latest in a series of Scientology-related organizations dedicated to hate speech. (See also, Cult Awareness Network).

Secular Lisa McPherson Trust

Little Pebble

William Kamm, leader of the Order of St. Charbel is referred to as "Little Pebble."

Livets Ord

Scandinavia-based Word-Faith movement, founded and lead by Ulf Ekman. Livets Ord is Swedish for Word of Life.

See Word of Life

Living Church of God

Aberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Living Stream Ministry

Publishing arm and ministry station headquarters of the Local Church Movement.

Note: the Local Church also operates "Sword Distributing," in Torrance, California

Grey Zone, Unsure, or Offkey Living Truth Ministries

Texe Marrs' organization. Purveyor of bizarre, sensationalistic and speculative claims and theories, via books, a newsletter, and his web site

Aberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Local Church

 referral See this entry

Loftus, Elizabeth

Memory Expert, especially on the subject of false memories. See this article for background information, and see the news articles database for additional items.

News

» Google News Predefined Search. If current news is available on this topic, you will find it here.
» Religion News Blog RNB logs current and archived news about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.

News Archive

Database of archived news items on Elizabeth Loftus
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)
» For newer items, see Religion News Blog

Secular Logical Fallacies, Stephen's Guide to the

The point of an argument is to give reasons in support of some conclusion. An argument commits a fallacy when the reasons offered do not support the conclusion.

Stephen Downes presents a handy guide to the known logical fallacies. A great reference to use in evaluating your pastor's sermons, world views, presidential "apologies," Usenet postings, etcetera.

Logos

One of two Greek words in the New Testament which refer to the "Word of God." The other is rhema. Though the Bible uses the two words interchangeably, in Word-Faith theology, logos is said to be the "written Word of God," while rhema is considered the "spoken Word of God."

In this doctrine, Logos refers to the Bible. Extra-Biblical revelation, said to be rhema, is to be rejected if it contradicts Logos.

The danger of the rhema vs. logos doctrines can be seen in some of the current renewal and revival movements, where experience and extra-Biblical revelation are increasingly taking precedence over the written Word of God. The renewal and revival movements have adopted this doctrine, because it fits in with their view that the Church is to be lead and taught by prophets and apostles who, they claim, reveal things that were previously "hidden".

London City Church

Based on the City Church concept, the London City Church consists of a over 120 churches that network under the leadership of Kensington Temple. Senior Minister of both Kensington Temple and London City Church is Colin Dye.

Lord Of All

Extended Entry See this page

Lord, I Believe

Extended Entry See this page

Aberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Lord's Recovery

Offical name of the Local Church movement.

Profess to be Christian but are outside orthodox Christianity Lord's Resistance Army

Extended Entry See this page

News

» Google News Predefined Search. If current news is available on this topic, you will find it here.
» Religion News Blog RNB logs current and archived news about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.

Lott, Clyde

One of several Americans in the process of raising and shipping red heifers to Israel in the belief that the birth of a red heifer in Israel will signal the rebuilding of the Temple.

Lott's organization is called Canaan Land Restoration of Israel Inc.

News Archive

Items added after August, 2002:
» Religion News Blog News Collection, various sources

Older Items:
» Database of archived news items
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)

Love Bombing

The practice of some cultic movements to shower new recruits or prospects with extra love and attention. Seen by many as an unethical persuasion tactic designed to hinder critical thinking regarding the pros and cons of joining or remaining with the group.

Lucado, Max

Author. Vice-President of Promise Keepers.

- Articles -
Christian Cosmic Christmas A look at Max Lucado's "Cosmic Christmas" and Jay Gary's "Star 2000"