NZ Cults & Religious Groups List: O

Hot picks: Occult, Oneness Pentecostal, Open Brethren

O

Occult. Defined by Webster's dictionary as "Of, relating to, or dealing in matters regarded as involving the unction or influence of supernatural agencies or some secret knowledge of them." For a Christian this amounts to any supernatural power outside of God, which basically covers anything dealing with crystal healing, divination and fortune telling (including horoscopes), possibly hypnotism, magic (not the sleight-of-hand stuff), ouija boards, psychics, satanism, wicca, witchcraft, etc. The Harry Potter books and movies promote the occult as being OK, which it is not. The word "occult" literally means hidden. For more information see the Occult Closeup.

One World Volunteers Institute. A "school" based in Norway, a front group for Tvind. Has run advertisements and held meetings in Auckland and Wellington.

Oneness Pentecostal. Heretical Christian movement followed by denominations such as United Pentecostal Churches. Also called Jesus Only-ism. Beliefs include denial of the Trinity - from United Pentecostal Church literature:

In distinction to the doctrine of the Trinity, the UPCI [United Pentecostal Church International] holds to a oneness view of God. It views the Trinitarian concept of God, that of God eternally existing as three distinctive persons, as inadequate and a departure from the consistent and emphatic biblical revelation of God being one.

The Trinity is an essential of the Christian faith, as Dr Normal Geisler stated clearly when he testified in a case involving the Local Church in a submission to the Supreme Court of Texas:

In over fifty years of research on doctrinal matters, it is my professional opinion that: 1) It is doctrinally appropriate to label some groups by the terms unorthodox, heretical, or a cult.

...

... in every list of essential orthodox Christian Doctrine of which I am aware, ... the doctrine of the Trinity is an essential Christian Doctrine, and deviations from it are considered unorthodox, heretical, or cultic.

Oneness Pentecostals also believe that salvation requires repentance, baptism (in Jesus' name, only, not in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), and baptism in the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by speaking in tongues. In other words, baptism is essential and speaking in tongues shows someone is saved. Waterworks (PDF) is a pamphlet which shows why baptism is not essential. Oneness Pentecostals also teach only Oneness believers will get to heaven. Main followers include T D Jakes and the singing trio Phillips, Craig & Dean. In New Zealand, UCPI licensee (the first of three steps toward ordination) Peter Heaslip has claimed to have a doctorate degree, a D Soc Sci (which he always writes with the spaces), but the New Zealand Cult List has questioned this degree and suspects it is from an overseas degree mill. The degree is not available from any New Zealand educational organisation. Mr Heaslip has refused multiple times to provide details of the degree, calling it his "private life". However, the New Zealand Cult List notes he has publically claimed the degree, for example signing off his congratulations for the Watchman Fellowship web site, which he says "shows dedication, scholarship and a willingness to walk in the truth. Congratulations !". The NZ Cult List agrees with his description of that site and ironically notes that Watchman Fellowship calls Oneness Pentecostalism a heresy. For more information see Watchman Fellowship's Oneness Pentecostalism profile (which ironically appeared in the same issue of the Watchman Expositor that Mr Heaslip's congratulatory letter appeared in) or CARM's Oneness Pentecostal pages.

Open Brethren. Conservative Christian denomination, not to be confused with Exclusive Brethren. Open Brethren churches are self-governing and have no ordained leadership.

Osteopathy. Consumer magazine took a look at various "complementary medicine" back treatments including Osteopathy in August 2004. They pointed out in their overview that "Scientific evidence in support of any form of treatment for back pain is, at best, patchy." However, they also found:

A recent review of 38 clinical trials found that spinal manipulation - carried out by chiropractors, osteopaths and manipulative physiotherapists - helped relieve acute lower back pain in the first four to six weeks, just as effectively as pain relief medication. But the review couldn't say who will benefit most from spinal manipulation or what the best spinal manipulative therapies are. ...

The most serious risks associated with any of them [osteopathy and the other techniques investigated] are stroke and spinal cord injury following manipulation. However, these are extremely rare.

There are small risks associated with unnecessary x-rays and CT scans. ACC claims that in the absence of "red flag" symptoms ... there is no clinical benefit of radiology in the first four to six weeks of treatment.

They finished with some advice, including "If your GP is sceptical about the value of treatment from your preferred discipline, quiz him or her about why." And "If you don't feel comfortable with a suggested treatment, refuse it. You should receive a service only when you have made an informed choice." The New Zealand Cult List also believes in informed choice. Please see the Contact page.

Owen, Kevin. Kevin Owen is a member of the Scientology cult. He is given a Danger rating here because of the evangelism he does for Scientolgy.