I watched a show on National Geographic last night called "Inside a Cult" which was on Strong City and Michael Travesser. I am curious how folks feel about this guy, especially those that believe in god. For one thing I am curious how those that believe in the Christian God and Jesus can be sure that this guy is not telling the truth. If Jesus did show up (or any son of god) do you think he would be a cult leader, in the psychiatric ward or should be followed as the Messiah? . I am not sure I am wording this right - I guess I want to know how you know he is NOT the son of god. People believe in Jesus as the son of god based on no real proof (I am not trying to start an argument, but it is faith that folks have that the bible is a legitimate source of God and Jesus's teachings) so why would it take proof to believe this guy is the son of god? Are we too advanced to accept this in this day and age or is there just no way Jesus would be back on earth? What would it take for you to believe he really is the Messiah?

Thoughts?
Opinions?

well in all aspects how is the catholic christan or anyother religon that has customs and laws not a cult? so the pope is a cult leader as well. to say the least is this man hurting people? no so there really is nothing wrong with it because he isnt hurting nor is he stealing there money.

Well he does have naked underage girls in his bed, so technically he is hurting someone, as far as I know, the pope does not subscribe to this practice.

there you go!!!!! see??? but just cause he has that isnt what makes it a cult see my point? yes its wrong hell he should in my book be killed for that. but it isnt that that makes it a cult and it isnt that that makes christananity not a cult

There is absolutely no way that Jesus would ever "come back" in the manner he described.


Nothing could because he isn't the Messiah. Messiah is a Jewish concept and to know whether or not he is the Jewish Messiah we have to examine what the Jewish sources say about their Messiah and determine whether or not Jesus fits the qualifications. The fact of the matter is, he doesn't. He was a heretic according to Jewish law and so were his followers that believed he was the "Lord/Savior/Messiah".

For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
Matthew 24:5

Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.
Mark 13:6

He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them.
Luke 21:8

So what would it take for you to believe someone was a physical manifestation of god on earth? I am asking sincerely, not trying to be sarcastic or anything. I hate the lack of tone of voice in text. That was really what I was asking, since this guy says he is god on earth, (not that I believe him in any way) - I am just wondering if anyone would really believe it and what it would take to get to the point you did believe.

Well I'm an atheist, so it would take some sort of miraculous event that was testable, repeatable, and unexplainable. Your question was why do Christians not believe it, and those verses are why. Besides, they believe that when Jesus returns, the world will end.

We really believe that after Jesus returns there's one thousand years of word wide peace, justice and tranquility before the world ends.

No, some of you believe that. Don't try and act like every Christian agrees with your interpretation of Revelation. Besides, even if everyone did agree with you, the world as we know it would end. One thousand years of peace and prosperity is essentially the end of this world.

You bring up many good points in your observations annmariet, most of which the modern Christian refuses to consider. One of them is; all that anyone in our age has to go on when considering the man (Jesus) is that we are only choosing to believe on him (or not), based on stories we have been told, written in a book thought to be "sacred". When Jesus first proclaimed that he was the Messiah, many disciples began to follow him, simply because they knew he was telling the truth. He offered no miracles, just a testimony of himself.

Another point is this, superimpose the life of Jesus with his twelve scrubby fishermen (laborers) following him around into our current society. Then consider that Jesus often broke what were considered valid laws in his day. Add to this mixture that twice He went into the temple and chased the religious leaders out, stirring up their ire; and what would you call this man today.... a rebellious, lawbreaking "cult leader" with a handful of deluded followers.

Terry

I am a modern Christian. I considered. I would not follow that person. Some of us just follow God by allowing the Spirit within us to guide as It will. As far as people claiming this and that. We will know them by their works. The Spirit can test and let us know if they are going by the Word or not. That is all.

Given what your God commands, I'd say thats probably the best approach. Michael Travesser is a sham, he is trying to resolve his own personal issues and demons by projecting his will on others. Isn't he in jail now? I thought I read on CNN that he got in some big trouble.

I watched that program on his cult, and it was pretty disturbing.

I agree - at least Clovis would consider it, and decide based on his faith and feelings in regards to the person which is all that could be expected out of any sane person. That is probably the best answer to this I am going to get really, since it accepts that it might be true but to not just accept it without analyzing it first.

He is in jail now, and I think he belongs there. It all just made me think about how any modern person would be in a dilemma since anyone claiming to be Jesus would come across as a nut in our society, but if you believe that Jesus was the son of god and here before, than I would think it would be difficult to just completely discount the possibility that it could be true......

The gentleman is no longer in jail, and of course the media has conveniently left out the fact that Mr. Travesser's bail has been returned to him. The people who watched the film were shown some hand selected sound bites, the purpose of which was to make you think Travesser is a criminal. The same thing happened to Jesus, as he was not crucified for a being nice guy. No, he was seen as a threat to the economy and the fabric of the Jewish way of life.

But Travesser did have young naked people in his bed - that is not really normal. Well, maybe it is, but I think it is wrong.

And many people lay side by side, nude, when visiting a beach. Others lay virtually nude next to each other (small pieces of cloth covering certain body parts) and this practice is considered perfectly acceptable. Caregivers are regularly having interaction with nude children and are not charged with crimes. For the uneducated one, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes than you could ever imagine, as to why these charges against Travesser have come about.

this guy personally i think is evil...and im satanic for pitty's sake

Being satanic would explain your perceptions fairly well to me. I have known and associated withTravesser for almost 20 years. There has not been any immorality in his life, unlike most of his accusers. The events here have been unusual, but when put into perspective, should not even be on the radar.

Example; President Bush has ordered the rape, pillaging, plundering and murder of multiple millions of people in the Iraq and Afghanistan regions. Contrast that, to 50 people living on a piece of land in the open desert (Strong City), claiming that Travesser has done them no harm. Even those whom the State are using to make these charges, say they were not hurt or abused in any manner, either physically or sexually, by Travesser or anyone else.

I am sorry but I don't think people voluntarily laying in the sun at the beach can be compared to someone using religion to manipulate underage girls into their bed naked. There is no religious basis for this and it can only be viewed as abuse of impressionable children. And of course they say he is not abusing them, they are brainwashed and manipulated to the point that they cannot speak out, the only ones that do are the ones that wake up and get out of there.