In conjunction with a book project I’m working on, I was given the suggestion to read Tom Horn’s latest exposé called Shadowland: From Jeffrey Epstein to the Clintons, from Obama and Biden to the Occult Elite, Exposing the Deep-State Actors at War with Christianity, Donald Trump, and America’s Destiny. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083JLYM3D) That’s a mouthful, but it certainly delivers on its premise. I haven’t read any of Dr. Horn’s previous books, to my detriment. Too many books, too little time. This one is fascinating and well-worth spending several hours being astounded at the depth of depravity that’s fueled by pagan rites and influenced by demonic practices, which infiltrates too many areas of our culture.
(As a late addition to this essay, I want to bring a related documentary video called Out of Shadows to your attention, that as you’ll see, has an astounding number of views and comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY8Nfzcn1qQ&list=PLwImvnQwYouQAJn1j771I5zvK0PnhPxcI&index=2&t=0s. Note: the video does have a couple of spots where there is vulgar language, specifically when it shows a clip of George Carlin speaking to his audience. Be advised, there are also some disturbing images.)
There are many fascinating accounts in the Shadowland book. The one that brought me to writing this article dealt with the details surrounding a little town called Antelope, Oregon, back in 1981. I vaguely remember a little of the goings-on at the time. Bahgwan Shree Rajneesh came from India to Antelope to start a commune where a new type of society could begin. What he brought was chaos, demonic destruction that surely impacted lives for years to come, and death. The townspeople of Antelope never knew what hit them until it was too late. If the Rajneeshees, as they were called, hadn’t imploded from within, not only that little town, but the entire county, and maybe even the state of Oregon could have been subsumed by this devilish cult.
What struck me were the tactics that Horn outlines which the cult used to gain the control that it did. They’re literally out of the Left’s playbook, which is another name for Satan’s strategies and tactics.
Before going any further and as a baseline, let’s see Webster’s definition of cult: “a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious, i.e. outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities.”
Bottom line: a cult is basically a false religion.
Specifically, the approach of the Rajneeshees reminded me of the culture on college campuses and how our young people have been deceived and led astray in ways that certainly fringe on religious indoctrination.
Per Tom Horn, here are several schemes this cult used in Antelope that, in my estimation, have been commonly employed among those partaking of higher education:
- Avoidance of the truth
- Incite to common enemy
- Utilize the media
- Upheave personal identity
- Avoidance of the truth. Those who go to college are immediately immersed in a culture that seeks to disenfranchise them from what they’ve been taught growing up. College professors are infamously liberal, many even radical in their beliefs. The majority are rabidly anti-Christian. Since Christianity is a minority position, most students in educational establishments are secular. There is much peer pressure to conform to non-Biblical beliefs, unfortunately whether in a non-Christian setting or a Christian one.
This isn’t even about causing young people with Christian backgrounds to veer from the faith; this is about a wholesale turning of minds still full of mush into dedicated Leftist ideologues. The avoidance of truth in this situation deals with the indoctrination from the very first that Christianity is bogus and Darwinian evolution is settled science. Likewise, there is little if no controversy on campuses as to whether climate change is manmade or something other. Of course, it’s manmade and there’s no disputing that fact. This is faith, i.e. religion, in action.
Going full throttle pedal-to-the-metal is the direct, frontal attack on capitalism. It was created by old, rich, white, European racists and homophobes who wanted to bring all people of color under their dominion. Is there a question as to how unfair it is? No! Only Marxism, socialism, communism can bring about equality and fairness for all.
Is it any wonder that so many Millennials have fallen for the lies of Bernie Sanders and his ilk? Why not give Medicare for All or $1,000 monthly (or more) to every citizen for life? Our government has plenty of money. All we have to do is print it.
As Pontius Pilate said to Jesus: “What is truth?”
- Incite to common enemy. Ginning up the masses against a mutual foe; what could be a better way to elicit emotional response to encourage young folks to think and lead with their hearts?
Who would be a common enemy of those Leftist professors and their eager sycophants in the classroom who hang onto their every word? How about the evil rich, white, and privileged? Anyone who isn’t a “person of color” must be bad because they’re prejudiced. Certainly, Christians who oppose the LGBT agenda are intolerant and not worthy of having any of their ideas heard. Such evil persons must be shamed to the extent that if they belong to that class, they must be made to feel guilt. White guilt is a great favorite. Any minority designated as “good” can belong to the class condemning the targeted groups.
Naturally the out-of-favor groups are the enemy. All the energy of those who love tolerance must be directed toward them, even to the point of violence. Us versus them is a powerful means of alienation.
- Utilize the media. Most of us today are very aware how Leftist the media is. It has literally become the most visible arm of the Democrat party. Its purpose is to no longer to inform; it is to persuade. There’s no longer any objective journalism; everything in the media must be used as a hammer or a lever.
The media works through many channels: mainstream news outlets, the internet and social media, music personalities, and Hollywood. Everyone on board with the Left pushes its agenda. One huge way it does this is through emotional fervor. Young people tend to think with their hearts—all feeling and emotion. The media is very good at manipulating this. As a result, they are experts in bringing Isaiah 5:20 into view:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Examples include: abortion saves lives; homosexual love is God’s plan; gender is fluid; God—if He exists at all—is a moral monster. Anyone disagreeing with these tenets is a hater and divider. This is what young people are indoctrinated with today on college campuses and through all the media they consume.
- Upheave personal identity. A specialty of cults is to separate a person from the past—all that someone has grown up knowing and believing—including self-identify and family. An authoritative figure steps into the person’s life and begins breaking down all past norms. The person’s self-worth is stripped away and a new identity is incorporated. Through this process, there must be the introduction of a common enemy. Moreover, all this is being done for the person’s greater good.
Who better on college campuses to do this than the favored professor? He or she steps into the breach of separation from the young person’s family and begins questioning all that the youth ever knew. Facts are presented that totally contradict what parents may have instilled, even who or what this young person thinks about birth gender. Everything from the past becomes an ugly reminder that what was known was wrong. Only that which is given through this new instruction and revisionist learning can bring fulfilment. The past and all its transgressions are cast into the garbage.
The sad fact is that our youth, and far too many in general society, are deceived. This was the pattern the Rajneeshees in Antelope, Oregon, used. Many youth were attracted to the idea of the utopian theories and lifestyle. All the concepts noted above were employed and many were brainwashed. The community that had been invaded wasn’t prepared for such a cancer in their midst.
Our youth aren’t prepared to enter our brave new world as presented on college campuses. Is it any wonder they embrace socialism with its happy idealism, along with all these other false doctrines?
The Bible specifically tells us that in the last days such things would happen, but most of us never really comprehended what that would look like. And amazingly, what we’re encountering today is only a minute taste of what will occur following the Rapture. When that blessed pre-Tribulation event happens, the Holy Spirit, in the form of the church, will leave this earth. Without the Spirit’s restraint, lawlessness will overwhelm society.
We look around and see how out-of-control things are now with corrupt politicians, the constant Leftist barrage against all things good, and how so many in society have turned from God; well, it’s nothing like it will be. This is only a taste. But, be of good cheer! God wins! And, we who follow Him join in that victory.
While we wait for the Lord to make all things right in His timing, let’s remember to truly be the remnant of God. Let’s be about the Father’s business, and we’ll have no regrets.
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Gary W. Ritter is a lay pastor, Bible teacher, and serves as Missions Director at his church. He is also a prolific author. His Whirlwind Series is comprised of three books: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind, and There Is A Time. These books are contained in the collected volume of the Whirlwind Omnibus. Gary has been given the Christian Redemptive Fiction award for two novels: The Tattooed Cat and Alien Revelation. He has recently released a new novel on eco-terrorism called Green Dreams, and Looking Up – Volume 3, a non-fiction work that contains essays and devotions on end-times and prophetic events. Gary’s intent in all his writings is to bring a strong Christian witness to what people read. You can reach him at his website: www.GaryRitter.com or his Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/gritter3390. You can also see his video Bible teachings on his Gary Ritter YouTube channel – look for the fish symbol.