The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-5, titled "Questions and Answers" --  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

“Is the Self-Realization Fellowship a cult?  I have looked through some of their books and have some family involved.”

Answer

Let me just respond by saying the Self-Realization Fellowship [SRF], to the best of my knowledge, has been around for quite a long time.  I remember when they first began to occupy a facility on Hollywood Boulevard, down at the back of what used to be the old Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, right across from the new Kaiser Hospital (and that has been about 30 years ago) they have been around a long time. 

What they basically are is sort of an offshoot of Eastern Mysticism.  I think originally its roots have to do with India Mysticism (from India).  It's a sort of "Science of the Mind" kind of thing; "Self-Realization" gives it away.  You sort of sit and meditate yourself into meaningful being.  I don't know that there is much more that you can say about it.  It would be a lot of Eastern Mysticism, probably be involved with some kind of Transcendental Meditation to one degree or another, but as I have pointed out in the past, the bottom line of that kind of thing is that it is a self attaining to a level of righteousness or a being, which is supposedly sufficient.  So it is a religion of man's own invention, but it would be a form of Eastern Mysticism.

Note: This was received at Bible Bulletin Board on 1/13/07 from person who came out of the SRF movement:

I read your answer regarding Self Realization Fellowship on your website (see above).  There is a lot more to say about SRF. I left SRF seven years ago.  I was a member for 30 years and am now a Christian.  It's a cult.  They brainwash their members by several techniques.  It flies under the cult radar because it is so self-contained and because ex-members are afraid of speaking out.  You can read some of the ex-members at:

http://p208.ezboard.com/bcultbusterssrfdivision
 or
http://p203.ezboard.com/bsrfwalrus

I'd really like to get the word out more about SRF. I know many people whose lives turned to wreckage in this group.  Their meditation techniques are involved and not about thinking your self into bliss. 

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
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Email: tony@biblebb.com
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