Dear Father Paul

Dear Father Paul: This is not a Bible question, but I see in today's Atlanta paper that the death toll of American military personnel in Iraq has just gone over 2,000. I know that you have spoken well of President Bush. What do you think of him now? — Denny, Fayetteville.

Dear Denny: I haven't changed my mind about President Bush. I think he is a fine, decent man and he has (overall) done a good job. With the same alternatives I'd vote for him again.

That said, I must add that I think President Bush and his administration has very badly mismanaged the war in Iraq. This is not a new "revelation" for me. I had serious reservations about the war from day one and said so at the time. Don't misunderstand, I am not a "peace dove" or anti-war activist, I just think the U.S. made a huge mistake — period. Events over the past two and a half years have generally proven me right, although I take no joy in being right in this case.

President Bush made a monumental mistake, in my opinion, in basing the war on eliminating weapons of mass destruction or even removing Saddam. This may have been the "political" thing to do, but it was wrong. He should have been honest and leveled with the American people and with the world. We went into Iraq for economic reasons — mainly the oil — and it was in our vital interests to do so! Many people will argue that this was wrong, but great powers have a right to protect their vital interests. Hurricane Katrina proved how vulnerable America and the West is to a loss of its oil supply. We must remain actively involved in the Middle East for the foreseeable future for this very reason. Aside from the issue of why we went to war, events have shown that there seems to have been little if any planning on running the country after our victory. Further, eliminating the defeated Iraqi army has to have been one of the most boneheaded decisions in our entire history as a nation. A strong Iraqi army, under American leadership, would have prevented the chaos and death we now see in Iraq. As a result, we find ourselves in another Viet Nam style quagmire with no end in sight. And, we have spent enough money to have educated every qualified young person in America with a four-year college degree! How sad, I could go on and on.

Unfortunately, we have very few options. We can't just pull out and we can't "win." I would like nothing better than to be wrong! Frankly, prayer for our country and for President Bush is the best option I see right now. Prayer and giving even more support to Israel.

Dear Father Paul: I am a college student. One of my best friends has become involved with a group that seems like a cult to me. She says I don't even know what a cult is and our relationship has become cool. So what is a cult — and how can I know one when I see one? — Stephanie, Tyrone.

Dear Stephanie: The dictionary defines a "cult" as "a religion considered to be false or extremist ... often devoted to a particular person or fad."

Cults have been around since Biblical times. One of the main themes of the apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, is to "beware of false teachers." Truth is, there are over 3,000 cults in the United States today, with everything from a handful of members to thousands.

Most people are wary of cults, especially since the David Koresh tragedy in Waco, Tex., and the earlier Jim Jones mass suicide incident in 1978. Unfortunately, cults are often not so obvious as these two infamous cults. Often they take on the trappings of a perfectly legitimate religion.

In almost every case, however, a cult can be identified by an anti-biblical elevation of its leader(s). The leader is exalted as an uncommon person most often possessing characteristics of deity. These men sinfully arrogate supreme authority to themselves as the leader who must be obeyed. They claim direct revelation from God.

Mind control and "brain-washing" are common in cults so that their followers are discouraged or even forbidden from a healthy individual study of the scriptures. All scriptural interpretation must be supplied by the leader. Followers are not allowed to even consider other teachings than those of the leader.In addition, followers are often required to surrender all possessions, including income and finances, to the leader. II John 9-11 says, "Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teachings of Christ does NOT have God; whoever continues in the teachings (of Christ) has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work."

Father Paul Massey will answer your questions in the newspaper. Write him at P. O. Box 510, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214 or paulmassey@earthlink.net