Four Marks of Cultism

Biographical sketch of Robert W. Johnson, as related to this bookThe author grew up in a family of devout Catholics, and remained one himself until around the age of 35, when he started to read widely about alternative approaches to religion and philosophy. Thus began his avocation "searcher for truth." His main vocation as a scientist became blended with his avocation, making a more accurate identity description "philosopher-scientist." He has searched for philosophies that harmonize science, philosophy, and religion, believing that truth can never contradict itself, no matter from what direction it is approached. Although the author has four university degrees, he believes that no one is truly educated until he/she moves beyond the narrow confines of traditional education. Continuing education must progress from the obvious to include the subtle. For example, it must include the other side of reality, the spiritual world, which is just as real as the physical. The searcher for truth has to be a student of human nature. This study must lead to understanding the motives of individuals and their organizations, with deep probing to uncover subtle hidden motives. The objective facts that mankind thinks it knows at this time cannot be fully understood without understanding the thought processes of the human beings, individually and in organizations, that publish the ones that they like, ignoring and trying to conceal the ones they don't like.In examining contradictions in messages from various religious organizations, the picture that emerged suggested in some cases the existence of hidden motives to consciously and intentionally mislead, manipulate, and control, rather than just to express opinions and beliefs honestly. In this voyage of discovery, the ideas of certain special authors have played an important role; the author does not claim to have discovered everything single-handedly. Eventually, it seemed that someone should provide to the public a description of the discovered situation, in a clear but undogmatic manner. Not seeing anyone else ready and willing to do this, he decided to do it himself, though not a writer of books. The notes for this book have been gathered, written, rewritten, and revised for over 20 years, until being considered ready for publication at this time.Johnson, Robert W. is the author of 'Four Marks of Cultism ', published 2006 under ISBN 9781419637407 and ISBN 1419637401.