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Teen Mania ministry

• Christian Fundamentalism

Their shirts bore slogans like “Stone Cold Dead Without Jesus” and “God Squad” and “Angel.” Many toted well-worn Bibles bound in leather.

Teenagers flock to rock ‘n’ religion

Richard Evans Lee
February 24, 2003 •
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In the summer of 2000, I went to Israel with Teen Mania ministries. Fortunately between the time I signed up for the trip and the time I actually left for it my beliefs had begun to do a 180. It was a wonderful trip and I learned more than I expected to, although not at all what I had expected to learn. By the time I came home my faith was on it's last dying gasps. As I was preparing to go to Israel I became convinced that it was not my place to tell someone that their beleifs are wrong and mine are right. To me faith had to provide me a better way to be alive now...becuase the present is the only thing I have for sure. I saw too many people treating it like a "get out of hell free" card and missing what I believed were the main points of Christianity, loving God and loving people. To this day I hate to admit the reason that I was supposed to be in Israel. I console myself with the fact that I didn't actually try to convert anyone. I lived out my beliefs...I loved people. I did my best to treat them and their existing beliefs as valuable, because they are. I got into a few confrontations with a leader because I refused to have a conversation as a cover for my "real" motive, I instead insisted on having genuine caring conversations...if that is a problem may God strike me with lightning and drop a piano on my head.

Posted by: Hannah | July 20, 2004 12:58 AM

Teen Mania scares me more than any Manson cult ever could. So many kids, flocking there like the sheep they are, seeking not to numb their brain with mind-altering drugs but numbing their brain with the incantations of a poisonous 2,000 year old Middle Eastern religion that acts like it knows how the world works. I've met tons of ex-Ron Luce followers who lament why they bought into such propaganda trip.

Posted by: Ted | August 2, 2004 1:18 AM

Teen Mania is well thought and God-centered ministry. It has changed countless lives of social unexceptance and has brought hundreds of thousands into the loving knowledge of Christ. Setting all the Relgious views aside, is it a bad thing that TM has helped countless families and its members with family struggles??

Posted by: Gabriel | October 29, 2004 5:44 PM

I have been in Teen Mania for the past 2 or so months. I know exactly when I see a cult. A cult brainwashes people. But as a Christian, i see exactly HOW and WHY my faith has EVERYTHING to do with my existence, which means i take it very seriously when i learn something at Teen Mania. I search scriptures to make sure it matches up. And all of it has. Teen Mania has in no way told me opinions on how i should live according to them, it has taught me how to be closer to God, and listen to Him. If you consider Christianity to be a cult, then that is a completely different topic, but as far as Teen Mania goes, living lives centered around Christ is their only agenda. (and i can be very critical of organizations, so this means a lot.)

Posted by: Kevin | November 1, 2004 10:58 AM

Teen Mania is an awesome organization. God has proven himself over and over to me. I have grown tremendously in my relationship with Christ in the past few years. Teen Mania is a God centered organization that helps teenagers develop a realtionship with Christ. In no way is it a cult or anything like that. Teen Mania follows word for word with what the Bible says, nothing more, nothing less. If you call Teen Mania a cult then what are you saying about the Bible?

Posted by: Joshua | November 5, 2004 4:40 PM

I regret every penny I spent on teen mania and while I don't believe they are a cult, they definitely enforce a system that is both socially and psychologically damaging. (P.S. I went on their mission trips every summer for five years and was also an intern)

Posted by: Moriah | January 25, 2006 2:27 PM

After reading these posts I am still convinced that TeenMania is NOT a cult. Those who agree with this standpoint can't back it up with scripture or any VALID reason.

Posted by: Matthew Robertson | February 20, 2006 4:48 PM

I was with Teen Mania for 5yrs as was my sister. I would never recommend anyone to go with this group. I was emotionally and mentally abused while on this trip I know that there are good people who go I met a few but when it comes down to it regarless of if they are a cult or not I know that unless you want your self-esteem distroyed and posably turn off of your fait (like I was for a long time afterwards) it is not worth it.

Posted by: Kristin Benson | June 16, 2006 8:23 AM

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