Fun with Cults [IDMR]…
August 6, 2007 | 1:10 AM
I remember when I was a mere religion minor at the University of Mobile, we had a class where cults and other religious groups visited to discuss their views. Every Tuesday a group would come give us their spiel, and we’d nicely ask questions at the end of class. On Thursday we’d discuss what we learned. It was a very helpful class, and I appreciated the dialogue, even if there were plenty of guests who I felt were clearly in need of psychiatric help.
One of my favorite groups was the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research (IDMR), primarily because of the way they would read scripture in their unique way (if you watch them on TV, you’ll hear it- they all do it alike). IDMR was founded by Dr. Henry Clifford Kinley in the 1930s in Ohio, but moved to California in the late 1950s. The most important aspect of IDMR is their Panoramic Vision, which they say God gave to Dr. Kinley. It is the foundation of their belief system, but they also have other charts that they use in their teachings.
Above you see a chart describing their reasoning behind calling Jesus by his Jewish name, “Yeshua” and God by “Yahweh”. (I’ve added the red arrows, and you can click the image to see it on its original page.) There’s nothing special about that- other groups from the Jehovah’s Witnesses to those yokels you find on public access TV will claim that they use the true names of Jesus and our Father (God). In fact, these names are perfectly fine by me. Of course, these groups claim exclusivity in their names and anybody who refuses to use the “true name” is a heretic. Here’s another chart. See if you can find my favorite part about it.
Did you see what I think is so funny? Look at the Latin name for Jesus on the first chart. “Iesus” is listed. But what’s that above Jesus’ head on the second chart? It’s a sign that says “INRI.” Let’s ask Wikipedia what INRI stands for. “INRI is an acronym of the Latin phrase IESVS NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM, which translates to English as: ‘Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews’.” But wait! I thought “Iesus” was a false name for Jesus (Yeshua). It seems as though the IDMR vision and charts contradict themselves. They have INRI, an illegal form of the name Yeshua, on their own vision- the foundation of their belief!
So at our Thursday class gathering after the IDMR visit, we had a chuckle about their gaffe after someone pointed it out. I don’t know if anybody from UM ever brought it up in class again, or if the IDMR ever returned. But it sure would have been funny to see their faces at the sight of such a huge glaring contradiction.
Posted in Cults, World Religions
joe kennedy, 2008
hang up the m.div degree. you need to work for c.s.i..
August 6th, 2007 at 7:42 AM
I used to teach at Union Baptist Seminary over off St Bernard. One of my students did a horrible paper on IDMR. They used to have a “church” in New Orleans east just about a block from Dr J Terry Young’s house. Dr Young was a theology prof at NOBTS.
I’m starting to produce a lot of tiles for the Mid-City Art Market this month. Call me and we can trade stuff sometime soon. Take care.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:44 AM
Adam, what about that show on the USA Network… Psych? I’d rather be on that than on CSI. Not as much blood and guts.
Howie, yeah, let’s talk. Email me your digits and we’ll talk about it. And don’t forget to choose a print or two- it takes a few days for them to get here.
August 6th, 2007 at 1:59 PM
Hi Joe,
I am a member of IDMR. I have no problem with your article or what you got out of who ever the speaker was that appeared to lecture at your school. Most people who come into contact with IDMR usually have various first impressions, yours of course is that IDMR is a lying, brain washing cult. I will not spend a lot of time acknowledging the reason why the chart has INRI on the chart instead of YNRY. I would however say that if you want a better understanding of what you saw or heard, it won’t hurt to ask. Most branches hold sessions 3 times a week and encourage questions. IDMR also encourages everyone to do research on their own, things such the names Jesus, Jehovah, and Yahshua (which will take a minor investigation) as well as anything else that you may hear that pertains to the teachings. You can also access the website by logging on to http://www.idmr.net. Generally most people will give between 1-3 chances when trying anything else, give IDMR a chance and if you don’t get anything out of class, no harm done.
Take Care.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:06 AM
I was a member of the IDMR for a long, long time. Emphasis on WAS.
The IDMR claims to be a “religious and scientific research organization”. However, any true research . . . other than reading the Bible and the Institutes’ own literature, is discouraged. Dr. Robert Harris, the current leader of the group, has publicly stated that “everything you need to be saved has already been revealed” & therefore research is pointless. For truth’s sake, the IDMR should stop posturing otherwise . . .
The IDMR denies science when it is inconvenient or conflicts with their teachings. For example, they deny the historicity of the fossil record, saying that Yahweh-Elohim planted the dinasaur bones, etc. to make it appear that the world was older than 6,000 years . . . essentially to deceive “the smart boys”!
They have always professed to be able to answer any question “to your satisfaction.” But if you ask them some difficult questions, you may not be satisfied with the answers. Eventually, you will be accused of being “carnal minded”, i.e. satanic simply for asking.
Here’s an example of a question that has never been answered to my satisfaction: If the Bible says that “by grace are ye saved”, and that you are not judged by your works, then why does the IDM require that you attend 3 lectures / week? What is getting dressed up and driving to a lecture hall if it is not a “work.” If it is a work, then it cannot be grace at the same time . . .
The IDMR has its own system of thinking and logic that is incredibly controlling. Carried to extremes, it can be very destructive to family and personal welfare. If you are a member of this group, or a cult, you should read John D. Goldhammer’s book, “Under the Influence - The Destructive Effects of Group Dynamics.” You will be enlightened if you read it objectively, because it has no agenda, i.e. no anti-religious bias. Based upon summary of traits of destructive groups, the IDMR does very, very poorly.
The IDMR kept sway over members for decades: the founder said “you will not live to see the year 2000″ and the present leader, Dr. Harris, publicly stated that the world would end before 1996.
Well, here we are — almost 2008 — and the group has never bothered to admit that it was mistaken. Other prophecies that did not come true have been similarly swept under the rug, in denial mode.
To me, the truth — as best as we can understand it — trumps everything else, especially dogma.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:38 AM
I too was bamboozled by IDMR and experienced the same thing you did…. questions did not get answered. Is it just me or do these people have the highest divorce rate and they get “drunker” than anybody I’ve ever seen. I was under their “spell” for about six monthes and felt like something was choking the life out of me. Not only that I had my children involved and even they knew something wasn’t right. Thank God for his Holyspirit and for his son Jesus Christ for deliverance out of the pit of hell in which these people will continue to experience if they don’t wake up and know that their is only one way to God and that is through his son JESUS CHRIST.
January 17th, 2008 at 2:14 AM