Thanks to the prevalence of the true crime documentary craze, we now know more than we probably wish we did on the subject of weird and controlling cults. Shows like Dancing For the Devil have given us an inside look at some disturbing behavior.
This phenomenon has trickled into all corners of the internet, and as one TikTokker puts it, it is baffling to see. @geckogracie posted a video of her reaction to seeing a high school acquaintance join one of these organizations.
“When a girl from high school went off the grid at graduation 6 years ago has reappeared on socials and she’s a high up member in a religious cult and literally looks like she’s a robot.”
The video itself offers no further details, just the creator’s look of shock. The comments, however, are a different story. Delve deep down the rabbit hole of the comment section, and you will find a captivating story.
Commentors are split on this alleged cult
The content creator, who goes by Gracie, posted only a few more words in the video description.
“Like i want to reach out but at the same time i dont bc she doesnt look like a real person.”
These vague terms kicked up a frenzy in the comments section, with followers demanding to know what the organization she was talking about went by. After some prodding, Gracie revealed some more details to those who asked.
“I would like to share more but I don’t think it would be fair to out someone but it’s called RIG if you wanna look it up.”
With this minimal information, commenters chronicled their exploration of the church. Based out of Houston, RIG Global Church was founded by Tomi and Tahmar Arayomi. Tomi identifies as a prophet and preaches evangelical ideas. Gracie further explained in the comments her perspective on the issue, stating:
“From what I looked up they believe the son of one of Jesus friends is the real prophet and they go out to poor areas to recruit people by circling them in prayer.”
There is no question that RIG’s practices border on the fringe. However, this is where the commenters became divided. While RIG accepts tithes and makes proceeds through the church, this doesn’t necessarily make the organization a cult. Research indicated that authorities have not brought any charges against the institution, and if there are reports of salacious activity, they are happening under the radar. Commenters were also quick to point this out.
“RIG Global church is not a cult stop. If you don’t understand something then just say that. People watch a couple cult docs & now everything is labeled as a cult..stop lol,” posted Martine.
These types of comments evidently overwhelmed the creator who posted a follow-up video.
That isn’t to say that evangelicalism doesn’t have its issues. Religious institutions’ tax exemption has allowed churches such as Scientology to remain running for years. But cults are tricky to classify, and this confusion definitely stole the thunder from the content creator’s original post.