Twisted Roots: When Abrahamic Faiths Become Tools of Power
- Renee Spencer
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
When Noble Values turn into Cultic Control
PART 3 OF 4
Every tree is known by its own fruit. – Luke 6:44
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—the three great Abrahamic religions—each carry a long tradition of wisdom, justice, and compassion. Their core texts and teachings have inspired some of the most profound ethical frameworks the world has ever known.
But history has also shown that when these sacred values are distorted by fundamentalists, they become tools of domination. In this third blog of the series, we explore how extreme interpretations of Judeo-Christian and Islamic belief overlap with cultic thinking, and how such ideologies are taking root in modern Australia, often beneath the surface of fringe politics, conspiratorial spirituality, or religious nationalism.
The Good Fruit: Noble Values Shared Across Abrahamic Faiths
Abrahamic Faiths, at their core, the potential for deep moral guidance:
Judaism
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the world through justice and mercy.
Welcoming the stranger: A central mandate born from the Exodus story.
Ethical monotheism: Accountability before a just God who values equity.
Christianity
The Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor, the meek, the peacemakers…”
Radical love: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Servant leadership: Jesus washed feet, not thrones.
Islam
Rahma (Mercy): One of the most repeated attributes of God in the Qur’an.
Zakat: Obligatory giving to the poor.
Justice (Adl): “Do not let hatred cause you to be unjust. Be just: that is nearer to piety.” (Qur’an 5:8)
Each faith, at its best, calls for humility before God, care for the vulnerable, and peaceful coexistence with others.
The Rot: When Faith Becomes a Weapon of Supremacy
Extremists, however, hijack these traditions and turn them into doctrines of domination:
Jewish Extremism
Some ultra-nationalist movements believe that Jews are divinely appointed to rule the land (and sometimes beyond), dismissing others as spiritually inferior.
These views have led to violent settler movements and rhetoric that sees non-Jews as obstacles to divine prophecy.
Christian Extremism
Dominion theology: The belief that Christians must take control of governments and enforce biblical law.
Rapture-ready movements: Some believe that global chaos should be accelerated to hasten Christ’s return.
Christian nationalism: Equating national identity with divine appointment.
Islamic Extremism
Jihadist ideologies distort Qur’anic teachings to justify global conquest and martyrdom.
Caliphate dreams: Groups like ISIS preach that they are Allah’s chosen army to enforce religious law worldwide.
Takfirism: Declaring other Muslims apostates, allowing violence against them.
Each of these distortions rejects the humility, nuance, and mercy found in the original texts—and replaces it with apocalyptic absolutism.
Australia: The Local Fertiliser
While we may think of extremism as something “over there,” these ideologies have found fertile ground in Australia’s fringe religious and political movements:
Christian extremists have appeared at anti-vaccine protests, speaking of divine mandates, end-times, and God’s judgment on political leaders.
Islamic fundamentalist cells have operated on the margins of migrant communities, sometimes radicalising young men online.
Zionist fringe groups spread supremacist rhetoric that marginalises Palestinians and undermines interfaith peace work.
Conspiracy-theorist cults like Sovereign Citizens or New Apostolic Reformation combine apocalyptic Christianity with QAnon ideology.
“Freedom” parties invoke Judeo-Christian heritage while demanding the silencing of LGBTQ+ voices, Indigenous rights movements, and multicultural education.
Each claims divine sanction for control, whether over a household, a nation, or the world.
Overlapping with Cultic Thinking
These extreme forms of belief share more with cult psychology than they do with genuine spirituality:
Us vs. Them dichotomy
Claim to exclusive truth and divine favour
Prophetic urgency justifying immoral means
Rejection of critical thinking or external accountability
Paranoia and persecution narratives (DARVO)
Totalistic control over followers’ thoughts, behaviours, and identities
They don’t just exploit scripture—they weaponise it.
A Red Cloak in the Forest of Faith
Just like Little Red Riding Hood, many people begin their spiritual journeys seeking something good and nourishing—like a visit to Grandma’s house. But the forest is full of wolves in disguise. When faith becomes a tool of domination, it stops being about Grandma and starts being about the wolf’s appetite.
We must learn to recognise the difference between the tree that bears fruit and the one that hides poison in its bark.
Conclusion: Returning to the Heart
True religion is meant to guide, not govern. It’s meant to serve, not subdue. The best of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam calls us to justice, humility, and love.
To prevent extremism from taking deeper root in Australia, we must call out its cultic tendencies. But we must also offer people paths back to authentic, peaceful, nourishing forms of faith—or to the freedom of conscience beyond religion entirely.
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