Proof that Subud is a Cult

Whoa! Hold on just a second. If there's one thing that Subud members are pretty consistent on, it's that Subud is not a cult. After all, Subud claims to give people the proof of God, so there's no need for a charismatic leader telling people what to do!

Or is there? Here's an imaginary dialog between a seeker and Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (a.k.a. Bapak), the founder of Subud.

Seeker: It's safe to say that most organized religions require belief in God. You're saying Subud doesn't, but it offers proof somehow?

Bapak: Yes, in the past, people were simpler. They only had to believe in God or ask to be saved. Then they could go to heaven.

Seeker: So what happened, how have we changed? Why aren't we simple anymore?

Bapak: I'm glad you asked that. You see, hundreds of years ago people discovered rationalism and science. They changed, they started to get all kinds of new ideas. The priests or imams got tired of answering all these new questions. If God loves us, why does He let babies die of horrible diseases? Can God create a stone that He cannot lift? You see what I mean? These are pretty tough questions to be dealing with all the time.

Seeker: So, what happened? I mean, we got more complicated, but many people are still religious.

Bapak: Ah, well, this is where the religious leaders really got it together. At the time they looked cornered, but they came out punching on this one. They started telling anyone who was too curious that Look, I can't prove that God exists, and I have no idea about your questions. All I can say is that God needs your faith. No matter what happens, you need to have faith in Him, so, when you die you can go to heaven. That's it. That's what they came up with, and it's pretty solid. The world sucks, but keep your faith in God and you'll be saved. When they met a tough case who said he didn't care about heaven, well, they told him if you don't keep faith, you'll go to hell. You've heard of God-fearing people, right?

Seeker: Oh, I see. So, faith did it, huh?

Bapak: Yes, but the problem with faith is that you won't really know or experience God while you're alive. Modern people need proof. In fact, this gets back to your original question.

Seeker: Really? Subud gets around faith? How?

Bapak: The practice of Subud gives you the proof. You no longer have to just blindly believe that God is up there somewhere.

Seeker: Okay, but how?

Bapak: If you really want to know, I can show you the practice that we do to connect with God.

Seeker: You mean, if I follow this practice I'll have proof of God?

Bapak: Yeah, that's about right.

Seeker: So, right now, you'll show me?

Bapak: Yes...well...slow down a bit. You may have to do it a few times.

Seeker: How many times? Like will I have proof of God next week?

Bapak: Ha ha ha. Next week? Maybe if you were a prophet or something. It usually takes a few years to get used to the practice of Subud.

Seeker: Oh, a few years, well that's no so bad. You said you've been giving this proof to other people for a while now. There must be many Subud people that have experienced God.

Bapak: (Cough)...Uh, yeah. There are a few, me for example. But, many, many people don't stay in Subud. They are too impatient. This kind of thing takes time.

Seeker: Okay, how long, exactly?

Bapak: You can't put a number on it, everyone's different. Uh, let's just say that I guarantee you'll get the proof just before you die.

Seeker: So, you're asking me just to believe you? To have faith in you, in other words? Isn't that exactly what organized religion does?

Bapak: It's best not to think too much.

Now what's one major difference between Subud and organized religions? Size. Organized religions are large because they've been established for a long time. Cults are small and need charismatic leaders to grow. Many people who met Bapak said that he was friendly, self-depreciating, and honest. Well, that seems pretty charismatic to me. In my opinion, he must have been charismatic to have sold Subud as above.

That said, I've got nothing against people having faith in things. I've just become aware that many people don't know who or what they're placing their faith in.