One Christian's Comment: "ISKCON Is of God."
In recent years there has been an abundance of controversy concerning "cults." Jesus forewarned about false prophets and religions that would appear in this last age. The Bible clarifies this issue of which "cults" are of God and which aren't. Sad to say, in this Age of Quarrel people would rather create a disturbance than look to God's word for the answers.
In the Biblical book of Acts (5:38-39), we find the case of Peter and other Apostles before the Jewish council. A respected teacher of the law named Gamaliel gives sound instruction to the council: "And so in this present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if their plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
Presently there are many false cults that only pretend to be "of God," but I assure you the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is not one of them. I strongly believe this, because Jesus said (in Matthew 7:18), "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit," and (in Matthew 7:20) "So then, you will know them by their fruits."
In Galatians (5:19-23) we learn how to "know them by their fruits": "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." It should be evident to anyone with even a little impartial vision that the fruits of the spirit and not of the flesh predominate in ISKCON.
Jesus gave the commandment that we love one another (Galatians 5:14): "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this statement, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " And the devotees of Lord Krsna are laying down their lives daily to perform the highest welfare activities for the suffering people of this world spreading God consciousness. They suffer insults, mockery, trials, and tribulations because of their love of God and mankind, and though they seek no reward, they will not go unrewarded.
So I feel sure that after impartially examining the facts, all will conclude that ISKCON is of and for God, and God is for ISKCON. Hare Krsna.
David Hoover
Holland, Ohio