A TV series titled True Believers (Vice channel) was about several cults. One episode featured a self-help guru named Teal Swan, who leads a group informally called the Teal Tribe (or Tealers). A few bits of the teaching/philosophy:
- One reporter viewed Swan’s material and therapies as a mix of New Age healing, occult mysticism, and non-religious spirituality.
- Swan says, “Source loves you.”
- As the episode gave screenshots of some of the group’s online posts, these jumped out from among the headings: divine feminine, psychic vampires, third eye, crystals … And Swan mentioned sex as a spiritual way to enlightenment.
- Swan had indicated (apparently since she believes in reincarnation) that suicide is “like pushing a reset button.” Tells followers to visualize death. A few clients actually committed suicide. After that, Swan removed some online content and denies that she encourages suicide. Though we can’t go too far with Swan’s suicide teachings/intention, one can’t help but recall certain cults of the past. (Side note to parents: You can reject your kids’ school assignments that have them creating suicide notes and/or imagining being dead and content.)
But let’s zero in on one specific aspect mentioned in the TV episode: Swan’s claim to be a powerful extraterrestrial (ET) from Arcturus (which I’d barely mentioned in my “Starstruck” post). Arcturians are supposed to rid Earth of the “reptilian portal.” Alien reptilians are—so the claim goes—ETs who creep up from beneath Earth and plague the planet. Not much showed up about Arcturians within Swan’s official info online (at the time). But I couldn’t help wondering whether believers of this Arcturian narrative think they’ve been given special/divine insight to recognize such reptilian beings and will consider it their duty to destroy them.
Soon after seeing that episode (and totally unrelated to the Arcturian cult), I heard the testimony of a young woman who’d been wrapped up in New Age teaching. Spiritually searching, she was also in deep grief after the loss of a loved one. She said that people who feel as if they don’t belong are deciding they’re actually aliens; that is, “Starseeds.” Supposedly, these Starseeds—from another galaxy, system—were sent here to help planet Earth, are workers of light to create harmony. (We can probably assume that echoes the idea of working against the enemy reptilians.) Their work is done through various New Age devices, like astrology. This young woman (who later came to the Lord) said that seeing herself as such an “alien” explained her dark feelings but also gave her a purpose.
Read that paragraph again! Note the clues there as to what people need. They’re depressed, troubled, fearful… and wondering what their life, their purpose is supposed to be about. That is answered if they find the Lord. (And blessings on whoever helped that young woman!)
There may be tiny bits of truth in the whole reptilian-vs-Starseed idea. (The best lies contain some truth.) If we picture Satan/demons as reptile-ish (as in “that ancient serpent” of Revelation 20:2)… and we believe people can be influenced by that darkness, then yes, such would be a “plague” on our planet. From a Christian viewpoint, we know that Satan and his minions tempt us to do wrong. That’s why we’re to know God’s truth, watch out for bad influences that would take us off that path. Plus we’re to be the light against the darkness (“let your light shine,” Matthew 5:16). We’re to “shine like stars” (Philippians 2:15) and reflect Jesus, the true “light of the world” (John 8:12).
If non-Christian groups like the Teal Tribe believe they’re the ones equipped to identify evil reptilians—and believe it’s their duty to destroy them—how does that work? I mean, as far as evidence, credentials, authority, how-to, and all. It’s rather creepy if we think too far, so let’s not! Instead, let’s help friends understand reality about truth and purpose. Suggestions:
- It’s possible to “know him who is true” (1 John 5:20). And “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
- Some cults, some of their practices seem to reflect 2 Timothy 3:5: “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Testify about the true Lord’s power! (ex: Genesis 18:14; Isaiah 44:24).
- Want purpose? Walking the Lord’s path makes a person “an instrument for noble purposes” (2 Timothy 2:21). “I hate every wrong path” (Psalm 119:104). “God works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
- If being an “alien” makes one purposeful, well, good news! Those who follow the Lord are called “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Peter 2:11). Why? Because “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). And those with the Lord are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:28, 37).
