[Trusting]

Hello all!

I just want to give an update on myself.

It was as of late October 2024, that I, J, have officially left the Local Church, and am no longer a member. I would have liked to say it was as simple as saying I am done and walking away.

However, when you hear about the spiritual doom you might face, and stories of people leaving, and when there is fear and guilt about leaving God's best, forsaking God's economy and departing from the high peak truth, and losing almost your entire social circle, it really made it difficult to leave, which is probably why I stayed for so long, even though I knew something was off. I used the supposed positive experiences I've had with the group to convince myself to stay (my post from years ago highlight this).

I realised how much cognitive dissonance I had from the double speak and hypocrisy constantly going on in the group in regards to what is taught and actually practiced. I really hated how deceptive the way the campus group presents themselves in particular, which was how I was initially recruited. I was really embarrassed to even tell others, friends and even my family that I was involved in this group and doing strange practices (you guys would know). So I would always use vague terms and avoid using LC lingo to describe what I was doing. Thankfully I never got anyone else other than myself recruited.

In addition, I was extremely depressed from the pressure to conform, look good and perform in front of others, and being constantly told that the natural self, our opinions and desires or doing what we want or like are somehow bad. If I am made in the image of God and I naturally love classical piano and pipe organ music, how is that bad? From the LC's perspective, it could lead me away from God's economy... I never liked how people ask me about if I was going to the Conferences, if I plan on going to the full-time training, or asking me about my walk with God. What they really mean is there must be something wrong with me according to the LC, especially if I don't answer positively.

I know that I am not the only one going through this who are still in the group, and I am deeply saddened by it. It's sad to see people in the meetings with their heads down, looking defeated and depressed and in their heads, not even present.

Well, I want to leave this post on a positive note. I have this forum, the videos from ex-members on Youtube and some people who I have talked to personally, both outsiders and ex-members, to sincerely thank for helping me through the tough times over the last half year. They have truly have been genuine help to me. The LC, in my opinion, is a cult. If someone thinks otherwise, which I can accept, then at best, they are a highly controlling group, especially if you don't follow their way, or if they deem what you're interested in doing to be bad. But according to who? According to them that is, not according to God!

Being in this group will certainly not leave you mentally healthy. There is a residue of fear and guilt left behind in me by the LC way of thinking that I am still working through to date. But I am thankful to be out of it. Please don't let fear and guilt consume you. This is TAUGHT, taught by the LC and indirectly imposed on you by the group to make you dependent on them. It is really evil, and I don't say it lightly. If a group does that to you, that is 100% not of God. What group has a right to tell you what you can or cannot do?

If you feel this way, it is definitely normal and please be patient and as loving to yourself as possible.

I can happily report that I am far happier and joyful knowing that it is completely okay to me, and have actual genuine relationships with one another, and enjoy life properly as God intended us, to have life and have it abundantly. It is so much better to be able to experience life as God intended rather than be in bondage! Thank you everyone!