Quote:
Originally Posted by Nell
I can concede the existance of these 10 items in culture. There is no argument here. I can also concede the existance of these 10 items as a whole and/or in part in multiple levels of society and culture.
However, that these 10 items exist in the church is the more compelling topic, and is in fact the point of the book. It was never my intention to put these 10 items out for discussion apart from the context of book. It is certainly your liberty to do so, but that would need a new thread.
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The difference between these items in society and in the society of believers is
number one that compulsion should exist at all in the church (other than avoidance of sin and heresy we shouldn't be telling one another what to do), and
number two the degree of control we are dealing with.
The Cleveland Browns may offer to sell you a jersey with the football logo on it. They would love that. Free advertising. Same with Coca-Cola and Ford Motor Company. Yes, everyone is trying to get a piece of your time, interest, attention, and especially money. But Ford doesn't say that you have to give them 10% of your income or you will be disciplined in a dark room for 1,000 years. Ford doesn't say that every word out of your mouth must be "Ford, Ford, Ford" or you will be cut off from society.
The degree of compulsion in a toxic faith group is on another order entirely than what is even in the regimented areas like schools and the military. What to wear, what to eat, what to think, what to speak, what to pray, who to talk to and what to say to them, all these things are no longer part of the dialog between believer and God. No, they now are given in detailed instructions from the "oracle" who has the "inside track" to God's will. And woe to the "rebel" who doesn't toe the line! No, this is another level of control entirely apart from culture, family, work, and society.
Infants need structure, and rules. For them, constraints are the norm, along with inducements to grow. But at some point, as an adult one needs to be able to think, move, act, and decide. The system which keeps people forever as infants, unable to think for themselves, is a toxic system. Maturity and responsibility are obviated. "The oracle told me to do it."