Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
I pray. Having an amen that I cannot control is not spiritual. Just as Paul spoke about the spirit of the prophet, the same is true of the spirit of all of us. It is subject to us. And constant amen-ing is rather disruptive, creating the very three-ring circus atmosphere that Paul spoke against in 1 Cor 14.
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Amen to this. I'm astonished by how effective this method is to maintain the group dynamic. I can personally testify that I've stopped thinking and stopped using my mind altogether during meetings. Well, I would still use my mind to make sure that I am in the spirit, although this is contradicting by LRC doctrines.
I think it'll take a good while for me to get rid of the abusive use of amen. Perhaps I should call up the Bible Answer Man - Hank Hanegraaf - to fund some new research projects that the Christian Research Institute should take on concerning the LRC. Topics such as LC group dynamics, post-LC Christian life, psychological health, "Church kid" during/post-LC life, etc... From the looks of it, this forum collectively contains most of the information. I'm also half way through Jane Anderson's book.
Not trying to be religious here, but I'm just curious from your personal experiences after leaving the LC, do you revert/convert to the "common" way of closing prayers, e.g. in the name of Jesus. Amen? I suppose this is just a signal to other people around us that we have come to an end of our prayer, fyi?