Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
aron, kind of funny your quote from the poet, especially the next line you did not include ...The "pipeline," of course, being a reference to the LCM children's program first initiated by Gen Gruhler in the early 90's. It supposedly began at their birth, and consummated with their graduation from the FTTA, to start one's career as a Full-Timer of Witness Lee.
More that a few loving LCM mothers got freaked out just thinking about their children emerging from such a machine ...
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While growing up, I generally had a positive impression of the LC and looked up to the FTTA attendees and graduates. I saw them as people who gave their lives to the Lord. It seemed like such a good decision to make. Later on, I came to the realization through what I saw around me that the FTTA was not much of a "decision", attendance was quite often a result of pressure.
One thing that was really telling was when I saw some resist this pressure. What happened is the pressure got even more intense. That wasn't normal at all. It forced to to realize that the FTTA is not simply a "Bible school", but it more of a factory or WL duplication center. I am convinced that if it weren't for the FTTA, the LC would be quickly declining in the U.S. The younger generation seems to find the LC less relevant as the older LC generation. The solution to that is to send them off to the FTTA where they learn how to dress, speak LC lingo, and "play church". There is enough doctrine to get them convinced that they possess a great "vision" and to justify the cultural disconnect of the LC in America.