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Originally Posted by aron
They have fairly deceptive recruiting practices, as you've noticed. First, they will say that "We are just Christians like everyone else". They'll gladly go on and on about their rich heritage, centered in the Protestant Reformation. (In their narrative, Martin Luther was essentially the initiation of the "recovery", with his doctrine of justification by faith.) Then once the new person thinks, Hey this is a great Christian group, and begins to emotionally connect with them (enhanced by shouting, loud singing, repetitive declarations, and 'pray-reading') they'll begin the isolation process.
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This is exactly true. I thought them a normal Christian group, I began to connect with some of them and the singing is precisely like you said: loud and repetitive. The pray-reading always confused me.
You made me realise something about connecting emotionally. Last year I spent a lot of time with one of them. He became a close friend. It was after he left last semester for another campus that I began to question the society more seriously. I guess that because he left, I had no more emotional bonds to the society.
In one of my politics classes I met a Zimbabwean. I convinced him to come one evening to the bigger group gathering. As I am usually aware of the emotional states of guests, I noticed that he was very... sceptical... as we sang. It was that day that I realised the society is very wrong. It was only when I saw the society through his eyes - through fresh eyes - that I questioned it strongly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
Then, when he came to New Testament exposition, Witness Lee wrote book after book on elevated and "divine" human virtues. The Christian needs to be this, and that. Look at an outline of one of their Holy Word for Morning Revival books (their weekly study books). Line after line saying "We must do this" and "We need to be that". Burden after heavy burden is laid on the Local Church believer. So it all looks quite high and spiritual, as if the Local Churchers are living according to the highest standard, but there is a big hole in the middle. No Jesus Christ, or precious little of His presence.
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Precisely. They give off this aura of having a deeper understanding of scripture. Of being more spiritual as you said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
May God bless your journey in Christ Jesus, and all those with you. Remember that the most weak, pathetic, and despicable person you meet is much loved by God, who's patiently waiting for them to return home, and this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate God's grace in the Spirit of His Son. But be careful! We're in enemy territory here on earth, and if you see the enemy coming at you with 20,000 troops and you only have one-half that amount, just retire from the field and pray for God's deliverance... He will always hear your prayers. (see e.g. Luke 14:31)
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Thank you for the detailed and insightful post. I appreciate it.
And thanks to Igzy for the same reason.
