Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
The control of the will is far more sinister than the control of the body via shackles or threat of violence or death ... But slow erosion of the natural defenses of the mind against illogic, error, and even harm is control even if the state of the person is to have a will to do exactly what their controller wants ...
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OBW, you make some compelling points.
I believe the Bible is balanced in this matter of "control," yet the responsibility placed upon the leaders is far greater. The scripture does instruct us to honor and submit to those ruling us, obeying them as unto the Lord, but the warnings placed upon the leaders was far greater, "
he who stumbles the least of my brethren, it would be better for him to swim out to sea with a millstone around his neck."
Over time, the teachings of the ministry emphasized the former at the expense of the latter. Local leaders thus were required to submit to regional leaders and/or WL and the BB's. The needs and wants of the ministry and the program always took precedence over the needs of the flock or the individual saints. Stories like the judgments upon Ham, Mariam, and others were emphasized repeatedly
(Authority and Submission) in order to maintain lines of command, and silence any and all "concerns" which might arise. Teachings concerning "evil shepherds" were neglected for the most part.
I personally have witnessed many gifted brothers, those who either put the word of God or people first and foremost, leave the program over time. Since I knew them well, I couldn't buy into the story that they were somehow "changed." If dozens and dozens of precious brothers leave the LC's for no other reason than that they "had a problem with so-n-so," one might begin to wonder if it wasn't "so-n-so" who really had the problem. The number one reason for them to leave was mistreatment -- one of the primary symptoms of control.