Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
OBW, you do seem overly caustic or resentful of your LC experience. I encourage you to find the good, and hold on to it. One wise Christian counselor Gary Smalley called this practice "treasure hunting." He had counseled hundreds who had endured far worse experiences, and became much the better using this soul-searching technique.
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It might appear that way. But I found during my years moving from simply not being there, then to questioning more than just poor practices and Phariseeism, then beyond that, that there was something insidious that affected us all. It took people truly seeking for God and substituted something else. And that something else was wrapped in teachings that everything about us was superior, from our teachings to our practices to even the words we used.
My discovery was that I needed to have the whole house fumigated because I couldn't simply find and kill every cockroach in the rooms, walls, ceilings, etc. Or another word picture — I decided that continuing to drink water that was only partly polluted rather than seriously polluted was no more acceptable. So, to the extent that I can, I do not hang onto anything that is not somewhat run-of-the-mill Christian belief, doctrine, and practice. Not because I fear the LRC, but because I think it is healthier.
And I know that some do not agree on my somewhat scorched-earth position on all things LRC. And I do not refuse you or others to speak as you do. But I think it is a reasonable warning, or at least something worthy of consideration. Do you think I should just go away and never say it again?
As for being caustic or resentful, you have no idea. My experience in the LRC was not that bad other than the aloofness and failing teaching that seemed to be predominant in Irving in the mid-80s. It was surely doing my family no good. Prior to that, I had it easy. I was almost never really in "corporate" living since my entire family was in the church. And I was not trying to be a front-row, burning, go-getter. I just thought we had the best teaching (something I now see differently). I did know personally of at least one situation where a leading one in Dallas went off on an older man in a Saturday morning meeting. I later learned that some of the other leaders/elders were floored at the event but felt that the one doing it was sort of an Anaheim plant so they stayed out of it. But my only animosity at any level is reserved for Lee (and even Nee indirectly) for capturing such a group of dear Christians to have in his pocket to pay for his living. I didn't even know about his degenerate sons by the time I left. That was to be exposed during the following year or so and I got little information until almost 20 years later.
Ahd knowing what I do now, I have a problem with certain of the continuing leadership, just as we speak about them here on the forum. But I do not hate them. I would rather that they see the light shining on their ways and the error that come with getting enamored with that little man with the coke-bottle glasses who took us all for a ride.