Quote:
Originally Posted by NZexCK
I've taken the term deconstruction from the wider exvangelical community. In my search for answers I've come to realise the the LR church kid experience is often not too dissimilar from ex church kids in mainstream christianity. There is a huge community out there of ex church kids from all areas of christianity sharing their deconstruction process/journey which I've found really helpful and relatable.
|
One thing that I've found out is that there are other groups very similar to the LR.
Iglesia Ni Christo in Phillipines
Gloriavale in New Zealand
La Luz del Mundo in Mexico
Shincheonji Church of Jesus in South Korea
Mormon Church of USA
etc etc
You have a supposed apostle, with a proprietary vision, then people gather round, obey without question, recruit new members, and pressure their children to be unthinking automatons. Abuse in such high-control programmes inevitably follows like night follows day. (and it is abuse to deny children their intrinsic humanity - they are not commodities in a pipeline.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by NZexCK
As of now I've reached the conclusion that "belonging" to a specific group of people who meet a certain way or at a certain place isn't a requirement to being a christian. Church can be as simple as being alone, or with one other person, being present in the moment, appreciating how beautiful a tree is.
|
I agree. Belonging to a group isn't bad per se, but it is fraught with perils. I understand the Christian maxim to "not forsake the assembling together" but we should forsake manipulation and control, and assembling unfortunately can lead to such abuse.
It is a fascinating study in pathologic sociology - the nonconformist who strikes out on their own, then starts their own group and pushes strict conformity on group members. The parents in this self-oriented passion play become unwitting dupes, telling their children how they "followed the Lord out of Babylon" and into the Pastures of Plenty, but at the same time they attempt to deny this same journey to their progeny.
If your idea of your destiny of actualization depends on someone else denying their own, I'd suggest checking your vision again.