Greetings from NYC!

[Drake]

Originally Posted by byHismercy

I just don't agree, Drake. This forum is people who come together and speak honestly about what they have seen, experienced, and been taught by Lees' ministry, right or wrong. Honest discussion. I say, genuine christian fellowship happens here. It is in stark contrast to the culture of silence persisting in and pertaining to every aspect of 'fellowship' in the LC. I am sure that chasm between the truth and hiding the truth might make you uncomfortable....but your unease with such open communication does not invalidate it. 'Asking for validation of your beliefs from others who hold the same beliefs' is such a silly accusation of those here. You forget, most of us coming out of the LC are true believers. We face a whole world of naysayers each and every day.....ones who mock and belittle christians for their faith in Jesus. You think we need others to believe what we believe? That is so far from reality.....

ByHisMercy,

I’m not at all uncomfortable with the dialogue here. Else I would have flown the pond a long time ago.

Yet, all that you say about this forum may be accurate but that does not mean it has not fallen into group think. Consider this... you are newer here than most,,, but the vast majority of the discussions by former members is mostly reinforcing the same beliefs stated over and over for a decade or more .... and any challenges to the status quo are often met with ridicule and public shaming.... that is group think behavior..... classic attack of perceived threats and parasites that are not conforming to the group. It’s a basic human tribal instinct and reaction. A great thinker on this topic once explained to me that with groups one must learn the tribal dance or get tossed into the pot as dinner. It’s true metaphorically in modern groups. You can see it play out with some forum members who express moderated thoughts occasionally.... they get challenged fairly aggressively to conform. I’m a known quantity so if I say the sky is blue I’ll be accused of calling it green or failing to understand how blue depresses people so how dare I be so insensitive. Those are behaviors of group think seeking conformity to keep the status quo. Newbies that come here complaining will be greeted with high fives. Less than that will be greeted with a warm smile followed by a “ whoa, hold on there fella “

It’s easier to recognize if you know it’s there. But the point here is seeking validation from the group that you are integrated with is a false validation and any argument based on that is also false.

Drake