Brainwashing

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Terry

I had a rude awakening. I used to think the brothers cared about ones future (a good job, family, etc). One Saturday morning at breakfast at the meeting hall, I expressed such aspirations to an elder. Expecting words of encouragement, instead I got along the lines of "this may be God's sovereignty" that is in remaining single and a low income.

There are few things that are worse than setting aside aspirations and goals thinking that it is all meaningless. And in my experience, that is one of the things that the LC environment caused to happen. Perhaps the ideology came subconsciously, but it was definitely there.

When I was in college, I learned not to vocalize any career goals, because to ULcers, having career goals meant the FTT wasn't a goal. Eventually I started second guessing what I wanted to do, thinking that a specific career shouldn't be a goal, that the only goal should be serving full-time.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

When I was in college, I learned not to vocalize any career goals, because to ULcers, having career goals meant the FTT wasn't a goal. Eventually I started second guessing what I wanted to do, thinking that a specific career shouldn't be a goal, that the only goal should be serving full-time.

Leaves the question I think I know the answer to, for FTTA graduates is serving Full Time guaranteed?

[clever sister]

Originally Posted by Terry

Leaves the question I think I know the answer to, for FTTA graduates is serving Full Time guaranteed?

I don't think so.

If one 'feels the burden' they fellowship with the brothers and usually one will be allocated to a locality to serve, but I think that sometimes "the fellowship" is that it would be better to "serve as a working one"

[aron]

Originally Posted by clever sister

. .sometimes "the fellowship" is that it would be better to "serve as a working one"

That's what happens when your soul-life belongs to a book publishing house.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Freedom

There are few things that are worse than setting aside aspirations and goals thinking that it is all meaningless. And in my experience, that is one of the things that the LC environment caused to happen. Perhaps the ideology came subconsciously, but it was definitely there.

When I was in college, I learned not to vocalize any career goals, because to ULcers, having career goals meant the FTT wasn't a goal. Eventually I started second guessing what I wanted to do, thinking that a specific career shouldn't be a goal, that the only goal should be serving full-time.

That was your experience, but I don't think it is the norm. There are those that I know who went to the FTT with the full intention of maintaining their career ambitions and have progressed further in their career as doctors, dentists or engineers since completing the FTT, with full blessing of their parents and elders who are also full time professionals.

There is a simple practical reason that refutes many of the claims made here about the FTT being intended only for those who want to serve full time - who is going to pay for all of them?? For this reason, it is not practical or realistic to assume that it is assumed that every person who attends FTT will not pursue their career. It is also encouraged that people attain as high as they can in their education and be testimonies to those in their chosen professional career. Also, the financial health of the church partly depends upon members having good paying jobs so why would they try to discourage that?

[A little brother]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

That was your experience, but I don't think it is the norm. There are those that I know who went to the FTT with the full intention of maintaining their career ambitions and have progressed further in their career as doctors, dentists or engineers since completing the FTT, with full blessing of their parents and elders who are also full time professionals.

There is a simple practical reason that refutes many of the claims made here about the FTT being intended only for those who want to serve full time - who is going to pay for all of them?? For this reason, it is not practical or realistic to assume that it is assumed that every person who attends FTT will not pursue their career. It is also encouraged that people attain as high as they can in their education and be testimonies to those in their chosen professional career. Also, the financial health of the church partly depends upon members having good paying jobs so why would they try to discourage that?

Well, this really points out the main purpose of focusing on good building materials. They guarantee finanical health of the church. Get as many doctors, dentists or engineers as possible. Make sure they are "trained" by FTT first and then let them go earn the financial "blessings". Forget about the poor, someone else will take care of them.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by A little brother

Well, this really points out the main purpose of focusing on good building materials. They guarantee finanical health of the church. Get as many doctors, dentists or engineers as possible. Make sure they are "trained" by FTT first and then let them go earn the financial "blessings". Forget about the poor, someone else will take care of them.

So how many homeless people living in your home?

[A little brother]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

So how many homeless people living in your home?

Definitely not as many as the doctors, dentists and engineers in the LC.

[aron]

Originally Posted by A little brother

Forget about the poor, someone else will take care of them.

I heard this from Paul Hon in the FTTA. "Don't waste your time" were his words. Others on this forum have affirmed hearing such discouraging directions.

According to Peter, Jesus "went around doing good, for God was with him." What a contrast. Yes, Evangelical, we should be doers and not hearers only; I agree. But LSM doesn't even want people to hear.

How can you believe unless you don't first hear? And what gospel is preached if not this? As Paul said, it is "another gospel."

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

That was your experience, but I don't think it is the norm. There are those that I know who went to the FTT with the full intention of maintaining their career ambitions and have progressed further in their career as doctors, dentists or engineers since completing the FTT, with full blessing of their parents and elders who are also full time professionals.

And just what is the norm in the LC? My experience was that people were trying to practice what WL taught. WL's teaching was that everyone should seek the highest education, then be willing to throw it away.

Originally Posted by Evangelical

There is a simple practical reason that refutes many of the claims made here about the FTT being intended only for those who want to serve full time - who is going to pay for all of them?? For this reason, it is not practical or realistic to assume that it is assumed that every person who attends FTT will not pursue their career. It is also encouraged that people attain as high as they can in their education and be testimonies to those in their chosen professional career. Also, the financial health of the church partly depends upon members having good paying jobs so why would they try to discourage that?

It would seem like that is the case, but that is not what I ever observed. Where I'm from, the amount the church was spending was not in any way correlated to what people were giving. That's because the main source of funding for the church was several wealthy brothers. I suspect there are similar situations in other places as well.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Freedom

And just what is the norm in the LC? My experience was that people were trying to practice what WL taught. WL's teaching was that everyone should seek the highest education, then be willing to throw it away.

It would seem like that is the case, but that is not what I ever observed. Where I'm from, the amount the church was spending was not in any way correlated to what people were giving. That's because the main source of funding for the church was several wealthy brothers. I suspect there are similar situations in other places as well.

I don't know that "be willing to throw it away" meant becoming a full timer and becoming a burden on the church.

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by Freedom

And just what is the norm in the LC? My experience was that people were trying to practice what WL taught. WL's teaching was that everyone should seek the highest education, then be willing to throw it away.



It would seem like that is the case, but that is not what I ever observed. Where I'm from, the amount the church was spending was not in any way correlated to what people were giving. That's because the main source of funding for the church was several wealthy brothers. I suspect there are similar situations in other places as well.

I always heard how great it was to “waste your life on the Lord!” Especially to “waste your younger years on the Lord- how sweet!” Of course, that means signing your life over to local church elders and LSM agendas! I know my sister believes this- I’ve heard her say it!