How I got here, and what is this place?

[aron]

Originally Posted by Bradley

My personal opinion (as I can only speak for myself) is that it is a cult, and it will damage you if you join. . . .One of my good friends recently returned to the group after years of calling it a cult and actively 'buries his head in the sand', refusing to listen to anything I have to say on the matter, only wanting to listen to 'life'. I think its sad, but he thinks it sad that I let the negative things stop me from enjoying the 'ministry'. He thinks I'm poisoned and leprous, I think he's brain-washed and ignorant.

The constant stream of negative assessments on "Christianity", from the most blatant ("satanic, devilish, deformed") to the more subtle ("not many Christians know that. . .") has several mutually reinforcing effects.

First, you think, Wow this guy must be really godly yo be able to criticize others like that. I mean, if he goes on long diatribes about religion then he must not be 'religious', right? Stands to reason....

Then your conscience gets damaged because you sit there day after day listening to what is essentially a stream of curses, without protesting or trying to defend the cursed in "Christianity". Your ability to either think independently, to reason, or to hear the Shepherd's voice becomes greatly hindered. You've become reprogrammed to hear only the 'ministry'.

Third, you become convinced "there is nothing out there", so like a person returning to an abusive relationship, you return to get more 'life'.