A Facebook Group?

[DistantStar]

When I first had some questions on the Local Church I decided to google it, but I didn't come across any discussions on them, at least not active sites. At best I came across that open letter, and GotQuestions's article on them.

Only the second time did I discover this forum, and that was by specifically googling for posts made recently.

I haven't been so active lately, but an idea came to mind as I browsed through Facebook: Why not create a Facebook group? At least one which refers to discussions over here? Or even just a page posting interesting discussions taking place on the forum? I saw some "Local Church" groups, but they seem to be made only for those actually in the LC.

Don't get me wrong. A forum is better. It is structured, with dedicated members, and detailed discussions.

I merely think that Facebook can help to reach more people.

[UntoHim]

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

Some are predicting the demise of FaceBook over these recent allegations.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Actually a Facebook page was set up a number of years ago. At some point it was taken down by the Facebook people. No real reason was given and I assumed it was Local Church/LSM/DCP people who complained and got it taken down. At some point I got it reinstated, only to have it taken down again. I simply gave up.
-

This reminds me of joining a local church yahoo group. I was basically a lurker for 6 months. Then I got tired of all the quoting of Life Studies and asked if it was run by an algorithm.

Then real members came out of the woodwork and I engaged them. When I revealed I was an ex-LC member, with a long post about my experience, I got the boot.

So I wrote my good old friend Ron Kangas, who wrote back and said he'd do what he could. Then I was contacted by a moderator who told me he'd leave too if he went thru what I went thru, and put me back on.

Then the other moderator kicked me off again. And the good moderator put me back on, only to have the other one kick me off again. And Kangas said he couldn't do anything about it.

I joined the group to see if the LC had changed. Clearly it hadn't, and hasn't.

And yesterday, when I found out Facebook has been logging cell phone calls and texts, that have nothing to do with Facebook, I deleted my account.

So now I only have Untohim to give a hard time. He's booted me a couple of times too. And I can't turn to Kangas for help. Woe woe is me. Back to Alternative Views, the Tartarus of LCD.

[Ohio]

Your story was heartbreaking, so I thought I'd post this card ...

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Some are predicting the demise of FaceBook over these recent allegations.

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Your story was heartbreaking, so I thought I'd post this card ...

You're a preach bro Ohio.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

The devil is in the details ... mefears ....

[Koinonia]

I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that). Many other similar-type groups have Facebooks groups that are very active. Especially for younger members, there is so much stigma related to leaving the LC. I know people who have not been involved for years, but are still too scared to admit that they are "not meeting." It is very healthy to be able to see a community of people of all ages and all persuasions openly processing their experience with the LC.

I believe it would be worthwhile for someone (not me) to create such a group and to encourage others to invite their ex-LC contacts to join. There are thousands out there.

[Nell]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

It's not about free speech.

Facebook being sued over data mining

"Facebook is facing a backlash on two continents from users, advertisers and lawmakers for having allowed Cambridge Analytica to allegedly amass information on 50 million of its users.

The company’s core business that powers around $4 billion in monthly revenue is monetizing everything you do on Facebook to serve its advertisers. However, users may not know that the powerful social network already has an opinion about your political leanings — and it’s fairly easy to find out what Mark Zuckerberg’s company thinks of your political preferences.

Hidden in plain sight under Ad Preferences is a section called Your Information. If you click on that tab, you’ll see an option for Your Categories, which contains a section called US Politics — in parentheses, Facebook will have you labeled as Very Liberal, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative or Very Conservative.

The social network says it fills up these categories “based on information you've provided on Facebook and other activity.” "

Check your Facebook account. I have never had a Facebook account so I can't verify.

It's all over the news...Fox News anyway. Google it. No one is saying anything about freedom of speech.

Nell

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that). Many other similar-type groups have Facebooks groups that are very active. Especially for younger members, there is so much stigma related to leaving the LC.

Thanks for the input, especially the part about the younger members. The problem, as I see it, is that there is no anonymity on the Facebook platform. You are posting under your real name, and that is a big deterrent to a lot of people. The ability for complete anonymity was an important component in choosing the forum software. To my knowledge, our forum has suffered no direct hacks. There was a wide-spread general hack of hundreds of thousands of websites by some notorious hackers a number of years ago, but no information was mined on our site.

Security concerns is the main reason that I had to turn off the auto registration feature. Too many spammers and pornographers are out there trying to infiltrate public forums. Over the years I've learned how to spot them before they can do any damage.
-

[Koinonia]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

Thanks for the input, especially the part about the younger members. The problem, as I see it, is that there is no anonymity on the Facebook platform. You are posting under your real name, and that is a big deterrent to a lot of people. The ability for complete anonymity was an important component in choosing the forum software. To my knowledge, our forum has suffered no direct hacks. There was a wide-spread general hack of hundreds of thousands of websites by some notorious hackers a number of years ago, but no information was mined on our site.

Security concerns is the main reason that I had to turn off the auto registration feature. Too many spammers and pornographers are out there trying to infiltrate public forums. Over the years I've learned how to spot them before they can do any damage.
-

You are right, of course. But that kind of Facebook group would serve a different purpose. I believe that seeing the names of others engaged in open discussion about their LC experiences (or anything else), identified as "ex-LCers" would encourage people to be more open about leaving. Even I do not want to identify myself--precisely because there is so much stigma about leaving. Yet, there are thousands of people "no longer meeting." The stigma surrounding that needs to be broken down.

[OGOP]

Like everybody has said, I think this is a great idea and the only problems will be 1) anonymity and 2) LSM shutting us down by appealing to Facebook.

To combat these two problems I think is simple.

1) Fake/Throwaway FB accounts for people who cant post under their real name for whatever the circumstance. For those who are completely removed from the church life it would be highly encouraged to use your real name so there is at least some activity from clearly real accounts. We would have to add a disclaimer in the group description explaining why people have accounts not in their name for their own protection for fear of retribution, etc.

2) Make the group center around the idea of a support group/info page to redirect people here. That would be our best bet to avoid complaints from LSM to get us banned on FB. I mean, could FB really ban an "ex-member support page"?

-I think this is a really good idea DistantStar

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that).

You could start one brother. Anyone can. So do it. If LSM kills it, start another one.

In fact, all here, that thinks this is a good idea, could start one every time LSM kills it. And all could contact Facebook about how LSM is stopping the free speech of exLCers. Eventually, as it became obvious what LSM is doing, Facebook would stop catering to them.

Your Facebook group would have to be such that members would have to join. And posts would have to be cleared by the moderator.

Before deleting my FB account I was on a group by a ex-LCer called Tribnet 7000. As a result I got notices when anyone posted, or responded, on the group. And if I posted something to the group, the owner of the group would have to approve it before it was posted. The group now has over 8000 members.

I was also a member of other groups, one started by brother zeek, who mostly hangs on Alternative Views, called Christian Existentialism, about Kierkegaard, a 19th century philosopher and theologian, considered the father of existentialism.

[DistantStar]

Thanks for the feedback. I think threats of the group being removed is overstated. There are quite a number of groups that are quite controversial on very polarising discussions, like creationism, the flat earth or politics which haven't been taken down. Of course, that doesn't make it impossible. I'm just saying that there is no harm in trying.

Originally Posted by Koinonia

But that kind of Facebook group would serve a different purpose. I believe that seeing the names of others engaged in open discussion about their LC experiences (or anything else), identified as "ex-LCers" would encourage people to be more open about leaving. Even I do not want to identify myself--precisely because there is so much stigma about leaving. Yet, there are thousands of people "no longer meeting." The stigma surrounding that needs to be broken down.

Originally Posted by UntoHim

The problem, as I see it, is that there is no anonymity on the Facebook platform. You are posting under your real name, and that is a big deterrent to a lot of people. The ability for complete anonymity was an important component in choosing the forum software.
-

Anonymity is of course important. Some of us don't mind speaking openly about the LC, so there would be some discussions. And we would encourage those who don't want to speak openly to contact us. Those who don't want to participate because of concerns of anonymity nonetheless are still able to read, publicly, what other people are saying and they have people to contact in private, who could help them out in PM or direct them to his forum where anonymity is guaranteed.

As I said, it will still help to attract people even if it is just a place to publish interesting quotes from members of this forum for outsiders to view.

Originally Posted by OGOP

For those who are completely removed from the church life it would be highly encouraged to use your real name so there is at least some activity from clearly real accounts. We would have to add a disclaimer in the group description explaining why people have accounts not in their name for their own protection for fear of retribution, etc.

Fake accounts are against Facebook's policies. Encouraging it on the description would make it too easy for people to shut the group down. It would be best to either encourage them in private or just simply refer them to this forum.

On a related note, I have a second, fake, account on Facebook for when I need anonymity. And yet it is very disturbing how even then Facebook "suggests" friends I know in real life. And I've had people I know discover this profile, and I have no idea how. I know, by default, if someone searches your email or number on Facebook they come across your account.
Fake accounts should be used with caution.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by DistantStar

On a related note, I have a second, fake, account on Facebook for when I need anonymity. And yet it is very disturbing how even then Facebook "suggests" friends I know in real life. And I've had people I know discover this profile, and I have no idea how. I know, by default, if someone searches your email or number on Facebook they come across your account.

Welcome to a world without privacy!

FaceBook simply connected your IP addresses together and forgot to say "oops."

Perhaps you have not read the latest news on FB in the US.

Besides evolution, internet anonymity is the greatest deception the world has ever known!

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Really? I just don't understand how it could be taken down- don't we live in a society with free speech? I'm not surprised that FB is monitoring people-don't love that. However, it's still a popular way to connect and an open page showing a link to the forum would reach a lot of people. I'm for it!

Kumbaya, it's not free speech, it's theft.

They stole everything off of your phone and computer, sold it to others, and made lots of money.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Welcome to a world without privacy!

FaceBook simply connected your IP addresses together and forgot to say "oops."

Perhaps you have not read the latest news on FB in the US.

Besides evolution, internet anonymity is the greatest deception the world has ever known!

I find the need for anonymity very interesting. Why?

Brother Ohio, I know you hate it, but this too smacks of a cult.

I've been on these local church forums for at least a decade. Yes anonymously as "awareness."

I was friends with brother Ron Kangas. I still love him. At least the one I knew. Kangas knows I'm awareness ; it's also my email address, and I've emailed him many times. Yet I cut him no slack out here. And don't think for a minute that, he doesn't know it. I know for a fact that he's either watching, or he has someone reporting to him ... like possibly his son David.

I understand that some want anonymity because after leaving they still have family members that are still in. I realize how sensitive that can be.

I also realize how powerfully the cult can grip peoples minds. I know for a fact how it can permanently damage people ... even to the point of suicide, mental illness, and alcoholism.

That to me is why this forum is so important ; why any and all anti-LC forums are important. And why a Facebook group would be important.

Look, after going thru that cult I don't pussyfoot around. Everyone that knows me, here and personally, knows that. Why do you think Untohim made me moderator of Alternative Views? I'm a little to rough for this open forum. Well, and I'm a smart ass (but not as bad as my friend Hosepipe, of Elden Hall fame - he called Lee Witless out here ... and Kangas remarked publicly about it).

Hey, I still have time to cancel my deletion of my Facebook account. I'd do it if someone started a group. I hate Facebook. But I hate the local church more (but not the precious members). Y'all prolly wouldn't want me as a member anyway. I'm too blunt.

And ya better read this fast, before Untohim deletes this post. (He likes to do that to my posts -- I'm use to the boot ... haha ...).

Regardless, I hope someone starts a Facebook exLC group ... if I'm a member or not.

Blessings all.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by awareness

I find the need for anonymity very interesting. Why?

Brother Ohio, I know you hate it, but this too smacks of a cult...

Hey, I still have time to cancel my deletion of my Facebook account. I'd do it if someone started a group. I hate Facebook.

FaceBook is a cult too?

Is there anybody on earth who is NOT in a cult?

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

FaceBook is a cult too?

Is there anybody on earth who is NOT in a cult?

So true bro Ohio. Cuz I like to keep up with cults (for obvious reasons - the LC) I recently watched Wild Wild Country, about the Eastern Guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his development of a Utopian religious community in Oregon, and I was amazed by how easily people join cults.

And the answer to your question : "Is there anybody on earth who is NOT in a cult?" could be "Independent Thinkers."

And there are different kinds of cults. Bhagwan's cult was a sex cult. Then there are death cults, like Jim Jones, and David Koresh (Waco). Obviously the LC cult is not like them. But the result of what they do to the mind is the same. Cult is a state of mind. You can be on the Facebook cult, for example, and not participate in the cult mindset.

[DistantStar]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Perhaps you have not read the latest news on FB in the US.

I have heard of it. Americans might be surprised to hear how every bit of information of them, from Trump to North Korea, and major companies like Facebook are major news here as well. And in the age of the internet, sites like Facebook and Twitter has put the world in touch with predominantly American concerns. Most of the pages I (and my friends) follow are American or British. A group I'm part of is on creationism, with mostly American people.

But back to the group, I'd like to know whether it would be a good idea? I know anyone can make a group on the LC, but I really think that it would be better if such a group works in tandem with this forum. That means that many people here are admins on the group, even if they use "alternative" accounts. Or at the very least that whoever manages it is endorsed by the forum.

As I said, a Facebook group would be useful even if it is just a portal to the forum, a way for people to get in touch with others - including members here.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Kumbaya, it's not free speech, it's theft.

They stole everything off of your phone and computer, sold it to others, and made lots of money.

I disagree with Brother Ohio about many matters... but this is not one of them.

I stopped using FB when I started noticing that certain sites offer to log in with your FB account... it occurred to me "now why in the world would I want to do that?". I tried it once and then pop-ups and spam started... and putting two and two together I figured the FB was sharing my information with companies that had something to sell. Ok, I did sign the disclosure agreement. But then I started noticing that I was getting pop ups and ads populating my web searches for items that I did not do a search but for things I may have had interest in..... got too creepy for me... so I stopped using them.

Drake

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by awareness

And the answer to your question : "Is there anybody on earth who is NOT in a cult?" could be "Independent Thinkers."

Obviously the LC cult is not like them. But the result of what they do to the mind is the same. Cult is a state of mind. You can be on the Facebook cult, for example, and not participate in the cult mindset.

I would say the biggest cult are those who have rejected and refused to believe in Jesus Christ our Savior.

"The god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ could not shine in them." (2 Cor 4.4)

Since they are groping around in gross darkness, even so-called "Independent Thinkers" have no idea what they are looking at, or what they are missing.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Drake

I disagree with Brother Ohio about many matters... but this is not one of them.

I stopped using FB when I started noticing that certain sites offer to log in with your FB account... it occurred to me "now why in the world would I want to do that?". I tried it once and then pop-ups and spam started... and putting two and two together I figured the FB was sharing my information with companies that had something to sell. Ok, I did sign the disclosure agreement. But then I started noticing that I was getting pop ups and ads populating my web searches for items that I did not do a search but for things I may have had interest in..... got too creepy for me... so I stopped using them.

Drake

Drake and I are making progress here. Glory to God!

Do any of you realize that Google now has a record of every place you have ever been? Don't think they erase it, even if you learn how to.

Do you know why every smart phone now has an sealed battery? Because your GPS tracking system stays on even when the phone is off. It is the government which demanded this, not the manufacturers.

We have just seen the tip of the iceberg about FB data-mining. We thought it was real bad when the NSA did it, but everyone knows that our government would never spy on us, so why would social media?

[Boxjobox]

Facebook is a business-it makes money through packaging user information. It's come-on is we are all friends who can chat.

The LCM is a business. It's come-on is we are all happy Christians meeting together in our locality.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I would say the biggest cult are those who have rejected and refused to believe in Jesus Christ our Savior.

"The god of this age has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving, so that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ could not shine in them." (2 Cor 4.4)

Since they are groping around in gross darkness, even so-called "Independent Thinkers" have no idea what they are looking at, or what they are missing.

So are you saying that the personality cult leader of that cult is Satan?
Wouldn't that mean that the personality cult leader of the local church was Satan?

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

but everyone knows that our government would never spy on us, so why would social media?

This is either sarcasm, or you are way too trusting. It's well known our government spies on all of us. Have you seen the server farms they're using?

"The data center is alleged to be able to process "all forms of communication, including the complete contents of private emails, cell phone calls, and Internet searches, as well as all types of personal data trails — parking receipts, travel itineraries, bookstore purchases, and other digital 'pocket litter'."[6]"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Data_Center

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

I've often thought there needs to be a Facebook group for open discussion among "Ex-Members of the Local Church of Witness Lee" (or something like that). Many other similar-type groups have Facebooks groups that are very active. Especially for younger members, there is so much stigma related to leaving the LC. I know people who have not been involved for years, but are still too scared to admit that they are "not meeting." It is very healthy to be able to see a community of people of all ages and all persuasions openly processing their experience with the LC.

I believe it would be worthwhile for someone (not me) to create such a group and to encourage others to invite their ex-LC contacts to join. There are thousands out there.

Haha! Love the (not me) part. I agree, I’m not sure I could handle the backlash with my fam! I’d join though!

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by Nell

It's not about free speech.

Facebook being sued over data mining

"Facebook is facing a backlash on two continents from users, advertisers and lawmakers for having allowed Cambridge Analytica to allegedly amass information on 50 million of its users.

The company’s core business that powers around $4 billion in monthly revenue is monetizing everything you do on Facebook to serve its advertisers. However, users may not know that the powerful social network already has an opinion about your political leanings — and it’s fairly easy to find out what Mark Zuckerberg’s company thinks of your political preferences.

Hidden in plain sight under Ad Preferences is a section called Your Information. If you click on that tab, you’ll see an option for Your Categories, which contains a section called US Politics — in parentheses, Facebook will have you labeled as Very Liberal, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative or Very Conservative.

The social network says it fills up these categories “based on information you've provided on Facebook and other activity.” "

Check your Facebook account. I have never had a Facebook account so I can't verify.

It's all over the news...Fox News anyway. Google it. No one is saying anything about freedom of speech.

Nell

Thanks for clarifying! I think I responded to the wrong post- This is definitely alarming. But there was a previous post about a fb page that had been taken down due to complaints.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

You are right, of course. But that kind of Facebook group would serve a different purpose. I believe that seeing the names of others engaged in open discussion about their LC experiences (or anything else), identified as "ex-LCers" would encourage people to be more open about leaving. Even I do not want to identify myself--precisely because there is so much stigma about leaving. Yet, there are thousands of people "no longer meeting." The stigma surrounding that needs to be broken down.

Though I use Facebook primarily to keep connected with my relatives in Philippines and Hong Kong, I do have immediate family and family friends on Facebook who meet with the local churches. I doubt my opinions would received well at all.

[Koinonia]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

Haha! Love the (not me) part. I agree, I’m not sure I could handle the backlash with my fam! I’d join though!

You got it.

My family members have resigned themselves to my leaving the LC. Yet, they would never be able to tolerate my discussing it openly. And the same could probably be said for my LC friends.

[HERn]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

You got it.

My family members have resigned themselves to my leaving the LC. Yet, they would never be able to tolerate my discussing it openly. And the same could probably be said for my LC friends.

I told my family they were deceived in believing WL was the MOTA. One of them told me I was poisoned.

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by Koinonia

You got it.

My family members have resigned themselves to my leaving the LC. Yet, they would never be able to tolerate my discussing it openly. And the same could probably be said for my LC friends.

That mindset alone PROVES an unhealthy view towards other Christians. They can’t talk about why you’ve left- and you’re still brothers/sisters in Christ! That’s what really upsets me- instant division bc you’re not meeting anymore, yet-still a Christian. The culture does promote a certain attitude towards people who left or even other Christians in denominations. The idea that they have a good reason to leave is implausible- they must be deceived or backsliden. I’m over it. If you think this-maybe you should go take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why you have this mindset. Maybe it was “put there” by being too told this over and over again about people who leave! You think that doesn’t change how people think? Look up thought coercion/group think practices and tell me you don’t recognize them in the local churches. This mindset really hurts people and has affected my life in such a negative way- I won’t go into details, but it tears apart families.

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by HERn

I told my family they were deceived in believing WL was the MOTA. One of them told me I was poisoned.

I believe it! Just curious- how did you respond?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

That mindset alone PROVES an unhealthy view towards other Christians. They can’t talk about why you’ve left- and you’re still brothers/sisters in Christ! That’s what really upsets me- instant division bc you’re not meeting anymore, yet-still a Christian.

Kumbaya, you're right about the toxic attitudes which exist in the LC's.

Shortly after we left, we started meeting with other churches. We happened to be in one church when one family was leaving the church. The pastor brought them up front and the church prayed for them and blessed them. We were shocked.

This is the way Christians in the body of Christ should behave!

[awareness]

Originally Posted by HERn

I told my family they were deceived in believing WL was the MOTA. One of them told me I was poisoned.

I understand why the need for anonymity. I was branded a serpent. All the saints were told not to talk to me because I would poison them.

That's because I didn't sneak and hide. Anonymity was not me. I was outspoken. I went full frontal on the elders.

And I did poison them. I testified over and over again about our oneness in Christ, and oneness in the Spirit. That eventually was considered poison. It wasn't a testimony of oneness by following Witness Lee.

So what does it mean when they say you are poison? Is Christ poison? Is the Spirit poison?

In the process I met the cult face to face. And for the sake of the precious saints it needs to be poisoned.

Why should we fear a system that is a cult? The local church is not Scientology. They won't send their goons out after you.

If you love your family you'll do all you can to save them from it ... even if you are branded as poison.

So try until they cut you off, like they did me.

And by the way, after I was cut off, it happened to others. And fellowship was restored, with them, at least. It happened even to two of the three elders that gave me the boot. Fellowship was restored with them too.

Dealing with a cult isn't easy. Just ask Steve Isitt (Indiana). It requires lots of love.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Kumbaya, you're right about the toxic attitudes which exist in the LC's.

Shortly after we left, we started meeting with other churches. We happened to be in one church when one family was leaving the church. The pastor brought them up front and the church prayed for them and blessed them. We were shocked.

This is the way Christians in the body of Christ should behave!

I have had a similar experience over a church elder that did not agree with the church's direction. He and his wife were prayed over and blessed.
Even after leaving, just because he was meeting somewhere else fellowship between brothers is not cut off.

[OGOP]

Okay, so who is going to be the one to create? If you do please post the link. We can DM and I would want to be an admin

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by OGOP

Okay, so who is going to be the one to create? If you do please post the link. We can DM and I would want to be an admin

I think it needs to be someone who has experience with social media/forums. Also, someone who can make the time commitment and has “maturity in life” (ha! Can you tell I was raised in the local church?)

[Koinonia]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

I think it needs to be someone who has experience with social media/forums. Also, someone who can make the time commitment and has “maturity in life” (ha! Can you tell I was raised in the local church?)

Probably best to have a few people as moderators/administrators, with the understanding that heavy moderation is not necessary. For the most part, let people connect, let people discuss their views, reminisce, ask questions freely. I think if someone initiates this, there can be a critical mass of former members very quickly, and it will help many others in the process of breaking free.

[LifeGoesOn]

I’d like to see this happen as well. It would be a yuge help blessing, just like this sure, but able to reach more people.


ETA: My wife said there should be a link to this forum for those who don’t feel comfortable posting on FB.

[OGOP]

The group has been created. I will post the link in this thread shortly, but first I need some accounts to add as members/admin before FB will let me go public.
Please Private Message me your account name on FB so I can add you all

Looking forward to it!

OGOP

There is a group set up called Former Members of the Local Church (Witness Lee): https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/

Best to make sure there are not duplicate groups.

[OGOP]

Here is a link to the "closed" group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/764718357071498/

34 members so far.

[kumbaya]

Originally Posted by OGOP

The group has been created. I will post the link in this thread shortly, but first I need some accounts to add as members/admin before FB will let me go public.
Please Private Message me your account name on FB so I can add you all

Looking forward to it!

OGOP

woo hoo! Great idea, lots of connections made already

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by kumbaya

woo hoo! Great idea, lots of connections made already

Any way to see it without logging in?

[DistantStar]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Any way to see it without logging in?

I don't think so. It seems making it a closed group prevents non-Facebook users from viewing it.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Any way to see it without logging in?

Darn! Right after I deleted my FB account.