kcross, you said,
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the accusations that you people lodge against phil aguilar in specific, and set free in general, are ludicrous. with a show of hands how many of you can attest to having attended a single service much less have shared your lives with these people. the scope of power you claim phil exerts over his ministry is enormous, far beyond the reach of many very infamous cult leaders. to be frank some of the stories are just, for lack of a better word, silly. furthermore no one ever calls into question the veracity of those claiming to be wronged or victimized by set free.
Show of hands? Can you see both my hands in the air? Why do I not use my name? Can you see both my hands in the air? That's why I don't use my name. Because I do know these people and I know what they are capable of. It's clear to me that you do not know them as well as you claim you do, or you are seeing them through clouded eyes. That's how his followers see him. They have their eyes on him "the man" and not on God. Their vision is clouded.
Non disclosure or non transparent finances does not prove this is a cult. I have spent a lot of time with some of the people who live in his homes. You know. The ones he takes in off the streets and out of the gutters to help. To teach them about Jesus and save them from Hell. Many of these people have criminal records, outstanding warrants or are on probation. As long as they obey phil's wishes they have a good place to avoid legal accountability. They become income for "Set Free' (Phil). They are sent out on jobs and the pay is negotiated by Phil and is paid directly to Phil. Actually their life is not much different from prison except that in prison they know when and where their next meal is coming from. Phil and his "Soldiers" goals are to break down the spirit of these people to the point that they become totally dependant on Phil. They are allowed to leave the house only with Phil's authorization. (Reread some of my previous posts). These people would never say anything negative about Phil. They would be out in the street, or worse. This is total mind and body control and that my friend does constitute a "[b:626b1b5a3b]CULT[/b:626b1b5a3b]" and Phil as the leader, as in "[b:626b1b5a3b]CULT LEADER[/b:626b1b5a3b]"
Oh you can leave there anytime you want to but you instantly become Phil's enemy than. He draws the line. Either you are totally with him or you are his enemy. A sinner, backslider, etc. No longer welcome in his Church unless of course you come back and humble yourself to him.
I am an adult who was introduced to this group by a person who is addicted to drugs. Oh I was very impressed right away at how plain and simple he made the word of God sound. How welcome and comfortable I felt in the Church and with the people. I saw how people loved this man and how everything they did and said in their lives revolved around him. I even got all involved in giving of myself and my finances very freely. Yes he is very charismatic. It took some time and some total Faith in God leading me, to see what was really happening. I asked God for answers and He gave them to me. He opened my eyes to see clearly.
They do not teach what "Repent" means. Only "confess". There is a big difference. As long as you are a supporter of Phil's he will support any lifestyle you live whether the Bilble agrees with it or not. His followers hear what they want to hear and not the real truth, What a great thing to be able to do what ever you like with your life and still be able to call yourself a Christian. This is filling people with false hope.
If you really know these people and this man, [b:626b1b5a3b]you know the truth[/b:626b1b5a3b]. Think about it, ([b:626b1b5a3b]the truth[/b:626b1b5a3b]) and be honest with yourself.