Kirkby Christian Fellowship
Date: March 28, 2007 03:35PM
I guess the "lesbian" accusation only has currency (if true) not because there's anything wrong with being lesbian, but because of the hypocrisy. But I know nothing about that or where that rumour came from, so I'll keep quiet about that!
[b:34a85dc0a7]AJG[/b:34a85dc0a7], I have to pick you up on one thing you said: "no one is forced to attend". One quality of cults and abusive religious groups is that people are [i:34a85dc0a7]manipulated[/i:34a85dc0a7] into remaining loyal. Yes, there may not be bouncers on the door physically preventing members from leaving, but their psychological equivalents are everywhere ingrained into the organisation and its members. I think that's a basic fact about cults that most people, including the media, have no problem accepting.
You also wrote "There are other choices". The problem with cults is that they strip people of their choices. The irony of your statement that we're not in the Middle Ages is that a church like this exists precisely there, in that kind of medieval mindset - the church is controlled by prophecies, dreams and magical revelations from its leader. Did you read the story about someone being accused of sin on the basis of stones being picked from a hat? This kind of divination is straight out of the Middle Ages! It's easy as an outsider to say that there are other choices, but psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, this church and others like it are all about manipulating people into a condition where they feel they have no other choice.
On another point, I am doubtful that many, if any, of the folk voicing their opinions here are still part of the church.
[b:34a85dc0a7]Onlyme[/b:34a85dc0a7], I hear you. I too believe the members are as much victims as the rest of us here. If anyone is to be "attacked", then it should be the leaders. I don't want to condemn anyone for being hyperbolic (quite a few sarcastic references to Nazis, Hitler etc!), as the enormity of the religious abuse they've experienced far outweighs a bit of sarcasm, but as far as we can, I think we should avoid being too inflammatory. It runs the risk of putting current members totally on the defensive, and then their ears are shut to our message immediately.
I may set up a page specifically for current members that takes [b:34a85dc0a7]David in the Light[/b:34a85dc0a7]'s idea of posing questions to members. I think it is generally agreed that the best way to approach members of a cult is not to attack their leaders outright, but simply to present the evidence and ask them to weigh it up for themselves, drawing their own conclusions.
Keep up the good work, all!