Excuse me, but where exactly is the smoking gun in these supposedly “shocking” revelations about their finances ?. I took a look through these two new articles and frankly - I think if any of the SMC leaders can be bothered to read this stuff they’re probably laughing their heads off - if not just yawning. I’ve never seen such nitpicking and pointless pedantry in my life!. And i speak as
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteThePetitor ( quoting Latigo ) Clive will be able to confirm that there was no connection between his first post – the second on the forum - and the start of Latigo214. They were simultaneous expressions of the same genuine concern which had remained unshared publicly for far too long. Yes I can confirm there is no connection at all. I dont actually know when the Latigo site starte
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Thanks Archbishop L for your replies concerning The Godfather. It was exactly that sort of replies i was hoping for, albeit for the third instalment not the first. I think one very important thing you raised - or so it seemed to me is the way in which such movies can help one empathise rather than demonise. How one can be made for a brief period to imagine in a small way how it would be to
Forum: Destructive Churches

I beg to differ. Whoever it is I would like to thank him ( i think its a HE ) for all the effort to put together that site. It could do with a bit of a visual "face lift" though.
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteThePetitorClive, I would also look at the latigo site and respond publicly to any policy questions there. Wouldn't it be better for any SMC leader to make their responses to the Latigo site here ?. If the creator of that site is already one of the posters here ( hint hint ) and makes explicit the link between their "nom de plume" here and that site - then we can
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteCovLassClive Regarding the question on the film The Godfather, Im not really sure what the relevance is to this thread It has to do with the arbitrariness ( and hypocrisy in my mind ) with which Struthers leadership pronounce one thing to be "Kosher" yet another not. It has to do with the famous "in the world but not of the world" distinction and how christians sh
Forum: Destructive Churches

I would like to ask two questions: 1) What would you all consider a sufficient and proper response by SMC to put matters at rest ?. For example would an official apology here be enough ? or should there be a public statement of repentance made in front of their members- say in greenock or at a conference ?. In other words what is required for aline to be finally drawn on all this ?. 2
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If there ever was any such ambition at the start, it appears to have been successfully quashed by circumstances, the desire to abide by all things “SMC”, and very likely the leaders themselves. I strongly suspect that strong personal traits, such as ambition, independence, and thinking for one self are only encouraged if it can be seen to serve the ends of the SMC leadership.
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I personally know a SMC member who went to university specifically in order to become a teacher. Other members of this persons family voiced doubts, concerns and reservations as to whether this person actually had the personality and psychological makeup necessary to become a successful teacher. However any such misgivings and pleas to consider a different career fell on deaf ears. This
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Here are some books on abusive churches such as Struthers Memorial Pentecostal Church, for those interested: Amazing Grace Kathleen Norris (Riverhead Books, 1998) By What Authority: The Rise of Personality Cults in American Christianity- Richard Quebedeaux (Harper Collins, 1981) Charismatic Chaos John F. MacArthur, Jr. (Zondervan Publishing House, 1993) Churches that Abuse - Ronald E
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susie: you quote "1 John 4:1 SAYS " Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone into the world.” but neglect to quote the next line: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” you need to be caref
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QuoteStephenWhats this Latigo214?
Forum: Destructive Churches

Here is an wikipedia excerpt from the Followers Of Christ Church, mentioned in the article i linked to earlier. Take note of the similarities of this church to the sort of issues talked about here regarding SMC: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Followers of Christ is an unorthodox Christian denomination based in the U.S. state of Oregon. The church has attracted controversy for
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Plus also the embarrassment/irritation of continually seeing their sermons analysed and critiqued on the Latigo214 web site of course!.
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteRensil Could it be that you do have something to hide and you are desperately trying to stop people from clicking onto Rick Ross's Cult Education website and in so doing, to see the truth? It isn't having any effect, judging by the number of visits made to this Forum. Actually this is probably why we see so few struthers people posting here to defend their pastors. Even if pro-S
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SeekingSusan, Forgive me but I really don’t understand what your comments on “In Jesus’ Name” etc have to do with either SMC or Camping.
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Have to admit I have a tiny bit of admiration for Mr Camping after all this shenanigans- as well as feeling a little sorry for him. I hope he doesnt commit suicide or something over this. After all is said and done, he had some guts. Yes its true he very arrogantly and foolishly led his vast group of followers down the path of huge financial folly, followed by embarrasment and failure, and
Forum: Destructive Churches

I think what we have here is a church and its defenders that value above all else: 1) Obedience to leaders 2) Groupthink. ( I think many inside SMC would do well to read some George Orwell ) Naturally attempts by Covlass and Petitor will fall on deaf ears in such a situation. It is part of the human condition to defend ones own beliefs and loyalties, regardless of being confronted b
Forum: Destructive Churches

pentecostal, "Sorry, but if someone goes to another church then it must ipso facto be more accommodating. Can you see someone going to a less accommodating church? Cosy? Would they go somewhere where there is more perceived pain? “ Your choice of words here is I think deliberate and misleading. Why not replace your word choice “more accomodating” with “less controlling”. And replac
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Quotepentecostal "I think this very much exposes the individualism that pervades society and the church in general today.” perhaps you’d prefer a society that emphasises harmony and decries individualism... say- something like China, both the old or new flavours ? Or maybe something a little more...... buddhist ? "People don't like being told what to do - period. You
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steve: “hose group” ?? lol ! is that some sect with rituals involving being sprayed with water ? Never heard of this Roger Price person , but recently came across a Lutheran podcast “Table Talk Radio” featuring an interesting discussion between between a Dr. Robert M. Price and Dr. David Scaer concerning the resurrection. " I shudder when I remember them shaking me as a teenager
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Its been ages since I posted here and its disturbing to find so many others who seem to have been similar experiences or have similar doubts about this organisation. All goes to show I wasn't merely imagining things. To the last poster, Steven, I'm interested to hear more of this "smoking testimony" incident.. seems like you were suggesting that this woman Joan, defini
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QuoteCovLass ...she was told she wasnt allowed to talk to me or have anything to do with me. We werent even allowed to acknowledge one another in church. ... Once again questioning was forbidden.... I was devastated by what happened and quickly sunk into depression, I even momentarily considered suicide. When I went to the pastor for help she told me that if she offered me sympathy it would
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I have been to a summer camp ran by Struthers Memorial Church and several of my family are members of it. Many things trouble me about this church. Firstly it is heavily woman led. Even if one were to have no objections to the idea of female leadership, pastors and preaching and teaching by women, it is a fact that in the Struthers group there seems to be a definite bias towards women leaders
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