balanced view now uses the name/website 'short moments' (shortmoments.com) and candice uses the name 'ziji rinpoche' and recently wrote and published a book under that name called 'when surfing a tsunami', they also operate under 'open intelligence and love' (openintelligenceandlove.com) i've followed this cult education forum as an ex-member of bv
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I read the commentary posted - written by Reverend G.Richard Fisher beginning with a critique on Francis Frangipane. Just one of many men, G.R. Fisher has written about - who are involved in other religious organizations, other than the one he is involved in, In commenting, I wasn't making an effort to defend any of those G.R. Fisher has written about. All of the 100's of religio
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Something to consider: There are so many high level accredited esteemed knowledgeable religious critics - in today's world - who trumpet their own names, their selves, their doctrines and their organizational programs - using the scriptures them self to promote themselves by means of claims of the accuracy of their interpretations' . If they are not a church organization they
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Changedagain - Quote: I knew this man well. I watched him being dismantled by those he had entrusted himself to. He gave me forewarning what was coming. When he was eventually stripped of his ministry, and no longer with his wife, I was made aware of the attitude I was to have toward him...which I never accepted. He did not diminish in my sight, nor in my wife's. The merciless treatment b
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quote :............If the scriptures cannot square or live up to these lofty declarations then why should we even waste our time? ............ ------------------- FCSLC Hope this as a partial answer, helps toward bringing an end to some confusion - read Romans Chapter 13 - Look and see, if there is a confirmation ( in part ) to what you are looking to find and see if these instruction
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Some years after I left the church, I spoke on the phone, with one of the apostolic ministries some time in the 1990's. He cried when he told me that the ministry had separated his wife from him.- I wish I would have been able to talk with him about so many of the answers that I would find later - as to the why's. He was a lawyer by profession and he loved the scriptures and he had
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Ref: Freedom and Submission. In the mind set of things being self evident - glad to have had the opportunity to share this with you and any one who may have gained helpful insight from it. I received more of an understanding from it, not at the time I heard it - but later I received more of an awareness and a better understanding, that I should respect the rights of others to live the life
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

............what is submission any way? ------------------------------------------- The dictionary definition and meaning of submission - is to yield or surrender ( ones self ) to the will or authority of another. About 15 years ago, I asked an acquaintance , who was a senior police officer - who explained to me, that if a person is going to a church and chooses to give up or surrend
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Going back to the reference made of the little person. ( Little Person ) little people - sheep I remember, (at a special service that was called at the valley church ) some time after the mid 1980's - any one who was not a shepherd, was to be related to - as being ( a sheep ) .At that service , a few of those who were functioning as shepherds for many years were designated by th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Here is another wonder thing I found and realized, that I would like to share for all to think about, which I believe will comfort many hearts. Something that I believe is really important that many have misunderstood and miss applied, about what Christ is speaking, when He told who His mother's, brothers, and sisters are. He was not saying anything against his own mother and brother
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Paul Trowbridge, That's it - Following on to know the Lord. The goal was that each one, would come to know the Lord and the voice of the Lord for themselves. I am convinced that - No one else can do this for any one else. Those things that happened in the past - has served purpose. I like to think about it like this, the kingdom of God is likened to one who casts their net out i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotejhorningQuoteChanged4meI remember when M started designating the wife as the spiritual leader of a marriage and that husbands were to submit themselves unto their wife. I remember the date, time, place where it happened to me. Part of the"pitch" to accept this was M telling my wife and I that she chose us because we were strong and could handle it.... once again it gave us the fe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Years ago I looked up in the concordance, a root word meaning for the word virgin, and to my surprise the definition it gave for that particular word used in that sentence was - - having never been man handled. Simply, I realized that what many of us experienced was no more than falling into the hands of men, who were just carnal and not really spiritual . We did not know or understand
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

.....people just shift around to different man-made religious structures or wander around alone. ----------------------- Nothing can seperate us from the love of God. We are His children. We all may have ideas about what another person should be doing. When I heard the Lord call to me and say Come to Me, I am humble and gentle in nature, take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Chaos 1952 quote .... but I know Marilyn made it a point to say about Finney, "if they had been of us, they never would have left us," ............... ---------------- 1st John 2:19 They went out from us because they were not really of us; for if they had been of us ; they would have remained with us, but they went out so it would be shown that they all are not of us Whet
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotepalefaceI think a big "red light" moment for me happened in the Anaheim church. JRS was talking and Happy Clark stood up and said "Brother Stevens, you're the Christ". John just chuckled and said something general like "Bless you, Happy". I've often wondered why John didn't correct Happy for saying that. I've come to beleive that JRS ac
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Marriage - was once regarded and revered, as being a sacred union between a man and his wife. Originally before all these many things crept in, not that the things that may destroy a relationship between a man and his wife didn't exist prior - But Originally we were taught that the only Exclusive" relationship that did not include any other person - was the relationship between a man
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChanged4meInvisable, I kept silent for so long because I was done with organized religion. That true heartfelt non-judgemental acceptance I had experiened early on in The Walk was no longer existant towards anyone like myself that didn't need the affirmation of the "authorities" to exist. At the time in 1997 when I was told I was not welcome, I was devistated because I fe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Changed 4 Me, Thank you for sharing some of your thoughts in beginning your story. I remember the majority of the members back in the day were young people and many were searching and looking for a father figure. Many found something they ( in part ) needed in the church , that J.R.S. gave them by how he related to them and by the things he spoke about God from the pulpit. Over the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Changed4me, I am interested to hear what you have to express about what you experienced in the C of the L.W. You said you haven't spoken since 1997 (for almost 16 years ) about your life in the C. of the L.W. You have kept silent for almost 16 years - after being told you were no longer welcome in the fellowship. 25 years is many years, to be involved in a churches teachings, thei
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sierra Dawn, Thank You for acknowledging that what I said had validity and for expressing the value you found in my thinking. I appreciate knowing you agree with what I wrote. I became a part of the church in the 60's and went on my way in the 90's. I was present for the Thursday morning healing services held at Southgate, and when the morning Sabbath services began , I was th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

"Regarding Anonymity " - To be able to say what you wish to say with out any one knowing who you are. I think there are probably many acceptable reasons why a person would choose to write anonymously in making a contribution - toward helping other people, who are coming to this thread. That whether a person writes using their own name or write anonymously - what is being written b
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sierra Dawn Quote: All she wanted to do was move closer to either me and my husband or her son and his wife. That's hardly a choice thinking twice about. Sierradawn- Quote: Because of some decisions she made that were against the advice of her designated relationships, Bruce and Gilee Larson, along with God knows who else, actually instructed people to STAY AWAY from my mom, even duri
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One of the Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader. ---------------- In reply, I addressed what I wrote to those, who have a family member in this church - mainly to those who were once a member of this church, who are or who may b
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

For those who are or may be experiencing these things. Today in 2013 - if you have a family member - who is a member of this church, and if you are not a member of this church - your family member who is in the church, whether they are your father, mother, or your children, you will find that they, as a member of this church - are unable to and do not really relate to you, as if you a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families