Although generally we talk about actual religious bodies on this list, it's good to remind people that there are religious weirdos on the web. I had the experience recently of reading several messages on one of several Church of Christ lists. Board discipline was getting out of hand. Usually a moderator warns people, then takes them off. This list was normally unmoderated. If a person
Forum: Destructive Churches

Good reply. I should have been more clear. My point was that some behavior in some AG churches, such as my former one, was too controlling, a behavioral problem. But I certainly think it is wrong to compare AG to Jim Jones. I also don't believe Catholicism and the other major world religions are cults. My comment on not judging religion by scientific measures was about apologists in
Forum: Destructive Churches

I was a member of the Assemblies of God. I now belong to no religious organization. As much as people deny it, religion cannot be defined by the rules of scientific reasoning. I don't know whose definition of cult is right. Some people consider AG a cult, others don't. I'm going to risk sounding classist here (what the heck, I'm not PC anyway). My former church attracted
Forum: Destructive Churches

Boy, do I understand! I had a legitimate conversion experience. I've always had an interest in spiritual (mostly Christian) things. But let me tell you that oddball churches can be real eye openers. The first time I got an inkling of how controlling my first church was occured during a Bible study. I heard all about the evils of the Seventh-day Adventists because apparently they believ
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I always suspected there were snake handlers in my neck of the woods-lots of MidSoutherners here. But yes, I agree with your suggestion. There is certainly something for everyone. That's one neat thing about the American religious scene. I have yet to visit the Unitarians. I have visited the Community of Christ and Unity as far as liberal churches are concerned. As far as conservati
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

My background is evangelical. Much of what bothers me about evangelical groups is not so much the theology (although I'm not exactly orthodox) but social ideas. In my experience, there is pressure to believe in certain social and/or political roles even if they aren't commanded by scripture. I dislike the politicking that goes on in many churches (or anywhere else). I have felt out o
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I can certainly relate to leaving a fishbowl. I went through a conversion seven and a half years ago. I still consider myself Christian-in fact I've had a lifelong interest in the faith. However, I have serious issues with most organized forms of it. My background is conservative but I have visited so-called liberal churches and had the same feeling something wasn't right. In both
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups