dissent

/Tag: dissent
2 September

Hide it under a bushel?

By |2019-04-11T02:08:52-06:00September 2nd, 2013|Uncategorized|2 Comments

NOTE: Updated with transcript of audio The following audio snippet comes from a May Meeting discussion, I believe, and shows a clear intent to avoid criticism by keeping the teachings of the church hidden from public scrutiny. The idea under discussion was to avoid having written material get indexed by search engines and exposed to the "wrong eyes" on the Internet, the supposed "enemies of the cross of Christ." This is just another way of silencing dissent; if your opinions aren't published anywhere, no one can counter them with scripture. Does anyone doubt that Paul would have loved for each and every one of his sermons to be published in audio, written, and video form on the Internet, if he'd had such technology? He would have [...]

20 August

By their fruits you will know them

By |2019-04-30T09:56:47-06:00August 20th, 2013|Uncategorized|30 Comments

An oft-repeated exhortation growing up in this church was Jesus' piece of wisdom: "By their fruits you will know them." Of course, it was always recited using the King's English, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Here is one such passage in context: Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not [...]

4 August

Fear and intimidation tactics

By |2022-10-28T04:54:27-06:00August 4th, 2013|Uncategorized|237 Comments

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Since starting this blog, I have been sent thank you notes from members, former members, and children of members. Those still connected to the group almost always ask for anonymity to prevent retribution in the form of public rebukes, withdrawals, or "marking and avoiding" of themselves or family members. Several have come to me with tangible fear that if the church leaders found out they were talking to me, there would be severe consequences. Others have told of confirmed instances of gossip and slander that have been spread about them. Some tell [...]