I may get some unfavorable comments on this blog, but I really don't care. I left the church back on 12.08.2019 and haven't been back since. I still love the Lord, but I hate what man does to His word.
I've fallen down a rabbit hole lately of videos concerning 'Churches' that turn out to be horrible cults. Am I saying that all churches are cults? No. But what I want to say is 'buyer beware', so to speak. If the church you're attending is asking you to do immoral or illegal things, LEAVE.
In this series of videos I've been watching, there have been unspeakable things happening to not only adults, but to children as well. A man professes himself to be 'God' or 'A God' and expects the people to do exactly what he says and not to deviate from it or there will be severe consequences. There are reports of physical, sexual and emotional/mental abuse.
We always wonder..............HOW does this happen? Well, as humans, we tend to be a trusting sort. We want to be able to believe that what we're being told is the truth.
Sometimes we feel as though we're trying to do the 'right thing' by getting closer to God and raising our children to have faith in God because we see so many people going to church, so it must be the right thing to do, right? And there are also church goers trying to convert non-church going people into coming to their church because they're told to 'go to the masses and share the gospel to "save" them from going to hell'.
Sometimes it's someone who's terribly lonely and just wants to belong somewhere where they feel loved and involved.
It doesn't usually happen instantaneously. It happens over time, like a slow drip of water on pavement. At first, it seems harmless. You don't notice anything happening. The 'pavement' seems fine and unfazed. But over time, that 'drip' of water begins to affect the integrity of the 'pavement'. It begins to wear it away slowly, but continuously. Before you know it, there's a deep divot in the 'pavement'.
That is the way cults also work. They lure people in with kindness, attention and promises of a better life. But in time, after you've 'warmed up' to some of their ideals, you begin to trust them and so even if they suggest something that seems slightly off, you brush it off and ignore it. Then the next suggestion comes along and this time it can be a bit more of a request and again, you brush it off because 'They're wonderful people! They'd never hurt me or allow me to be hurt' (it's what you continue to tell yourself). Then the next time it's not a suggestion or a request, it's a command. By the time people get to this stage, they've been sucked in and would do most anything because of the trust they've built up with their new 'family'.
I find it sad when a particular church feels that they're the 'only church' that does the right thing and that if you stop going to their church, you've backslidden and are surely going to hell. They pray for your return because you can't possibly survive out in the world without going to their church.
I, unfortunately, was brainwashed into thinking, feeling and saying those same things. We're not to judge lest we be judged, but what do you call that? If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I'm pretty sure it's a duck.
It's a scary thought, but it happens all over the world! It's mind boggling and yet when you're on the outside looking in, it's a bit easier to see.
I won't ever tell anyone what they should or shouldn't do. The only thing I ask is that you be safe, whatever you choose to do.
I'm an Eclectic Witch. I don't expect others to like it or agree with me, but right now, I'm doing something that brings me joy, peace and happiness. I want that same thing for all of you too.
Just be kind to one another.
Do no harm but take no shit. That's the motto I choose to live by.
May you be safe in your life and in the decisions you make.
Blessed be!
