LS: " I don't buy all this rape business "

[DAII]

How this man became a rock star in the movement is puzzling ...

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by DAII

How this man became a rock star in the movement is puzzling ...

DA - he (and others) have woven superstitions and anecdotal stories into doctrine, which appeals to human nature, plays on natural fears and completely dupes the local simpletons. Certain doctrines appeal to people on an emotional level, so they are sort of preprogrammed to accept it as truth. In a way, it's the conservative slant on ear-tickling preaching/teaching.

Simple truths in the Bible get twisted to shore up doctrines of men, and people are too fearful to question it lest they end up with a splintered soul or a sick child due to clipping off a single strand of hair with a pair of fingernail clippers. It's so horribly effective.

One of my former pastors tried to manipulate my best friend by telling her that he had a dream that her 4-year old son had his arm torn off in a farming accident. (They owned a ranch and cattle.) He was trying to stop her and her husband from changing churches. She was horrified--and there's always this niggling doubt left in your head that he could be right, because he played on a mother's worst nightmare. Fortunately, she was able to keep her spine, but others crumble under such pressure.

Ministers are in a unique position of authority and influence over people. They can easily use fears of going to hell or, conversely, a sincere love for God to their own benefit. To make the dynamic more clear, it's like a husband telling his Christian wife that she must obey him because scripture tells her that she has to. She may have previously needed persuading to his point of view, but once he plays the "God card", her love for God has been used as a tool to manipulate her into [immediate and unquestioning] compliance.

Some of the "rock stars" of the movement are celebrities for similar reasons. IMO, they are feared more than they are revered. It's the niggling doubt in way too many folks' head that prevents the Star from being questioned: "What if he's right?"

[Hoovie]

I am just going to quote this and say amen before your "fear" kicks in for daring to question a managod.

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

DA - he (and others) have woven superstitions and anecdotal stories into doctrine, which appeals to human nature, plays on natural fears and completely dupes the local simpletons. Certain doctrines appeal to people on an emotional level, so they are sort of preprogrammed to accept it as truth. In a way, it's the conservative slant on ear-tickling preaching/teaching.

Simple truths in the Bible get twisted to shore up doctrines of men, and people are too fearful to question it lest they end up with a splintered soul or a sick child due to clipping off a single strand of hair with a pair of fingernail clippers. It's so horribly effective.

One of my former pastors tried to manipulate my best friend by telling her that he had a dream that her 4-year old son had his arm torn off in a farming accident. (They owned a ranch and cattle.) He was trying to stop her and her husband from changing churches. She was horrified--and there's always this niggling doubt left in your head that he could be right, because he played on a mother's worst nightmare. Fortunately, she was able to keep her spine, but others crumble easily under such pressure.

Ministers are in a unique position of authority and influence over people. They can easily use fears of going to hell or, conversely, a sincere love for God to their own benefit. To make the dynamic more clear, it's like a husband telling his Christian wife that she must obey him because scripture tells her that she has to. She may have previously needed persuading to his point of view, but once he plays the "God card", her love for God has been used as a tool to manipulate her into [immediate and unquestioning] compliance.

Some of the "rock stars" of the movement are celebrities for similar reasons. IMO, they are feared more than they are revered. It's the niggling doubt in way too many folks' head that prevents the Star from being questioned: "What if he's right?"

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I am just going to quote this and say amen before your "fear" kicks in for daring to question a managod.

And it always does.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

And it always does.

I struggle as well. Don't wish to lose a healthy respect and indeed reverence for God instituted authority.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

DA - he (and others) have woven superstitions and anecdotal stories into doctrine, which appeals to human nature, plays on natural fears and completely dupes the local simpletons. Certain doctrines appeal to people on an emotional level, so they are sort of preprogrammed to accept it as truth. In a way, it's the conservative slant on ear-tickling preaching/teaching.

Simple truths in the Bible get twisted to shore up doctrines of men, and people are too fearful to question it lest they end up with a splintered soul or a sick child due to clipping off a single strand of hair with a pair of fingernail clippers. It's so horribly effective.

One of my former pastors tried to manipulate my best friend by telling her that he had a dream that her 4-year old son had his arm torn off in a farming accident. (They owned a ranch and cattle.) He was trying to stop her and her husband from changing churches. She was horrified--and there's always this niggling doubt left in your head that he could be right, because he played on a mother's worst nightmare. Fortunately, she was able to keep her spine, but others crumble under such pressure.

Ministers are in a unique position of authority and influence over people. They can easily use fears of going to hell or, conversely, a sincere love for God to their own benefit. To make the dynamic more clear, it's like a husband telling his Christian wife that she must obey him because scripture tells her that she has to. She may have previously needed persuading to his point of view, but once he plays the "God card", her love for God has been used as a tool to manipulate her into [immediate and unquestioning] compliance.

Some of the "rock stars" of the movement are celebrities for similar reasons. IMO, they are feared more than they are revered. It's the niggling doubt in way too many folks' head that prevents the Star from being questioned: "What if he's right?"

Well said, Miss B, well said. I hate the lying manipulative, fear-mongering, what an ignorant thing to tell a young mother even if he really had such a dream. No discernment at all, that such a thing was NOT from God, maybe he ate banana and peanut butter sandwiches before bed??

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by crakjak

Well said, Miss B, well said. I hate the lying manipulative, fear-mongering, what an ignorant thing to tell a young mother even if he really had such a dream. No discernment at all, that such a thing was NOT from God, maybe he ate banana and peanut butter sandwiches before bed??

Honestly if a preacher said that to me I would counter that I had a dream where I saw his wife doing the nasty with the Gardner/pool boy/next door neighbor/high school rival. etc.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by DAII

How this man became a rock star in the movement is puzzling ...

DA, this speaks volumes about the UPC.

I sure hope my pastor drops his license this year and frees our church from any conection to the BORG mentality of this antique organization.

[DAII]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

DA, this speaks volumes about the UPC.

I sure hope my pastor drops his license this year and frees our church from any conection to the BORG mentality of this antique organization.

Another Motown boy leaving.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by DAII

Another Motown boy leaving.

Meaning from there originally?