I don't know alot about the Spiritual Abuse website being discussed here. I've been there once, but didn't see a reason to return. But...like any "Abuse Support Group" I am glad they are there. I may not agree with everything on that site, but, I don't agree with everything on this site either.
There are sites for helping the physically abuse, the sexually abused and so on. So, a site for spiritual abuse is important for spiritual abuse is a reality. And it does occur in Apostolic circles. We don't want to admit that, maybe, but, the truth is that it does happen. But, how do we define "abuse"? The answer is, we don't. We can't. Because what I see as abuse, may not be abuse at all. A woman spanks her child. Abuse? Not in my eyes. But, someone else sees any corporate punishment as abuse. The death penalty. Abuse? Cruel and Unusual? I see it one way, someone else sees it another. So I, we, can't define "spiritual abuse". Only the abused can do that. Do they feel abused? Do they feel they are in an abusive situation? Only they can answer that because they are the victim (if, in fact, there is abuse). I have seen, and expereinced, spiritual abuse first hand. I removed myself from that situation. For some, it may not be that easy. So, they need help... and they turn to a spiritual abuse website or center that helps them find the answer they seek, or need. The problem we seem to be having with a website like this is that we feel we (Apostolics) are being lumped in with the Jim Jones and Moonies of this world. But, that isn't the case. At least I don't see it as such. There have been spiritually abusive laders in all religions, including the Pentecostal and Apostolic Movement. They should be singled out, and no group or religious organization, including the UPCI, should be labeled as "abusive" as a whole.
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
I don't know alot about the Spiritual Abuse website being discussed here. I've been there once, but didn't see a reason to return. But...like any "Abuse Support Group" I am glad they are there. I may not agree with everything on that site, but, I don't agree with everything on this site either.
There are sites for helping the physically abuse, the sexually abused and so on. So, a site for spiritual abuse is important for spiritual abuse is a reality. And it does occur in Apostolic circles. We don't want to admit that, maybe, but, the truth is that it does happen. But, how do we define "abuse"? The answer is, we don't. We can't. Because what I see as abuse, may not be abuse at all. A woman spanks her child. Abuse? Not in my eyes. But, someone else sees any corporate punishment as abuse. The death penalty. Abuse? Cruel and Unusual? I see it one way, someone else sees it another. So I, we, can't define "spiritual abuse". Only the abused can do that. Do they feel abused? Do they feel they are in an abusive situation? Only they can answer that because they are the victim (if, in fact, there is abuse). I have seen, and expereinced, spiritual abuse first hand. I removed myself from that situation. For some, it may not be that easy. So, they need help... and they turn to a spiritual abuse website or center that helps them find the answer they seek, or need. The problem we seem to be having with a website like this is that we feel we (Apostolics) are being lumped in with the Jim Jones and Moonies of this world. But, that isn't the case. At least I don't see it as such. There have been spiritually abusive laders in all religions, including the Pentecostal and Apostolic Movement. They should be singled out, and no group or religious organization, including the UPCI, should be labeled as "abusive" as a whole.
good post oneaccord, been there done that, got the tshirt and threw it away , lol, dt
__________________
A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
Ourselves. I know people who have no standards, both in and out of the church. There's no difference in how their lives have gone.
You know I bet me and you would agree on this subject more than not...but giving ourselves the final authority on how we should live is the same as the hedonist giving himself the right to live as he pleases. Now if you cashed that out more I would hope you mean "Ourselves as we are informed by the scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit".
I love what St. Augustine says, and I think I'll add this to my sig.... "Love God and do what you please"....which assumes that if you love God then what pleases you will be the love of His law and the laboring to live accordingly to it, by grace.
a
__________________
"Love God and do what you please"
-St. Augustine
sola Christus
sola gratia
sola fide
sola deo gloria
You know I bet me and you would agree on this subject more than not...but giving ourselves the final authority on how we should live is the same as the hedonist giving himself the right to live as he pleases. Now if you cashed that out more I would hope you mean "Ourselves as we are informed by the scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit".
I love what St. Augustine says, and I think I'll add this to my sig.... "Love God and do what you please"....which assumes that if you love God then what pleases you will be the love of His law and the laboring to live accordingly to it, by grace.
a
I'm not sure how you get the above statement out of my saying that we should have standards in our lives, but you are right, I think we agree but just saying it differently.
The Holy Ghost leads and guides us into all truth, but He won't do it all for us. We have to set limits for ourselves.
And I like that quote, and it says pretty much the same that I'm saying.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
I'm not sure how you get the above statement out of my saying that we should have standards in our lives, but you are right, I think we agree but just saying it differently.
The Holy Ghost leads and guides us into all truth, but He won't do it all for us. We have to set limits for ourselves.
And I like that quote, and it says pretty much the same that I'm saying.
Just making sure that that's NOT what you meant...and you didn't. Good.
a
__________________
"Love God and do what you please"
-St. Augustine
sola Christus
sola gratia
sola fide
sola deo gloria
I think the website is fair and balance. All kinds of people share their stories from different churches/denominations AND
They let members from these churches write and often times these become posts that people can read. For instance, I've seen many people even from the UPCI come on there and post.
Coop... I know I know you are waiting on me to comment probably LOL... So... noted and ... I must say... I am proud of you... this is the kind of Coop I can handle
Coop... I know I know you are waiting on me to comment probably LOL... So... noted and ... I must say... I am proud of you... this is the kind of Coop I can handle
You know Coop is just dying inside......LOL!
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Linear Mode
