Posted by Blondie_B78 on March 20, 2005 at 20:42:13
In Reply to: Re: One question at a time posted by Monika Kosz on March 20, 2005 at 16:02:05:
You're welcome. I would hope the author of the story heard a different version rather than changed it on purpose.
I am 25, was born in the COG/TF and left 18mths ago. The story you mentioned is well known and I have never heard a different version. Most stories that had a great deal of influence on our lives were not passed down by word of mouth but were published in books, magazines etc. by the groups leadership. It has always been (so far as memory serves) a requirement for group members (children and adults) to read 1-2 hours of "Word" (group literature) daily.
I have come across some exmembers who tend to embelish a lot, even simple things like this story, and put a negative spin on everything that has anything to do with the COG/TFI. It's unfortunate as there are more than enough things worthy of legitimate criticism and absolutely no need to be creative. I have yet to read an article published by an academic, student or journalist that completely rings true. Good luck with yours.
I haven't read this story in quite a few years but "Please stay Mommy" went something like this:
"Little David had to be away from his mother a lot in order to serve the Lord. One night they were playing piano together and having a wonderful time when the phone rang and his mother told him she had to go. David cried, "Please stay Mommy! We're having such a good time. Please don't go!" His mother replied, "I'm sorry David but I've got to go. They are expecting me and I have important work to do for the Lord".
David's mother returned home later to find him sleeping with a tear stained face. He had cried himself to sleep. She felt upset seeing her child like that and, praying, told God, "I know you have told us we must give up everything, but surely not our children". God told her to "get up and look". She got out her Bible and read this verse:
Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
On his way to school the next morning David passed by his mother's room and said, "Don't worry about me mom. I put you "on the altar" (referring to the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22). You go serve the Lord."
It was his mothers turn to cry. She was so happy he could understand."