|
In Reply to: Re: Disagree posted by Thinker on November 17, 2010 at 21:16:24:
Thank you for stating your thoughts so cogently.
I'm not quite 6 degrees away from TFI. In fact, I'm much closer than I care to be. Observing and getting to know an individual who is an extended biological family member and who joined COG circa 1970, I've had a front row seat to the "deceiver true" mindset, multiple self-serving lies told to parents and siblings over more than 4 decades, purporting to collect things and money for the poor while taking the majority and the best of the donations to provide for their own needs. No one had a job that produced income to feed and clothe the members and their families. Their choice to follow COG/TFI to the letter gave them no other option to keep body and soul together.
They have developed a network of strategies to dodge the laws and authorities in and between countries on 6 continents, grabbing their flee bags to instantly leave a town or country when people became suspicious of their activities. They have alienated friends and made family members dread to pick up the phone because every conversation or visit has an "agenda" that includes asking for things, money, or committment of resources, rather than a true desire to nurture the relationships with mutual love, affection, and respect. Oh, there's some really good acting that goes on - but it takes a very short time to see through the facade.
The final straw for me, however, is seeing their adult children who have left the group, intentionally isolate themselves from their parents because of the mistreatment and downright abuse perpetrated on them in the name of spreading the gospel, serving the poor, reaching the lost for Christ, and last but not least, in the name of God's love. It almost seems that they are orphans. The struggle to find a way through the insanity of their early lives in order to discover "normal" has had varying results depending on the individual and how they have chosen to cope. When you look in each of their eyes, you have the distinct impression that these extremely bright, talented young people are the walking wounded - casualties of the sick, twisted, perverted beliefs of David Berg and his mind numbed followers.
That's my rant. Recent events have led me to rehash all the things I've learned about COG/TFI over the years so I was primed to spew when I found this thread.
My fervent prayer - yes I believe in God and am a follower of Jesus Christ - is for all the victims of COG/TFI past and present. If you are reading this, know that with my whole heart and mind, I grieve for those whose lives have been twisted, destroyed, and in some cases, ended too early because of this misguided belief system and pray that you find the peace that no one in the world can give you - the complete peace that only comes from God - never man.
Who are the true "systemites"? I ask you!
