| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
I plan on writing more about my strict "professing" upbringing soon. My personality was shaped by this "truth" way. Yet I still feel guilty pointing out flaws in the teachings of its "workers and friends." | ||
| Anonymous |
I grew up in a home where the Truth was lived and taught! As a small child, I knew our family was different from the other families in our community. I knew we didn't celebrate Christmas and we didn't have a television in our home. And we went to church in the living room of a home instead of a church building on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. And I considered our church to be the only true church on the earth. I would pity those in the other churches but I felt that they were blind and couldn't "see this way" . Most of my parent's friends were members of this "truth" fellowship. I had limited contact with unprofessing people who didn't belong to this church. I didn't fit in with my classmates but I considered it a privilege to be different from the world. At school, I tended to stay away from other students because I couldn't discuss movies, music or current events. Meetings and worker visits had first place over any family plans! I have seen vacations postponed because of a worker visit. Halloween was curtailed on Wednesday nights or gospel meetings. I even missed a graduation practice because it was scheduled on Wednesday night!! Workers had their bedroom in our home. Workers don't maintain their own home but live in the homes of the members called "friends". Workers were served better food so I did enjoy that part of their visits.As a child, I remember various workers sitting around the table during special meeting or convention visits. I always felt shy and uncomfortable around them but I accepted them as "God's sent ones" who were spiritually superior to all other people on the earth! I never started conversations around them. I was quiet when they were around the table. Seeing an older worker writing letters in the living room made me feel uncomfortable. I never liked being alone with a worker-they seemed so perfect and I felt so unworthy around them!! When I professed at age 11, I only professed to please my relatives. A meeting had been put in our home shortly before this and I think this may have caused me to want to please my parents. I remember struggling to give my testimony in the fellowship meetings. I dreaded praying in meetings. I would rehearse a prayer in my mind and then feel guilty because my prayer "didn't come from the heart." I remember lusting after worldly things in high school. Yet there was the nagging feeling that I might be "losing out" because I was "going after the world." We used to hear so much about the "struggle". So much about "paying the price." So much about dying to worldly pleasures. Such sermons in meetings seemed so dead and depressing. So much about giving up this or that. So much about fitting in and filling our place. The thing about willing obedience. I felt I should be "sacrificing" and still having JOY!! I used to hear the workers speak against taking your own way and relying on one's human reasoning. So I felt like I was having "wrong thoughts". I didn't feel saved! No I felt like I wasn't being "faithful enough." | ||
| Anonymous |
When you grow up in a strict professing home, you aren't exposed to "outside influences". You are so naive. You say and do crazy things in school! You learn to keep your mouth shut. Thus you tend to be seen and not heard. Older parents pushed this notion that children should hide their talent and be seen and not heard. Sometimes on the job, you tend to lack assertiveness! You don't stand up to fellow employees or bosses when they push you around. Workers love to talk about a "separation" that takes place when someone "hears the gospel" and has a revelation of "God's way". But the friends continue to work in public jobs and attend public schools so they really seem like "misfits" for the "kingdom sake" Workers encourage friends to live amongst the worldly people in order to show the right example of someone who is dead to the world and yet has peace and joy in their life!! Professing people aren't encouraged to visit unprofessing people. Professing families often stay all night with the friends in other areas instead of staying in motels!! | ||
| Anonymous |
I remember a few times when an unprofessing neighbor would visit us and the workers would be sitting in the living room writing letters!! The workers would have the letters laying across the table and then hurry to put all of the letters inside a suite case! I didn't know how to explain who the workers were and why they were visiting us. I would sometimes tell neighbors that we were friends!! And workers rarely introduced themselves to the neighbors or told them that they were 2 homeless preacher! I was almost obsessed with the workers. These men and women made me uncomfortable yet I loved them and looked up to them for spiritual guidance. Most of the time we would talk about outsiders attending gospel meetings, spiritual growth of new babes, sickness of the workers/friends and other happenings in the fellowship. I rarely talked about the bible with the workers. It was usually about people and occasionally the news. I knew which worker I could sort of talk about worldly things (usually the younger one). The oldest worker intimidated me because I knew they could had power over me and could tell me to stop "taking part" if I did something they didn't like!! | ||
| Anonymous |
I have fond memories of the professing people even if I disagreed with their testimonies and strict lifestyle. My family lived the "separated" lifestyle. Workers used to really stress physical separation from worldly people. Professing people were different and better! Professing people were supposed to be a "light to the lost and perishing" world and yet we weren't supposed to be around them very much lest their "worldly" lifestyle would rub off on us and cause us to crave worldly things. Much about this "truth" didn't make sense but this fellowship discouraged rational thought and relying on your own ability to understand the scriptures. No we had to rely upon the workers for spiritual advice. And the workers spend all of their time in the friend's bedrooms and often are out of touch with the struggles of raising a family and working at a job. | ||
| Anonymous |
My parents taught me to NEVER question the words of a worker "from the platform". When a worker spoke in a meeting or convention, it was considered the same thing as if God was directly speaking to the friends! You didn't question a worker. You made sure you attended each and every gospel meeting that the workers held in your field if possible. You felt that you needed to get to every meeting and "live out in your life" what the workers preached about in the gospel meetings. I felt like I had to profess as a child in order to go to heaven should I die. The fear of eternal hellfire (lost eternity) is strong in this "truth" fellowship! Growing up, I knew no other religion except "truth" because attending another church was taboo. The workers had total control over what we could or couldn't do in my home. Our parents wanted to have a separated home free of worldly influences like television, radios, worldly magazines (began to change in my teen years) etc.. Workers set the standards and we as professing people sought to "keep up the standard." The control the workers held was immense and yet the workers deny that they demand the friends to conform to them. Friend, don't let the workers tell you they don't have any rules and they accept God's work in the lives of those who don't profess their religion. | ||
| Anonymous |
Actually many professing people believed that this nameless "truth" sect was the only religion on earth that Jesus founded when he called the 12 and 70 disciples. Workers didn't tell us that a Scottish member of the Faith Mission, William Irvine, founded the truth in 1897 as a reaction against denominational churches. When the head workers kicked Irvine out of the work in 1914, they began to promote their nameless sect as the true way and denied the role of a human founder. Since the early workers were embarassed in their founded, they decided to claim this "preserved from the beginning" belief. Folks, most older professing people still think they are in the only true way that Jesus founded making ALL other religions "false churches." Listen to the prayers and testimonies of the "friends" during fellowship meetings. They claim that only through "God's servants" can someone come to Jesus! The workers or servants have become middle men between God and man which is SO WRONG! | ||
| Anonymous |
Growing up, I knew many fine friends and workers but I couldn't relax around many of them. I never felt comfortable around most of them! I was afraid I would be rebuked by them if they didn't like what I said or did. Many professing people didn't seem genuine. They seemed like they were trying to act better or different than others. I have seen lots of pretenders in the truth. Professing people can be one way around the world and another way around the "servants" or workers. Believe me, I know all about this because I have been there and done that. I was kind of afraid of certain friends (especially elders) who would run and tale stuff to the workers. Certain friends will spy on the weak or borderline saints. SOme friends know that going to the workers with bad tales about weak friends will increase their status among head workers/overseers. I have seen the friends display such quiet mannerism when around the workers. I have seen the friends muffle their voices and change the subject if a worker walked into the room. I have met some creepy workers and friends. Some of them were so sincere and serious minded that they suffered nerve problems trying to "fit into the perfect way." I like to see people laugh and have a good time. Trying to impress people doesn't set well with me. Trying to impress the workers makes me sick. Talking about worker approved topic such as interest in the gospel meetings, progress of babes, backsliding "weak saints", wonderful meetings/conventions etc. doesn't appeal to me. | ||
| Yaakov |
]My parents taught me to NEVER question the words of a worker "from the platform". When a worker spoke in a meeting or convention, it was considered the same thing as if God was directly speaking to the friends! You didn't question a worker. The workers hold themselves to be ABOVE God?? Remember that Abraham questioned God about destroying Sodom. If God can be questioned, then why not a worker? | ||
| See |
The workers hold themselves to be ABOVE God?? Is this just your theory? Or do you know this for actual truthfull fact? Remember God knows if you are being honest or not. Remember God hates liers. | ||
| Anonymous |
The workers speak about having a "higher standard" than "the world". The world refers to anyone who doesn't take part in the worker's "truth" fellowship. Yet every worker/head worker/professing family has a slightly different standard. So many inconsistent rules. So many vague standards. While you sort of learn the rules as children, moving to a new location means learning new worker rules. Yet the workers say they have "no rules in this fellowship." Humans want to have approval from their group and especially their leaders. Workers want unprofessing people to think that the friends have a higher standard than the "religious people" of the world. | ||
| Anonymous |
Workers are bad about dodging questions about anything that makes the truth seem irrational! If you ask them a question, your faith is weak or Satan is trying to put doubts in your mind about "God's way." The workers won't accept questions or criticism about their way! No! Of course, they will say it isn't "my way but God's way" when you make a reference to their religion. Logic and reasoning isn't approved of by this group! Nothing makes sense but you aren't supposed to think about it. You are supposed to be a good professing person and not question anything. Just be faithful, fit in, fill your place and everything will be OK. | ||
| Anonymous |
There are advantages and disadvantages to growing up in a sheltered environment. Advantages: 1. Being in a home where there are no dirty movies, drugs, or alchol. 2. Childhood innocence. Disadvantages: 1. Unable to communicate with worldly people. 2. Harsh parental control causes young people to go wild once they leave the safe environment of their home. | ||
| Anonymous |
You grow up in an open home where workers spend much time! Your home is quiet! Workers write letters in your living room. No radio, television, or any worldly magazines. It is weird when you go to school and see that your classmates are so different. You tell yourself "they are having their worldly pleasures now but they will burn in hell!" Professing women have to deal with the issue of dresses and buns! Professing children are shelted from discussions of sex which makes them seem kind of naive in their junior high school years. Control by a group or an authority figure doesn't produce happy children. Workers preach that we have to be different for the "kingdom sake". This is part of suffering that a professing Christian in the "Truth" fellowship has to endure. | ||
| Anonymous |
We didn't have a television in our home so I was always in the dark about current events. I hated current events discussions in high school. I hated it when I felt so stupid about a ball game or new movie. I was unable to communicate with "worldly children" in my school. I experienced social anxiety. I really struggled trying to make new friends. I think the "being different from the world" idea kept me socially stunted. If the workers want to improve the image of their fellowship, they need to admit that some of their teachings are flawed and unrealistic. | ||
| Yaakov |
]I hated it when I felt so stupid about a ball game or new movie. I was unable to communicate with "worldly children" in my school. I experienced social anxiety. I really struggled trying to make new friends. Odd...I would have thought that home schooling would be popular. That way, their children wouldn't be "contaminated" by children and teachers with different beliefs. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
Some professing parents worship the workers.They say they don't but they do. They pray for them in meetings. They thank THEM for bringing the gospel to them. They think other churches are false. They dislike any other ministers. Only the workers are right according to them. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
I try to think of the different ways that the "Truth" fellowship effected my youth! My personality,, choice of friends/dating, job, entertainment etc. It really "changed my course in life"! | ||
| vicki (63.170.58.123) |
It probably made you rebelous???? It sure did me | ||
| Anonymous (206.48.230.197) |
You all who,ve left the truth weren't content because you coudn't bring God down to your level, now you say you're free... but obviously haunted by guilt ridden consciences because no one who has tasted of the true and living way through Jesus will EVER BE FREE...READ THE WORD!! and retrace your steps, it's all there.... | ||
| jason (152.163.252.129) |
I was raised in a professing home. My parents professed when I was a year old. Consequently I accompanied them to all of the meetings...until the age of 18 when I ceased going. Mom and dad were not really strict parents; they never pressured me to profess...they even allowed me to have a small portable TV when I turned 17. They did not approve of my liking of and listening to rock 'n' roll music...but never-the-less allowed me to accumulate a stack of LPs. Being a child of the sixties I grew my hair (which was obvious) and dabbled in drugs and alcohol which I kept to myself for a few years. The sexual revolution passed me by, sad to say...and well that's all I've got to say...except I appreciate that my mom & dad were lenient...because I am sure I never would have stood for being forced into professing. I have no regrets about being raised 2x2. I come from a good family. | ||
| Anonymous (152.163.252.129) |
One poster said, "You all who,ve left the truth weren't content because you coudn't bring God down to your level, now you say you're free... but obviously haunted by guilt ridden consciences because no one who has tasted of the true and living way through Jesus will EVER BE FREE...READ THE WORD!! and retrace your steps, it's all there.... " This term the "true and living way THROUGH Jesus" is the crux of a false doctrine of the 2 x 2. Your church is NOT the true and living way....through anyone. JESUS HIMSELF is the true and living way. No group of people are the true and living way THROUGH him. Do you see the difference?!!!!! | ||
| vicki (63.170.58.124) |
I have been very bitter these last two weeks--the Lord has really been working on my heart the past three years. I work in a Christian Suppy store and I joined a church other than the 2x2. I was having difficulties with the new church because I was raised in the Truth and I saw differences in the doctrine of the teaching. I always told my Mom who is still in the Truth that the best selling book in the world wasn't just written for them but for all. You can't put GOD in a box like the 2x2s have been doing. I was in the Truth during the 1960s thru 1980s and it was very much legalistic!! I only learned what you didn't do...no this- no that. I learned to judge all outsiders...they were going to HELL..period!! I didn't like myself for judging the world..isn't that GODS job? I thank the LORD that my eyes were opened this month when I happened to look up 2x2 on the internet. I have read both sides of the story pro and con...my bondage is breaking away day by day...I love the LORD more than ever!!!! But I hate the way this cult has formed my prospective of my views of the world. I love to share the word of GOD!!! That we can love and not put GOD in just the 2x2 box not to be shared with others who need him!!! AMEN!!! | ||
| Anonymous (83.129.42.95) |
>>You all who,ve left the truth weren't content because you coudn't bring God down to your level, now you say you're free... but obviously haunted by guilt ridden consciences<< I'm just a side visitor in this forum, but I've heard that sentence SO often. In other CULTS. Leaving a group is equated to leaving God without ever realizing that maybe some people leave a CULT because they FOUND God. By the way: *God* DID come to the lowest level, and He accepted us on that level. If you want to be higher than a "normal man" then you may quickly find yourself ABOVE the level of Jesus. Look into the taxman's house. Look into the harlot's house. Look into the thieves's house. Didn't Jesus go there? Why is the concept so absurd that one could find Jesus there? Then look into the house of those who devouted their lives to "serve God", the Pharisees and Sadducees. Did Jesus visit there? No - they had to come to Jesus if they wanted to meet Him! And where was this Jesus? Quite on the low level, so where does the notion come from that we want to "bring God to our level", maybe He is there already, only those on the self-chosen "higher level" are too far away to realize this Jesus. Why not let those of us who found God and Jesus DOWN HERE enjoy that but tell us that we must go "higher", to a place where Jesus has never been? | ||
| Vicki (63.170.58.132) |
Anonomous..you couldn't have said that better!! Jesus was sometimes nicknamed a "winedipper" because he did hang out in the taverns where the worldly sick people hung out. Look at the apostles and the little ragtag band they were. They weren't the best of the best, but they were God's chosen. They doubted, they argued who was the most loved of the twelve...they wanted the number one spot....they even denied Jesus when the pressure got hot. Even after seeing healings they didn't always believe... they needed more proof. They questioned everything!!!! Jesus always explained everything to them so they could understand. Something the workers don't do!!! They worried about being able to take over after Jesus was crucified...but jesus gave them the holy spirit after he died and they knew everything. Its good to doubt or we would believe every wolf in sheep skin. We are resposible for our salvation and we must be aware of the TRUTH that the Bible spells out for us. Not from the mouth of a worker who is just a man and no more!!!! I work in a Christian Supply store there is a new novel from Harvest House that came out this April called "The Gate seldon Found" by Raymond Reid. I just ordered it. So this little no name cult is a BIG deal and is very well known....there is just as much written on this CULT as Jehovahs Wittnesses..Mormans..Budda and they in the 2x2s are blind...man take the scales off your eyes so you all can see the real truth to save your souls! | ||
| Aimee (172.132.211.174) |
The poster two posts above mine... you said it perfectly. As of 16, I have no regrets in not having yet "made my choice." | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
Some professing parents are well intentioned. They want a home that God's servants approve of. Especially if there is a SUnday morning meeting in the home. Workers don't want radios or televisions in meeting homes (exceptions may be made if one member doesn't profess). Professing parents want to shield their children from "the world". They want to raise their children in a way that would encourage them to profess or go out into the work. Professing parents are disappointed if their children aren't professing. Parents feel like they have been a failure. | ||
| vicki (216.104.73.149) |
I was so protected by this church that at 50years I still have trouble with the REAL world....sad  | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
The professing friends think they are doing the right thing by shielding their children from the "world". Yet most of them send children to public schools and work in public places. Workers expect the friends to show their unsaved coworkers that as professing "people of God", they have something in their lives that "the world"doesn't have! | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
You would think that the standard of Jesus was the same as the standards of the head workers in your area. Too bad professing folks cannot see outside their box. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
Growing up, there were too many dos and don'ts. This was wrong and that was wrong. Nobody could explain why the workers were given authority to tell the friends how to run their lives. | ||
| Anonymous (157.89.46.110) |
I wished I knew how to explain this group to people who weren't raised in it! | ||
| Vicki (216.104.73.149) |
Amen!!!!! I can't believe they still manage to pull the wool over as many peoples eyes as they do!!! But I was as blind for YEARS!!!!! I wonder if everyones family structure was as ###### up as mine?? | ||
| meg (meg) New member Username: meg Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 63.249.15.32 |
I wasn't raised in it, but I had a dear friend from kindergarten on who was. It is VERY mysterious to outside eyes! I never even had any details about the group until she left it a few years ago, and the more I learn about it now the more I wish I had been there for her in a bigger way then. She has always been one of the most willful people I know, and I think that's what it takes to remove yourself from a born and raised cult indoctrination like this. I am happy that she, and most of you, are now FREE! Good job and congratulations! I know it wasn't easy, and it will probably always have some effect. Still, your mind is now your own, and I am proud of you all. | ||
| washingtongirl New member Username: washingtongirl Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 159.49.254.2 |
I, too, grew up in a professing home and remember my friends hated having me over b/c all I wanted to do was watch their TV! Then I wanted to paint their nails - not mine of course, I'd be in trouble. | ||
| rat New member Username: rat Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 76.103.115.75 |
This thread reminds me so much of how I lived when growing up. I still avoid worldliness, but a different type: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8251669446258740215&q=cia+angola&total=32&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3 I dress differently than the world. Not many fifty year olds with hair down halfway on the back. See, when they were preaching against worldliness, they diden't understand what it really entails. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3933508807350233932&q=steven+jones&total=3413&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2 Love to you all! |
