| Author | Message | ||
     rob_w New member Username: rob_w Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 68.58.135.174 |
Hi all: It seemed to me that I have a rather unique perspective to bring to bear on this discussion, so I thought I'd jump in. I have not been hurt by the group, so I have no axe to grind. While I haven't been a part of the group, I have some first-hand experience, and I know folks who have similar contact as I do. Last summer, my son's employer gave him a book he'd received from one of Mike's people who walked up to him in a restaurant and gave it to him. It was the book _The Day of Small Beginnings_. He'd like it, so he passed it on to my son who shared it with our family. He wrote to Mike's group and they sent a large box full of more literature - probably the same as what's available at their website. So, we began investigating what sounded very interesting. We liked a lot of what we read and saw on "the video." There were, however, a few yellow flags as we read on and listened. What concerned me first was their stance toward non-believing family members. It just didn't seem to me they were rightly dividing the Scriptures. So, I posted a message on a local forum to get input from some other folks. A fellow named Tim D., who was not a member of that forum, replied to me that the group was a cult. I looked at his website and thought that perhaps he was a bit biased against them because he'd been badly hurt. One person who's been hurt shouldn't be grounds for condemning a whole group. At the same time, he asked some good questions of Mike. So, I decided to look further. He referenced Dan and Agusta Harting of Indiana Families Against Cults (IFAC). We've known the Hartings for years. We've been impressed with their ministry and the fruit of the Spirit they evidently bear. So, I contacted Agusta directly to get her first-hand opinion. I won't repeat all of it here, but suffice it to say she confirmed what Tim had said and added a fair amount herself. She also affirmed that the concerns expressed in this forum represent her concerns. The most disturbing thing to me was that she heard Mike himself give his group a command from Jesus that is at best an issue of conscience per Romans 14. IFAC will soon post some information about Mike's group themselves. There's more. Mike's son and some of the boys of the group were part of a high school, home school basketball team years ago. One of the fathers, a friend of mine, whose son was part of the team at that time had some conversations with Mike. The boys that were part of the team were a clique that remained aloof from the other boys and dropped off the team mid season, apparently because of bad attitudes on the team. My older kids witnessed their behavior first hand. The kids describe Mike's son as the leader of the group. They looked to him for what to do in "an odd way." That boy had - in the opinion expressed to us - too much sway in their lives. They did nothing without that boy's approval and nothing was done alone. The father who talked with Mike said he was "too popish" for his liking. Then, my son was working as an electrician's assistant at one home and discussing with his boss some of what we were learning about Mike - he never mentioned Mike's last name. The woman of the house overheard the conversation and asked, "Are you talking about Mike Peters?" She continued that her husband, a professing Christian, had worked with some folks that are part of Mike's group. They refused to eat with him and held him at arm's length. She summed it up that, from his contact with the group, "They're a cult." [cont'd] | ||
| rob_w New member Username: rob_w Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 68.58.135.174 |
My son and my wife had some communication with Mike himself via e-mail. We queried him as to why the group seemed so secret - hard to get information on folks - as though they were hiding. Mike acted surprised as to how we would even get that idea. I've read here on FactNet that Mike, even before we communicated with him, had been asked essentially that same question. Why did he act surprised in our correspondence? An honest answer would have been, "Yeah, we get that question sometimes, but ..." His response contibuted to my concerns. Here's what's really odd. I stepped into the conversation with some questions of my own - actually still very positive toward the group, though a bit concerned about some things. Even so, I was just asking honest questions in a positive tone - I had no reason to be negative. I never received an answer. He was willing to talk with my son and wife but not me. That was suspicious. It seems from my reading that his pattern is to work with wives and children to separate them from questioning husbands who might be a threat, so in my own experience, there's some evidence that this is true. Agusta said Mike wanted to meet with her alone, without Dan being present. He refused to meet with both of them together - more evidence I'd say. Lastly, I like very much the stated style of walking together with Christ that I've read for myself in their own words. But there is also a twisting of the Scriptures on other important points - just a wee bit of a twist. The end result, in my opinion, is false doctrine. My rejection of Mike's group as a cult is not because of what any one person has said. It is because there is way too much evidence from my own experience and that of people I know and respect - and have known for many years - to conclude otherwise. Chris O. found my message on the forum where I posted and responded. He and I have had a couple of polite interchanges. Now, apparently, Mike himself is trying to contact me for some reason - before posting here. I did tell Chris I would be posting, so perhaps Mike's interest has to do with his anticipation of this post. That's all I have for now. I hope some find this helpful. Rob | ||
| baxter Member Username: baxter Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 208.53.138.235 |
Wow, Thanks for sharing your own experience, Rob. And if you noticed in MANY of our posts and in a letter on www.indianapoliscult.com (the second warning letter) by someone who knew Mike but never was a part of their group, but had visited on a number of occassions, it is stated that we believe they began with good intent. In that letter it is also said there are many things the writer can agree with, but it's that subtle "twist" that is put on the scriptures and the spiritual manipulation that makes this group dangerous. Personally, I think they COULD have had something GREAT! I love the idea of everyone having an opportunity to share their heart. I love the desire to really be close and united. Where it goes escew? is when they LORD it over your faith. Don't make someone feel inadequate or a second class citizen if they don't have something to SHARE. Lovingly walk along the way with them or get beside them, but let God cause the growth. Don't make people feel like they HAVE TO PRODUCE something. Don't start putting demands and laws on people where God didn't put them. If someone feels completely in God's will to decide to go to the store alone, or whether or not they wear sleeveless shirts, or if they want to take a trip with their family without "seeking input" then so what! Every thought, every comment, every ANYTHING that someone does shouldn't HAVE to come to the attention of the LEADER, namely, Mike Peters. God can handle HIS children. Not that there isn't a time and a place for admonishment, reproof, correction, but it shouldn't be over EVERY detail in a person's life. I still LONG for more, but what they have is NOT MORE, it's beyond what is written; spiritually, mentally and emotionally dangerous; and spiritually abusive. Again, Thank you for your input. Baxter | ||
| graceisenough Junior Member Username: graceisenough Post Number: 34 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 71.101.54.90 |
How refreshing. I appreciate hearing Rob's perspective. Thank you Rob for checking into things for yourself and coming to your own conclusions. Also thank you for caring enough to take the time to tell your experience. I have to say that I can understand Rob's diplomacy of wanting to make sure that it wasn't, as he said, "One person who's been hurt shouldn't be grounds for condemning a whole group." I appreciate the fact that he did not just take one person's word for it, but searched it out with an open heart hoping for good. The great thing is he did not ignore the warning signs (he called them yellow flags!). Since Rob mentioned hurt I want to add that I was also hurt as many others have been. BUT, when I was in this group I was the one doing some of the hurting. I cut off friends and family who needed to see the love of Jesus in me. This is a big reason I speak out -- because of the person I became under the teachings. I take responsibility because I said yes to submitting to people and the teachings that are false. I believe that some of the hurt and pain I experienced is what makes me want to stop others from being in the same bondage. Alot of us that got out are in a healing process. I don't think this has been fun for any of us, but every time I hear of someone getting help through factnet or www.indianapoliscult.com it reminds me that this is important. I would love to forget the whole thing but too many are still suffering. Most importantly, I thank God for Rob, his sharing this is so timely. I believe God wants some to see that this isn't about a group of people who are disgruntled because we aren't in the group anymore. I was delivered by God from this group! I have no desire for their approval! And that is a freedom from Jesus. | ||
| joythruchrist Member Username: joythruchrist Post Number: 66 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 209.9.208.7 |
Along with baxter and graceisenough, I also appreciate your courage rob_w. It does take courage to speak out as you have. Something graceisenough said really hit me hard. She said: "I don't think this has been fun for any of us, but every time I hear of someone getting help through factnet or www.indianapoliscult.com it reminds me that this is important. I would love to forget the whole thing but too many are still suffering." I feel exactly the same way though I feel it from a different viewpoint. I was never a part of this group, but I have had to endure the libelous statements of Mike Peters, Dan Zeigler, and Chris Olive about my husband and myself. Many times I have wished to just walk away and disappear from the world -- before which I felt we had been shamed for no reason other than to cover up their lies. But a few loyal people assured us that they believed we were telling the truth, so I stuck it out because I believed that in time, the truth would be known. Over the months, I have been able to "meet" some incredible, beautiful Christians through all of this, and my life has been enriched exponentially. Several of the former members --and people who never made it to membership status yet looked into the teaching and were subsequently hurt-- have become my dear friends. They have encouraged me and I hope I have done the same for them. So my heart resonates with graceisenough in the statement she made above. Though I would have liked to have ignored all this months ago, I'm so glad I stuck with it. It has been a joy to see some people --such as rob_w and others-- made aware of their devices before becoming hurt. I only pray that the little "empire" will soon fall completely and the captives set free. To God be ALL the glory... joythruChrist@gmail.com | ||
| scannyd New member Username: scannyd Post Number: 23 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 24.95.71.20 |
I think this is what Tim and I want most, for people to seek out the truth. Don't just take our word for it but find out for yourself. I know the Peters group doesn't encourage that but ultimately we will stand before God on our own and have to take accountability for our own actions. Danielle | ||
| first_truth Junior Member Username: first_truth Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 67.15.217.23 |
Hi rob_w, Thanks for your honest testimony. I've been to those basketball games and know some of the boys in the Peter's group as well as some of the boys not in the group from a church on the North side of Indy on 86th St. If you don't mind email me, I'd like to chat with you. First_Truth then_freedom@yahoo.com |
