[Freedom]

Since the idea of “hidden practices” was brought up yesterday, I wanted to take some time to add some of my thoughts. I mentioned that I think that esotericism enables the LC to survive. Since I have grown up in the LC (aka “church kid”), I have seen it change different ways throughout the years. It seems to me that in certain ways they are more relaxed about different practices than they used to be. On the flip side, however, the practices haven’t changed, because to reject any practices would be to reject what WL taught.

I think most who are in the LC realize that there are many practices that are not conducive to having an increase and gaining anyone. No one can admit this though. It seems that a current strategy employed by the LC is present a version of the LC that is watered down to those whom they are trying to gain. Since I have seen what goes on with the campus/college work, I am able to comment on that. College students are one of the main inlets for the LC anyways, so I think it is worth discussing.

What I saw with the campus work in the LC is that they attempt to gain people in very subtle ways. Many students starting college who are Christians will be looking for a Christian group or Bible study at their school. The LC campus work usually involve a campus Bible study of some. One of the first things newcomers might notice upon attending one of these LC Bible studies is that everyone uses the same version of the Bible (RV). No one, will tell them, however, that they have to use any particular version of the Bible. The catch is that it’s not a simple Bible study, it’s more like a WL footnote study. If someone doesn’t have a RV, they will be left out. So even though no one is telling them what version to use, they are subtly being forced to use a certain version of the Bible. I think a lot of the time LC practices aren’t forced upon people in an obvious way, LC practices are “suggested” in a way that makes someone feel like the odd one out if they don’t conform.

With students, the process goes on from there and they use baby steps to introduce aspects and practices of the LC. I think there is a lot of consideration as to what to introduce to each person at a particular point in time. On a more general level, I have heard it said many times to not bring a newcomer to a Lord’s Table meeting right off the bat. To me, this kind of thinking clearly demonstrates that there is something about the LC that they wish to “hide” from newcomers.

I could go on all day about this. This idea of hidden practices is also applicable to those on the “outskirts” of the LC as well as die hard members. I see many who are not really all that gung ho about the LC, but they are tolerated because having these people means bigger numbers. These kind of LC members aren’t pressured much to go to the trainings, skip holiday celebrations, etc.

One practice that comes to mind is that I have seen is the more involved members are pushed to dress a certain way (suit, tie, etc). Those who are heavily involved in the LC aren’t likely to object to being told how to dress. Those who aren’t as involved might object to that kind of pressure, so they are left alone. It is a double standard and it involves revealing certain aspects of LC practice to a select few, or those would will likely be willing to go along with it.

To me this kind of thinking is presented to everyone with the face of “we don’t tell anyone what to do”. I like I said earlier in this thread, a typical response when some reacts to a certain practice is tell them “that’s your concept” or “we don’t have any rule on that”. It is a subtle game they play in the LC. It’s hard to put a finger on it. It’s also difficult to discuss because all our experiences are different.