I left the Local Church After Reading the Real Church History

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Terry

That's my experience.
"I don't want to talk about it." or "God sees no iniquity in Israel" are some of the responses you might hear.
To talk about LSM's mistakes is likened to "uncovering or Noah".
It's just very narrow minded approach to have to shut down any logic or reason. That's been tossed out long ago.

I think that more and more, the LC is finding itself at a juncture where they have to decide between trying to do things the way that they've always done, or address the issues that they are facing. Of course, they keep choosing the first option despite any of the facts. In order to do so, they have to dismiss anything that contradicts their narrative.

With some of the more recent issues, like those that they've written articles about for shepherdingwords.com, it is clear that they don't care if they defy all logic in order to defend the LC and the actions of leaders. Personally, I wonder if LC members even really believe what they are being told. I suspect that in regards to some of these issues, they know that leaders are sidestepping the issue, but they don't want to raise any fuss about it by questioning that.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

Personally, I wonder if LC members even really believe what they are being told. I suspect that in regards to some of these issues, they know that leaders are sidestepping the issue, but they don't want to raise any fuss about it by questioning that.

As have I. Thought in my mind to members, "do you actually believe this?" These thoughts even applied to deacons and elders. Yet any possibility to have an objection discussion eventually ends in the saying; "I feel to honor the feeling of the body". Code for yielding to the leadership in Anaheim.

Having said all this, I do believe those not believing this will either cease meeting regularly or flat out leave as ones like John Smith have.

[Freedom]

The thing that was always so striking to me was that there were clear cases of disillusionment that I saw among long time members. Most of the time these members would try to find ways to rationalize or attempt to minimize the extent of the disillusionment.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by Freedom

The thing that was always so striking to me was that there were clear cases of disillusionment that I saw among long time members. Most of the time these members would try to find ways to rationalize or attempt to minimize the extent of the disillusionment.

Or just set the information aside, as the thinking is this (the LC) is God's purpose and besides, where else is there to go? I think I was sort of like that - didn't really want to hear too much as I thought it was just a distraction from the important . . . .

[UntoHim]

"Where else is there to go" was part and parcel of the disillusionment. Those of us who experienced the Lord, and had a taste of true Christian fellowship before entering the Local Church of Witness Lee knew very well that what was being taught were grievous exaggerations at best, and at worst were vicious lies that twisted the hearts and minds of gullible young people and new believers alike. Eventually, the constant mantra of "poor, poor Christianity" became as music to our ears. Soon we were shouting out "down with Babylon!" as we looked down with contempt at our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Eventually we were so numb that we would swallow wholesale absurd and heretical teachings like "The Triune God is now the four-in-one God". (see today's Witness Wednesday quote) We heard people publicly shout out: "hallelujah I'm a baby god!" and didn't give it a second thought. Soon we heard brothers extolling the virtues of being a "brother Lee tape recorder!". May God have mercy.
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[Freedom]

Originally Posted by UntoHim

"Where else is there to go" was part and parcel of the disillusionment.

That is a very good point. I can't even count how many times I heard people in the LC say things like that. I didn't always realize it, but by the time there is that kind of talk happening, the disillusionment has probably been there for awhile.

[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

That is a very good point. I can't even count how many times I heard people in the LC say things like that. I didn't always realize it, but by the time there is that kind of talk happening, the disillusionment has probably been there for awhile.

I have been told that too. Also in there is the practice of "everyone speaking". My response is if you become part of a home meeting group, there is plenty opportunity for everyone to speak.