by TheListener 22 Replies latest watchtower bible
Is anyone here associated with a non-denominational Church of Christ congregation?
I read the fairly detailed write-up on wikipedia and found it somewhat, key being somewhat, similar to the jws except for the rules and regulations and the strong focus on end times.
It seems like an intriguing religious group.
I have written about this before on this board.
Here is my experience.
My mother was a part of the church right after my mother and biological dad divorced, our whole lives were wrapped up in it. Very controlling. Lots of bible studies, I went to a special school until 3rd grade that only children from the COC went to. We left because my mothers best friends daughters were being molested. She wanted to go to the police, and was kept by the elders of the church at the church meeting room until she agreed not to go to the police. It was hours long. When they finally believed her, she left and went straight to the police. They arrested her husbad. She was excommunicated (basically) for bringing things about the church into the public. Our family and 2 others also left because of this scandal and how she and her family were treated.
My mother brought her sister and brother into the COC. They do not speak to us. Not even when my grandfather was dying and the whole family was together. They didn't come to my mothers wedding. We are dead to them. Other members of the COC still don't speak to us when they see me, even now as an adult. My cousins also went to special COC schools.
My mother didn't realize it was a high control group until a ten years after leaving...She's a little slow sometimes...LOL!
Best Regards,
Chrystal
oooooooohhhh.
It didn't appear as a high control group when I looked at wikipedia. Although I did wonder about the information on disfellowshipping. duh.
nothing to see here, move along, move along.
People don't understand what goes on. The love bombing, the control. They paired my mother up with spiritually strong married couple who did her bible studies, she was encouraged to put me in their school. She was admonished about therapy to deal with the after effects of life with my biological father...all she needed was the bible and to study.
They found my mother by going out door to door and these ladies became her best friends. One of them was the one who's daughters were being molested. The other lady and her family also left when they excommunicated our friend.
My uncle who joined was a mess after leaving the marines. He is so prim and proper now. It's very odd.
No wonder I married a JW...LOL!
Best Regards,
Chrystal
And this is the non-denominational church of christ right? Not the International church of christ or church of christ, scientist? I'm just asking because it seems there are a ton of churches called church of christ. My God, who knew!
It was a branch that shot off of the ICOC and became just the Church of Christ in California. Apparently they didn't agree with something about the ICOC and left and began their own " Thang". Where I am from in California they are all affiliated even up into Oregon and Washington.
I haven't checked on this side of the world.....East Side vs. West Side to see if its any different.
Chrystal
My understanding is that the non-denom COCs come in three flavors (that obviously share some doctrinal commonality): (1) charismatic, (2) evangelical, and (3) apostolic. But since I have been looking into this branch, it seems like it is mostly dependent on the pastor of the specific church as to which way the church leans among the three perspectives. I'll send you a PM this evening about it, after I finfish the PM I owe heathen.
Respectfully,
AuldSoul
Wait, there's the International Chruch of Christ and then there's the mainline Church of Christ. The former is a cult group:
http://www.rickross.com/groups/icc.html
edit: boy I'm too slow on the draw. Well there's the link to info on the ICC anyway...
Ok thanks Auld Soul.
You too Why Georgia.
I'm not real familiar with this stuff yet but it seems that there is a difference between ICOC and it's offshoots (which seemed to really start in '79 with Kip somebody) and the Church of Christ which was had an 1800s start and appears to be more mainstream.
I think we're talking about two different churches of christ.
If that is so, then someone should tell these people that you can't all name yourselves the same thing. ridiculous.
It is quite ridiculous. I know there are a million different churches of christ and they either are affiliated with ICOC, COC, or some other flavor.
I just know what happened with my mother, her friends and what I have seen from the outside in my uncles house and with my aunt.
I believe they are now affiliated with the ICOC.
Some wierd rules at my Aunt and Uncles. Doors are not allowed to be closed in the house because sin happens behind closed doors. You can't have privacy in the bathroom or in your bedroom. It is the same with every member of the congregation.
Imagine, going to a function at any JW's house...because its similar and walking down the hall and seeing brother Jones going pee or poop. So nasty! It's very controlling.
Crazy comes in all colors.
Chrystal
