"The Friends"

Apognophos

I don't really see the big deal here. It just like saying "folks". What word would you suggest in its place?
Island Man

" My old-timer Uncle in Brooklyn refers to them as "the friends" and yeah, it sounds creepy/culty as can be."

Yes but not as creepy and culty as "the Slave" in a statement like "This is what the slave is telling us"
cleanideas

I grew up in the midwest USA (Missouri and Kansas) and they used it all the time.
Vidiot

Heck, my JW Mom uses it all the time.