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Post by observed on Jul 18, 2007 21:01:51 GMT -5
In Kokomo, you are probably a Hilligoss or related to the Hilligoss clan somehow. Many meetings are dominated by one or two families. Even some fields are dominated by 1 or 2 families. People born into these families profess for social interaction-a chance to worship with relatives. People outside these families don't feel welcome in many instances. So reproduction often keeps this fellowship alive in many areas.
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Post by Brad Lewis on Jul 19, 2007 0:53:47 GMT -5
Good point. Can you make some observations about inbreeding, incest and the smaller bean-pool? Brad
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Post by MY thought on Jul 19, 2007 7:18:03 GMT -5
It is not right to marry your cousin. Or even your cousin once removed.
If you are related it should be off limits indefinitely.
It doesn't matter how few professing boys are found in your area or state. Marrying your cousin is JUST WRONG!!!!!!!!!
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Post by funny on Jul 21, 2007 15:22:57 GMT -5
I used to wonder why the lowly way of truth was revealed to me. Then I realized it had to do with my ancestors choosing this way!
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Jul 21, 2007 17:42:31 GMT -5
We use to go to the Kokomo meeting. It was quite strange to be the only ones not related, but, to their credit, they did try to bring us into their family.
I think what was tough for me personally is that their get-togethers were family get togethers, not meeting get togethers. I felt that sometimes, they took each other for granted.
In the area I live in now, there are two families that once dominated the meetings. My husband's grandparents and another family. As my husband's family has narrowed (his grandparents died, his father died, his cousin moved away, we moved- and when we returned, we left meetings shortly after..etc), the other family has become the dominate one (especially since they've continued to multiply) and rules over the meeting.
This is very obvious in the smaller fields, whereas, in Houston, not so much.
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Jul 21, 2007 17:45:03 GMT -5
Also, I wanted to acknowledge the post above mine. I also wondered, "Why, out of all the people in the world, was I blessed to be born into the 'right way'"? This thought often ruled my mind. I just couldn't imagine how it could be so. Did God just not love others as much that he would leave it up to time and chance for them to come across it?
My religion, my thinking, everything... it was inherited. It was something that was passed down from generation to generations- a tradition.
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Post by Ron Hall on Jul 21, 2007 18:49:43 GMT -5
Also, I wanted to acknowledge the post above mine. I also wondered, "Why, out of all the people in the world, was I blessed to be born into the 'right way'"? This thought often ruled my mind. I just couldn't imagine how it could be so. Did God just not love others as much that he would leave it up to time and chance for them to come across it?
I'm also from a professing family and I now understand that without having been B&R I would likely have had no interest at all in anything of a religious nature.
It's true that in many areas there are dominant family trees. About 15 years ago the worker in this area made some significant changes to split this up. Over the years since some workers have allowed some requests for re-uniting, but it isn't anything like it was. I'm not sure which was is most beneficial. I suppose it depends on the family.
Concerning the inter-marrying, the laws of the land regulate this. However over a long time with an extremely limited gene pool things could get to tight in a circular fashion and problems could develop.
With the ability for young folks to network via cell phone and internet as well as travel long distances cheaply, I think this won't be a problem. We certainly live in a great age and when technology is used wisely it is to the benefit of us all.
Ron
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Post by withopeneyes (Mandy) on Jul 22, 2007 14:46:52 GMT -5
I'm also from a professing family and I now understand that without having been B&R I would likely have had no interest at all in anything of a religious nature.
If you hadn't been B&R in a professing family, you may have been B&R in another sort of religious family- or taken in by another religious family, or had a religious encounter in your school years, work years, or marriage.
Never underestimate the Lord. While I no longer profess and do not agree with much of what happens and is believed in the f&w, I am thankful for the way I was raised, yes, even the strictness. I believe God can use all our experiences to glorify him, help others, and reach out- even those we may think are "against" him or aren't religious at all.
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