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Post by CherieKropp on Oct 10, 2017 10:23:03 GMT -5
TLC has been contacted by a reporter who wants to interview 2x2s or ex2x2s in UK for an article he is writing about them.
If anyone is willing to talk to him, please PM me.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2017 7:13:00 GMT -5
Can you tell us what newspaper or magazine he represents?
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Post by CherieKropp on Oct 11, 2017 11:23:22 GMT -5
Have requested more info...
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Post by CherieKropp on Oct 12, 2017 8:44:06 GMT -5
Can you tell us what newspaper or magazine he represents? Appears to be a freelance reporter. His reply: Haven't started pitching it yet as I'd like to do all the interviews first but I'll be aiming fairly high: The Guardian, The Atlantic etc.
NOTE: The Guardian is a British newspaper and the Atlantic is an American newspaper.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 11:47:15 GMT -5
I wonder if you've been a bit foolish here, Cherie.
Once the friends and workers in the UK hear about this , they will surely be stampeding to your door offering their names. They know they have sole possession of the truth and now they have an opportunity, they can't surely pass up, of evangelising their message to all the UK via your reporter link. You will get thousands of names coming in over the next few weeks from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England that, because of your dedicated nature, you'll feel obliged to forward on. You'll struggle to keep up.
I suggest you limit it to the first hundred names you receive. No-one here wants to see you diverted from the other important tasks you are doing for us - TLC, your book etc.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 12:11:54 GMT -5
But surely, if they are sole possessors of the truth, they will feel something compelling them to let the whole world know about it. They surely aren't going to let everyone head to the bottomless pit without taking every opportunity to save them from it. I would have concerns about the sincerity of their profession, if they aren't all bulldozing to get to the front of the queue to speak to this reporter.
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Post by Gene on Oct 13, 2017 19:29:30 GMT -5
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that Review007 hasn't already agreed to be interviewed by this reporter.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2017 23:49:53 GMT -5
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that Review007 hasn't already agreed to be interviewed by this reporter. i think you mean review005 unless there really is another review007...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2017 0:46:08 GMT -5
I doubt if there would be hundreds volunteering to do this. I personally feel a degree of trepidation regarding this. Most of us have family members and folk we know and respect in the church. ( Also loved departed ones). Although one would like ‘truth’ addressed, I believe most of us do not wish hurt and humiliation on mtg folk in general In my opinion, if one has the energy & time ( & I haven’t been able to find that particular energy as yet) - a more positive, non destructive way for those tempted by media invitation, is what I advocated on my thread ‘moving on’. People need to meet with overseers in each country and have some dignified dialogue; set parameters re the discussion beforehand, eg: the right not be interrupted. ( IMO a mature conversation would not survive if one was having dialogue with a noted worker on here ; a conversation met with sarcasm and condescension goes against all the rules of effective communication.) And In fairness, ‘a bitter angry ex’ would not contribute to a positive outcome either. Until the issue is addressed re the churches past & a few little cult- like traits, the way remains in a vulnerable position. Clearly the church dignity & survival does not hinge on one workers website defence- that the ‘young folk laugh and say move on’. In fact the irony is, this kind of arrogance & sarcasm from a worker may ‘firm the resolve’ for some to accept the media invitation and create a huge embarrassment to ones overseer and people. This is sad.
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Post by snow on Oct 15, 2017 16:12:51 GMT -5
I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that Review007 hasn't already agreed to be interviewed by this reporter. Maybe that's where he's been the last few days! He's become a star!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 5:17:33 GMT -5
I doubt if there would be hundreds volunteering to do this. I personally feel a degree of trepidation regarding this. Most of us have family members and folk we know and respect in the church. ( Also loved departed ones). Although one would like ‘truth’ addressed, I believe most of us do not wish hurt and humiliation on mtg folk in general In my opinion, if one has the energy & time ( & I haven’t been able to find that particular energy as yet) - a more positive, non destructive way for those tempted by media invitation, is what I advocated on my thread ‘moving on’. People need to meet with overseers in each country and have some dignified dialogue; set parameters re the discussion beforehand, eg: the right not be interrupted. ( IMO a mature conversation would not survive if one was having dialogue with a noted worker on here ; a conversation met with sarcasm and condescension goes against all the rules of effective communication.) And In fairness, ‘a bitter angry ex’ would not contribute to a positive outcome either. Until the issue is addressed re the churches past & a few little cult- like traits, the way remains in a vulnerable position. Clearly the church dignity & survival does not hinge on one workers website defence- that the ‘young folk laugh and say move on’. In fact the irony is, this kind of arrogance & sarcasm from a worker may ‘firm the resolve’ for some to accept the media invitation and create a huge embarrassment to ones overseer and people. This is sad. What's in it for persons on this forum or that have had association with this fellowship? vengeance , resentment and possibly a little back hander? The ones to really benefit financially would be the reporter and news papers that publish any findings. Please don't sell your souls. " Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. God will deal with it in His own time.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 5:26:23 GMT -5
I doubt if there would be hundreds volunteering to do this. I personally feel a degree of trepidation regarding this. Most of us have family members and folk we know and respect in the church. ( Also loved departed ones). Although one would like ‘truth’ addressed, I believe most of us do not wish hurt and humiliation on mtg folk in general In my opinion, if one has the energy & time ( & I haven’t been able to find that particular energy as yet) - a more positive, non destructive way for those tempted by media invitation, is what I advocated on my thread ‘moving on’. People need to meet with overseers in each country and have some dignified dialogue; set parameters re the discussion beforehand, eg: the right not be interrupted. ( IMO a mature conversation would not survive if one was having dialogue with a noted worker on here ; a conversation met with sarcasm and condescension goes against all the rules of effective communication.) And In fairness, ‘a bitter angry ex’ would not contribute to a positive outcome either. Until the issue is addressed re the churches past & a few little cult- like traits, the way remains in a vulnerable position. Clearly the church dignity & survival does not hinge on one workers website defence- that the ‘young folk laugh and say move on’. In fact the irony is, this kind of arrogance & sarcasm from a worker may ‘firm the resolve’ for some to accept the media invitation and create a huge embarrassment to ones overseer and people. This is sad. What's in it for persons on this forum or that have had association with this fellowship? vengeance , resentment and possibly a little back hander? The ones to really benefit financially would be the reporter and news papers that publish any findings. Please don't sell your souls. " Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. God will deal with it in His own time as He will bring everyone into judgment.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 5:41:17 GMT -5
I doubt if there would be hundreds volunteering to do this. I personally feel a degree of trepidation regarding this. Most of us have family members and folk we know and respect in the church. ( Also loved departed ones). Although one would like ‘truth’ addressed, I believe most of us do not wish hurt and humiliation on mtg folk in general In my opinion, if one has the energy & time ( & I haven’t been able to find that particular energy as yet) - a more positive, non destructive way for those tempted by media invitation, is what I advocated on my thread ‘moving on’. People need to meet with overseers in each country and have some dignified dialogue; set parameters re the discussion beforehand, eg: the right not be interrupted. ( IMO a mature conversation would not survive if one was having dialogue with a noted worker on here ; a conversation met with sarcasm and condescension goes against all the rules of effective communication.) And In fairness, ‘a bitter angry ex’ would not contribute to a positive outcome either. Until the issue is addressed re the churches past & a few little cult- like traits, the way remains in a vulnerable position. Clearly the church dignity & survival does not hinge on one workers website defence- that the ‘young folk laugh and say move on’. In fact the irony is, this kind of arrogance & sarcasm from a worker may ‘firm the resolve’ for some to accept the media invitation and create a huge embarrassment to ones overseer and people. This is sad. What's in it for persons on this forum or that have had association with this fellowship? vengeance , resentment and possibly a little back hander? The ones to really benefit financially would be the reporter and news papers that publish any findings. Please don't sell your souls. " Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. God will deal with it in His own time. Perhaps you meant to say YOU BELIEVE God will deal with it in his own time. In my experience God's "own time" generally means "never". Of course there have been numerous newspaper articles over the years including under headlines such as 'White Slave Trade' which God still doesn't appear to have dealt with. He certainly didn't deal with the Secret Sect or the TTT website which workers also warned against. So why should you expect Him to deal with this? And what sort of action would you expect Him to take? Would you expect Him to close down The Guardian newspaper? Would you expect Him to strike down the reporter in an act of supreme vengeance? In my experience God is pretty hopeless at dealing with everything. So I wouldn't be too hopeful. But don't let that stop you believing. When it comes to vengeance, belief in the vengefulness of God is everything. It's pretty much all you've got. Matt10
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 7:34:40 GMT -5
What's in it for persons on this forum or that have had association with this fellowship? vengeance , resentment and possibly a little back hander? The ones to really benefit financially would be the reporter and news papers that publish any findings. Please don't sell your souls. " Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. God will deal with it in His own time. Perhaps you meant to say YOU BELIEVE God will deal with it in his own time. In my experience God's "own time" generally means "never". Of course there have been numerous newspaper articles over the years including under headlines such as 'White Slave Trade' which God still doesn't appear to have dealt with. He certainly didn't deal with the Secret Sect or the TTT website which workers also warned against. So why should you expect Him to deal with this? And what sort of action would you expect Him to take? Would you expect Him to close down The Guardian newspaper? Would you expect Him to strike down the reporter in an act of supreme vengeance? In my experience God is pretty hopeless at dealing with everything. So I wouldn't be too hopeful. But don't let that stop you believing. When it comes to vengeance, belief in the vengefulness of God is everything. It's pretty much all you've got. Matt10 You do it (look at /internalize it your way and I reserve the right to do the same. No hard feelings. I am a believer, full stop. Obviously you are not.
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Post by vanillagorilla on Oct 16, 2017 11:49:15 GMT -5
Suppose there are people who believe this is the only way, and that other sects are false teachings. Perhaps there exist 2x2 members who believe that their way is the only way to heaven.
Maybe the whole 2x2 nature of going door to door is to spread the message with a loving spirit- to carry the message so that people can be saved in some way. You never know, this could happen.
There is a chance that one of these people would want to find a way to get this message out to prevent others from an eternity in hell. And this interview could be that chance. I am not one of those people. But if I believed all these things in my heart, I would want to get this message out to the world through any means possible.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2017 12:02:40 GMT -5
Suppose there are people who believe this is the only way, and that other sects are false teachings. Perhaps there exist 2x2 members who believe that their way is the only way to heaven. Maybe the whole 2x2 nature of going door to door is to spread the message with a loving spirit- to carry the message so that people can be saved in some way. You never know, this could happen. There is a chance that one of these people would want to find a way to get this message out to prevent others from an eternity in hell. And this interview could be that chance. I am not one of those people. But if I believed all these things in my heart, I would want to get this message out to the world through any means possible. And maybe there is a probability that pigs can fly too.
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Post by snow on Oct 16, 2017 17:47:39 GMT -5
Suppose there are people who believe this is the only way, and that other sects are false teachings. Perhaps there exist 2x2 members who believe that their way is the only way to heaven. Maybe the whole 2x2 nature of going door to door is to spread the message with a loving spirit- to carry the message so that people can be saved in some way. You never know, this could happen. There is a chance that one of these people would want to find a way to get this message out to prevent others from an eternity in hell. And this interview could be that chance. I am not one of those people. But if I believed all these things in my heart, I would want to get this message out to the world through any means possible. And maybe there is a probability that pigs can fly too. Well we do have elephants flying on another thread ..
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Post by CherieKropp on Nov 1, 2017 8:31:03 GMT -5
This reporter interviewed me for 1 hr 15 min yesterday.
He'd like to talk with some from other countries (exes and innies both).
Any Canadians willing? Kiwis? Americans?
Some things he asked me are: He asked me how far back in my family this church went What it was like growing up in the church. How was I different from other children/teenagers The things I was deprived of from growing up in the church that hurt/bothered me the most. What led up to my leaving this church. What negative effects did I experience upon leaving. What did I find shocking or surprising when I started questioning or leaving. Numbers of members. Is it increasing or decreasing in numbers and why How widespread is CSA
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Post by Gene on Nov 1, 2017 18:06:53 GMT -5
This reporter interviewed me for 1 hr 15 min yesterday. He'd like to talk with some from other countries (exes and innies both). Any Canadians willing? Kiwis? Americans? Some things he asked me are:He asked me how far back in my family this church went What it was like growing up in the church. How was I different from other children/teenagers The things I was deprived of from growing up in the church that hurt/bothered me the most. What led up to my leaving this church. What negative effects did I experience upon leaving. What did I find shocking or surprising when I started questioning or leaving. Numbers of members. Is it increasing or decreasing in numbers and why How widespread is CSA Based on the line of questioning, one could be excused for imagining that the reporter does not intend to provide a balanced account. If he were to ask for advice, I would recommend adding some questions like: - What benefits do you feel you gained from growing up in the church? - What positive effects did you experience upon leaving, relative to your interactions with church members? - What were you pleasantly surprised about when you started questioning or leaving?
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Post by openingact34 on Nov 1, 2017 21:09:29 GMT -5
I doubt if there would be hundreds volunteering to do this. I personally feel a degree of trepidation regarding this. Most of us have family members and folk we know and respect in the church. ( Also loved departed ones). Although one would like ‘truth’ addressed, I believe most of us do not wish hurt and humiliation on mtg folk in general In my opinion, if one has the energy & time ( & I haven’t been able to find that particular energy as yet) - a more positive, non destructive way for those tempted by media invitation, is what I advocated on my thread ‘moving on’. People need to meet with overseers in each country and have some dignified dialogue; set parameters re the discussion beforehand, eg: the right not be interrupted. ( IMO a mature conversation would not survive if one was having dialogue with a noted worker on here ; a conversation met with sarcasm and condescension goes against all the rules of effective communication.) And In fairness, ‘a bitter angry ex’ would not contribute to a positive outcome either. Until the issue is addressed re the churches past & a few little cult- like traits, the way remains in a vulnerable position. Clearly the church dignity & survival does not hinge on one workers website defence- that the ‘young folk laugh and say move on’. In fact the irony is, this kind of arrogance & sarcasm from a worker may ‘firm the resolve’ for some to accept the media invitation and create a huge embarrassment to ones overseer and people. This is sad. I wouldn't worry. I don't think it is possible for any ex to harm the 2x2's in the media, even if with the most negative possible article. The amount of new members coming from outside is negligible. The born and raised people sustaining the population are not going to quit because of any newspaper article. These are the sheep who burned books and letters unread on command from the workers. How much worse can the demographics get? The bottom line is that any publicity is bound to be good publicity. Even if the religion is portrayed as ridiculous, there are plenty of crazies who will be attracted to that and can fill those convention benches. You just need to reach a broad enough audience. Soon, you might be welcoming dozens of new "babes" in the mold of review005!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2017 22:28:08 GMT -5
In that post, I was not referring to new members coming from outside. Or about mtg folk quitting because of media. Cheers.
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Post by joanna on Nov 6, 2017 21:36:34 GMT -5
Gene Your comment prompted a look into the bible to see whether it encourages a balanced approach. Does this verse inspire believers to be fair so as to promote peace or is there another way(s) to interpret it? Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel–that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all". NLT
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Post by emerald on Nov 10, 2017 11:59:24 GMT -5
What's in it for persons on this forum or that have had association with this fellowship? vengeance , resentment and possibly a little back hander? The ones to really benefit financially would be the reporter and news papers that publish any findings. Please don't sell your souls. " Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord. God will deal with it in His own time. Perhaps you meant to say YOU BELIEVE God will deal with it in his own time. In my experience God's "own time" generally means "never". Of course there have been numerous newspaper articles over the years including under headlines such as 'White Slave Trade' which God still doesn't appear to have dealt with. He certainly didn't deal with the Secret Sect or the TTT website which workers also warned against. So why should you expect Him to deal with this? And what sort of action would you expect Him to take? Would you expect Him to close down The Guardian newspaper? Would you expect Him to strike down the reporter in an act of supreme vengeance? In my experience God is pretty hopeless at dealing with everything. So I wouldn't be too hopeful. But don't let that stop you believing. When it comes to vengeance, belief in the vengefulness of God is everything. It's pretty much all you've got. Matt10 How do you know God hasn't dealt with this? Maybe not with vengeance, but by spreading His wings of protection around it. Mind you, God would be doing a great many a favour if He did close down the Guardian. For spelling offences if nothing else.
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Post by emerald on Nov 10, 2017 12:03:18 GMT -5
Gene Your comment prompted a look into the bible to see whether it encourages a balanced approach. Does this verse inspire believers to be fair so as to promote peace or is there another way(s) to interpret it? Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel–that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all". NLT I'm really struggling to make sense of that. Can you explain better?
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Post by emerald on Nov 10, 2017 12:07:14 GMT -5
This reporter interviewed me for 1 hr 15 min yesterday. He'd like to talk with some from other countries (exes and innies both). Any Canadians willing? Kiwis? Americans? Some things he asked me are:He asked me how far back in my family this church went What it was like growing up in the church. How was I different from other children/teenagers The things I was deprived of from growing up in the church that hurt/bothered me the most. What led up to my leaving this church. What negative effects did I experience upon leaving. What did I find shocking or surprising when I started questioning or leaving. Numbers of members. Is it increasing or decreasing in numbers and why How widespread is CSA Based on the line of questioning, one could be excused for imagining that the reporter does not intend to provide a balanced account. If he were to ask for advice, I would recommend adding some questions like: - What benefits do you feel you gained from growing up in the church? - What positive effects did you experience upon leaving, relative to your interactions with church members? - What were you pleasantly surprised about when you started questioning or leaving? Good observation. I've no wish to see a Guardian reporter anywhere near the meetings, exes or otherwise, and as you say, there does appear to be a preconceived notion about the meetings. I wouldn't think it's personal, I'd think he has an axe to grind regarding Christianity in general and evangelicals in particular. He's going to produce an opinion, not factual reporting.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2017 16:14:11 GMT -5
Perhaps you meant to say YOU BELIEVE God will deal with it in his own time. In my experience God's "own time" generally means "never". Of course there have been numerous newspaper articles over the years including under headlines such as 'White Slave Trade' which God still doesn't appear to have dealt with. He certainly didn't deal with the Secret Sect or the TTT website which workers also warned against. So why should you expect Him to deal with this? And what sort of action would you expect Him to take? Would you expect Him to close down The Guardian newspaper? Would you expect Him to strike down the reporter in an act of supreme vengeance? In my experience God is pretty hopeless at dealing with everything. So I wouldn't be too hopeful. But don't let that stop you believing. When it comes to vengeance, belief in the vengefulness of God is everything. It's pretty much all you've got. Matt10 How do you know God hasn't dealt with this? Maybe not with vengeance, but by spreading His wings of protection around it. Mind you, God would be doing a great many a favour if He did close down the Guardian. For spelling offences if nothing else. How do I know that God hasn’t done some unidentified thing at some unidentified time which no one has witnessed and which no one has any evidence for? Well, if you put it like that, I don’t. However I understood from those who believe that God doesn’t actually interfere in the affairs of men. And I know that God did nothing to prevent the publication of the Secret Sect or any of the other books or articles which have been written about the 2x2s over the last century. I also know that the TTT website has continuously grown over the last twenty years without God ever intervening to halt its development. So there is nothing that would indicate to me that He would intervene as regards a story about 2x2ism in The Guardian. As I’ve already pointed out, in my experience God is pretty hopeless at dealing with anything. If he wasn’t quite so hopeless, I suspect that Auschwitz, the Irish Famine and CSA within the Catholic Church and 2x2ism would never have happened, at least not to the extent that they did. And as for putting His loving arms around something or someone, I’m far from convinced that God ever puts a loving arm around anyone. Most of the love I witness in the world is given by human beings. It really begs the question as to where is the love of God in the world? Where is his arm of protection? What in fact are the loving arms of God? When people get sick and recover, is that the loving arms of God? When people prosper in this life, is that the loving arms of God? When people drag themselves out of the gutter and overcome addiction, is that the loving arms of God? When people profess and embrace 2x2ism, is that the loving arms of God? All kinds of things happen to all kinds of people. Some good, some not so good and some really bad. All kinds of things happen to God believing people and non believers alike. One man’s loving arms of God is another man’s experience of life. So much so that I’ve actually come to realise that the concept of the loving arms of God is just something within the imagination. And that in reality there is no such thing. It’s just another warm fuzzy feeling inspiring attribute of a warm fuzzy feeling inspiring belief system. Matt10
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Post by joanna on Nov 11, 2017 2:56:24 GMT -5
Hello emerald The bible is the common denominator of the 2x2 members and the ex anti but still christian 2x2's who are keen to apply a negative slant on the group. Gene's comment made me wonder if the bible (that common denominator) could be an encouragement for any christian who is interested in contacting the reporter to be fair instead of feeding the interviewer's apparent intention to undermine the 2x2grp. The above verse from Acts seems to be such an encouragement to those who believe in the bible.
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