Who Shunned Who?
Honestly. This is a question I’ve had to really reflect on.
In the immediate aftermath, it could be well documented in my writing on this website how the message folk effectively ‘shunned’ people who left. I felt very strongly that this did happen, and I felt this was an evidence of how the Message was a “cult”.
But I’ve had to really think about this as the years have passed. And I think I have a little more developed opinion on it now.
The following article is part of my “Barriers of Exit” series. These barriers are cognitive hurdles that make it extremely hard to question or leave the Message. For a questioning individual, they may have...
I’ve spent a long time on Morning Mercy through the years. It’s hard to explain how much was invested in this online space. Most the effort will never be visible on the pages or...
Since leaving the message, one thing I have occasionally done is to listen to archived sermons from various churches and ministries. I don’t do it to load up on criticism or document my greivances....
It’s a simple and beautiful formula. It’s the thing that I want to talk about most when I am now reflecting on my time in the message. It’s been nearly 7 years – and...
What is a System: “An organized, purposeful structure that consists of interrelated and interdependent elements (components, entities, factors, members, parts etc.). These elements continually influence one another (directly or indirectly) to maintain their activity...
(this is a continuation of Part 2: When Religion Hinders Help) A message church that follows the message of William Branham is a challenging environment to introduce anything using material outside of itself. For...
(this is a continuation of Part 1: An Introduction to Caring for the Heart) Getting Help: Not an Easy Subject I realize the headline of this article may cause some unease for readers who...
One of the arguments I faced countless times while leaving the message was the issue of living a “clean life”. As per the experience of many, they testify to the transformation they experienced as they...
In the year prior to leaving the message, I had become very acquainted with a method of counselling called “Caring for the Heart“ (Developed by John Regier). I appreciated my pastor who would often go outside...
In my journey through the Message, one thing I was continually bothered by was the swift leap to labels. It’s not that this problem doesn’t exist elsewhere; let’s be honest, it’s a widespread part...
The journey away from the message is intensely messy. It’s unavoidable, and there are many reasons for the emotional mess it makes – all of which are worth learning about. Why is it worth learning...
Fire is amazing. It’s beautiful, it’s illuminating, it’s intense. At it’s best, it’s exciting and useful. At it’s worst, it’s destructive and dangerous. Think of how it starts – a fire in an unwanted...
(This article is intended for a wife who has questioned / doubted / disbelieved the Message – while her husband continues to believe) For the last few years, perhaps the most frequent message I’ve...
