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Post by susie on Jan 2, 2023 20:21:05 GMT
I watched about 4.5 episodes today (no judgement please, I have a newborn đ€Ł). I do see a lot of similarities between Hillsong and PR. PR is of course much smaller, but I think if PR was in the scale of Hillsong it would be the same. One man said that being a part of Hillsong and then leaving made him lose his trust of churches (paraphrasing here, I don't remember his exact words) and I feel that too. I don't know if I can ever trust another Christian church after everything that I went through with PR and especially after I've learned far more since I left. Yes, I still stand by my beliefs, but it's being a part of a church that scares me. I don't want to raise my children in the church like that. I won't do it. For those who haven't watched, Hillsong's leaders were also child molesters, abusers, cheaters... The list goes on. Money fraud, you name it. All of it hidden. I guess for now I'll end this and finish up the series tomorrow hopefully. I just finished the series.  Surprised by the narcissism and the wealth that corrupted what should have been the focus of the church. ExPRs are much more equipped to see how the PRCA church's higher-ups operate under the radar. God is breaking down the prc's corruption ring of abuse that has been operating since 1924 & before that in families. Let's keep demanding 3rd party investigations. This forum has helped the victims of abuse. DEMAND DEMAND DEMAND.
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Post by ExPRisoner on Jan 2, 2023 20:51:22 GMT
I watched about 4.5 episodes today (no judgement please, I have a newborn đ€Ł). I do see a lot of similarities between Hillsong and PR. PR is of course much smaller, but I think if PR was in the scale of Hillsong it would be the same. One man said that being a part of Hillsong and then leaving made him lose his trust of churches (paraphrasing here, I don't remember his exact words) and I feel that too. I don't know if I can ever trust another Christian church after everything that I went through with PR and especially after I've learned far more since I left. Yes, I still stand by my beliefs, but it's being a part of a church that scares me. I don't want to raise my children in the church like that. I won't do it. For those who haven't watched, Hillsong's leaders were also child molesters, abusers, cheaters... The list goes on. Money fraud, you name it. All of it hidden. I guess for now I'll end this and finish up the series tomorrow hopefully. I just finished the series.  Surprised by the narcissism and the wealth that corrupted what should have been the focus of the church. . Just finished the series and noticed on Hulu tucked away an episode on vice versa season 1 on the mind control of the Jehovah Witness cult. I thought this was even more in line with the PRC/RPC. They even started a place to vent XJW I think it may be a Facebook page
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Post by unwrittenrules on Jan 3, 2023 17:42:46 GMT
Watching TLCâs âHillsong A Megachurch Exposedâ demonstrates how people who care about power do not care about individuals to whom they âminister.â Not only is it sad, but it makes coping with life more difficult for those they use. A struggling person encounters a âministryâ and struggling is compounded. And for what? For those at the top to feel powerful, all the while draining people emotionally, financially, mentally, and spiritually.
It is nasty and ugly. They talk about grace but donât extend grace, nor do they ever plan on being gracious. They instead speak about salvation and the One who could relieve their burden, but they are unwilling to be gracious. The ones with power get to say and do what they like, no accountability and then minimize the wrongs they are allowing. This type of behavior also seen in the PRC. It is very much get the sheeple in line through use of shame, guilt, key phrases, âvowsâ and âpapersâ that attempt to entrap members in their system.
When a person isnât moved to compassion when someone has been damaged by another person and instead seem to glaze over the situation itâs very telling.
âBut if suffering is good, ought it not to be pursued rather than avoided? I answer that suffering is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is, for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and, for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads.â -C.S. Lewis The Problem of Pain
How about the PRC? Has the abuse of children and spouses been for nothing? Do you pastors go to the police and talk for the vulnerable in pursuit of justice? Is the PRC above the Law?
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Post by wewerepr on Jan 13, 2023 18:31:03 GMT
You are your child's first responder. It is obvious that even the best motivated people in the pr are not going to respond quickly to help you or your child(ren). if you're not going to demand and DO better, then at least watch over and protect your children. maybe doing better is BEING IN SOME OTHER CHURCH (your nearest exit may be behind you)
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Post by stillvanrecovering on Jan 15, 2023 2:06:48 GMT
As you sit in the pew today, ponder this poem created by ChatGPT Open AI to the query "write me a poem on abuse in the "Protestant Reformed Churches in America" "Here's a poem on abuse in the Protestant Reformed Churches in America: In the Protestant Reformed Churches in America There's a darkness lurking, hidden from view A darkness of abuse, hidden behind closed doors A darkness that's been allowed to fester and grow In these churches, where the word of God is preached Where His love and grace are meant to be shared There are those who use their power and authority To hurt and harm the vulnerable and weak They abuse their position, their trust, and their power To manipulate and control those in their care They use their religious authority as a weapon To hurt and exploit those who have nowhere to turn But this darkness cannot hide forever For the light of truth will eventually shine And those who have been abused will find their voice And speak out against the evil that has been done May the Protestant Reformed Churches in America Wake up to the darkness within their walls And take action to root out this evil And bring healing and justice to all." Thanks ChatGPT for this "poem about abusive church leaders being brought to justice after decades of hiding behind their theological pronouncements" (including the resources for help at the end!) Decades of secrets, hidden away Abusive leaders, had their day But now the truth is coming to light Their actions, no longer out of sight From behind the pulpit, they preached with pride But their true selves, they kept deep inside Using theology as a shield Their victims, left with wounds that wouldn't heal But now the scales of justice weigh And their actions, can no longer sway No longer hiding behind the word They're held accountable, their crimes heard The church, a sanctuary for all But these leaders, let it fall Their actions, a betrayal of trust But now, they'll pay for the harm they've done just Though the road to healing is long And the pain may still linger on The guilty are being brought to light And the path to justice, is in sight Let's remember that abuse of any kind is unacceptable and the victims should be heard and helped. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, you can reach out for help by contacting organizations such as RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline. They can provide you with information, support, and resources to help you stay safe and get the help you need.
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Post by pemptyr on Jan 18, 2023 3:14:13 GMT
Just remember by now your neighbors probably heard about this forum and are visiting this site. What are they thinking about you?
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Post by questioneverything on Jan 29, 2023 14:06:24 GMT
BREATHING UNDER WATER
by Sr. Carol Bieleck
I built my house by the sea. Not on the sands, mind you; not on the shifting sand. And I built it of rock.
A strong house by a strong sea. And we got well acquainted, the sea and I. Good neighbors. Not that we spoke much. We met in silences. Respectful, keeping our distance, but looking our thoughts across the fence of sand. Always, the fence of sand our barrier, always, the sand between.
And then one day, -and I still donât know how it happened - the sea came. Without warning.
Without welcome, even Not sudden and swift, but a shifting across the sand like wine, less like the flow of water than the flow of blood. Slow, but coming. Slow, but flowing like an open wound. And I thought of flight and I thought of drowning and I thought of death. And while I thought the sea crept higher, till it reached my door. And I knew, then, there was neither flight, nor death, nor drowning. That when the sea comes calling, you stop being neighbors, Well acquainted, friendly-at-a-distance neighbors, And you give your house for a coral castle, And you learn to breathe underwater.
If you're going to be so religious, PR/RPs, learn to breathe underwater. Your neighbor is Christ.
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Post by wewerepr on Feb 5, 2023 2:28:16 GMT
There have been many postings of letters, articles, agendas, proclamations, hopes, dreams, warnings, and threats. If youâre going to sit in a pew tomorrow, be in one you want to be in, Donât let anyone dictate to you where you sit.
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Post by questioneverything on Feb 5, 2023 3:08:40 GMT
...it stinks.
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Post by questioneverything on Feb 5, 2023 3:20:03 GMT
that there were so many, so many whose voices were silenced.
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Post by questioneverything on Feb 5, 2023 3:30:08 GMT
Good night my forum friends...
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Post by Feminist on Feb 5, 2023 16:54:47 GMT
Is it bad that my mind keeps reading PR/RPs as âperpsâ đŹ?
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Post by Feminist on Feb 5, 2023 16:58:30 GMT
Just rememberâŠyou too could be sleeping in, enjoying a nice quiet morning at home with a cup of tea or coffee, finding community in the exPR forums. You donât have to be in that pew if you hate sitting in it. Find another pew. My new âpewâ is my lounge chair. But yours can be whatever you wish it to be! You live a short life! Do what you can to live YOUR best life, not someone elseâs life.
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Post by curiouscat on Feb 12, 2023 5:28:38 GMT
True rest and peace is a prescription only God can fill. On the day He gave you to rest, He doesn't demand: 1. That you have to go to church twice on Sunday 2. That you have to rush through your day making your outward appearance pretty while you're dying inside 3. That you have to smile and pretend everything's fine when your world is falling apart 4. That thou musteth read and pray the KJV alone, though thou doth notest understandeth it
A day of rest is a gift from God to us, so that we have an opportunity: 1. To recharge spiritually, mentally, and physically 2. To pause regular daily duties and enjoy life with God, His creation, and others 3. To acknowledge our griefs and troubles, bring our cares to God in prayer, and find healing 4. To meditate on His Word as He speaks it to us in our own language. His Word not only being the bible, but also being creation (God's words made physical), and the experiences of human life (God's Word living in people - "living epistles")
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Post by stillvanrecovering on Feb 12, 2023 12:26:14 GMT
As you sit in the pew today, remember to not confuse the church and its leaders with Jesus Christ.
When this nuance is difficult to believe because of what church leaders have taught, remember girls and boys who have been raped and beaten. Remember the abused spouses.
Remember these church leaders have continued to demonstrate they are not Jesus by enabling and covering for abusers.
If they have the ability to protect you physically but have not, why do you trust them to protect you spiritually?
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