I've been hanging around a few members of the family, I myself have not ever been a member of the group, but they seemed warm and friendly enough to talk to, and it's always interesting to meet people from all over the world with an usually large amount of children.
Children's education...studies etc. are one of the things discussed in TF...but the lowly people usually have no funds for that (or they should shift into a country, where studies are free ; ) ) ...but the offspring of high ranking leaders have that opportunity to study at costly universities they have said here on the boards...I left 1989/92 (that year we stopped tithing)
They'd invite me to visit their colony and I felt like I made some awesome new friends, only to later research the missionary group they were part of on Wikipedia and to be shocked that the people I supposedly "befriended" were in fact members of a cult , and I was caught up in a scheme they pull on pretty much anyone who comes their way.
Colony is a very old term...since very long...mid 70ties they usually say home (heavenly home...letter etc.)...bigger "schooling" etc.
homes were also called Combos...plus other names
I honestly felt like I connected with fellow Christians but it started to feel fake when they acted eerily pleasant,made me feel a lil too welcome, too special , like they're just out to use you (Love Bombing).
They usually don't visit the penny-scraping pensionist old nanny...even if @ the corner...if someone believes already in Christ and has nothing much more to offer, than buying once a piece of pub and offering prayersupport for the group...fine...but all that is soon "evaluated"...what the usefulness of such contacts could be...they would have to be younger and of some "usefulness"...moneywise or other support...Ask yourself, what has been or what could your contributions be??
True, it's love-bombing...showered on people, they have a "vision for"
They seem to tell , half truths and deception is a major part of their sales pitch.
One of their favourite verses:
2.Cor. 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and [yet] true;
I'm not angry at the individuals but it's the systems they're trapped in, they're as much victims as we are.
Could any one advise on what to say or do when around Family members?
You tell them the truth...gospelwise...how you view real Christianity...and whyyt you know about them and show them the discrepancies...I would warn them...their take of all things are lawful...is awful:
1Cr 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1Cr 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
I haven't alerted them that I know a lil bit more about their history then they'd like me to but can one still have friends in the family? Also should I hang around to warn any one else I see them chatting to? and can I provide support to get them out? or I am just deluding myself ?
Like I said above...of course any warning them would end immediately or pretty soon their relationship with you...they don't take time to retrain/salvaging "old bottles"....but may be before you do that, you can "straigthen out" your own theology...also talking with some befriended pastor or whatever could give you some further advise or ask here....there is enough in the internet on them
I sincerely feel for these people and am not sure how I can help them, I would probably get myself excommunicated were I try to discuss what I've been reading with them.
Sometimes/often it's "dangerous" to let feelings guide our relationship with people...if you know the Word of God, the Bible, very well, then one should tell them the truth...that will set them free...but they think in their grandeur and delusion, that they are superior to most if not all other Christians in the world...it's debateable and has been here on the board a bit, how much one can be a Christian and overlooking the stern warnings of Paul in e.g.
1Cr 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Cr 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cr 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
And to top all that they are child-abusers...minimum allowing it...having allowed it and incest is also minimum theoretically possible to them...sorry for being sarcastic here, at least they don't seem to believe in murder (although Berg and others prayed often enough, that God would strike their enemies...either dead or whatever...)
Also what is life currently like in the Family?
Does sharing and wife-swapping still occur?
Does Flirty fishing also still happen on rare occaissions? I can't imagine they just suddenly stopped completely after pursuing it so intensively and undoubtedly the women there aren't ugly. They're still definitely using sex appeal in the marketing campaign!
See the latest posts on Gen X about that titled:
Mr Geoffrey Stubbs from TFI -- (moved here from Academic Board) - Greg Busch May 10, '10 09:33
Also any idea on what the new GNs are commanding?
All feedback is much appreciated!
That's it for now as starters...I pray for you