I want to define that word "place" as it can be very deceiving as are a lot of Maria's words. She and Peter guarantee that TF is a safe "place " for Family members to raise their kids. So we have todefine what we mean by "place" Do we mean a house, with all the practical measures taken to ensure none of the children will get hurt or have an accident? That would have to be judged by visiting every home to see that saftey precautions have been taken, and the kids are healthy and happy, eat good food etc.
Or do we mean the spiritual atmosphere in which they live their daily lives? Maria says TF is a safe place, therefore all Family members agree and beleive this statement no matter what state their present home is in.
The word "place" in the sense could also be talking about the overall ,encompassing beliefs of TF by which every home has to adhere. So I think what Maria really means by a safe "place" could also be interpreted as meaning that as long as TF members adhere to the teachings of the GNs, obey her and Peter, stay under the umbrella of the Family's doctrines, beleifsand practices, they will abide in a safe "place". This "place" is not a practical place, but a "place" in their minds.
IN other words, if they beleive they are rasing their children in a safe "place" because they are abiding by the Charter, the home rules, the GNs, and practicing the Family beleifs, then in the minds of MAria and members of TF, they are in a "safe place".But the minute they wander out of that "safe " environment by doing worldly things or disobeying the "Word" and prophecies by"Jesus"
They beleive they will lose the blessings of God, and no longer dwell in that safe "place" So those
leaving have to deal with this mind set of leaving the "safe place" built in their minds by Maria.
If you read My Conclusion .com, many of the SGAs make reference to this "safe place" and say they beleive they are raising their kids in a "safe place" They have to keep repeating this phrase because MAria repeats it and emphasises it. Maria
is saying that as long as you adhere to the teachings, you will be in that "safe place" which
in her mind is God's will. The Family teachings are more complicated than ever now, and quite different from when I joined the COG 35 years ago.
We beleived in the simplicity of Christ, and wanted to go out to win souls. Many hippies and drug addicts were helped. Then the corruption came. The COG was no longer a "safe place" never was and never will be a "safe place" because that
"safety" they claim is only in their minds, in other words, a false sense of security.
The homes that were raided where members and kids incarcerated, in Australia, Argentina, and France,
all belived they were living in a "safe place"they beleived they were rasing their children in a "safe place" the best possible atmosphere for their kids. Their safe place was only in their minds , they had a false sense of security, becasue over night, their "safe place" became a nightmare for those kids. It was not a safe place and is not a safe place now. The potential for persecution on the homes is as great now as it was then, if not greater. Maria and Peter know this.
The danger is still there. M&P are well aware of this and yet are still as defiant as ever, encouraging their followers to expect persecution.
It is easy for them to say. They can always take their money and run. The homes that are established and have children cannotrunand hide, they have to take the brunt of the persecution.
Maria and Peter identify themselveswith the rest of TF member as though they were one of them, living the same lifestyle. They are not one of TF
and are exceptions to the Charter rules and
new criteria they impose upon the rest of the homes, becasue of their "important work".
This was always Bergs attitude too. Putting himsekf above the sheep.
MAria and Peter say "we" are getting persecuted, or "us" when they are not the ones facing the persecution, the main stream homes are. Even the World Service units are in hiding, so they do not face the persection. Maria and Peter are bringing this persecution on the family homes. It is part of a purging, they said so themselves. So they can see who is left, the most dedicated ones, and they get rid of all the half hearts. They said this and their "another Jesus guy" said it, their "Dad speaking" guy said it and they all agree as one and have convinced TF that the persecution is of God, and God's will, so just face it and you will be a strong soldier for Jesus.
So how can anyone claim that TF is a "safe place"
to raise their children when they know they will suffer persecution and their kids will suffer persecution? With this in mind, where is the safety for the poor kids who will have to suffer
in the persecution? The practical application of
the GNs in TF is spirtually based, and hangs on their whole theology.