Post by the Scribe on Sept 27, 2020 11:34:31 GMT
Unknown said...
To understand this group, you must first understand how it all came to be.
thecultofpraise.blogspot.com/2008/05/people-of-praise-sleeping-quarters.html
History of POP:
For the Twin Cities group, it started in the late 1960's early 70's as a prayer group. My parents became involved around '71 and our family watched this group evolve from a prayer group trying to bring people to know and love Christ (our family witnessed the complete change in our own father when he became born again through this group), to essentially, a cult.
My Dad always said the community lost it's way when they stopped having prayer meetings. While we were part of this group in the 70's and early 80's, my parents and family were basically told where to live, how to live and who we could associate with. The final straw was when my oldest sister was told she could not marry a young man that was also in the community because the "leaders" did not agree with the union. (this was because marriages are basically 'arranged in POP). At this, my father said, 'enough'.
Don't piss the leader's off:
Our family was 'excommunicated' and all of the friends my parents had from this group were told not to associate with us any longer. People who were dear to my family were no longer allowed to even talk to us. Even after we moved and attended our new church for the first time, a community leader who also attended that church actually pulled my Dad aside and threatened him that we were not allowed to go to that church. (can you imagine?? Some bully telling you that you CAN'T go to HIS church??) Obviously, this 'christian' bully had no idea who he was dealing with. You didn't tell my Dad he couldn't do something. WE sat in the front freakin' row every Sunday.
Your family vs your POP family:
That same man that was told not to marry my sister has family also in the community. Now, one would think being family, they would spend time with each other on a regular basis... nope. In POP, your family is the POP members, actual family are no longer important. It was heart wrenching, my sister's husband was very close to his siblings and it was very hard on him to loose that connection.
How I see the impact of being a child in POP has affected me:
Luckily, we had a great Dad who shielded us from a lot of the crap that was going on in this group. But, what I notice is, I have no friendships from my childhood still in my life today (because of the excommunication), I have a hard time in social situations, I didn't allow myself to experience a lot of things due to fear. Fear of going to hell, Fear that God would strike me down, just plain fear.
But, I am happy, well adjusted, (as well adjusted as anyone can be) I am friendly, giving and kind. (traits I attribute to being my father's daughter, and NOT being in the community). I have a lovely, wonderful family and I can look back at that time and see this group of people for who they really are. And, I would not say they are 'Christians'.
JULY 14, 2013 AT 3:34 PM
To understand this group, you must first understand how it all came to be.
thecultofpraise.blogspot.com/2008/05/people-of-praise-sleeping-quarters.html
History of POP:
For the Twin Cities group, it started in the late 1960's early 70's as a prayer group. My parents became involved around '71 and our family watched this group evolve from a prayer group trying to bring people to know and love Christ (our family witnessed the complete change in our own father when he became born again through this group), to essentially, a cult.
My Dad always said the community lost it's way when they stopped having prayer meetings. While we were part of this group in the 70's and early 80's, my parents and family were basically told where to live, how to live and who we could associate with. The final straw was when my oldest sister was told she could not marry a young man that was also in the community because the "leaders" did not agree with the union. (this was because marriages are basically 'arranged in POP). At this, my father said, 'enough'.
Don't piss the leader's off:
Our family was 'excommunicated' and all of the friends my parents had from this group were told not to associate with us any longer. People who were dear to my family were no longer allowed to even talk to us. Even after we moved and attended our new church for the first time, a community leader who also attended that church actually pulled my Dad aside and threatened him that we were not allowed to go to that church. (can you imagine?? Some bully telling you that you CAN'T go to HIS church??) Obviously, this 'christian' bully had no idea who he was dealing with. You didn't tell my Dad he couldn't do something. WE sat in the front freakin' row every Sunday.
Your family vs your POP family:
That same man that was told not to marry my sister has family also in the community. Now, one would think being family, they would spend time with each other on a regular basis... nope. In POP, your family is the POP members, actual family are no longer important. It was heart wrenching, my sister's husband was very close to his siblings and it was very hard on him to loose that connection.
How I see the impact of being a child in POP has affected me:
Luckily, we had a great Dad who shielded us from a lot of the crap that was going on in this group. But, what I notice is, I have no friendships from my childhood still in my life today (because of the excommunication), I have a hard time in social situations, I didn't allow myself to experience a lot of things due to fear. Fear of going to hell, Fear that God would strike me down, just plain fear.
But, I am happy, well adjusted, (as well adjusted as anyone can be) I am friendly, giving and kind. (traits I attribute to being my father's daughter, and NOT being in the community). I have a lovely, wonderful family and I can look back at that time and see this group of people for who they really are. And, I would not say they are 'Christians'.
JULY 14, 2013 AT 3:34 PM