By William Kilgore
Date: Mon, 07 Sep 1998 09:56:55 -0500
From: William Kilgore <thinkman@flash.net>
Reply-To: thinkman@flash.net
To: maninxian@aol.com
Subject: THINKMAIL #13 -- September 5, 1998
FEAR = of MAN (sometimes fear of what the leaders might do, or fear of losing your close friends, spouse, and even career opportunities) & FEAR of the "Exiting Interview from the organization." Their Exiting Interview is often equated with possible loss of salvation or spiritual judgement if you break your covenant to the group. You are always told, however, that you are free to go at anytime and that it is your choice to either stay or go.
LOVE = is second place to FEAR. In a Christian Church, love is #1, not #2. The Mind Control Group's "LOVE" is often selfish and based upon "What's in it for me?".
EMPTY = the group is encouraged to empty their mind. Not to ask too many questions. . . to totally trust their leaders. . . not to question the groups authority. . . not to attend another group's meetings - to do so would be recognized as disloyalty to the Mind Control Group. . . not to read anything or talk to anyone that might disagree with the Mind Control Group. There's usually a high level of secrecy, especially in regards to finances and how money is being spent. Since gossip is forbidden, ASKING QUESTIONS about the operations of the Mind Control Group is often equated with GOSSIP. The fear of spreading gossip ("asking questions") is used to maintain a rigid silence within the membership. Loyalty is therefore achieved by a trust in either man or an organization rather than a trust in God in accord with The Bible. Heavy accountability often becomes the necessary evil which follows for closing "The Back Door" to stop people from leaving the Mind Control Group.
SEX = Most Mind Control groups seem to support some type of abnormal sexual conduct. Some promise hopes of marriage "if and only if" a person stays committed and fulfills their missionary commitment ... others encourage fornication or adultery outside of marriage ("free sex"), while still others might encourage complete abstinence during marriage, except for when it is approved by leadership. - - This is often done by a couple being kept so very busy by the Mind Control Group that there is no time for sexual intimacy within the marriage. Many members will even feel guilty for not being busy enough in serving their Mind Control Group. Resting and relaxing seem like a sin to them ... etc ... etc ... etc.
HATE = They learn to hate those who are not part of their exclusive group. Their own group is tightly "NETWORKED" together and becomes more and more exclusive. Others are refered to as their enemies. They often consider it God's will for them to be experiencing a "Persecution Complex" even when no persecution for Christ's sake is truly evident. They often speak of "Unity and Peace" but Unity has been redefined as being "tolerant of everyone EXCEPT the intolerant. In other words - be united with everyone unless they disagree with you ... this can be very dangerous. Often faithful members who later disagree with the Mind Control Group are refered to as being hirelings or as being demon possessed.
piano coversNING: If you already attend a Mind Control Group, we encourage you to "FLEE," and find a loving, Spirit-filled, Bible teaching Church where Jesus is clearly at the center of their teaching, conversation, and lifestyle. Your efforts to try to change the Mind Control Group from within will often fail and be thpiano coversted by the head leaders of the Mind Control Group. In leaving, perhaps some of your friends will follow, and be rescued from bondage and legalism to a new life of freedom in Christ Jesus. To God be the glory.
(The F.L.E.S.H. acronym text is reprinted with permission from A LOVE LETTER at http://www.free-gifts.com) Amen.