Out of the box

Title: Out of the box
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Register：11/10/2006 6:16 PM

Date Posted：07/01/2007 1:57 PMCopy HTML

Hi thereI guess it's time you knew my background. My story begins about 24 years ago I was living in NZ at the time (this could have been my first big mistake!) I had a work mate one day ranting and raving about receiving the Holy Spirit at the Revival Centre(ARC) you know the story blah blah blah... I refused to go along with it, even though he invited me to every assembly activity under the sun, I made every excuse under the sun not to go, but one day.... I relented and gave in to him YES it was a BBQ what single bloke could refuse a free feed? They all seem nice enough people aren't they? I had never heard these things he was telling me as I was raised a ?good Catholic' and thought I was home safe."OH NO you're not" said my mate "into the water you go"! I didn't realise what I was getting myself into. I was convinced later that I had been filled with God's spirit but some upstart said "have you spoken in tongues yet" I said "no" to which he replied "you haven't received the spirit then". I was still sure that I had been filled by the Spirit. Hmmmm... I was being indoctrinated.I met a girl in ARC and soon after we were engaged and ended up in Australia, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast later married and had two kids. The assembly was very small but friendly but soon the cracks were appearing. We hardly attended youngies and once were told by a zealous pastor BS (he was then only a youth leader) that we were "REBELIOUS" his words "and God won't bless you."I did all the usual assembly things, three meetings a week blah blah.... even did a lamington drive once door to door and harassed old age pensioners telling them on their doorstep how great God is, yes I was once a proud revivalist. Fifteen years on our family was still doing the same stuff except the lamington outreach was replaced with standing on the beach trying to build some silly sandcastle thing, whilst handing out pamphlets to people trying to enjoy themselves on the beach. How embarrassing, those hats assembly people used to wear... if that didn't scare them away the crappy sand sculpture would do the trick!I could bitch all day about things that happened in that cult but how they treated people was disgusting. One time I lost my house to the bank (work was scarce at the time as was self employed) and I clearly remember my pastor saying "Pray about it God will not take away from you what he has given you" WELL try and tell that to the bailiff putting notices on my windows whilst the locksmith is changing all the locks. To give this pastor credit he and his wife did help us move our furniture at such short notice. One weird thing I'll never forget though was how happy this pastor seemed on one of the worst days of my life he even had time to hum a happy song.My wife was still crying.WHAT was there to be happy about? Oh and did I tell you my wife had a nervous breakdown the night before? One very kind assembly family gave us a roof over our heads and they have since escaped revival thank God.What topped it all off for me was the waya close friend was treated she was put out or should I say 'punished' for committing adultery with another married guy in the same house group, ok not the best thing to do but very FORGIVABLE, ohbut not if you're in the revival cult, then the pastor had the audacity to keep all involved in the same house group HELLO IS THERE ANYONE HOME? My wife was seething.That's right keep these two couples together they might eventually fully forgive each other whilst they glare across the room from each other singing some crappy rendition of 'I've got joy joy in my heart' or some other crappy snappy song.I bailed about three years ago; so too did our mistreated friends. That was the best thing they ever did.Yes we had enough of been treated like retards and seeing all the hypocrisy and their double standards double lives and double talk. I'm now separated and I thought marriage was forever better knock that revivalist thought out of my head but still see my kids regularly thank God they are NORMAL teenagers doing NORMAL teenage things no more sitting on that mat for them or for me that matter.I hope I did not go over my three minutes.I'll never go back and don't miss sweating in a hall with no air con or fans to move the air around in middle of summer all because the pastor thought fans were ugly and had no aesthetic value. Image was everything to pastor BS.Listening to some halfwit ranting on about" how we should be doing this or should be saying that" Agh... poppycockBeing made to feel guilty about not going to the some church outreach when I'm busting my arse trying to make a living for my family. and then being made to feel guilty about not being there when the pastor would say" and for those who missed the prayer and fast we had a great day and a blessing for those who made it" Yes I came here to be maybe be uplifted maybe a little bit but what did we all get? A kick in the arse and condemnation very subtle.Paying for the leader to drive around in some fancy flash car when most people are driving around in rust buckets struggling how about that single mum with five kids? How about giving them a food parcel we're all family right?Oh and there was one ex RF guy who totalled his car and nearly died, a pray request was challenged because he no longer fellowshipped there sad but true, Mothyknows this guyThat's enough from me just needed to get that off my chestThis cult offers nothing but repression, so clear out today if you are still trapped in this system don't believe the lie about having nowhere else to fellowship this is just another control mechanism, to keep you fearful from leaving.Life is better outside the box believe it.

You can"t argue with a sick mind...

Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools

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Register：05/04/2003 2:38 PM

Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：07/01/2007 5:04 PMCopy HTML

Dude, well done in feeling free to get that off your chest. how long has it been since you left?
 

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Register：06/04/2001 10:54 PM

Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：07/01/2007 9:36 PMCopy HTML

$%*'`[counterfeit wolf]%*'`@I am not sure whether this is the correct place to write about this, but I geuss I feel too after so many years, that I would 
like too get things off my chest. Well I came across this site by accident. By chance talking to my Sister, while we were at 
the Camp. While I was invited to come along  with my new overseas bride, my sister asked me to check out the internet 
in regards to testimonies of ARC. Its been nearly 27 years since I made the decision to leave the group. Parts of 
my family have been involved since the early Eighties, my youngest brother was the first to get involved after receiving the
 HG.  For a long time I resisted , but after a number of months, and chance meetings with other revivalists through the 
help of my Brother, I was finally pressured into it.  So My spiritual journey began back when I was just turning 20-21, I 
was baptised after beleiving I would also find the HG. Now looking back I really am not sure what I had found. It was a 
number of weeks when I noticed my mouth was not saying audible words in prayer, but more like a shivering  (lower jaw 
vibrating) is this speaking in tongues? anyhow this I was told was a sign. I managed to agree with everything they said, and 
did, also maintained a continual vigilence for witnessing and outreaches. But after a certain amount of time, things started 
to go sour for me, I was becoming noticed at the Vogue, and it wasn't long until my being unemployed was becoming 
a  bad testimony for others(newcomers etc). Through house meetings etc, I was being covertly admonished, but it felt like 
a sledge hammer, soon rumours started and all sorts of gossiping emerged. I found myself with out counselling or further 
help from any leaders, I decided to solve this problem, I would only go the the  meetings that were  compulsory,  It wasn't 
long before I was seduced by a women who was just coming to the revival meetings, she gave me an insight into the 
pastor worshiping and the fear we had towards the leaders; asking why we acted in such a manner? Eventually things 
happened with me, which led to new rules and regulations being introduced to stop people ( men women being alone ). 
Because of this and other events, (salvation issues, methods of baptism etc) a lot of people decided to depart, 
 I can only go by antidotal stories I was told approx 50 to 100 young people within six months. These were 
turbulent times, which tested the church, it's faith and beliefs. From this time, up to five years ago, I have been to many 
churches, here and interstate seaching for answers, even managed to join a number of them, but the only thing I found
was here all the time,  free choice and freedom - free choice to say what I beleive to be true - and freedom from any 
                                              tyranical movements or spiritual overlords.
To end the story, My Brother who had just recieved the HG, was baptised recently, he testified he was very happy and
                          would never want to leave, and cannot understand any one who could! ME. 
 

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From：Australia
Register：27/02/2004 11:21 PM

Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：07/01/2007 10:44 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : illegal alien 
guess it's time you knew my background. My story begins about 24 years ago 
Soooo many years, sidetracked and caught in a trap. Tragic... but could be worse.. could have been 25 years.
Fifteen years on our family was still doing the same stuff except the lamington outreach was replaced with standing on the beach trying to build some silly sandcastle thing, whilst handing out pamphlets to people trying to enjoy themselves on the beach. 
I still can't go to Mooloolaba beach without getting flashbacks of guilt for not shovelling enough sand or giving out enough pamphlets. Luckily, I don't think anyone ever got sucked into our church by viewing us make our propaganda sandcastles. Our fave was a man getting sucked down a hole... how ironic.
One time I lost my house to the bank (work was scarce at the time as was self employed) and I clearly remember my pastor saying "Pray about it God will not take away from you what he has given you" 
We believed this crap eh? Hope is an amazing thing. Hope is usually a big waste of time too.
One weird thing I'll never forget though was how happy this pastor seemed on one of the worst days of my life he even had time to hum a happy song. 
Rejoicing in tribulation... pity it was your tribulation. He probably got a buzz from helping you out and getting brownie points for making his God happy. I read some studies that suggested helping other people actually releases endorphins. We're communal creatures and helping those who need it is going with the grain of our programming. It makes you feel good mentally and physically, and it's not just Christians, who usually think they corner the market in nicities.
One very kind assembly family gave us a roof over our heads and they have since escaped revival thank God. 
They're in a different Revival now aren't they..? Kim-Unity Church (different name, same old stuff). Yep, they honestly think they're in a different church, but it's the exact same doctrine repackaged in a smaller fellowship on Sunday mornings instead of afternoons. The tongues doctrine is just in finer print on the contracts now.
 I'm now separated and I thought marriage was forever better knock that revivalist thought out of my head but still see my kids regularly thank God they are NORMAL teenagers doing NORMAL teenage things no more sitting on that mat for them or for me that matter.
You can count on death and taxes, but not marriage. Your kids are 'normal'? hahahah.... I s'pose... dunno... depends on what yardstick you're using. They've shrugged off the Revivalism ways pretty well (mine too.. whew) and thankfully they will all be able to smell a rat in the future, if anyone tries to sell them religious hope on a rope. They're certainly twice as tall as normal teenagers.
I hope I did not go over my three minutes.
Yes you have.
I'll never go back and don't miss sweating in a hall with no air con or fans to move the air around in middle of summer all because the pastor thought fans were ugly and had no aesthetic value. Image was everything to pastor BS 
I was in the surf on Sunday afternoon... it was a perfect day. Huge surf, perfect water temperature, bikini babes swarming the place, no 'end times' themed sandcastles anywhere. It was a glorious hot sunny day. I felt really sorry thinking about the Revivalists down the road, pretending to be enjoying their sweatbox rather than the beach.
being made to feel guilty about not being there when the pastor would say" and for those who missed the prayer and fast. what did we all get? A kick in the arse and condemnation very subtle.
You're ex-wife never lets me forget that I was one of the houseleaders who would lay guilt trips on her for not making it to prayer and fasts. The truth is, I wanted people to feel guilty for not being there because I had to suffer through it... If i had to so should everyone else... dammit!
Oh and there was one ex RF guy who totalled his car and nearly died, a pray request was challenged because he no longer fellowshipped there sad but true, Mothy knows this guy 
Hmm, generally... Revivalists suck. Generally. Um, no I'm not sure who this fellow was. I'm racking my brain but it's not coming to me. If the magical powers of speaking in tongues work then the prayer requests would have gone into God's inbox anyway... and prompty ignored. "Sometimes God's anwswer is no"... try most of the time.

Instagram and Twitter: @mothpete

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Register：24/06/2006 6:15 PM

Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：09/01/2007 8:20 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : counterfeit wolf [Anonymous] 


I am not sure whether this is thecorrect place to write about this, but I geuss I feel too after so many years, that I wouldlike too getthings off my chest.

Yes this is the right place to get things off your chest. You find it does you some good, some form of release of pressure. You realise that you are normal and this website helps restore things that have got out of wack due to the cults influence. Write when, and as often, as needed. God bless you in putting your life back together.
It sure helped me to do so (get thngs off my chest) and I would be lost without the "support" that this wbsite provides. 
Also, to llegal alien, thanks for sharing your story. Many people are trapped for a good many years. For me it was almost 20 years so I feel for and understand what you and couterfeit are saying.

cultivation leads to cultevasion -
don"t reap what they sow!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 7:28 AMCopy HTML

$%*'`[newbe]%*'`@hi eveyone
i don't know where to start but i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and I and our 3 children left 14 years ago.i meet my husband in the assembly,but i hadn't attended long enough for us to go together, but we were in love so we snuck around behind there backs, needless to say we were put out for 2 years, and our family were not to talk to us, we went back when allowed and lasted approx another 12 years but not happyly but didn't want to loose our families, alot happened but the final straw was when hank devries who never liked me, or our families, came to us after sunday afternoon meeting and said he had been watching us and we hadn't attend enough meetings lately, so on the way home that afternoon i told my husband i was not returning to any meetings anymore but if he wanted to go backto meeting that was his choice, neither us or our children ever went to another meeting again.
leaving behind family members and many so called good friends. i have only just recently found out about this site, although i have put the grc behind me, it was very interesting to read about other people's stories, i too found it very difficult to leave, having nightmares every night for along time , because the lord was coming back and we were going to hell. i have since relised that if i were going hell so were all the brothers and sisters from the hall. i know so much information about so many people, that just wasn't what was supposed to happen, the lies,the abortions,molistion of minors(family member) the cover up by the pastor and elders especially for the elders children that should have been police matters.
to end i want to say to anyone wanting to leave the assembly, but stay for their children your children are better off in the world with loving parents and new friends, my children are happy, healthly law abiding adults.
thanks for listening

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 3:41 PMCopy HTML

Thanks i.a., c.w., and newbe...for sharing your real life experiences. It's interesting to find out that those who left years ago were not rebels and backsliders, as we were always told. Even those who left because of trouble were probably disillusioned by the workings of the assemblies and looked for any way out! When I first left, I thought that all my fears were part of the curse that was suppose to come upon me, but they were eventually replaced with a strong assurance of love and grace and truth. I am still upset that a so-called representative of God could get away with such control and manipulation. I tried for years to get reasonable answers to many questions - only to receive unreasonable, twisted excuses. Before I joined the group, I avoided religions because of the hypocrisy! Man did I get hoodwinked! for over 15 years! I'm a slow learner.......at least I did learn. As for my family and friends still in, like we used to say.....' as long as there's life, there's hope'. 

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 6:59 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : Anonymous 


When I first left, I thought that all my fearswere part of the curse that was suppose to come upon me, but they were eventually replaced witha strong assuranceof love and grace and truth. 

Great thread this, classic RC stuff!
Thanks for sharing your story of why you left and to further assure those comtemplating leaving, the sentence above is very true for many, many of us. No curses come upon us, nothing more then the average normal things that occur to evryone in life. So DON"T listen to those oversights lies!!!
Also, in reply to:
hi eveyone
i don't know where to start but i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and I and our 3 children left 14 years ago.
I hope you and your kids are all doing fine. Certainly they're better off out! 
It is an interesting statistic (something that Moth may like to dig up some more scientific facts on) why so many people, that have now left  the RCs, stayed for between 14 to 19 years. This was revealled in a Poll that was on this Forum last year (I am not sure where it has gone now). For me it was 16 years. 
Funny that. 
Is it that we are just all slow learners? They say that the  people on average move house every six years. Then there's the seven year itch. What is the average for church hoppers? Personally I have moved churches about every 15 years on average. My first 15 years were in the Open Brethern church, then 14 years in the Baptist church until the day I stumbled across RCI. That makes me 45. So by the time I am 60 I will be ready for my last and probably  final change unless I get hit by a bus first or the Lord returns! Personally I hope the Lord returns soon, real soon.

cultivation leads to cultevasion -
don"t reap what they sow!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 7:28 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : cultevasion

Personally I have moved churches about every 15 years on average. My first 15 years were in the Open Brethern church, then 14 years in the Baptist church until the day I stumbled across RCI. That makes me 45. 

Reply to : Anonymous i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and Iand our 3 children left 14 years ago.I hope you and your kids are all doing fine. Certainly t

I find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left!

As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 9:37 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : outaegypt 

I find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left! 

I just want to buy a Harley!

cultivation leads to cultevasion -
don"t reap what they sow!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：16/01/2007 9:49 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : outaegyptI find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left

Reply to : cultevasion!I just want to buy a Harley!

If you let lose on a Harley you might have less life left than you realized, Anyway I Doubt your wife will let you!

As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：20/01/2007 12:51 PMCopy HTML

My Brother was in the revival centre for about twenty years. He was married in the church when I was a kid late 70's. I never joiuned though was evangelised to plenty. They hated everyone including each other, and loved to bag their parents who werent in the fellowship. As a kid you here a lot of things, thisb put me off joining up. He has recently left and you can now get a good conversation out of him, its like he,s come back from being away for years.

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：20/01/2007 3:09 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : Anonymous

My Brother was in the revival centre for about twenty years. He was married in the church when I was a kid late 70's. I never joiuned though was evangelised to plenty. They hated everyone including each other, and loved to bag their parents who werent in the fellowship. As a kid you here a lot of things, thisb put me off joining up. He has recently left and you can now get a good conversation out of him, its like he,s come back from being away for years.

I was in the RF for about 16 years and I had comments from some family members that I 'was back'. I was enveloped with a great deal of love. REAL love that meant a lot! Its is very special to be appreciated for just being ME without the RF veneer that interfered with virtually every relationship in my life. Got lots of great hugs too!

Its so grand to be enjoy genuine relationships!

Dog.

"for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2)

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：24/01/2007 9:20 PMCopy HTML

Reply to the dog-

It's funny but I remember the exact moment I told my sister about my new life in The RC's, I clearly saw the ice wall form between us even though we were sitting in the front seat of a car at the time.

After 17 years of constant conflict and arrogance of us, in the RC being the closest thing to God on this earth, we finally had the opportunity to get close to some of the top men and they really revealed their true selves. Let me tell you if what I witnessed in them is reflecting the image and love of God, you would find more honesty in Pentridge! Even though it has been an emotional roller coaster, who was there to run in and try to support me? My sister! My family have prayed continuously for what they would call my release from the Rc's, to them they have me back.

 In retrospect I cant believe the oppression and constant conflict we constantly lived with, with family, friends, other christians, anybody and everybody you spoke to.

 I was at a Koorong bookshop with my son and he was totally freaked out by all this Churchy stuff and all these churchy people, he truely saw that place and those people as something that opposed his God. If your not a rc your the enemy.

 Man have we got some damage control to free our kids minds from a lifes worth of indocrination.And there we were sitting in our ivory tower thinking what a wonderful job we had done.....DOH!!!!!

As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!

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Re：Out of the box

Date Posted：02/02/2007 8:14 PMCopy HTML

Reply to : outaegypt 

If you let lose on a Harley you might have less life left than you realized, Anyway I Doubt your wife will let you! 

How do you know my wife will not let me!

cultivation leads to cultevasion -
don"t reap what they sow!

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Re：Out of the box

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Reply to : cultevasion

How do you know my wife will not let me!

Well you never know your luck, maybe she has a long hidden deep desire to be a bikie mole and wear leathers, best of luck to you

As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!

illegal alien
Rank：Not a lurker Score：840 Posts：30 From：Unknown Register：11/10/2006 6:16 PM	Date Posted：07/01/2007 1:57 PMCopy HTML Hi thereI guess it's time you knew my background. My story begins about 24 years ago I was living in NZ at the time (this could have been my first big mistake!) I had a work mate one day ranting and raving about receiving the Holy Spirit at the Revival Centre(ARC) you know the story blah blah blah... I refused to go along with it, even though he invited me to every assembly activity under the sun, I made every excuse under the sun not to go, but one day.... I relented and gave in to him YES it was a BBQ what single bloke could refuse a free feed? They all seem nice enough people aren't they? I had never heard these things he was telling me as I was raised a ?good Catholic' and thought I was home safe."OH NO you're not" said my mate "into the water you go"! I didn't realise what I was getting myself into. I was convinced later that I had been filled with God's spirit but some upstart said "have you spoken in tongues yet" I said "no" to which he replied "you haven't received the spirit then". I was still sure that I had been filled by the Spirit. Hmmmm... I was being indoctrinated.I met a girl in ARC and soon after we were engaged and ended up in Australia, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast later married and had two kids. The assembly was very small but friendly but soon the cracks were appearing. We hardly attended youngies and once were told by a zealous pastor BS (he was then only a youth leader) that we were "REBELIOUS" his words "and God won't bless you."I did all the usual assembly things, three meetings a week blah blah.... even did a lamington drive once door to door and harassed old age pensioners telling them on their doorstep how great God is, yes I was once a proud revivalist. Fifteen years on our family was still doing the same stuff except the lamington outreach was replaced with standing on the beach trying to build some silly sandcastle thing, whilst handing out pamphlets to people trying to enjoy themselves on the beach. How embarrassing, those hats assembly people used to wear... if that didn't scare them away the crappy sand sculpture would do the trick!I could bitch all day about things that happened in that cult but how they treated people was disgusting. One time I lost my house to the bank (work was scarce at the time as was self employed) and I clearly remember my pastor saying "Pray about it God will not take away from you what he has given you" WELL try and tell that to the bailiff putting notices on my windows whilst the locksmith is changing all the locks. To give this pastor credit he and his wife did help us move our furniture at such short notice. One weird thing I'll never forget though was how happy this pastor seemed on one of the worst days of my life he even had time to hum a happy song.My wife was still crying.WHAT was there to be happy about? Oh and did I tell you my wife had a nervous breakdown the night before? One very kind assembly family gave us a roof over our heads and they have since escaped revival thank God.What topped it all off for me was the waya close friend was treated she was put out or should I say 'punished' for committing adultery with another married guy in the same house group, ok not the best thing to do but very FORGIVABLE, ohbut not if you're in the revival cult, then the pastor had the audacity to keep all involved in the same house group HELLO IS THERE ANYONE HOME? My wife was seething.That's right keep these two couples together they might eventually fully forgive each other whilst they glare across the room from each other singing some crappy rendition of 'I've got joy joy in my heart' or some other crappy snappy song.I bailed about three years ago; so too did our mistreated friends. That was the best thing they ever did.Yes we had enough of been treated like retards and seeing all the hypocrisy and their double standards double lives and double talk. I'm now separated and I thought marriage was forever better knock that revivalist thought out of my head but still see my kids regularly thank God they are NORMAL teenagers doing NORMAL teenage things no more sitting on that mat for them or for me that matter.I hope I did not go over my three minutes.I'll never go back and don't miss sweating in a hall with no air con or fans to move the air around in middle of summer all because the pastor thought fans were ugly and had no aesthetic value. Image was everything to pastor BS.Listening to some halfwit ranting on about" how we should be doing this or should be saying that" Agh... poppycockBeing made to feel guilty about not going to the some church outreach when I'm busting my arse trying to make a living for my family. and then being made to feel guilty about not being there when the pastor would say" and for those who missed the prayer and fast we had a great day and a blessing for those who made it" Yes I came here to be maybe be uplifted maybe a little bit but what did we all get? A kick in the arse and condemnation very subtle.Paying for the leader to drive around in some fancy flash car when most people are driving around in rust buckets struggling how about that single mum with five kids? How about giving them a food parcel we're all family right?Oh and there was one ex RF guy who totalled his car and nearly died, a pray request was challenged because he no longer fellowshipped there sad but true, Mothyknows this guyThat's enough from me just needed to get that off my chestThis cult offers nothing but repression, so clear out today if you are still trapped in this system don't believe the lie about having nowhere else to fellowship this is just another control mechanism, to keep you fearful from leaving.Life is better outside the box believe it. You can"t argue with a sick mind... Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools
Uncoolman	Share to: #1
Rank：Poster Venti III Score：10710 Posts：345 From：Unknown Register：05/04/2003 2:38 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：07/01/2007 5:04 PMCopy HTML Dude, well done in feeling free to get that off your chest. how long has it been since you left?
Anonymous	Share to: #2
Rank： Score：0 Posts：0 From：Unknown Register：06/04/2001 10:54 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：07/01/2007 9:36 PMCopy HTML $%'`[counterfeit wolf]%'`@ I am not sure whether this is the correct place to write about this, but I geuss I feel too after so many years, that I would like too get things off my chest. Well I came across this site by accident. By chance talking to my Sister, while we were at the Camp. While I was invited to come along with my new overseas bride, my sister asked me to check out the internet in regards to testimonies of ARC. Its been nearly 27 years since I made the decision to leave the group. Parts of my family have been involved since the early Eighties, my youngest brother was the first to get involved after receiving the HG. For a long time I resisted , but after a number of months, and chance meetings with other revivalists through the help of my Brother, I was finally pressured into it. So My spiritual journey began back when I was just turning 20-21, I was baptised after beleiving I would also find the HG. Now looking back I really am not sure what I had found. It was a number of weeks when I noticed my mouth was not saying audible words in prayer, but more like a shivering (lower jaw vibrating) is this speaking in tongues? anyhow this I was told was a sign. I managed to agree with everything they said, and did, also maintained a continual vigilence for witnessing and outreaches. But after a certain amount of time, things started to go sour for me, I was becoming noticed at the Vogue, and it wasn't long until my being unemployed was becoming a bad testimony for others(newcomers etc). Through house meetings etc, I was being covertly admonished, but it felt like a sledge hammer, soon rumours started and all sorts of gossiping emerged. I found myself with out counselling or further help from any leaders, I decided to solve this problem, I would only go the the meetings that were compulsory, It wasn't long before I was seduced by a women who was just coming to the revival meetings, she gave me an insight into the pastor worshiping and the fear we had towards the leaders; asking why we acted in such a manner? Eventually things happened with me, which led to new rules and regulations being introduced to stop people ( men women being alone ). Because of this and other events, (salvation issues, methods of baptism etc) a lot of people decided to depart, I can only go by antidotal stories I was told approx 50 to 100 young people within six months. These were turbulent times, which tested the church, it's faith and beliefs. From this time, up to five years ago, I have been to many churches, here and interstate seaching for answers, even managed to join a number of them, but the only thing I found was here all the time, free choice and freedom - free choice to say what I beleive to be true - and freedom from any tyranical movements or spiritual overlords. To end the story, My Brother who had just recieved the HG, was baptised recently, he testified he was very happy and would never want to leave, and cannot understand any one who could! ME.
MothandRust	Share to: #3
Rank：Forum Oracle Score：41550 Posts：1881 From：Australia Register：27/02/2004 11:21 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：07/01/2007 10:44 PMCopy HTML Reply to : illegal alien guess it's time you knew my background. My story begins about 24 years ago Soooo many years, sidetracked and caught in a trap. Tragic... but could be worse.. could have been 25 years. Fifteen years on our family was still doing the same stuff except the lamington outreach was replaced with standing on the beach trying to build some silly sandcastle thing, whilst handing out pamphlets to people trying to enjoy themselves on the beach. I still can't go to Mooloolaba beach without getting flashbacks of guilt for not shovelling enough sand or giving out enough pamphlets. Luckily, I don't think anyone ever got sucked into our church by viewing us make our propaganda sandcastles. Our fave was a man getting sucked down a hole... how ironic. One time I lost my house to the bank (work was scarce at the time as was self employed) and I clearly remember my pastor saying "Pray about it God will not take away from you what he has given you" We believed this crap eh? Hope is an amazing thing. Hope is usually a big waste of time too. One weird thing I'll never forget though was how happy this pastor seemed on one of the worst days of my life he even had time to hum a happy song. Rejoicing in tribulation... pity it was your tribulation. He probably got a buzz from helping you out and getting brownie points for making his God happy. I read some studies that suggested helping other people actually releases endorphins. We're communal creatures and helping those who need it is going with the grain of our programming. It makes you feel good mentally and physically, and it's not just Christians, who usually think they corner the market in nicities. One very kind assembly family gave us a roof over our heads and they have since escaped revival thank God. They're in a different Revival now aren't they..? Kim-Unity Church (different name, same old stuff). Yep, they honestly think they're in a different church, but it's the exact same doctrine repackaged in a smaller fellowship on Sunday mornings instead of afternoons. The tongues doctrine is just in finer print on the contracts now. I'm now separated and I thought marriage was forever better knock that revivalist thought out of my head but still see my kids regularly thank God they are NORMAL teenagers doing NORMAL teenage things no more sitting on that mat for them or for me that matter. You can count on death and taxes, but not marriage. Your kids are 'normal'? hahahah.... I s'pose... dunno... depends on what yardstick you're using. They've shrugged off the Revivalism ways pretty well (mine too.. whew) and thankfully they will all be able to smell a rat in the future, if anyone tries to sell them religious hope on a rope. They're certainly twice as tall as normal teenagers. I hope I did not go over my three minutes. Yes you have. I'll never go back and don't miss sweating in a hall with no air con or fans to move the air around in middle of summer all because the pastor thought fans were ugly and had no aesthetic value. Image was everything to pastor BS I was in the surf on Sunday afternoon... it was a perfect day. Huge surf, perfect water temperature, bikini babes swarming the place, no 'end times' themed sandcastles anywhere. It was a glorious hot sunny day. I felt really sorry thinking about the Revivalists down the road, pretending to be enjoying their sweatbox rather than the beach. being made to feel guilty about not being there when the pastor would say" and for those who missed the prayer and fast. what did we all get? A kick in the arse and condemnation very subtle. You're ex-wife never lets me forget that I was one of the houseleaders who would lay guilt trips on her for not making it to prayer and fasts. The truth is, I wanted people to feel guilty for not being there because I had to suffer through it... If i had to so should everyone else... dammit! Oh and there was one ex RF guy who totalled his car and nearly died, a pray request was challenged because he no longer fellowshipped there sad but true, Mothy knows this guy Hmm, generally... Revivalists suck. Generally. Um, no I'm not sure who this fellow was. I'm racking my brain but it's not coming to me. If the magical powers of speaking in tongues work then the prayer requests would have gone into God's inbox anyway... and prompty ignored. "Sometimes God's anwswer is no"... try most of the time. Instagram and Twitter: @mothpete
cultevasion	Share to: #4
Rank：Member IV Score：1520 Posts：73 From：Unknown Register：24/06/2006 6:15 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：09/01/2007 8:20 PMCopy HTML Reply to : counterfeit wolf [Anonymous] I am not sure whether this is thecorrect place to write about this, but I geuss I feel too after so many years, that I wouldlike too getthings off my chest. Yes this is the right place to get things off your chest. You find it does you some good, some form of release of pressure. You realise that you are normal and this website helps restore things that have got out of wack due to the cults influence. Write when, and as often, as needed. God bless you in putting your life back together. It sure helped me to do so (get thngs off my chest) and I would be lost without the "support" that this wbsite provides. Also, to llegal alien, thanks for sharing your story. Many people are trapped for a good many years. For me it was almost 20 years so I feel for and understand what you and couterfeit are saying. cultivation leads to cultevasion - don"t reap what they sow!
Anonymous	Share to: #5
Rank： Score：0 Posts：0 From：Unknown Register：06/04/2001 10:54 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 7:28 AMCopy HTML $%'`[newbe]%'`@ hi eveyone i don't know where to start but i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and I and our 3 children left 14 years ago.i meet my husband in the assembly,but i hadn't attended long enough for us to go together, but we were in love so we snuck around behind there backs, needless to say we were put out for 2 years, and our family were not to talk to us, we went back when allowed and lasted approx another 12 years but not happyly but didn't want to loose our families, alot happened but the final straw was when hank devries who never liked me, or our families, came to us after sunday afternoon meeting and said he had been watching us and we hadn't attend enough meetings lately, so on the way home that afternoon i told my husband i was not returning to any meetings anymore but if he wanted to go backto meeting that was his choice, neither us or our children ever went to another meeting again. leaving behind family members and many so called good friends. i have only just recently found out about this site, although i have put the grc behind me, it was very interesting to read about other people's stories, i too found it very difficult to leave, having nightmares every night for along time , because the lord was coming back and we were going to hell. i have since relised that if i were going hell so were all the brothers and sisters from the hall. i know so much information about so many people, that just wasn't what was supposed to happen, the lies,the abortions,molistion of minors(family member) the cover up by the pastor and elders especially for the elders children that should have been police matters. to end i want to say to anyone wanting to leave the assembly, but stay for their children your children are better off in the world with loving parents and new friends, my children are happy, healthly law abiding adults. thanks for listening
Anonymous	Share to: #6
Rank： Score：0 Posts：0 From：Unknown Register：06/04/2001 10:54 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 3:41 PMCopy HTML Thanks i.a., c.w., and newbe...for sharing your real life experiences. It's interesting to find out that those who left years ago were not rebels and backsliders, as we were always told. Even those who left because of trouble were probably disillusioned by the workings of the assemblies and looked for any way out! When I first left, I thought that all my fears were part of the curse that was suppose to come upon me, but they were eventually replaced with a strong assurance of love and grace and truth. I am still upset that a so-called representative of God could get away with such control and manipulation. I tried for years to get reasonable answers to many questions - only to receive unreasonable, twisted excuses. Before I joined the group, I avoided religions because of the hypocrisy! Man did I get hoodwinked! for over 15 years! I'm a slow learner.......at least I did learn. As for my family and friends still in, like we used to say.....' as long as there's life, there's hope'.
cultevasion	Share to: #7
Rank：Member IV Score：1520 Posts：73 From：Unknown Register：24/06/2006 6:15 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 6:59 PMCopy HTML Reply to : Anonymous When I first left, I thought that all my fearswere part of the curse that was suppose to come upon me, but they were eventually replaced witha strong assuranceof love and grace and truth. Great thread this, classic RC stuff! Thanks for sharing your story of why you left and to further assure those comtemplating leaving, the sentence above is very true for many, many of us. No curses come upon us, nothing more then the average normal things that occur to evryone in life. So DON"T listen to those oversights lies!!! Also, in reply to: hi eveyone i don't know where to start but i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and I and our 3 children left 14 years ago. I hope you and your kids are all doing fine. Certainly they're better off out! It is an interesting statistic (something that Moth may like to dig up some more scientific facts on) why so many people, that have now left the RCs, stayed for between 14 to 19 years. This was revealled in a Poll that was on this Forum last year (I am not sure where it has gone now). For me it was 16 years. Funny that. Is it that we are just all slow learners? They say that the people on average move house every six years. Then there's the seven year itch. What is the average for church hoppers? Personally I have moved churches about every 15 years on average. My first 15 years were in the Open Brethern church, then 14 years in the Baptist church until the day I stumbled across RCI. That makes me 45. So by the time I am 60 I will be ready for my last and probably final change unless I get hit by a bus first or the Lord returns! Personally I hope the Lord returns soon, real soon. cultivation leads to cultevasion - don"t reap what they sow!
outaegypt	Share to: #8
Rank：Poster Venti I Score：6570 Posts：312 From：Unknown Register：22/06/2006 3:38 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 7:28 PMCopy HTML Reply to : cultevasion Personally I have moved churches about every 15 years on average. My first 15 years were in the Open Brethern church, then 14 years in the Baptist church until the day I stumbled across RCI. That makes me 45. Reply to : Anonymous i too am an ex-grc'er ,my husband and Iand our 3 children left 14 years ago.I hope you and your kids are all doing fine. Certainly t I find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left! As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!
cultevasion	Share to: #9
Rank：Member IV Score：1520 Posts：73 From：Unknown Register：24/06/2006 6:15 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 9:37 PMCopy HTML Reply to : outaegypt I find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left! I just want to buy a Harley! cultivation leads to cultevasion - don"t reap what they sow!
outaegypt	Share to: #10
Rank：Poster Venti I Score：6570 Posts：312 From：Unknown Register：22/06/2006 3:38 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：16/01/2007 9:49 PMCopy HTML Reply to : outaegyptI find these 2 postings amazing as I also because both reflect elements of my own time within and my exit after 17 years. Maybe because we hit mid life we realize it's about time we lived what life we have left Reply to : cultevasion!I just want to buy a Harley! If you let lose on a Harley you might have less life left than you realized, Anyway I Doubt your wife will let you! As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!
Anonymous	Share to: #11
Rank： Score：0 Posts：0 From：Unknown Register：06/04/2001 10:54 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：20/01/2007 12:51 PMCopy HTML My Brother was in the revival centre for about twenty years. He was married in the church when I was a kid late 70's. I never joiuned though was evangelised to plenty. They hated everyone including each other, and loved to bag their parents who werent in the fellowship. As a kid you here a lot of things, thisb put me off joining up. He has recently left and you can now get a good conversation out of him, its like he,s come back from being away for years.
dogmafree	Share to: #12
Rank：Poster Venti III Score：9580 Posts：416 From：Unknown Register：22/02/2006 12:26 AM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：20/01/2007 3:09 PMCopy HTML Reply to : Anonymous My Brother was in the revival centre for about twenty years. He was married in the church when I was a kid late 70's. I never joiuned though was evangelised to plenty. They hated everyone including each other, and loved to bag their parents who werent in the fellowship. As a kid you here a lot of things, thisb put me off joining up. He has recently left and you can now get a good conversation out of him, its like he,s come back from being away for years. I was in the RF for about 16 years and I had comments from some family members that I 'was back'. I was enveloped with a great deal of love. REAL love that meant a lot! Its is very special to be appreciated for just being ME without the RF veneer that interfered with virtually every relationship in my life. Got lots of great hugs too! Its so grand to be enjoy genuine relationships! Dog. "for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2)
outaegypt	Share to: #13
Rank：Poster Venti I Score：6570 Posts：312 From：Unknown Register：22/06/2006 3:38 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：24/01/2007 9:20 PMCopy HTML Reply to the dog- It's funny but I remember the exact moment I told my sister about my new life in The RC's, I clearly saw the ice wall form between us even though we were sitting in the front seat of a car at the time. After 17 years of constant conflict and arrogance of us, in the RC being the closest thing to God on this earth, we finally had the opportunity to get close to some of the top men and they really revealed their true selves. Let me tell you if what I witnessed in them is reflecting the image and love of God, you would find more honesty in Pentridge! Even though it has been an emotional roller coaster, who was there to run in and try to support me? My sister! My family have prayed continuously for what they would call my release from the Rc's, to them they have me back. In retrospect I cant believe the oppression and constant conflict we constantly lived with, with family, friends, other christians, anybody and everybody you spoke to. I was at a Koorong bookshop with my son and he was totally freaked out by all this Churchy stuff and all these churchy people, he truely saw that place and those people as something that opposed his God. If your not a rc your the enemy. Man have we got some damage control to free our kids minds from a lifes worth of indocrination.And there we were sitting in our ivory tower thinking what a wonderful job we had done.....DOH!!!!! As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!
cultevasion	Share to: #14
Rank：Member IV Score：1520 Posts：73 From：Unknown Register：24/06/2006 6:15 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：02/02/2007 8:14 PMCopy HTML Reply to : outaegypt If you let lose on a Harley you might have less life left than you realized, Anyway I Doubt your wife will let you! How do you know my wife will not let me! cultivation leads to cultevasion - don"t reap what they sow!
outaegypt	Share to: #15
Rank：Poster Venti I Score：6570 Posts：312 From：Unknown Register：22/06/2006 3:38 PM	Re：Out of the box Date Posted：02/02/2007 9:02 PMCopy HTML Reply to : cultevasion How do you know my wife will not let me! Well you never know your luck, maybe she has a long hidden deep desire to be a bikie mole and wear leathers, best of luck to you As I hear it, I'll repeat it, Its up to you if you believe it! Allegation big and small, soon revealed before us all. outa here- Outa Egypt!