This blog will contain some insight for those who have experienced spiritual abuse and will also hopefully help to educate those who would like to learn about it. 
Pigs In The Pulpit
Posted January 19th, 2012 at 04:30 PM by Lois
I've been reading a book by a former UPCer called, Pigs In The Pulpit. I don't care for some of his resources listed at the end of the book, but a number are fine. I am going to share some excerpts from the book, to educate and possibly prompt some discussion. Note: J. Michael Wittmann is a pseudonym.
Michael was very messed up before he started his walk with God, being in part a heavy drug user. He had a very noticeable life changing experience with God outside of the UPC. His life took one of those immediate changes, according to his account, where he instantly stopped drinking, smoking and doing drugs.
Very soon after his experience, things started to get messed up as he became involved with the UPC, where he was told by the one giving him a Bible study that he wasn't saved. Michael knew the drastic changes that he experienced and insisted that he was saved, but this guy, Jason, kept on him. He wouldn't even allow Michael to be water baptized for weeks. Michael finally went over his head to the pastor, even though the pastor previously had told him that Jason said he wasn't ready. When Michael had spoken in tongues, Jason questioned its authenticity and said others in the church did, too.
This book doesn't appear to want to tackle doctrine much, other than outward standards. It is mostly him telling of his UPC & ex-UPC church (Word of Faith) experience.
Here is a quote from page 78 (note that he changed the names of churches and people): "I've been asked many times in the years since we were "in the fold" of the UPCI and the First Apostles Church, "Why didn't you just leave? How could you put up with so many rules that you knew weren't exactly Biblical?" Well, here is the key. When a person is newly "saved," there is a slow process of indoctrination; i.e. "to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc., esp. to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view."
"Combine those teachings with a powerful conversion experience, dynamic and emotional worship, and a group of people who seem to love and accept you unconditionally. Then you have a recipe for a new convert's mind and heart that would be willing and eager to accept almost anything short of standing on one's head and barking like a dog.
"I was one of those eager to please my new leaders and conform to the group's way of thinking and behaving. What I fully believed at the time was the Holy Spirit within me, giving me a certain feeling of comfort and safety within the church and trust of our leadership...at least when I wasn't fully engaged with Jason."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...iritualab0c-20
Michael was very messed up before he started his walk with God, being in part a heavy drug user. He had a very noticeable life changing experience with God outside of the UPC. His life took one of those immediate changes, according to his account, where he instantly stopped drinking, smoking and doing drugs.
Very soon after his experience, things started to get messed up as he became involved with the UPC, where he was told by the one giving him a Bible study that he wasn't saved. Michael knew the drastic changes that he experienced and insisted that he was saved, but this guy, Jason, kept on him. He wouldn't even allow Michael to be water baptized for weeks. Michael finally went over his head to the pastor, even though the pastor previously had told him that Jason said he wasn't ready. When Michael had spoken in tongues, Jason questioned its authenticity and said others in the church did, too.
This book doesn't appear to want to tackle doctrine much, other than outward standards. It is mostly him telling of his UPC & ex-UPC church (Word of Faith) experience.
Here is a quote from page 78 (note that he changed the names of churches and people): "I've been asked many times in the years since we were "in the fold" of the UPCI and the First Apostles Church, "Why didn't you just leave? How could you put up with so many rules that you knew weren't exactly Biblical?" Well, here is the key. When a person is newly "saved," there is a slow process of indoctrination; i.e. "to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc., esp. to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view."
"Combine those teachings with a powerful conversion experience, dynamic and emotional worship, and a group of people who seem to love and accept you unconditionally. Then you have a recipe for a new convert's mind and heart that would be willing and eager to accept almost anything short of standing on one's head and barking like a dog.
"I was one of those eager to please my new leaders and conform to the group's way of thinking and behaving. What I fully believed at the time was the Holy Spirit within me, giving me a certain feeling of comfort and safety within the church and trust of our leadership...at least when I wasn't fully engaged with Jason."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...iritualab0c-20
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It seems so amazing to me now how often we just accepted things and ignored or intentionally stifled that little nagging question in our mind. There is definitely a rule (spoken or unspoken) to not question, not read or listen to ideas outside the 'cult' that might refute the doctrine or 'truth'. If it were really 'truth' it would stand in spite of questions, study, review -- if it can't stand up to that without twisting the scripture to fit, then it is NOT 'truth'.
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Posted January 20th, 2012 at 04:33 AM by Nancy
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