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Author Topic: GCM as abusive as it was?  (Read 6500 times)
Larry Pile
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« on: March 13, 2007, 02:37:36 pm »

Some people have asked me recently whether I believe GC* is still as abusive as it was in the bad old days about which I wrote in “Marching to Zion,” and as depicted in the letters and testimonies contained in “The Blitz Papers.” One man wrote that my “writings from 15-25 years ago are often held up as ‘proof’ that GC was and is a cult; that they did and do abuse members; that they did and do have leaders who pull the strings for the entire association.” I replied, in part, “I am not in a position to say with certainty how much GCA has really reformed and how much still needs to be done. Only people close to the movement (current and recently departed members) are able to judge that. My writings should only be used to describe the GCAC/GCI of the 1970s into the 1990s. Comparisons with the earlier history, of course, can and probably should be made, but not by me.”

So, to all who read this, please don’t read more into my writings than is there. I _am_ concerned about the GC* of today, but I don’t have enough information to make a blanket statement about the whole movement. As I indicated in my statement from last March, I have received specific information of problems of one kind and another in various GC* churches in recent years, but occasional or isolated instances should not be used to tarnish the whole movement. If you all (y’all) wish to provide me with more information to fill the gaps in my knowledge of GC*, please do so.
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jehu
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« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2007, 11:08:32 pm »

Well the emphasis on loyalty and deference to authority hasn't changed.  There are still the same repercussions, only now, their methods are improved: they don't need to ex-communicate you to force you out.  There is a much different flavor, a much more corporate mindset, than the "Blitz" years, but the emphasis on charismatic appeal hasn't wavered.  In fact it's enhanced with new tools like video editing.  One recent video promotes Tom Short's "Bootcamp" for graduates entering college, and includes a glowing endorsement for a young man who can't wait to meet "all the great men of God and Great Commission celebrities".  Obviously this doesn't help mitigate any sense of elitism.

There are a lot of things I find notably odd but don't know to compare to the old days.  Are there specific things you'd want to hear in detail?
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exshep
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« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2007, 08:38:08 pm »

Quote from: "jehu"
Well the emphasis on loyalty and deference to authority hasn't changed.  There are still the same repercussions, only now, their methods are improved: they don't need to ex-communicate you to force you out.  There is a much different flavor, a much more corporate mindset, than the "Blitz" years, but the emphasis on charismatic appeal hasn't wavered.  In fact it's enhanced with new tools like video editing.  One recent video promotes Tom Short's "Bootcamp" for graduates entering college, and includes a glowing endorsement for a young man who can't wait to meet "all the great men of God and Great Commission celebrities".  Obviously this doesn't help mitigate any sense of elitism.

There are a lot of things I find notably odd but don't know to compare to the old days.  Are there specific things you'd want to hear in detail?


I like  Tom. I enjoy listening to  him; but the Bootcamp promo left me cold.   :x
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Had friend in Columbus church 80's and 90s. Member left in 1993  Involved GC in Texas  2005-2007.  Empathy to both  with  positive and negative aspects.
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