Anyone else struggle with whether or not this is a cult?

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[Former GCMer]

I had good experiences with GCM and bad. I did not have REALLY bad experiences like some have had. Thankful to have found a dear sister who also used to be in GCM. She does not believe this was a cult. I've gone back and forth. I think we both agree we're not going back either way.

Anyone else feel ashamed or embarassed that you allowed yourself to get sucked into something like this? Like you're very uncomfortable with people knowing you were involved with something that was, at least, off track?? I guess I thought I had more discernment than this--possibly even the gift of discernment. Wow.

Thank the Lord that He rescued me from this!

[Janet Easson Martin]

I understand what you’re saying about good memories in GCx, Former GCMer. For me the good times were fellowshipping, praying, singing, and having fun with believers there who were genuinely kind & not controlling, condescending or judgemental. There was real joy shared where the Spirit was free to reign in those relationships. Looking back I feel these good times had little to do with GCx, but with the authentic bond of the Holy Spirit. This was especially true of those who were not yet indoctrinated into the GCx “caste” culture of “spiritual approval” by leading men. Once that worldly competitive ball was rolling those relationships lost their precious guidance of the Spirit and came under the fleshly rule of men. Many people were SO wrongly hurt. I myself, following the example set by McCotter and his trained men & women, learned to hurt others through ungodly manipulation and “rebuke” which I very much regret.


Here is a really good definition of the abusive persuasion that we were under and followed.

“…spiritual abuse goes beyond emotional abuse. Here is my updated definition for spiritual abuse adapted from my book: Spiritual abuse happens when people use God, or their supposed relationship to God, to control your behavior for their benefit. The physical abuser might use their fist to threaten you. The verbal abuser uses their words. The spiritual abuser uses God (or the Bible, church, or religion) as their justification and/or threat. (page 36) What distinguishes spiritual abuse from other types of abuse is that a spiritual authority invokes God, the ultimate authority, to sanction the abuse. This makes the abuse that much more traumatic and devastating to the victim. The victim is led to believe that God supports the abuse. If that is true, then either God is terrible, or they are terrible…or maybe both are true.”

Remy Dederich, Broken Trust (pg. 54)

[Huldah]

Thankful to have found a dear sister who also used to be in GCM. She does not believe this was a cult. I've gone back and forth.

Personally, I've chosen not to call GCM a cult because they at least adhere to the basics of Christian doctrine, even if they overlay it with heavy legalism. I don't view them as a cult in the same sense as Mormonism, Jonestown, etc.

(--Edited. Originally I wrote, "they at least preach the gospel." However, looking back at my own experience, there was much more emphasis on being in the organization than being in Christ. Even when going door-to-door evangelizing, it was as much about recruiting new members as it was about sharing the gospel.--)

That said, I have no real quarrel with anyone who does consider them a cult. The word "cult" doesn't have a hard and fast definition.

It's an interesting question, though. Shortly after I left Solid Rock, I met a girl who was an ex-Moonie. She seemed to feel that her experience was quite similar to mine. The more I tried to explain what Solid Rock was like (in terms of experience, not doctrine) the more she kept pointing out that, "It was like that for us, too!" The weird difference is that she seemed to look back on her time in the Moonies with fondness, whereas I felt deeply wounded by my time at Solid Rock.

Anyone else feel ashamed or embarassed that you allowed yourself to get sucked into something like this? Like you're very uncomfortable with people knowing you were involved with something that was, at least, off track?? I guess I thought I had more discernment than this--possibly even the gift of discernment. Wow.

Yes. Same here.