Comments on: Paul Brown

By: Sheldon

Sheldon — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 08:51:32 +0000

Paul,

good to hear how you are doing. I knew you at AC. I am happy that you are happy and content.

I too quit attending WCG shortly after AC. Mostly because of the chaos that ensued with the completely human power struggles over leadership that became famous. Many egos.

I still believe in a diety and perhaps in many of the fundamental precepts that I grew up with, but in a much more open and non-judgemental way. I am personally spiritual, but it has been many many years since I have attended any organized ‘religion’. I have no intention to start again soon.

By: Gery Brooks

Gery Brooks — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:28:43 +0000

Paul, Glad to hear you have overcome a lot of the harm done to you, and you sound like you are well on your way to healing. Don’t be discouraged if you have some minor set-backs; healing is a process and it takes time. I too was a student at AC the same time you, Toshia, and Renee were, so I still have some personal recollections of you. Though my perspective is different than yours, not being a pk, I still face many of the same challenges you face now, trying to heal and integrate myself back into a normal life, not being at odds with family and others I have contact with on the job. The WCG did isolate its members, but yet could not replace the families it tore its members away from. Hang in there; I’m sure you will find your way.

By: Renee Hedden

Renee Hedden — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:55:15 +0000

You must be the Paul Brown I remember, tall, blond, worked for the Portfolio and the Envoy. Yes, I remember you although we didn’t know each other well. Thank you for sharing your story. It is so enlightening to read the stories of so many other “church kids,” and especially fellow AC students. Although my experiences haven’t been quite as traumatic as yours, I can identify with the lack of social skills and the having no social life outside of church. We were quite isolated. Like you and so many others, I went through the mistrust of religion in general and went through a period of intense anger and hatred toward God for not “blessing” me as the church promised He would if I did all the “right” things. Anyway, that is over now. You seem to have come to terms with your place in life and hopefully all of us have or will soon.

Thank you for your story. Renee

By: Toshia Peters

Toshia Peters — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 22:23:53 +0000

I don’t know if you remember me, but we were friends at AC. I might have been one year before you, but we are the same age. I remember you once coming to Mayflower Residence and my saying that I had to change my pants and your response, “will you be wearing trousers too?” That’s when I realized that words meant different things in England but appreciated your subtle humor. I stopped attending shortly after graduation and haven’t looked back, although I miss some of the good friends that I’ve lost touch with over the years. I’m glad to hear that you have found your way with a peaceful existence in Italy. Nature, as well, does it for me. Take care and nice to read your post.

By: Liz Dunlap

Liz Dunlap — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:48:13 +0000

Hi Paul,

I’m a PK too…about your age. We were mostly in California, briefly in Texas. I tried to please at AC too…I know what you mean. I couldn’t handle it though. Yes, drugs…a big one. And wow, the suicide thing is a real common thread, huh? I tried it too. And the therapy! Your life sounds similar to mine right now…gardening and painting…bring me so much joy. Thank you for sharing your story. It’s so very sad, and yet comforting, to hear similar experiences.

May your life continue to blossom!

Best regards,

Liz Dunlap
liz_dunlap@yahoo.com

By: Char

Char — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:33:48 +0000

Hi Paul,

I’m glad you’ve come to terms with who you are and are finally doing what you want to do, not what’s expected of you, and enjoying it. Though I still attend a church congregation, I feel the same way you do–I try to respect and others and not hurt them intentionally. I think that will continue to be my basic approach to life, and I hope God is okay with that because everything else seems to lead to a lot of hypocrisy and strife.

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:09:00 +0000

Hi - reading your potted life history and that dad was a minister and you returned to England, I am guessing that your dad was Frank Brown? If so, I recall that he gave up his business to go to AC. He graduated in my freshman year. He was friends with the Butterfields who were former business associates - another genuine couple. Am I right?