Comments on: Mike

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:00:03 +0000

My father was a believer, and we left the Union “congregation” in 1988 when we moved to Pennsylvania. Then we attended the Wilkes- Barre sevices. Wondering if I knew you. We children of the members have much in common, I think.
Your story is similar to mine in terms of physical abuse, the isolation, the mind games. I truly hope you are well, and living fully despite all of this- crap. I have my dark nights, especially during the winter holiday season. The worst family abuse occurred on such holidays, the memories and melancholy make me stronger, more compassionate maybe. At the very least, I am still fighting, probably always will…

By: Once a hostage; now free.

Once a hostage; now free. — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:48:21 +0000

I appreciate your candor and openness. It is refreshing. Reading your story and the accounts of others is beneficial in continuing to process recovery from the past.

So much abuse was covered up, sanctioned, and even the subject of pride for those who believed in “breaking a child’s spirit” in order for them to follow “God’s Way.” I grew up wearing long sleeves and long pants throughout my public school experience — to cover the bruises and whip-marks on my arms (and legs). It was sad to disclose this to some members who would quickly announce that nothing of the like ever happened to them…and then go on their merry cultish way. How rude and insensitive of them, and particularly of the arrogant, egotistical leadership.

By: Steph

Steph — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:30:23 +0000

Mike, my parents divorced when I was 16.. right around the time I stopped attending the church’s school in Pasadena. Funny.. my mom was basically “in” with the ministers, and my dad was not.. even though he worked for the church for 10 years. When they divorced, my dad immediately left the church, while my mom stayed, remarried somebody who graduated from AC, and still (sometimes) attends church (Oh.. and her husband gives sermons, of course). My dad still read the bible, etc.. but he was treated really badly.

In any case, I hear this is pretty much standard- couple divorces, and one must leave for the other to remarry. Only we had a couple in my congregation who divorced, but both remarried people in the church.. and they all attended the same congregation- it was really bizarre!

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:25:23 +0000

Mike,
My own experience was very much as your own, except that my parents did not divorce. I am very proud of you for holding your father responsible and not blaming everything on “the church.” Your father and my father would have abused us regardless, they just found a cover in religion. And I have found that such religions or organizations attract such people.

Of course “the church” splintered. If you have not done so, you would find reading about the nature of cults very informative and would make those things that happened completely predictable, as I knew when I left more than 30 years ago. None of it is about “God” and all of it is about human beings who delude themselves that they are above venality and human motive. I knew all of them very personally and I could see it coming. The power struggle was awesome and quite unpredictable. For quite some time I would never have guessed that Joe Tkach would come out on top. The behind-the-scenes story would make a great movie, with sex and violence in the plot but mostly it’s all about power, MALE power - a theme we see over and over again everywhere in our society: the government, the military, corporations, in any workplace or “where two or more men are gathered together.” (This is not to suggest that women don’t engage is such behaviors, but that was not the issue in the WWCG although it played a part behind the scenes, I can assure you and could name names.)

Anyway, good for you to overcome so much and to have a happy life. It is a great credit to you!

Carol