Inverted Orthodoxy 435-AER Cults vs Church, Policing as a Christian and being disappointed

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1. AER-Thank you for addressing this and to whomever asked the question. In regards to cults vs churches it also doesn't have to be one singular leader. As an ex-cult member and having escaped I would say the biggest thing to look at is how exclusive the environment is. Is there a real separation in "Us vs Them" mentality. And how welcoming is the environment to being open to questions. There are endless people in cults that don't even realize they are.

Hey, as a follow up to my comment on the cult question, this can be added if you'd like :)

I just wanted expand further on my previous comment about the dangers of the "Us vs Them" mindset. When the narrative is set that you must not mingle with "those outside" that is a MAJOR red flag. When the control takes over and you are encouraged to only spend time with those that are part of the same church it creates this isolation. They are isolating you (or you as a group) on purpose. Because the deeper it goes the more control there is. They create a narrative that everything out there will destroy you, send you to hell etc. This quickly evolves in to a threat that if you leave, you won't have any family or friends. No connections and no support. This is entirely abusive behaviour that is meant to keep you locked in. It's meant to keep you afraid of leaving. And the thing is, we often think of cults as the weird and wacky documentaries we see with extreme leaders but the reality is they are far more common and subtle than we realize. These high demand religions with such a sense of exexclusivity and endless unwritten rules, that's what is so important to keep a keen eye on and be aware of.

2. . AER AER AER! for Episode 434, Specifically for question, Can an individual be a follower of Christ and still be a ICe? Etc. 

First off, ICE is a U.S. federal law‑enforcement agency, specializing in immigration, specifically Illegal Immigration. So, if we ask this question about ICE, then we should be asking this question about all Law Enforcement. Can you be a follower of Christ and work in Law Enforcement. 

I can tell you that I have been in Law Enforcement for over 20 years and the reason I went into Law Enforcement is because of my love for Christ. I joined Law Enforcement to SERVE and PROTECT, those to citizen, residence, and visitors of our country who abide by the law and enter the country LEGALLY (Entering Illegally is AGAINST the law, whether people like it or not). This doesn’t mean I and every Law Enforcement Officer uses violence in ever aspect of our career for those who break the law, actually it’s quite the opposite. We talk and use every other means we can to come to a peacefully resolution until either there’s no other option or the other person acts first, then we have to make spit second decisions on what needs to be done. I have never gone to work looking to fight, taze, pepper spray or shoot anyone. I pray before every shift that WE (Myself and all I interact with, even the “Bad Guys”) go home safely after every shift.

Now, I’m not saying all Law Enforcement is like that either, there are a FEW bad apples in the profession, just like any profession, Doctors, Mechanics and even Pastors or those within the Church. But don’t Clump Everyone Who works in the profession together based on a few bad apples or by what the Media blows out of proportion. 

Being a follower of Christ in any type of work depends on how YOUR work is carried out (INDIVIDUALLY not collectively as a group) and whether it aligns with Christlike ethics and values. 

Christians can serve ethically within an imperfect system, working to ensure humane treatment and resisting abuses from the inside. From this view, a Christian can work for ICE or Law Enforcement if they carry out their duties with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to protecting the vulnerable. 

I want to apologize for this rant, I usually don’t comment but feel that Law Enforcement is getting a real bad wrap because of a FEW isolated incidents and I as a Christian I urge believers to avoid taking a simplistic “for or against ICE/Law Enforcement” stance, Instead, I encourage seek biblical values first, not political alignment and get all the actual facts (NOT social media) before making an informed decision.

3. This question comes from a place of deep pain and confusion, so I ask for grace, my intension is not to ridicule anyone, I am asking for help processing. I have been on a deconstruction journey for ten years. After enduring years of some of the deepest pain known to humankind many of my schemas for church life are very muddled. I am confused by what I’ve witnessed at church gatherings in the last month. I know that the leadership of our church loves YHWH deeply, I am not questioning that. At the AGM two of the church leadership stated that they were certain God was blessing us in selling our property and used mystical examples of why they put stock in their feelings/thoughts being from YHWH. Today in service the children were brought up to celebrate prayers that YHWH had answered. Now I too believe in YHWH speaking to us in a variety of ways. I noted that what the children were attributing to YHWH as answers to their prayers could have happened if they had prayed or not. If you bang your leg and pray for it to get better or if you bang your leg and don’t pray, most likely the pain will go away either way. I’m very afraid that my question will be misunderstood, I am not trying to minimize the beauty of faith or the experience the children had. I’ve desired to faithfully follow YHWH my entire life. My question is how do we know what to attribute to YHWH and when do we as Christians need to exercise more critical thinking skills? Kyle prayed today that we would be open to being disappointed again, I assumed he was referring to how many of us have struggled with prayers of hope or faith since Jayden passed, maybe my assumption is wrong. I know I have personally seen the faithfulness of YHWH this year, I am also in the midst of extreme suffering. How do we reconcile, process, trust and love others purposefully when YHWH is blessing us in some ways and in others he seems incredibly silent. Why did Jesus raise some people from the dead and not others. It was crushing to sit in church today hearing how YHWH is answering some peoples prayers and my suffering increases. I know I will continue to seek refuge in YHWH’s love and patience with me. Thank you for holding space in this platform for the pain and confusion.

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