I was recently asked in an email about coming out of Armstrongism. The person was frustrated by both knowing that the doctrines are false, but also that friendships were breaking up. It is a very natural emotion, and one that should be dealt with.
First of all, you need to realize that friendships that only last as long as you agree are false friendships. The people are not interested in YOU as a person. If they were, they would stay in touch.
When fellow members shun you, it can be justified - in their minds - by the biblical criteria of staying away from people who preach another message. That has been at the basis of their so-called 'church government' ever since Herbie started the Radio COG...
In reality, it is a tool of mind-control. That may be difficult to understand in the beginning of coming out, but we need to speak clearly about this to help people coming out of Armstrongism.
The good news is that you WILL get over such thoughts, and see them exactly for what they are. When you read books about cults, you will find that mind-control is something you can break out of, once you realize that the whole outlook on the world was false.
It is quite interesting that all can vouch for the fact that you were encouraged to 'prove all things' as the famous Bereans UNTIL you became a member. At that time, full loyalty was expected, and the very thought that a ministry COULD be wrong was shunned.
It became an issue of 'church government' - but once you wake up that is dictatorship.
The danger of religion is that it creates a mindset of 'us vs. them'. We are the good ones, and people outside are the bad ones. What a mindset, when you think of it.
So I hope this blog can inspire you, along with the many others available online in helping you come out of such a mindset. Time will heal - and if you have any questions, you are more than welcome to ask. I will do all I can to help.
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