I would like to share some of the thoughts I had while on 'vacation' from the BB.
I often go out sailing, where it is quiet, and things make sense. Sailing is good, because if a person doesn't do things right, or tries to deny which way the wind blows, they never get anywhere. You have to be observant, honest, truthful and skillfull, in order to pilot a sailboat in Central California.
That being said, the boat is a wonderful place to think, none better.
I came up with a story, of which I am only going to share a skeleton version.
Every cult has 3 vicious members, the next one proportionally more vicious than the former. These members are servants of the Devil.
DeadTruth is the first, BlindLoyalty the second, and Manipulator the most vicious of all, being the third.
DeadTruth is the first. This person never lies, and always speaks the truth. The problem is that it is not spoken out of love. Speaking the truth in love is not what Deadtruth does. Deadtruth speaks the truth for every reason besides love. When people hear what Deadtruth has to say, they become bitter, angry and defeated. They may leave the cult, but they won't follow Jesus.
Blindloyalty is even worse. This person won't hear the truth if it conflicts with the cult's version of reality. Facts mean nothing. The most heinous abuses can be written off as petty events. If the leader is caught in the act of gross sin, blindloyalty says, "well, we all sin." BlindLoyalty has the ability to forgive his abusers of anything they may do to him. Slaps in the face, theft and abuse are things he gladly accepts. He sees these things as necessary for his perfection.
Manipulator is the worst of all. Manipulator points out the faults of Deadtruth, every single time Deadtruth opens his mouth. In time, everyone comes to hate Deadtruth, and learns to ignore the true things that he says. If someone tells the truth in love, Manipulator labels this person as Deadtruth. This teaches the cult members to hate the truth, because they associate it with Deadtruth and then the cult members won't pay any attention to truth, even the truth as it is in Jesus.
When Blindloyalty speaks, Manipulator is immediately right there complimenting him. Manipulator praises Blinloyalty and then promptly comdemns disloyalty of any kind. If blindloyalty tells blatant lies to protect the group, his praise is doubled. If anyone ever speaks anything the least bit negative about the group, Manipulator comes in and accuses them of being "disloyal," and "divisive."
Manipulator's one weakness is that he never speaks about facts, or events. Everything he has to say is personal in nature, and is directed at slandering the character of another. When a member must be exposed, in order to further the agenda of the group, Manipulator leaves the truth to Deadtruth, who quickly slices the offending member into tiny pieces. Manipulator, having accomplished his goal then turns the tables on deadtruth and uses his lack of love to suppress those who tell the truth in the future.
By always supporting Blindloyalty, Manipulator is able to instill guilt in everyone, so that in time, they are able to label their own thoughts as bitter and misguided if they ever think anything negative about their group. Should they ever entertain the truth, even in their thoughts, they are immediately out from under Manipulator's praise, and fall under the scorn reserved for Deadtruth. They are trapped.
The solution to this?
First of all, the truth needs to be listened to, even from Deadtruth. Along with this truth, the Gospel of the Grace of God needs to be clearly taught. This will enable people who hear the truth, to not be discouraged by it, but intead opens the door to a love relationship with Jesus Christ.
BlindLoyalty needs to be criticized. No more praise for this one, his loyalty is actually idolatry, and needs to be exposed as such. In doing so, BlindLoyalty is often saved, because it is quite easy for him to put his loyalty towards Jesus instead of the group.
Manipulator is a little more difficult to deal with. He doesn't give up so easy, and when people try to pin him down, he continues with the same tricks. You lie! That's not loving! You are ungrateful! All you do is tear down! You only remember the one bad thing! and so on. Just remember that he NEVER has any facts to back up his accusations. There is no witnesses, no paper trail, and no refutation of the truth, only accusations. It takes a steady hand and a calm spirit to fight with Manipulator.
Manipulator can only be exposed over time, by a new member who's name is Patience.
like I said, its a skeleton.
Brent
