Cults

FALSE AGENDAS Part 2

by Darna Bedwell Gutter
11/24/18
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This letter/article is necessary for my own therapy - to cope with a very unpleasant experience.  So you don't have to read it; but I had to write it.

To my real dismay I sent a Thanksgiving blessing to this family that I (again to my dismay) traveled with; to explore the Feast of Tabernacle.  Or so I thought.  Refer to Part 1 of this story for more insight.  The second part is based upon recent encounters with this family since the trip. 

To recap a bit, I spent a 24 hour car ride (12 hours each way) to the state of Indiana to a camp site to sleep in tents.  Why?  Because I wanted to experience the Feast of Tabernacle.  I thought that my recent meeting of this young man presented just that opportunity.  I was wrong.  

For the entire car ride (both ways) I was bombarded with sermons from only their perspective; while bashing Christianity.  All the music was some flavor of gospel rap; which as a music major I find all forms of rap subversive.  Finally after about 3 hours I let out an agonizing sigh which could not be ignored.  That at least got me some relief from the rap music.  

Inspite of it all I was determine to part in peace; feeling that I had to maintain my Christian standards. But believe me it could have gone either way.  

A few weeks later I encountered them (the father and son) at the grocery store.  It was a bit uncomfortable.  Although the father and I embraced respectfully.  But I could sense rebellion in the son.  Sure, I knew we could not remain friends after the trip; but my motive for sending the Thanksgiving message was simply to lighten any future encounters.  

Obviously I didn't know enough about this crowd to know how repulsed they are by this "peagan" holiday.  Unfortunately my very short text message went to the son.  It sparked an opportunity for him to literally errupt his distain toward me and the world.  He spewed this out in 3-4 paragraphs that finally ended by saying that this only showed that I love the things of the world so, "the love of the Father IS NOT IN YOU!  So I have discarded this message you sent to me."  

My initial response was apologetic because I never intended offense;  knowing all along that it was I who deserved some form of apology for that agonizing trip I endured with them.  I further attempted to relay that Thanksgiving is based upon the condition of the heart not for holiday sake because God glories in the Thanksgiving of His children.  Further reminding him that "We enter into His presence with Praise and Thanksgiving."

Needless to say, my words fell upon deft ears and the Christian bashing began.  According to him the Bible does not support Christianity.  Perhaps not if all you feel responsible to read is the first 5 books of the Old Testament; the Torah.  Oh it was like reliving the entire agonizing trip again.  Just a horrible feeling.  

This went back and forth until I was forced to realize I was casting pearls.  But before it was all over I too took the opportunity to let this arrogant young man know just how horrible the trip was.  That the car ride was nothing less than brainwashing.  I flat called them a cult; defining a cult as a group of people who believe only they are right; with zero tolerance for anyone who disagrees with them.  

Something is definitely wrong here.  How could we be so strikingly at odds if we both are said to serve the same God through Jesus Christ.  Oh and there is the matter of God's many names.  To not address Him properly is a sacrilegious act to them.  But I'm just a stupid Christian who doesn't know any better, in their eyes. 

I made no alliance with these people at the end of this trip.  Because I felt like a captive with them and concluded that this surely could not be the true spirit of the Feast of Tabernacle.   I merely tried to part retaining my peace. 

The first article was to warn others that there are sects operating under the disguise of the Holy day Feast; who would prey upon the vulnerable and weak.  And obviously if this mission is not accomplished and you reject them; you have made an enemy.  So just beware.  

If this sounds like something you have encountered or may have already become entangled with -- get out of it.  Cut any ties and be prepared to have made an enemy because they never were potential friends; especially if they can't control you.  Not being able to control you will bring out the worst in them and they will attempt to discredit and attack the very foundation of your confidence. 

Be sure to read Part 1of this article if you would like more insight into this experience.  I admit it has toned down my adventurous streak.  But I cannot totally regret the experience as an opportunity to shed light.