Even though personal details vary, ex-members of the World Mission Society Church of God have many similarities in their stories. I've found 5 main reasons former members have shared with me in their stories. Here they are, in no particular order:
- The teachings of the WMSCOG contradict the teachings of the Bible. For example, they take verses out of context and distort their meaning, and misinterpret other verses whose meaning is clear. Here are a few specific examples.
- The behavior of the people (especially leaders) in the WMSCOG contradicts the teachings of the Bible. For example, even though the church claims do what the Bible says, they find their leaders promoting lying, divorce, gossip, and such.
- The teachings and practices of the WMSCOG contradict themselves. (I call this "internal evidence.") For example, they keep the feasts of God incorrectly according to their own requirements, and they deny some teachings of Ahnsahnghong himself.
- They realize the church's behavior lines up with destructive mind control tactics. For example, they weren't told about Ahnsahnghong or Zang Gil-Jah until after joining, and there was a heavy demand on their time and money, to the exclusion of their other God-given responsibilities. Check out more stories of personal experiences in the WMSCOG.
- Lastly, some were pushed out (or kicked out). For example, they couldn't live up to the expectations of the WMSCOG, either in behavior or giving (tithing). These seem to have had the hardest time, feeling condemned for failing, until they realize one or more of the other, above reasons. Then they feel blessed to have been "rescued" despite themselves.
Here is another list that shows more specific reasons, Top 10 Reasons People Cease to Believe in the WMSCOG, which you can find on the website Examining the WMSCOG. It's well worth your time to explore that website, especially since it has the perspective of an ex-member (who writes many of the articles).
No matter which was the main reason for leaving, members who leave continue to share similarities in what happens next in their stories. They must go through a healing and recovery process. And the longer they've been in the cult, the more difficult the process is.
If you are going through that currently, please know that there is help out there. There are cult counselors who can help you in person. There are also pastors at your local churches who can connect you with the help you need. There are books that can help you in your healing (such as "Releasing the Bonds" by Steven Hassan). And there are places like our facebook group, where you can talk to other former members and help each other. You don't have to do it alone.
I am desperate. My daughter encountered 2 WMSCOG people in a parking lot while she was in her car leaving a grocery store last week. They asked if she had been crying, and then they asked her if she knew about the God the Mother and then invited her to a bible study. From what I read about WMS this is a common tactic to attract new members (victims). My daughter did not celebrate her own Catholic Mass except on holidays, but I don't know what else they told her but she sunk into it going to their bible studies, church, coffee socials 6 our of 7 days. She is coming home denouncing the Catholic faith, saying we are all doomed for not following the Bible, that practicing any derivative of the "true" faith is heresy. She is now celebrating Passover on the Jewish calendar, and who knows what Easter will bring. This has caused GREAT conflict, arguments, anxiety and tears on my part. She is perfectly calm in feeling she has found a true meaning to her existence. I should note that my daughter was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD,and ADHD which she is on medication for all of these disorders (which is another story). Right now I just want her to STOP, but her frame of mind is not flexible to see anything else. I fear she will try to coerce our younger daughter towards this perspective/cult whatever it is called. We are trying to reach clergy in our parish to get guidance and have them talk to her, but I fear she will not want to listen. What are we parents to do? The testimonies I read about this organization was enough to convince me that no good can come from this. Thanks, A Mom fighting demonic forces...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story. I am so sorry you are going through this. If you haven't already, I hope you will make your way over to the forum at examniningthewmscog.com where you can meet others in similar situations and find support.
DeleteThe Members of the World Mission Society Church of God are in a False Heaven built by misinterpretation of Scriptures, The scripture are Holy & they cannot be interpreted using Human wisdom. World Mission Society Church of God presents Ahnsahnghong as the Christ(Anointed one) but where is Ahsahnghong now? This question is not widely not asked by majority of World Mission Society Church of God's member they presume that Ahnsahnghong has ascended to Heaven but the reality is: "He is still in his Grave?", how can some one who is still in the Grave save anyone who trusts in him? May the Lord Yeshua lead these people from darkness to light. Let's pray that Zhang Ghil Jha herself would confess the truth to the members of her church.
ReplyDelete