Hi! I am Julie from St Louis Missouri. I am currently watching this and wow! As terrible as some of the things we went through were, knowing someone else experienced it....and is now speaking about it....wow! My heart is an ambivilent mess right now! I, too read the 1976 edition of World Book from A to Z! I did not think anyone else would have done that....but when you have no other means of entertainment...you do what you gotta do! On a more somber note....my parents divorced in my teens so my mom and I were no longer welcome. My dad remarried so he too became no longer welcome. I was told at the age of 12 or 13 that it was my responsibility to get my parents back together and back in meetings. There was an understood that if this didn't happen we were all doomed to hell but also bad things would happen to us. Fast forward 10 years or so, when I gave birth to my second daughter. Although she was born "normal", after her 6 month vaccinations she became disabled from the midriff down. For years, I carried this as my fault because I didn't get my parents back together and had left the meetings. It took many many years of counseling before I understood it wasn't because of that. And even now at times, I have weak moments and I go back to that thought process. I guess I just really wanted to say thank you so much for making this video. It has made me feel like I am not alone! It has been such a long and hard road. Just knowing that there are people I have never met that understand make the load not seem quite as heavy. Thank you so much!
You are very welcome. I'm sorry that you can relate to such painful experiences. Please explore my other videos on this YT channel, as you may find additional inspiration in them. I also offer a weekly support group for survivors of religious trauma, and 1:1 sessions, too. Learn more here: www.divorcing-religion.com/
I grew up in this fellowship…sect. It’s interesting to hear how it was processed with each individual. The exclusivity is one of the points that never made sense to me. It’s maddening that hairstyles were quickly condemned, however, p*dophilia or r*pe, was swept under the carpet. So many secrets. Worker worship is real! Yipes! Fear & guilt, instead of love.
What a pain filled life experience. Being accepted and having emotional support is so key. I have a murderous dad and growing up in this church as a young child ‘different’ in this church was very a mental twist.
@@thememorytravelerReset No one joins a cult - they join a community, a good thing, or a chance to change/save the world. While trauma is subjective, being born or raised in a high-demand group can leave significant scars. Thanks for watching and sharing your insights.
Oh Wilbur ❤ we don’t know each other but I’ve been so moved by your story, thank you so much for sharing it. So much of your story resonates as our upbringings are very similar despite mine being in NZ but in the same church. You had me both laughing and crying. Sending you my very best wishes and from one ex to another 😊
Thank you for sharing this podcast. It’s interesting how the “truth” which has tried to stay under the radar for its entirety, is now openly exposed for their abuses and extortion. I grew up in this cult-like group, and I can attest to its psychological cruelty. Growing up in the grift gave me the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome one can image. In reality, it’s no different than being in an abusive relationship- yet the workers were so well honed in their craft, they could get you to go against your own intuition. The older I got, the more my body rejected the idea of attending meetings- long before my mind did. It reminds me of Gabor Mate’, “when the body says No”. I’m glad for you both for helping to shed light on this group. Fortunately, I got the help I needed after I left- it just took a long time to heal. Blessings!
The agony of the damage that religion does to our closest relationships!💔😭🤬 So much unnecessary pain. Thanks to both Wilbur and Janice for helping so many of us to heal our hearts and find a healthy new path!🥰🦋
@17:24 your deep dive in the encyclopedia reminds me of Richard Feynman, genius physicist and contributor to the A-bomb. When a magazine like popular science would arrive he would deep dive from cover to cover, absorbing everything he could. That area of NY produced many scientists. So glad you found something to show you the outside world.
I grew up in this religion and left as a teenager. I knew Wilbur's family. Nice to hear his side of the story finally. Heartbreaking. I cannot imagine doing that to my child.
My husband is sure that his dad knew that some inappropriate actions that happened because he wouldn’t have the male workers come and stay when his girls were young - something he remembered now, as an adult.
They don't call them ministers. Why does he keep saying ministers? they call them WORKERS. They are odd...Girls are intimidated on purpose. They made me very shy because of the way I had to dress
@@thememorytravelerReset I grew up in a Gospel Hall and there were similarities that reminded of that. The Scofield was the approved Bible and the Believers Hymn Book was one of the song books used. No scores, just verses and named hymn tunes.
@@PearlHandle I’m intrigued with the Schofield Bible. Do you still go? I collect hymnals. I’ll see if I have a copy of the Believers Hymn Book. I don’t think so, though.
@@thememorytravelerReset Haven't gone in many years. Lots of great people there, but found the emphasis on the literal inerrancy of the Bible, as well as the isolation from the "world" to be disturbing. John Nelson Darby, an Irishman, is generally considered to be the founding force behind the movement. He felt that icons, instrumental music and other trappings detracted from worship. I think the Schofield Bible was preferred because Schofield represented the accepted theology, which was reflected in his commentary and emphases. Somewhere I still have my leather bound hymn book with onion skin pages. It is just the right size to slip into an inside pocket of your suit coat. The practice was for someone (a man) to stand and announce a hymn and its number, then sing the first line, whereupon the rest of the assembly would join in. I did have an app for my phone of the BHB, but deleted it because it didn't work well. I'll attach a link that has songs from the hymnal being sung by an assembly. m.ua-cam.com/play/PLuSfOvAve1XT22EPt7PA6ykEnsKJnTKeJ.html
@3:50 two men with NOTHING showed up and convinced their congregation to give them MANY SOMETHINGS - $$$$ - Joel Osteen style.. Even if they were sincere they still sow "othering" to convince their congregation what is best for them. You know they were good people, proven by @6:40 and @9:44 and @13:18.and @16:40.
Hi! I am Julie from St Louis Missouri. I am currently watching this and wow! As terrible as some of the things we went through were, knowing someone else experienced it....and is now speaking about it....wow! My heart is an ambivilent mess right now! I, too read the 1976 edition of World Book from A to Z! I did not think anyone else would have done that....but when you have no other means of entertainment...you do what you gotta do! On a more somber note....my parents divorced in my teens so my mom and I were no longer welcome. My dad remarried so he too became no longer welcome. I was told at the age of 12 or 13 that it was my responsibility to get my parents back together and back in meetings. There was an understood that if this didn't happen we were all doomed to hell but also bad things would happen to us. Fast forward 10 years or so, when I gave birth to my second daughter. Although she was born "normal", after her 6 month vaccinations she became disabled from the midriff down. For years, I carried this as my fault because I didn't get my parents back together and had left the meetings. It took many many years of counseling before I understood it wasn't because of that. And even now at times, I have weak moments and I go back to that thought process. I guess I just really wanted to say thank you so much for making this video. It has made me feel like I am not alone! It has been such a long and hard road. Just knowing that there are people I have never met that understand make the load not seem quite as heavy.
Thank you so much!
You are very welcome. I'm sorry that you can relate to such painful experiences. Please explore my other videos on this YT channel, as you may find additional inspiration in them. I also offer a weekly support group for survivors of religious trauma, and 1:1 sessions, too. Learn more here: www.divorcing-religion.com/
I grew up in this fellowship…sect. It’s interesting to hear how it was processed with each individual. The exclusivity is one of the points that never made sense to me. It’s maddening that hairstyles were quickly condemned, however, p*dophilia or r*pe, was swept under the carpet. So many secrets. Worker worship is real! Yipes! Fear & guilt, instead of love.
I wonder if some people twisted a well meaning institution. One thing for sure, the last few years has been a mind twist.
What a pain filled life experience. Being accepted and having emotional support is so key. I have a murderous dad and growing up in this church as a young child ‘different’ in this church was very a mental twist.
@@thememorytravelerReset No one joins a cult - they join a community, a good thing, or a chance to change/save the world. While trauma is subjective, being born or raised in a high-demand group can leave significant scars. Thanks for watching and sharing your insights.
Oh Wilbur ❤ we don’t know each other but I’ve been so moved by your story, thank you so much for sharing it. So much of your story resonates as our upbringings are very similar despite mine being in NZ but in the same church. You had me both laughing and crying. Sending you my very best wishes and from one ex to another 😊
Beautiful! Thank you for watching and commenting.
Thank you for sharing this podcast. It’s interesting how the “truth” which has tried to stay under the radar for its entirety, is now openly exposed for their abuses and extortion.
I grew up in this cult-like group, and I can attest to its psychological cruelty. Growing up in the grift gave me the worst case of Stockholm Syndrome one can image. In reality, it’s no different than being in an abusive relationship- yet the workers were so well honed in their craft, they could get you to go against your own intuition. The older I got, the more my body rejected the idea of attending meetings- long before my mind did. It reminds me of Gabor Mate’, “when the body says No”.
I’m glad for you both for helping to shed light on this group. Fortunately, I got the help I needed after I left- it just took a long time to heal.
Blessings!
Glad you got out and got help. Thanks for watching.
The agony of the damage that religion does to our closest relationships!💔😭🤬 So much unnecessary pain. Thanks to both Wilbur and Janice for helping so many of us to heal our hearts and find a healthy new path!🥰🦋
Thanks for watching and taking the time to encourage us, Carol.
2x2’s are all about the $ and control
Sounds like RELIGION!
so much love your way Wilbur
Wilbur deserves ALL the love! Thanks for watching.
@17:24 your deep dive in the encyclopedia reminds me of Richard Feynman, genius physicist and contributor to the A-bomb. When a magazine like popular science would arrive he would deep dive from cover to cover, absorbing everything he could. That area of NY produced many scientists. So glad you found something to show you the outside world.
Agreed! Thanks for watching.
I grew up in this religion and left as a teenager. I knew Wilbur's family. Nice to hear his side of the story finally. Heartbreaking. I cannot imagine doing that to my child.
Thanks for watching!
Excellent thanks very much 😅
You're welcome!
@22:29 your aunt found love and the church cudgeled it away. What a truly heartbreaking story. Religions can be so cruel.
Yes, religions can be very cruel. Thanks for watching.
Thank you both so much for who you are and the work you do! ❤❤
Thank you for watching and taking the time to encourage us!
My husband is sure that his dad knew that some inappropriate actions that happened because he wouldn’t have the male workers come and stay when his girls were young - something he remembered now, as an adult.
Very disturbing that anyone would know of such abuse and fail to disclose it to authorities. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Absolutely heartbreaking ❤️🩹
Yes, I agree. It's amazing what Wilbur has done since those days! Thanks for watching.
The more we tell our stories the more the healing continues. Thanks for having me on your podcast Janice.
As a 2x2 Survivor also, I appreciate you ❤ sending love all the way from New Zealand
Thank you for being my guest, Wilbur! Your story is powerful, just like you.
One thousand cases… actually one thousand perpetrators. Many many more victims.
Sadly true.
I loved the doggie. I am in California and my family is from Kelowna, Vernon and new BrunSwick
Nice! The Okanagan is a beautiful place. I hope to visit New Brunswick one day.
They don't call them ministers. Why does he keep saying ministers? they call them WORKERS. They are odd...Girls are intimidated on purpose. They made me very shy because of the way I had to dress
Referring to them as ministers helps nonmembers get a feel for the authority the (male) workers hold, I think.
Do you remember Ruben Mata, Wilbur?
I do
What was the name of the hymnal you used? And did you use a Schofield Reference Bible?
@@PearlHandle Hymns Old and New. Many tunes are very old. Some wording has been changed.
@@thememorytravelerReset I grew up in a Gospel Hall and there were similarities that reminded of that. The Scofield was the approved Bible and the Believers Hymn Book was one of the song books used. No scores, just verses and named hymn tunes.
@@PearlHandle I’m intrigued with the Schofield Bible. Do you still go? I collect hymnals. I’ll see if I have a copy of the Believers Hymn Book. I don’t think so, though.
@@thememorytravelerReset Haven't gone in many years. Lots of great people there, but found the emphasis on the literal inerrancy of the Bible, as well as the isolation from the "world" to be disturbing. John Nelson Darby, an Irishman, is generally considered to be the founding force behind the movement. He felt that icons, instrumental music and other trappings detracted from worship. I think the Schofield Bible was preferred because Schofield represented the accepted theology, which was reflected in his commentary and emphases.
Somewhere I still have my leather bound hymn book with onion skin pages. It is just the right size to slip into an inside pocket of your suit coat. The practice was for someone (a man) to stand and announce a hymn and its number, then sing the first line, whereupon the rest of the assembly would
join in.
I did have an app for my phone of the BHB, but deleted it because it didn't work well. I'll attach a link that has songs from the hymnal being sung by an assembly.
m.ua-cam.com/play/PLuSfOvAve1XT22EPt7PA6ykEnsKJnTKeJ.html
It looks like there might be copies available on eBay, et al
@3:50 two men with NOTHING showed up and convinced their congregation to give them MANY SOMETHINGS - $$$$ - Joel Osteen style.. Even if they were sincere they still sow "othering" to convince their congregation what is best for them. You know they were good people, proven by @6:40 and @9:44 and @13:18.and @16:40.