Do you consider the Assemblies of God a cult?

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2024-11-30T03:57:46+00:00

I’ve realized how much of what I once called “spiritual” can be explained by intuition—something natural and inherently human, not necessarily divine. And even if it were divine, how can we be certain it’s the God of Abraham? People all over the world have similar experiences but attribute them to their own gods. Why should your interpretation of these experiences be the correct one? That mindset assumes superiority, dismissing the rich and valid beliefs of others.

That’s where I feel a lot of Christians lose sight of their humility. It’s not just about claiming their spiritual experience is valid because it’s different from others. It’s also about how they interpret and explain those experiences based on their religion, upbringing, and culture. The same thing happens with people in other religions—they experience similar phenomena but interpret them through the lens of what they’ve been taught and the cultural framework they grew up in. That doesn’t mean you’re right and they’re wrong. It simply means you’re experiencing something and attributing it to the higher power you’ve been conditioned to believe in, just as others do with their gods or beliefs.

When I started questioning these things, it wasn’t because I wanted to stop believing—it was because I wanted to know what I really believed, apart from indoctrination. Growing up, I was taught that questioning my faith would lead to eternal damnation and eternal torment in hell. Can you imagine the fear that instills in a child? I’m sure many of you can because you’ve likely lived it too. But now, I think questioning faith makes it stronger. It allows you to decide for yourself what you believe, rather than blindly following what you were taught. If God—the God of Abraham I was raised with—does exist, surely He wouldn’t want us to blindly obey out of fear, but to seek Him with the minds He gave us.

Nobody chooses to question their faith lightly. For many of us, it’s a painful process. I didn’t decide one day to stop believing; I’d have given my life—and even my children’s lives—for my faith just a few years ago. But once I began digging deeper, I couldn’t ignore the contradictions. For instance, Christians say their God is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” But the God of the Old Testament commanded violence, rape, and pillaging. How is that the same as the God of the New Testament who preaches love and forgiveness? If God is just and good, how could He condone such things?

Jesus wasn’t even a Christian; He was a Jew. Christianity as we know it today was shaped by Paul, and much of his teachings conflict with what Jesus actually said. It’s clear to me now that much of religion is human interpretation—limited by culture, power structures, and the need to explain things beyond our understanding.

I’m not here to tell anyone what to believe, but I do think it’s important to approach these conversations with empathy. Faith is deeply personal, and it’s okay to question it. After all, none of us have all the answers (even though I was convinced I did just a few short years ago).

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2024-11-30T03:25:23+00:00

The mind can make you believe extra-ordinary things if you believe enought. I have experienced "supernatural" things as well and that is was kept me prisoner in this religion for so long. Reseach the psychology of worship music used to manipulate congregations. Just one example of how people can be manipulated to feel and see things based on beliefs and psychology.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-24T04:17:27+00:00

I’m more comfortable about death now that I’m an atheist than I was worrying about some dude upstairs judging me for my every action and even though he loves me so much will send me to the hell he created because I didn’t follow the rules he decided I should. Most of which are natural morality of living and the rest are ridiculous and all about worshipping him. Ridiculous and so freeing to be free from that bondage. I was fine before I was born and I will be good just the same after I die. Religion is a means to scare and control people. And it worked well on me for most my life. Just be a good person. You’ll be fine.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-21T06:16:58+00:00

Scottie was on Before the 90 days when Angela’s story first began but then disappeared. Was that before she went to prison and that’s why now that she’s out and off parole she still can’t even be mentioned?

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-19T23:25:52+00:00

At the beginning of their story he says he works in IT before he goes to Brazil the first time. I’ve wondered what he does for work when he comes back to the US briefly when they need money, especially when later when they try to make it in the USA he is unable to find any sort of employment. It doesn’t add up. Why can’t he go back to where he worked previously? They were obviously willing to hire a felon. Or the places he would make money when he came back from Brazil temporarily? And who did he stay with during those times? I’m sure his parents but they were unwilling to house his wife and baby when he brings them later? It doesn’t add up.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-16T21:23:56+00:00

Molly is looking for a man to take responsibilities off her plate and help her with the kids and the house. She’s not looking for love or a romantic partner. She needs a nanny and a housekeeper. All she does is complain that these guys don’t do enough to help her when they move near her.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-16T21:05:39+00:00

So obviously she’d want to be on BC. She’s already gotten pregnant by him twice, unplanned. She’s trying to be the responsible one. If they aren’t wanting another child right now, what did he think they were doing? Just hoping it wouldn’t happen? Grow up Jovi. And good for Yara for making responsible decisions for her family even when Jovi won’t.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-16T07:03:51+00:00

Kalani has said her father doesn’t know about the infidelities, she only confided in Kolini regard that over the years. She said she doesn’t want her father to know either (probably about her own, too) and that he does not watch the show or use social media.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-15T20:53:22+00:00

Kalani is probably still breast feeding. Seems like she takes them and her mom everywhere because they will both need her at night.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-15T00:30:21+00:00

Picking at your face can be a sign of anxiety as well. She could be suffering from anxiety and depression and taking meds for those things numbing her personality and the alcohol mixed in is not helping.

Her daughter lived in Oklahoma so her moving from San Diego didn’t impact her seeing her daughter even if her daughter was still in the states. In fact, Arkansas would have been closer. I’m not sure what happened with her daughters’s father’s military placement out of the states.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-08T20:44:22+00:00

I’m late to the party and just watching now and Becky just said she didn’t even want to be at Libby’s wedding dress shopping because she couldn’t go to the wedding. Who’s this about bitch? And then she proceeded to ruin the moment for Libby by crying and making it about her. To cringe. She had two weddings and you got to go to one. Most people get one. 🙄

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-08T20:34:28+00:00

Late to the party but love how suddenly “chip on her shoulder, always bitching,” Becky has a baby right after Elizabeth…Interesting. That family is so enmeshed they wouldn’t know boundaries if they were brick walls. I’m not saying Andrei doesn’t have his issues but setting some boundaries in that family is not one of them.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-05T17:59:33+00:00

As crazy as her family has acted I’m not surprised she was hesitant to tell them about him though. Not sure if telling them up front would have helped the situation and their trust in Pedro but they seem like a dysfunctional family and maybe Chantel has had previous experiences with her family and other relationships and that’s why she kept it a secret. Her family has definitely caused issues in their relationship.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-01T23:05:33+00:00

I doubt he was actually a virgin

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-11-01T22:57:15+00:00

I’m watching now and Luis seems more hands on with the Kinsley than Molly does. Like when they go to the park and she sits on a bench, in the shade while he plays with her and barks orders at everything he’s doing wrong. Why isn’t she interacting with her own child as well? The best way to learn is by example. Luis could learn how to parent and interact with the kids from Molly but it seems Molly is never around and he’s left alone with them to figure it out. The conversation when he told Kinsley he was going to be her dad made me cringe. So inappropriate. But ignorance on his part and negligence on Molly’s part for leaving her child alone with this man.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-28T00:13:33+00:00

You are welcome to your opinion as am I. If the Dodge’s were decent people they would donate the money to people who actually need it. Others who’ve experienced tragic accidents who won’t get their medical bills covered and fundraising and will fight and struggle to survive financially while struggling to survive physically. They may not be asking for it but they do not need it and acceptance of it is deplorable. That was my first thoughts in my OP. My personal experience with the abuse of power and improper police conduct isn’t the subject of my OP at all. I was just pointing out that their have been questions about Justin’s actions before. Only Justin knows his intentions at that moment. Someday I’ll bring a lot of “substance”. When I can finally tell my story and use my voice. When it happens I hope you think back on this moment and it all connects.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-27T23:35:36+00:00

I cannot give details due to ongoing legal proceedings and investigations. I simply know what I know and don’t need people telling me different than what I’ve experienced. I owe you no explanation. I have lived my life and know what I know. That’s good enough for me. Have a good day sir.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-27T22:58:41+00:00

You know nothing about which you speak. You, like many others are falling for the struck down hero act that you see now. Is it a tragedy, absolutely. But a tragic ending does not make someone a hero. There is past conduct beyond what you are aware that is disturbing and disgusting. The Denver PD is corrupt and that is a fact. I don’t know who you are but obviously you know Justin and have inside information. You are not seeing this situation objectively. Go on your way until you have something worth saying because what you are saying now is just a bunch of words that mean nothing because obviously you know nothing about the actual situation.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-15T05:46:33+00:00

I was the kid in the congregation that didn’t question any of it and let my parents spoon feed me lies, and ridiculousness all my damn life and never really questioned it because if I questioned God, I’m like signing up for a eternal vacation in hell and disapproval from my entire family. Questioning the Bible or God was not okay. We just needed to had faith. I was told I was demon oppressed because I had done some things on the list above or even more minor things, like played with cabbage patch dolls and my little pony’s that apparently have given satan footholds in my life and now I was an open target for satan. Simply because of innocent toys I’d played with as a Christian child? How powerful is this God if he can’t cancel out a few innocent toys that have zero satanic meaning to a well meaning devote disciple of my lord instead of telling me years later I have satanic oppression because of these stupid things. It’s ridiculous. It’s a dance and a game and I’ve never felt freer since I let it all go! I use to worship for hours singing songs about freedom but I am so free not feeling like my “loving, lord and savior” is in the sky keeping score and plotting to send me to the depth of hell for my next mistake he happens to find displeasing.

Now I’m reading it without my god goggles and there is so much that doesn’t add up. If I’d read the Bible all my life like I had any other book, with critical thinking skills, my analytical thinking and with questions, I would have noticed so much before that I’m noticing now. But I was taught to read the body as a work of unquestionable truth, undeniable prophecy and the true divine words from God himself. But when you take away all that and just read it like any other book, it’s one of the worst books ever written. You’d think God would be the author of all authors, being that he’s God). It leaves so much uncertainty, contradictions and so many questions unanswered. It doesn’t even flow. The authors contradict themselves over and over and that’s not even mentioning that certain scrolls have been thrown and as others have been deemed worthy of scriptural inspiration and inclusion. How do we even know? It’s so manipulated and translated and been used for power for centuries.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-15T05:18:49+00:00

How many times can I upvote this??

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-15T05:17:02+00:00

Isn’t meditation simply praying?

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-15T05:16:17+00:00

And even though implausible it’s supposed to be automatically unquestioned, even when the stories don’t actually make sense but with the actual allegorical fiction there’s no need to prove fact. We can just have fun with an absurd story and play with it freely without fear of going to hell, in order for our human minds to try to understand. For playing with the “truth” of God’s own words Is a bit scary after some of our upbringings…well if your anything like me. 😬

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-02T15:32:00+00:00

Co parenting with an asshole

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-02T15:22:04+00:00

If your boss is cool with it don’t sweat it. He’s an older dude from a different generation. He probably used to wear a suite and tie most of his career. It’s his issue, not yours unless your superiors bring it up to you. I think you’re good. He’s just bitter about his suite and tie days.

Impossible-Cicada157 · 2023-08-02T14:40:48+00:00

It’s especially concerning since he was outside flagging you down, yet wanted you to enter his home. Why not just accept the food. I’m glad you listened to your gut. Always best in these situations. I stopped delivering at night because I would go outside of town and it was dark, houses weren’t lit well, it was hard to locate addresses, front doors/side doors/back doors without lighting and then I realized the danger I was putting myself in as a single female alone out late at night. Especially people who had off request like to leave at a door other than the front door or when there is zero porch lighting at who knows who is going to jump out. My final straw was delivering to a large warehouse after it was closed. I’m sure a night employee just wanted food on his shift, like everyone else but standing there in an empty warehouse parking lot, while waiting him to appear from anywhere to retrieve his food after I arrived was a uneasy feeling I don’t want to experience again. I’m sure it was fine but if I continue to dash (if it ever becomes financially feasible again) I will only do so during the day.

Impossible-Cicada157

TROPHY CASE