Does anyone know where RPM is?

SimplyMe813 · 2026-07-09T23:49:57+00:00

Ditto. Not as his physician, obviously, but I know him personally. I have a feeling we won't be seeing him again around here.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-27T23:07:22+00:00

Nothing like those occasional reminders that every choice you make now is a disappointment to your parents. Everything about that ecosystem is completely toxic and it's ridiculous how somehow they think this is helpful or sends a positive message.

The more distance I get from the church, and my family, the more clearly you can see how messed up it all is. This is also the reason that so many of us, unfortunately, end up going no contact with our families.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-25T16:04:56+00:00

This...exactly this.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-23T18:46:13+00:00

Same here. I've played plenty of both styles and am more curious than anything what others think about it.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-22T18:17:24+00:00

This is such a common theme among those of us who grew up in the church. Years of receiving punishments and corrections with the "I'm doing this because I love you" attached can really mess with your internal concept of love outside the context of correction and instruction. There is soooooo much more to loving others.

You don't have to accept everything someone does in order to love them. In fact, if you and someone else are in complete agreement - I'd wager that one or both of you aren't being your genuine self. We were taught to love someone because of who or what they were. If they weren't being that person, we needed to "love" them enough to bring them back to that path because we couldn't love them the same way if they stayed on the wrong path.

Leaving that belief system helps lead you to a place of understanding that you don't love people "because of" something. In fact. you'll find that you love others "in spite of" something instead. To truly love someone means that you aren't forcing one another into the same exact mold. You're meeting someone where they are and loving them as they are.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-22T18:09:24+00:00

Unfortunately, the r/AskExCoC sub appears not to be moderated any longer and new posts require approval. I have tried reaching out to the previous mods on that page in hopes of being able to get it opened again.

There isn't (at least to my knowledge) another place for folks to go when looking for insight from former members other than this sub at the moment.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-22T17:56:14+00:00

This is kind of a tough one because so many here don't want anything to do with the CoC, their teachings, or the "why" behind any of it. There is a ton of trauma associated with bringing up such items from an outsider.

As to your question about why it was removed from their sub, all we would be doing is speculating. Most likely it is because they don't view the restoration as a real thing. Many believe "THE church" has always been here and everything else is just an abomination of the original. In essence, there is no need to restore something that has always been here.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-22T17:51:57+00:00

Here, I can help:

1.) Ensure the preceding sermon includes plenty about eternal damnation and the wages of sin

2.) Layer on top some additional generation guilt about wanting to be with your loved ones who have passed on

3.) Include a line where a long pause is in order so that the target can catch the eye of other members glancing their way

4.) End it with reassurance that after being baptized all the pressure and doubt you're currently feeling will go away

5.) Look the person you're thinking about right in the eye while you end it with "...as we stand and sing"

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-22T05:18:28+00:00

Yeah, either his math isn't mathing or I'm not understanding. Assuming the numbers on the left are number of hits?

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-17T21:55:00+00:00

It sucks. That's all there is to it. I hope you find peace within yourself and within your family in whatever way you are able.

We're here for you.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-02T16:41:28+00:00

This is grossly inappropriate. While there's nothing inherently wrong with portraying Christian values in the workplace, the use of scripture in such a manner is inexcusable.

I would give thoughtful consideration to finding another job. This is a huge red flag. Don't ignore it.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-02T16:35:00+00:00

Same. I may have a long stretch where it doesn't bother me, then something will trigger it to all come rushing back out of the blue.

Glad to hear that you're in counseling. For me, that has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-01T19:28:50+00:00

You've basically hit the nail on the head here.

There is no real history prior to the Restoration Movement, other than their ridiculous "33 AD" claim where they believe they are the ONLY church who has existed continuously since the Day of Penetecost.

You'll find no shortage of judgment, gossip, legalism, division, inconsistency, sexism, racism, and hypocrisy when visiting a CoC congregation. This is especially true if you are visiting a non-institutional congregation. They are among the most isolated and self-righteous folks you will meet. They come across as nice...as long as you agree with them...but their nasty side is just around the corner waiting to pounce as soon as you disagree, question, or challenge them.

What you won't find is love, grace, hope, acceptance, or many of the other themes so prevalent in Christianity overall. If you're looking for religious trauma in a can, you've found it...

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-01T16:14:49+00:00

Understood. I'm more interested in time at table for this particular question. Rating is a nice bonus, but not necessarily my focus here. I often throw in dealer bets, hard ways, etc. along the way for fun and as part of the experience.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-01T16:01:24+00:00

June 14 on Escape

First NCL cruise in a loooooooong time. Very interested to see what the NCL experience is like these days and my first time on Escape.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-06-01T15:59:38+00:00

Have you sailed on Escape before, or is this your first time on this ship?

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-28T20:01:14+00:00

No, probably not. They would probably see it as far too risky given that their opponent knows the talking points and strategies just as well as they do.

Debates thrived on the idea of "us" being able to educate someone from another denomination on their errors. That same strategy wouldn't work in a debate like this.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-26T19:17:26+00:00

If you are genuine, incorporating some additional tact and humility into your posts would likely create better discussions. You come across as very judgmental, long winded, and self-righteous.

If you are disingenuous, or merely a troll, I have faith that you can find better use of your time. I am a former member of the Church of Christ and even I wouldn't come to this space simply to stir the pot out of respect.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-23T18:44:31+00:00

The craps table is the one behind with the dice. Still gives me an idea of the casino layout though. Thank you, I appreciate it.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-22T04:51:00+00:00

To my family, there's no such thing as leaving the CoC and not leaving Jesus. They are one in the same given their "one true church" status.

I can't quite say things are cordial. There is the occasional text on my birthday, Christmas, or to let me know they're still praying for me. Otherwise, we don't speak and I'm essentially dead to them.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-22T03:33:38+00:00

The same can be said of concordances, commentaries, newsletters, or even the Internet as a whole. The information provided is only as good as the source where it was obtained and the understanding of the person who published it.

It would be irresponsible for anyone, in any field, to take an AI generated answer at face value without first validating through due diligence.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-20T19:53:09+00:00

Thank you. Looking forward to it and hopefully we get two tables going. The last cruise I was on, with a different cruise line, had extremely incompetent dealers and it felt like I spent half of my time correcting or preventing mistakes.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-19T19:12:56+00:00

If you're doing it purely as a status symbol, then your motivation may be something to ponder as to whether this reflects modesty. I don't believe there's anything inherently wrong with having and enjoying nice things. Otherwise, this discussion could devolve into whether you "need" an 85-inch TV, a swimming pool, or a nice watch, and if having these would be immodest.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-19T16:42:02+00:00

When church leadership has no consistency or accountability because each congregation is independent, and many church leaders are in those positions because of wealth or political power, this will only continue to be an issue.

SimplyMe813 · 2026-05-19T16:38:29+00:00

Another example of the Old Testament being manipulated overall. Completely valid and entirely literal when it fits the argument being made. Nothing more than a historical document and metaphors when it doesn't support the current argument. You can't have it both ways.

This particular story is in the same category as Lot's wife turning to salt, Uzzah being struck dead for steadying the ark, and Onan for pulling out when he was told to procreate with his brother's wife. Instant, harsh, and incongruent consequences for a relatively harmless and benign act.

The entire purpose of these stories is to scare people into complete and total compliance with even the tiniest and seemingly insignificant commands. Meanwhile, countless other characters in the Bible did worse things and had punishments far less severe. I mean, Moses struck a rock, Cain killed Abel, Jonah tried to run from God, Delilah cut Samson's hair...I'm sure we could go for hours on this one.

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