October 2013 » Stanton Blog

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Telling your story

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19 October

Telling your story

By Kevin|2019-04-11T09:35:17-06:00October 19th, 2013|Uncategorized|41 Comments

SCOC references on other sites "My Inner Sanctum" (This ex-member converted to Islam) Who I am and why Islam (Possibly by the same person above) You cannot go to the other extreme to avoid liberalism (From a preacher's interaction with a member) Your Church Too (DC's old site) We all have stories to tell. Outside of the Church of Christ culture, people call it your "testimony." I like that. My testimony has been largely told here on these pages, and others have undertaken to tell their own stories of how this sect has affected their lives, and how they've found their way to a closer relationship with the loving and forgiving God of Scripture (or not). Please use the comment section of this page to share [...]

15 October

Prove it, friends

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:19-06:00October 15th, 2013|Uncategorized|80 Comments

Stanton has altered the meaning of so many words, it's hard to keep track; hence the new glossary. One of the terms that has been severely misused is the word "prove," as in "prove all things." I'm not saying that the word is always misused, because I'm not there to know. But it's apparent that it's at least misused when it's convenient. The following is a portion of a talk at the Labor Day 2013 meeting: "We put a lot of stock in you brethren that are very, very young in faith. Very young in faith. We put a lot of hope in you, that not only are you going to be able to carry the mantle, you're going to turn around and you're going to [...]

12 October

Love and marriage, love and marriage

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:18-06:00October 12th, 2013|Uncategorized|2 Comments

Note: The "a-ha" moment I describe in Turning the Tables on Legalism about what it would feel like to receive legalistic love from my kids first clicked in my mind regarding marriage. This article is the true story of when I first made that connection. I'm thankful for the love of my wife, in part because she exhibits her love for me in ways I neither deserve nor ask for. That makes me feel privileged and honored to be her husband. I know without a doubt that I have her loyalty and affections. I could argue that most everything good in my life flows from the fact that I feel such security in our relationship. That's because love is inherently inspiring, motivating, and empowering, whether it's [...]

9 October

Love is the Greatest

By Kevin|2019-04-11T02:09:17-06:00October 9th, 2013|Uncategorized|4 Comments

Awhile back an anonymous commenter on this blog mentioned that they had prepared a one year study on the subject of love for their congregation after leaving the Stanton sect. I want to thank them publicly and provide the download for others to enjoy as well. I wasn't sure whether I had permission to post it, but was assured in the comments that I did. So to the author: thank you so much for your efforts in writing this, and thank you for your kind words in the handwritten note that was attached. I know nothing about the writer, other than the love that flows from the pages of this study. I received the study in hard copy format after providing my mailing address by [...]

"This needed to be said Kevin, thank you. I believe you are getting to heart of the problem in the church. Instead of a Christian being allowed to exercise their own conscience, the conscience of a few people living in South Carolina and California is forced upon the entire brotherhood." ~Anonymous

"Great blog, Kevin. I'm originally from Stanton (I remember you being a young boy there). I Spent almost twenty years in the church seeing many of the things you speak about but keeping them in the back of my mind, and doubting my own feelings that something wasn't right.

"This constant gossiping was so confusing because it was OK for teachers to talk about people, but no one else to even question actions of a teacher. Being outside of that influence and away from the constant intimidation, it is so much more clear. There was no love or understanding. I'm sure most, except for the leaders, know something is wrong if they would just be honest with themselves. I regret so much putting my children through this more than I regret putting myself through it.

"I'm just glad I left. No need for being bitter toward anyone because it was my choice to be there and stay there. Keep up the good work." ~Loraine Forshee

I have read every word of this blog… I spent many hours/days reading… Feeling so sick inside… I felt so grateful to find this blog." ~Anonymous

"I left the group because I realized that what the group taught and what God teaches were often-not always-vastly different. I had to make a choice; stay out of fear, obligation, because of relationships, or leave so I could continue to follow Christ. I left. You know, one thing I heard A LOT while in the group is that “fallen away ones” are always longing to come back into the group.” At the time I believed it, but I just haven’t found it to be true! If it were, there would be plenty of people flocking back, and it isn’t happening. I have been in contact with quite a few who have left, and not one of us has thoughts about going back. Ever." ~Debby Stevens

"What’s ironic is that we point these things out to them only for them to ignore, dismiss and scoff at the blog both publicly in talks or sermons, and among themselves in secret. For you leaders and members of the SCOC who still read this blog, it’s one thing to dismiss the dissenters, but when you have people in your own ranks parroting the SAME EXACT PROBLEMS we talk about here (some of whom don’t even read the blog yet they see the same things we do), it may be time to consider your ways instead of having “unity” (conformity) meetings trying to ignore it." ~Advocate for Peace

"I too am a current member in 'good standing' in the church. I read the blog and I know of two other current members who also read it. I am sure you're wondering why in the world I would still be attending after reading all of this. Honestly, I am weak and just don't have the courage to leave because of family members who are still involved. Because of the threat of withdrawal for murmuring it's impossible to ask others what they think of the blog posts and videos. I am sure I will leave someday, I'm just not quite ready." ~Anonymous

"I'm currently a member in "good standing" in the church. I read the blog, even though its frowned upon. I can't begin to tell you how closely the comments and personal testimonies align and match what's happening in the church. You read something here, and it opens your eyes to that behavior now. so that when you see it happening, you instantly think about who it happened to here on this blog, and you know the damage it causing." ~Anonymous

"I’m not giving up on God like they believe I’m lost now. I’m so glad I found this blog. It helped open my eyes to what I was a part of for TOO long." ~Not going back

“Dear sir, this plan of making our own nest, and fluttering over our own brood; of building our own tent, and of confining all goodness and grace to our noble selves and the “elect few” who are like us, is the quintessence of sublimated pharisaism. The old Pharisees were but babes in comparison to the modern: and the longer I live, and the more I reflect upon God and man–heaven and earth–the Bible and the world–the Redeemer and his church–the more I am assured that all sectarianism is the offspring of hell; and that all differences about words, and names, and opinions, hatched in Egypt, or Rome, or Edinburgh, are like the frolics of drunken men; and that where there is a new creature, or a society of them, with all their imperfections and frailties, and errors in sentiment, in views, and opinions, they ought to receive one another, and the strong to support the weak, and not to please themselves. To lock ourselves up in the bandbox of our own little circle; to associate with a few units, tens, or hundreds, as the pure church, as the elect, is real Protestant monkery, it is evangelical pharisaism.” Alexander Campbell

“I blush for my fellows who hold up the Bible as the bond of union, yet make their opinions of it a test of fellowship; who plead for union of all Christians, yet refuse to fellowship with such as dissent from their notions. Vain men! Their zeal is not according to knowledge, nor is their spirit that of Christ. Such antisectarian-sectarians are doing more mischief to the cause and advancement of truth, the unity of Christians, and the salvation of the world, than all the skeptics in the world. In fact, they create skeptics.” Barton Stone

“If you can’t counter it in your heart, you will be affected. A lot of people say, ‘Gary you’re just trying to censor people from their God-given right to look at whatever it is that they’re going to look at.’ Go ahead and look at it. But I can only say to you, be admonished, and be well-versed. If you’re not having the ability to counter whatever it is that comes your way. Or all of a sudden someone comes and says something, and it hooks you in, you’re lured in with hook, line, and sinker, you have no one to thank but yourself. Our admonition is not to forbid anyone from doing anything, unless it’s a sin.” Gary Preman

Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Honor thy Father and Mother. This is the Fifth Commandment. The first four Commandments deal with man’s relationship with God, his creator. The near middle commandment, the Fifth, deals with man’s rel…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?From Lori Alexander’s “The Transformed Wife” blog. Women have been deceived into thinking God approves them teaching men in Bible classes. This is an error that has been in Stanton since Merie began i…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Movies are usually full of degeneracy and filth, lies and perversion. However, “It’s a wonderful Life” is a happy exception that explores the meaning of one life. Jimmy Stewart does a masterful job po…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Women are better wives and mothers when they focus on their homes, husbands, and children instead of trying to teach in Bible classes and trying to lead churches. I noticed, a lot of men in Stanton ha…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Last comment was censored by this website for no explicable reason.
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?On Reading and the Classics 2/3 Many children never got into reading, which is problematic, as this country was founded by men who were heavy readers. The first colleges in America, the Ivy League sch…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?On Reading and the Classics Part 1 of 2 Reading the classics has been frowned upon in Stanton. I’ve heard many times reading being discouraged. I’ve listened to many preachers state that they only rea…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?WHICH WAY MODERN WOMEN? From Lori Alexander’s blog, “The Transformed Wife” Author Unknown What does the Church teach about Womanhood and Marriage? Egalitarian – “Equality” of sexes, marriage is mutual…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?“It’s your pride” How many times have those of us who disagreed with teachers been told this? And yet, women who speak publicly in church and the men who defend them are proud, promoting women in role…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Which woman in the New Testament ever dared to teach men in a formal meeting? I don’t see a single instance. But, it happens in nearly every single Bible class in nearly every church in Stanton. Which…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?The Classics. This great literature is well worth reading. It contains wisdom of the past centuries, and tales of these past centuries convey to us what Christian life was like over the past 2,000 yea…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Let us consider, would any woman in Stanton have consented to marry and join Stanton if it taught the Biblical role for women and not Merie’s ahistorical version? Likely not. The Bible clearly teaches…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?It’s wonderful that young women in Stanton are raised to be virtuous mothers. But, it’s a tragedy that many of their mothers and the women in Stanton set a terrible example for them by speaking in Bib…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?“Keep the church pure” This has been a noble sentiment of Stanton since its inception. Unfortunately it becomes far more difficult when women are out of their place and insist on assuming the duties t…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Communism comes from the Jewish Talmud. Judaism regards the Talmud as having more authority than the Old Testament and Torah. Communism murdered 100 million in 100 years, the worst death machine in wo…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?The Russian Peasants knew what 90% of naive Americans don't know today, that it was the Jews behind the Bloody Bolshevik Revolution that murdered 40 million Russians. From Major Robert Williams, “Know…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?It is very easy to deceive women. That is why God instructed them to be silent in the church. Women frequently lack the acuity to clearly perceive evil agendas, and appeals to their maternal instincts…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Men are to blame for marital and societal issues with women. And behind it are degenerate Jews. Weak men use pornography, watch television, and use drugs. 90% of men in America are into one of more of…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?Two questions occurred to me yesterday, and I am thankful for them in the spirit of today. They are related. 1) Why does Stanton not have any Bishops, Deacons, and Elders? And why haven’t they had any…
Truth Defender on Here’s Joe Gautreau’s letter of withdrawal…where do I start?A quarrelsome woman. Funny how this is an epidemic among women, and yet, I never heard a Bible class on quarrelsome women in the history of Stanton. I heard lots of classes on lust, pride, slothfulnes…

Monthly Archives: October 2013

Telling your story

Telling your story

Prove it, friends

Love and marriage, love and marriage

Love is the Greatest