July 2019 » Stanton Blog

Denying the moon landing and dinosaurs
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Denying the moon landing and dinosaurs

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19 July

Denying the moon landing and dinosaurs

By Kevin|2019-07-19T22:07:31-06:00July 19th, 2019|Uncategorized|0 Comments

On the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 — which my father in law contributed to as an electrical engineer — I thought I'd write about a couple of the anti-science positions of Stanton. Stanton came from the old-guard of Biblical exposition: If your understanding of the Bible contradicts science, throw out the science. Don't even question that maybe your exegesis of scripture might be wrong. Don't get me wrong. I'm not here to say that the scientific establishment speaks the truth all the time. It has become very politicized as government funding has taken over what I like to call Big Science. Scientific schools of inquiry are incentivized by their funding biases to produce conclusions that I don't always agree with (think Big Pharma, for [...]

For Immediate Release: Stanton COC Source Says Teachers Are Actually Rabbis
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For Immediate Release: Stanton COC Source Says Teachers Are Actually Rabbis

Satire, Uncategorized

12 July

For Immediate Release: Stanton COC Source Says Teachers Are Actually Rabbis

By Kevin|2019-07-15T08:40:07-06:00July 12th, 2019|Satire, Uncategorized|8 Comments

Stanton, Calif. - In a surprising move, an anonymous source in the Stanton Church of Christ said the Teachers and Main Teachers of Stanton affiliated congregations nationwide are planning to start referring to themselves as "Rabbis," the Pharisaic teachers in Jesus's day. The source says this change took decades to come about. "We started off referring to members who taught classes as 'teachers,' she said. "But we gradually elevated them from a position of honor to a position of authority. We then decided that every last decision in a member's life be made with the counsel of teachers. Underwear choices, vacation plans, whom you can marry, whether you can relocate your family...everything." She says because every congregation has a teacher, it also became necessary to distinguish [...]

Sacrificing on altars of Stanton’s own making
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Sacrificing on altars of Stanton’s own making

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6 July

Sacrificing on altars of Stanton’s own making

By Kevin|2019-07-06T14:16:59-06:00July 6th, 2019|Uncategorized|1 Comment

The essence of idolatry is the creation of one's own rules for religion. If you make the rules, those who can be convinced to follow them are like clay in your hands. Nearly 3,000 years before Karl Marx and Hitler discovered that, and put the state in charge of religion, Jeroboam had already beat him to it. His rebellion against Rehoboam's despotism ended up splitting the Kingdom of Israel into the divided northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Having lost access to Jewish religious life in Jerusalem, Jereboam made a calculation. He decided to build his own altars and appoint his own priests so his subjects wouldn't have to cross into Judah's territory to worship in Jerusalem. Why not just give the people [...]

4 July

“Curious Chris’s” Story

By Kevin|2019-09-29T17:38:17-06:00July 4th, 2019|Uncategorized|56 Comments

A reader asked if I would post this account of his withdrawal under the pen name "Curious Chris." As some readers probably know, the two of us do not see eye to eye on everything. However, I think there's value in hearing his account of the events. To that end, here is his story, in his own words. --Kevin The 2016 May Trip, had a topic that had been scheduled for years. It was a study of Romans 16:17 'Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them'. The May Trip question was to ascertain if this was talking about withdrawal or excommunication. It was expressly chosen to address my excommunication, [...]

Does God cause bad things to happen to good people?
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Does God cause bad things to happen to good people?

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2 July

Does God cause bad things to happen to good people?

By Kevin|2019-07-02T19:08:45-06:00July 2nd, 2019|Uncategorized|6 Comments

I think it's fair to say that anyone raised in Stanton, or who attended there for any length of time, came away with some distorted views of God's nature. Is he wrathful? Vengeful? Loving? Is everything bad thing that happens to me because I sinned and didn't confess it in the proper sequence (privately, then publicly, prior to the Lord's supper, standing up, and with the right formulation of words)? It all depends on how you read the Bible—or didn't, as the case may be. Perhaps a teacher in Stanton warned you that if you were to leave (what they disparagingly call "falling away"), God may punish you with car accidents, cancer, miscarriages, the loss of a child, and more. Maybe you've even had one [...]

"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

“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: July 2019