Growing Up in Polygamy - Sam & Melissa Zitting Wyson Part 1 - 1617
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2022
- In part one join John and Jenn as they hear the unique Mormon Story of Sam and Melissa Zitting Wyson. Sam grew up in the FLDS church in Short Creek. After leaving the FLDS at age 18 he converted to the mainstream LDS church. He then met and fell in love with his beautiful wife, Melissa.
Listen in part two as Sam and Melissa begin to question doctrine of the LDS faith and their transition together out of the mainstream LDS church.
You can find them on their amazing CZcams channel Growing Up In Polygamy! / growingupinpolygamy
CZcams Show notes:
Ann Wilde MS Episode: mormonstories.org/podcast/mor...
Vance Alread MS Episode: • Mormon Stories #675: V...
Lance Alread MS Episode: • Mormon Stories #678: L...
Todd Compton: In Sacred Loneliness: www.amazon.com/Sacred-Lonelin...
Sandra Tanner /Polygamy MS Episode: mormonstories.org/podcast/mor...
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The cantaloupe and ice cream story makes me want to cry 😭 it’s the simplest things that kids remember their moms for and it’s just so cute.
Very well done. I appreciate how respectful Sam is of his parents and family. I too believe my parents lived to the best of their ability. My dad is a brother to Sam’s dad.
😮66
Sam could be a diplomat. I really enjoyed his thoughtful and honest answers to some hard questions.
He avoided a lot of things with I don't remember
@@Karin281 i get that, but i also think that there's a very good chance that he genuinely didn't remember. he left when he was a teenager and it's been well over a decade since then. plus, trauma (physical, mental, and emotional) impacts memory. so it may not have necessarily been avoidance, but genuine forgetfulness!
@@bitscrawford Definitely. Not to mention that we all go blank sometimes when asked questions on the spot, and he was probably tired after traveling there and being interviewed for a good few hours. I get the impression that if he wasn’t comfortable answering something he would’ve just said that - he seems like an honest and direct kind of guy 🤷🏻♀️🤗
@@bitscrawfordexactly! I have cousins that I grew up with who don’t remember a lot of things that I do, and vice versa. The human mind…
I’ve been waiting for this since September 5, 2021, when I initially sent their link to John Dehlin asking him to check them out!
I’m a nevermo, but the LDS & FLDS are so intriguing to me. I have learned so much. I look forward to hearing their full stories in depth. So thankful this is happening!!
Your comment really resonates with me. I am a long time Mormon stories viewer and also a nevermo and can't wait! Sam and Melissa are captivating and I think this will be a wonderful convergence!
Ditto to all the above from this nevermo too!
Me too Katie! I am a life long Lutheran. My husband's mother's family is VERY Morman. Even before I met him, I was very intrigued with Mormanism.
@@ItsMeCheryl1231but
@@carolhensley but what?
You weren't kidding when you said this would be one of the most important interviews. I want to cry thinking about how huge this is that not only mainstream LDS but also FLDS are finally speaking out. You asked great questions! I learned a lot. We really are all in this together.
What a cool interview! I'm Italian, born and raised catholic, but in Italy (and Europe in general) religion is taken much more lightly and I'm not really practicing, like most of the Italians I know... Since I've moved to the US and met a couple mormons, tons of people who go to church every Sunday, people who go to Bible study groups, families who homeschool and use "christian curricula" for their kids, families with many children etc. I had such a culture shock that I became quite intrigued with those kind of stories and fundamentalists...
You know Mormanism is a cult, right? Listen more to this channel and you will learn the truth.
I know! It's really a culturechock. Religion is so "big" in the US. People think abt it and talk about it a lot. I'm from the Nordics, Sweden, we live in a more "scientific" society. People don't think much abt different beliefsystems. Life is going well enough. It actually makes you different if you belong to a church.
But our old laws and legalsystem are based on Christian values and principles. What's right and wrong. Integrity and fairness. Individual responsibility and accountability. We live in a country where we take care of eachother (high tax). No one needs to live on the street or not get hospital care, medicine etc. Our version of justice is that those with the most, take care of those with the least. Progressive tax. Clearly influenced by Christian mindset. Christianity in practice w/o expectation of beliefs?
In that way religion can have a great impact on more atheistic societies.
@tomcat9602 that's very much due to the Catholic roots of Europe, despite Martin Luther and all that happened after him. In the US there is very much the protestant belief that if you work hard enough and you use the gifts God has given you, you will succeed, which makes it a much more individualistic society
I love watching Sam & Melissa. They just seem like incredibly kind and smart people.
Watch their story to see how they got out of the cult
If we are doing LDS offshoots pleeeease interview Amanda Rae, she is from The Order aka The Kingston Clan. It is extremely fascinating, a lot of crime and incest with that group in their polygamy
Agreed. I just learned she’s got a CZcams from another commenter. I watched that series & was very interested to learn their “not made for tv” stories. And I always wonder about those who they helped leave-are they ok, did they return, were they able to get their siblings & moms out, etc…
One would think the Q-berts would be all over the Kingston Clan and others, since they claim to be all about saving children from sexual predators & slavery.
Also strange, and by “strange” I mean “par for the course”, that the theocratic money laundering fraudster criminals behind Operation Underground Railroad feel the need to travel around the globe to “save children” when there’s thousands & thousands of plyg kids right here in Utah that need saving.
Loved this! I married into a family from the UAB United Apostolic Brethren (I was born and raised LDS- he was raised in the UAB.)
I would love for you to interview Ben Brown AKA “The Fresh King Benjamin”. Grew up in polygamy, left for the LDS church, then left the LDS church and is making a name for himself as a comedian.
This guy has a great voice. I love listening to him speak just from how he drops his voice to lower points and there’s no vocal fry. Not really an insightful comment but just wanted to share my thought that Sam’s voice is super cool.
I was just thinking the same! Great radio/on air voice!
I was thinking the same! He’d be a great narrator for some crime documentary 😂
He barked his testimony every week I bet for at least 18 years. Probably did wonders for his ability to speak. 😂 There are some pros to these cults.
I think it’s also a unique accent. I wonder if FLDS sort of have a distinct accent like Amish/Mennonite/Hutterite and a thick German accent, since they are both insulated religious groups. But flds has a more diverse background.
it IS insightful! many of us just enjoy hearing a pleasant, calming voice and never stop to wonder why or publicly appreciate the person attached to it. 🙂
Can't wait! I've been watching your channel since the beginning and I subscribed ages ago, like every video and today after watching your collaboration with the mormon stories I decided to join and become a member of your channel. I was brought up in the Church of Scotland, a protestant Christian faith. I went through my own faith journey and now think of myself as an atheist. I love watching your videos, keep them coming!! Xxx
I never wrote in a request but I’ve been hoping for this interview for a long time! 😀 Really enjoy Sam and Melissa’s channel. They’re so informative, purposeful, well spoken and respectful in all of their content. It’s unique and refreshing. I also like how respectful and kind Jenn is as a cohost.
I have been hoping that Sam and Melissa would be interviewed on Mormon stories!
There is something so captivating about FLDS and LDS. I have come to realize that a lot of the members that escape or leave were honestly just doing their best with what they had. It’s really shocking to learn of the oppression they dealt with as well. I can’t even imagine going from being told you have to wear leggings under garments and wear long sleeves out of modesty to being able to wear just a normal tshirt and feeling “naked”. And the realization that you were basically indoctrinated and controlled your entire life must have been massive. I’m really grateful that these two have shared so much of their experiences. It helps people like myself who don’t understand Mormonism and fundamentalism to really grasp what they have had to go through.
Also wanted to add how it blew my mind learning that there was essentially a small community within America just living like the laws of our country don’t exist or apply to them. Not in the sense that the members themselves were entitled or felt above the law but that the leaders truly believed that and projected that way of living onto their community. Just mind boggling.
Sam it is so clear to me how much love is in your family. No wonder you have such a nice spirit and demeanor!
My father was raised in a polygamist household and he always spoke fondly of his father. His father was in his 60’s when my dad was born. Our generations are mixed up. I have many first cousins who were born in the late 1800’s
Again, a fascinating life story from Sam - who has an absolutely beautiful speaking voice. He should find voice-over work.
So much to think about, but particularly love his memory of having Mom time with a cantaloupe melon and vanilla ice cream, and a bit sad over his lack of one-one-one time with his father.
I've always felt sad for those parents who were singled out to mete out admonition and punishment to their kids - what a sad legacy - and how sad for the boys, who miss out on seeing what a full and rewarding role being a father can be.
Lots more to come, I'm sure. Thank you for this podcast - once again.
Yes, I LOVE Sam’s voice too. Also, his cadence and other speech qualities. I could listen to him all day.
This is wonderful. I've loved following Sam & Melissa. They are so extremely gracious with guests and also show immense compassion for the people still in the FLDS community.
For me, a no longer practicing Catholic, this has been so educational and somethings so familiar.
Familiar in which way?
Cracks me up the way Sam described the way talks are assigned! VERY honest and actually, quite relatable!
Awesome video! Thank you! Hearing about theirs thoughts and experiences with FLDS is very insightful and enlightening. As an exmormon, I realize that it's very helpful and uplifting to me hearing about their FLDS experiences with the exmo lens that I have now. I feel that I can see things on a more objective light, learn from it, and help me process my own mormon upbringing.
I thoroughly enjoy Sam & Melissa’s channel. I’ve watched them from the beginning of their videos. They are alway respectful and deliver their content in a dignified manner. Great video, can’t wait to watch part 2!
I've been waiting to hear their story on Mormon stories! I love these two, they are so sweet!
I love how down to earth and respectfully they still are. I love watching their videos
I believe I'm related to Sam via marriage. One of my polygamous ancestors married a son of Charles Zitting. Her grandfather(my 1st cousin 3x removed) Louis Alma Kelsch was one of the first German converts, a mission president, one of the first missionaries to Japan and a prominent polygamist. His life story relates how the LDS leadership spoke in code when they disavowed polygamy publicly but continued to practice it privately. I likely have distant relatives in that community he grew up in.
I am not a Mormon so this is fascinating to me. I loved the way Sam and Melissa handled their story with grace and care.
i LOVE the history lessons! i was raised fundamentalist church of Christ until i left home at 14-15. the history of those beliefs explains SO MUCH i didn't understand about where EXACTLY all that impossible to follow rules came from.
Are you familiar with the Order, the Kingston Clan? That wuld be nice if you can make an interview with Amanda Rae andher brother Ezkiel.. She was on the show Escaping Poligamy and has a YT channel.
I agree, Amanda Rae would be a great interview!
She's great! I watch her but she probably wouldn't be put on because she's never been apart of the LDS church
@@singer0004 But most of this polygamy cults in US are originated in LDS church. I hope she could come in. Her Adopted Parents are LDS as far as i know.
YES! the way she has been able to throughly deconstruct her upbringing would be so great to hear.
I just came to the comments to say the same thing!!
As a german Atheist who was also brought up without religious parents (I went to religious youth camps tho) It’s extremely interesting to hear from people who lived the other side in such a extreme way 🙊
I have been learning SO much from this channel. I'm a NeverMo but I see lots of similarities to my Christian church and I love learning the background and stories of Mormonism. Great job!!
This is my favourite Mormon Stories I’ve seen yet! So interesting and loved hearing all the details.
I love this episode - I love having John, Sam and Melissa conversing on these topics. I am a Nevermo but have learned so much from watching both of these channels.
Eight oçlock PM in The Netherlands and I'm happy to be on time to watch and listen to this interesting couple!
You are the best and most respectful interviewer on the planet. I appreciate you. You make me want to do and be a better person.
Wow. Thank you Chris. 🙏❤️
I love these lang video's! When i do house work ore crafts it's nice to listen to them.
I also follow Sam and Melissa and love them how they both talk with respect en compassion. Greetings from the Netherlands
I love you both!!!!!
Edit to add- and the whole Mormon stories team as well of course!
Yay!! So glad you guys are bringing them on!! Love both shows❤️
His family sounded much safer then most. His comfort level also comes from being a guy. He wasn't afraid of being married off to an old man at a young age.
but he did have to worry about being kicked out of his church, community, family. literally ostracized from EVERYTHING HE KNEW and left to fend for himself, on the whim of a "prophet".
Yay so excited to see this interview with Sam and Melissa! They are a great couple 😊
I’m so excited to see these 2 humans here on Mormon Stories!! 👏👏👏
I’m so excited for this.
Also, had a question. John, have you ever told your own story? Can you do a long form interview of yourself? 😅
I'd be very interested in that
I would love to see a couple's long form interview with John's and Margi's Mormon Story as a couple and their faith journey!!
I would love that!
Yes, that would be great!!!
Bring back Cara as an interviewer for a special episode!
Pausing @ 1:07 to say what a pleasure it is to hear a storyteller who speaks with fondness and respect about their family. I'm looking forward to hearing more of this story.
(Later) @ 1:42:00 John is not that much younger than I am. However, I have very few memories of one on one time with either parent. Usually, the little time I had with my father revolved around working with him if he needed the help of an extra pair of hands. Contrary to today, that wasn't feel good, 'help daddy' for a photo. It involved getting yelled at if you let the piece of wood slip, or whatever, and once your usefulness was done, or if you made too many mistakes, you'd be sent away. No hanging around for a chat.
The couple of times I tried to ask his advice, I remember him seeming almost embarassed, and definitely lost for words. Very awkward; I certainly wasn't encouraged to do it again.
Side note, my ex-husband's father was 53 when he was born. (Third wife for him, 2nd hubby for his mum. Not a polygamist in sight!)
ETA I've just remembered my father making me learn then recite my times tables on a Saturday afternoon while he drank a beer! Or two.
I've been waiting for this collab! I have no personal connection to Mormonism but I've watched a lot of both your channels.
Yeah! I’ve been waiting for this!
Fascinating interview! And this couple is incredible. I grew up Catholic and know absolutely nothing about any sect of Mormonism. I was spell bound during the entire interview. Great questions and super informative. Thanks so much!
Love Sam and Melissa and the respectful way they go about discussing the FLDS community. Thanks for this fascinating discussion with them!
Glad I decided to watch (edited)
I’ve been watching all the FLDS documentaries coming out recently and it’s been a little rough for me to watch so much of the CZcamsrs and channels that I really do usually enjoy.
I’ve been watching Sam and Melissa for about two yrs now,I don’t comment much but I must say I totally enjoy enjoy there channel, but I must say Sam seems to actually be more relaxed than on their regular channel,it’s nice to see him just talk about his family and seeming comfortable about it!
Yay Melissa and Sam you made it on Mormon Stories!!!!
Thank you so much for covering this topic!
We have so many polygamists in my family I always took it for granted everyone knew about the FLDS. We even have some Kingstons. Whenever we went into Southern Utah I could always feel ghosts
Yeah cuuc ?7,8,78?8?&?8?8vvivivîcucucuuuucucpb oo pbbb
His accent is so interesting. You can definitely tell he was raised outside of mainstream society.
Love these people! Been following Sam and Melissa for quite awhile now!!! Thanks dr. Dehlin!
I have enjoyed your interviews so much. My sister in law and her kids were devout mormons but all the kids have left the church now except one niece but they were always trying to get me to join but I became Tabernacle Baptist. Since then I have learned to believe that religion is man made and Christianity is from God so I stay at home and read the Bible and do bible study on the phone with friends and relatives. I am not young I am 76 now and I try to thank God for everyday and everything that he has given me. I am so glad that you are happy today and that you did have a good childhood and also you don’t forget about all the children that were abused in their homes
The cantaloupe and ice cream story warmed my heart ❤️ I’ve never thought of using half a melon as an ice cream bowl before, so I’m definitely trying that out 👌😁
I love Sam and Melissa! Loved watching this interview!
His statement about the reason prophecies do not come true is because of the people not being obedient enough and not because the prophecies aren’t true is so heartbreaking
It
Is obvious that polygamy is a subject that is of interest to most non Mormons. Thank so much to present it with all due respect. This couple is a wonderful example ! Thank you!
yes it used to be VERY controversial, i think it's losing it's strangeness to the general public (gentiles) due to more acceptance of various types of families/couples/thruples and all the many kinds of loving/caring relationships that are not denied in the public as they'd have been up to just a couple decades ago, just straight up "man with many wives" isn't such a shiny thing anymore. BUT the RIGHTS and TREATMENT of those wives and CHILDREN are the thing we're all curious about, these days.
Such a great podcast. Excited to listen to parts 2 and 3
Excelkent. One of your best. Thank you.
Soooo happy to see this!!!
It would be amazing if you could interview Elissa Wall who was a former FLDS member that was forced to marry her first cousin and escaped polygamy. Would love to hear her story on this platform!
She’s been interviewed!
@@maciahm7481The comment was from a year ago
Hi! I hope you got some much needed rest John!!! You look well rested, and calm.
I don't usually comment to much. I always enjoy your videos.
I listen to Sam and Melissa’s vlogs all the time. This is my first time watching yours. I have a new very interesting channel to watch. I have a lot of catching up to do! Great job!!
August Zitting, Charles's Father, was excommunicated for calling out the prophets for continuing polygamy secretly. My Grandpa, John Zitting, repabtized him at his request the next day he passed. Charles went to the University and his younger brother, my Grandpa would send him money to help him out. He married to Mimi and had 2 children. When he ran into a polygamist man on the street he began to change his mind on mormonism and grew to believe in polygamy. He was introduced to the Wooley's and converted losing his first marriage and children to his new commitment to polygamy.
He was very charismatic and talented. We have a History as told by my Grandpa that includes stories about Charles growing up. Dorothy Zitting, Gordon's wife, had the audio history.
I am DYING at Sam’s story of the bed purchase “oh that’s me 🙋🏻♂️” 😂😭😭😭
Thank you so much for covering words, definitions, etc. that we non Mormons may not understand.
He didn’t know he was missing anything with his father. He never felt deprived because he didn’t know anything different. He was a happy boy.
Taped on my birthday! Lol
Love what you guys do! Keep it up
TY for sharing very insightful to the life for Flds from a teen perspective in that life.
Sam, I've got you beat, but barely. My dad, convert to the mainstream church, was 55 when I born in 1988. He was 89 when he passed on his birthday in 2022, I was 32. It's crazy having a Dad that was raised during WWII and the great depression. A lot of cool stories. Your story really shows what it was like in the 1800s version of the mainstream church, and it's crazy how the mainstream church overlooks that on a daily basis.
Throwing in my request for Amanda and Eskel Grant as well. Also this would have to be thought about due to the vulnerable nature, but the tendency of the Order to send their "problem" kids (who are often actively trying to leave the cult) to youth treatment centers to try to shock them into submission.
In my opinion, if the FLDS is embarrassing or even repulsive to the mainstream LDS, then their own history should be just as embarrassing. The FLDS looks more like early Mormonism than the modern LDS.
I learned a great deal, so interesting. This is a very impressive, delightful couple.
I love these two. Just their story without anger or vindictive feelings. Other guests leave me feeling they have an ax to grind.
The ones that you feel have an ax to grind..... Well maybe they do.
They were deceived, controlled and brainwashed their entire lives.... Deconstructing from that is a painful process.....
Longer for some than others.
I am still deconstructing from my religious upbringing/brainwashing.... It is painful.... It can be ugly.... I am still angry.
My religious upbringing had nothing to do with polygamy, but religious cults all use similar brainwashing tactics.
It’s wild to think that the FLDS is just Mormonism… but with real non celestial polygamy- that the scripture isn’t that different is wild to me- I thought it would be like a lost chapter or something- this was wonderful- so excited for the next part
The FLDS stayed closer to the basis of what Joseph Smith created. Joseph Smith was a polygamist, something I wasn’t taught growing up in the mainstream church.
The Canadian group is in Bountiful which is located in rural British Columbia. There are actually two groups... there is one that follows Winston Blackmore (as Sam described) and they are more laid back. Then they also have the "original" Canadian group that still follow Jeffs. The Canadian group that follows Jeffs dont interact a lot with society but Blackmore's group does.
Thank you for the history lesson ☺️
I've never been Mormon and haven't really had much exposure other than occasionally seeing the missionaries on bikes. When they were talking about the church songs it made me wonder if the LDS and FLDS have any hymns in common with mainstream protestant churches? I grew up in a hymn singing church and have never heard of any of the songs mentioned here.
Hey John, you need to interview Amanda who also has a CZcams channel. She’s from the Kingston group and she’s amazing, I’ve been following her for years!
What a beautiful couple. So informative and educational. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for this video! Super interesting.
John, I appreciate you do research on your subjects.
❤the story sam shared about his one on one time with his mother was precious. 😢
John asked at one point about fights between the groups and I highly recommend the podcast "Deliver Us From Ervil" which is about the fundamentalist Mormon, polygamist groups in Mexico led by various LeBarons. Rulon Allred (head of the AUB and grandfather of Christine Brown of Sister Wives on TLC and Lance Allred) was murdered on an order by Ervil LeBaron. The leaders of the fundamentalist groups were aware of each other and had different rivalries. But FLDS did stay out of that mostly to my knowledge.
I’m so happy to see this! I would highly recommend considering interviewing Amanda Grant from the Kingston Group/The Order. She has a channel on CZcams called Amanda Rae.
Yes I follow her! That would be a wonderful episode
I love the cantaloupe and ice-cream story! ❤️
Sam and Melissa are very nice people and I like their channel very much.
JUST A HEADS UP- SAM and MELISSA are hosting a women's panel on their channel (growing up in polygamy) and will have Joanma(FLDS) and Amanda Rae(Order/Kingston Clan)
What an amazing couple this was so informative Thanks for shearing
I can't say enough about how gorgeous the area of Southern Utah near Zion is where they grew up. As a camper and hiker it's always a prime destination.
The FLDS in Canada are in the southeastern part of British Columbia (province). The settlement is called Bountiful. I remember it being in the news a few times
OMG, can’t wait!
Love this delightful couple! ❤
I love Sam and Melissa's podcast! It's always positive, respectful and very informative... John always adds such a negative twist to everything!!!
Girl, a good interviewer is supposed to play the devils advocate.
Is a "devil's advocate" point of view really necessary here? It's meant to informative no real need for John's "opinion on facts"... It's not his story!
There was a horrible accident where Sam was involved at the same time my Son was involved in a rodeo accident in Hurricane. I met Sam's mom and she was actually the first person I had ever talked to from The Crik. She was very worried and so was I.... She was a very kind and loving person who obviously cared about her kids! Sam ended up being Life Flighted.
In what way was John being negative?
I have a few questions about the room in the meeting house that Sam called the "main hall". Is the meeting house the main house of worship and fellowship, is that building where members gathered on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and worship services to hear Warren's sermons and prophecies that he spoke directly to the members from the pulpit? If so that building would be simply be called the church or the church house for older people that remember when schools were also called "school houses". 😆
Being born and raised as a Pentecostal Christian, its fascinating to me how different yet still so similar the FLDS is compared to different denominations of Christianity. As a Christian going to church every Sunday, I only belonged to one church my whole life. My first memories are sitting on a pew next to my great grandmother in church, we were at church at least 3days every week because my great grandmother was a missionary, in the senior choir, and went to weekly Bible study classes. We were also limited in how we could dress; women were not allowed to wear pants, only Iong skirts and high necked blouses, even at amusement parks. Having pierced ears wasn't allowed, no going to the movies, television outside of the news was discouraged, even sports entertainment was frowned upon. Skipping church to watch Sunday football could make you ineligible to take your monthly holy communion sacrament.
The room at my church and every church that our church would visit to fellowship with (sister churches that are part of our churches regional network) would call what Sam described as the "main hall", the sanctuary. The church had different smaller rooms that had different purposes; a room for Bible study, choir rehearsals, store rooms where they would store donated clothing, or furniture that they would give to charities, and food that the church would donate to homeless shelters, "soup kitchens", or organize their own food drives, there were offices for church officials. There was also a kitchen and dining hall, where the food was prepared and eaten when there were community functions happening around church; like celebrations such as; church officials birthdays, or significant church anniversaries such as founders day. If there was a funeral at the church, we would gather in the dining hall at the church after the burial of the departed and eat there..
The sanctuary is where the pulpit and prayer bench that runs across the entire front of the church for the whole length of the pulpit area were located in the church. The prayer bench looks like a step with a short white wooden banister fixed to the step. The prayer bench is exactly what it sounds like it would be, a bench where you could kneel down to pray without having to kneel down on the floor, to avoid getting your clothes dirty, and women not having to kneel on the floor in your nice Sunday dress or skirt. You would kneel down on that carpeted step, knees on the step elbows on the wooden banister with your head bowed, and hands together in prayer. The prayer bench was directly in front of the pulpit, it created a separation between the congregation and the pastor, reverend, elder, deacon, or bishop that was speaking up in the pulpit.
The speaker up in the pulpit could lock down on the prayer bench from the pulpit, that you had to go up a couple of steps to get into. The pulpit stands higher than everything and everyone in the sanctuary, except the people sitting in the balconies surrounding the sanctuary which was rarely used. The balcony was mainly used when a sister church came from, let's say Culpepper, VA to fellowship with us, and their pastor was an invited guest speaker/ preacher. They have a yearly convocation where all of the churches under Bible Way's umbrella come together at a convention hall to celebrate the founders, and acknowledge the high ranking authorities in the church community among other things.
I know that the (JW) Jehovah's Witnesses call their "meeting house" or "Church House" building Kingdom Halls and not just the Church or the "Church House"..
I think the things that's so interesting to me about cults and religious offshoots is that most people involved in the movement really think they are doing the right things.
That was something that really surprised me too, specifically about Scientologists. I feel so much for the people who have donated so much of their hard earned money, believing they are changing the world. It's awful. They really had the best intentions.
Me too. It's hard to fathom.
I didn't know that the LDS church had a song called 'Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam'. That's interesting. Nirvana had a 1993 song called 'Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam'.
Being from the middle east myself, it blows my mind that there are more than 6 billion people around the world, living in one form or another totalitarian regime, a form of dictatorship or another… who are fighting with their lives for equal rights and freedom of speech and other basic human rights…. And there are individuals born into that a system automatically giving them freedom and them going out of their ways ; proactively choosing to deny themselves the most basic human rights…. That just blows my mind …
This is utterly fascinating, and it really cooks my brain to try to understand how people fall under religious control to these unbelievable levels...
The stricter the church the less you have to think.