Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Tunnel Vision

The latest issue of David Hulme's magazine, Vision, features a satellite image of my home patch, Auckland. Exactly why isn't immediately clear, but hey, does anyone care? Hulme is leader of the now somewhat downsized Church of God - an International Community, a secretive spin-off from the Worldwide Church of God that recently witnessed a significant exodus of ministers and members.

Inside Vision writer Gina Stepp focuses on the theme of bullying, and there's an interview with a developmental psychologist. It's an interesting choice given the appalling history various COG groups have over their own ministerial authoritarianism and spiritual bullying, and the 'Hulmerous' church is hardly exceptional. The situation is somewhat reminiscent of the report Gary Leonard is carrying on his blog over an upcoming United Church of God seminar in which John Cafourek will be pontificating on "How to Recover from the Ravages of Abuse".

It seems to me that many Church of God groups have an issue implementing what educationalists call "reflective practice". They simply can't see how any of this stuff applies to them. They're far too busy pouting and pointing to the splinter in someone else's eye to recognise the beam that is projecting out of their own eye sockets.

Should you feel so motivated, the relevant issue of Vision is available online.
Posted by Gavin R at 23:49

3 comments:

  1. Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix1 October 2014 at 03:13

    Great post! My response: http://godcannotbecontained.blogspot.com/2014/09/bullying-within-gods-church.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1 October 2014 at 05:05

    David Hulme tried (TRIED!) to excise British Israelism. He failed, of course, since the Cult of Herbert Armstrong Mafia NEEDS (absolutely NEEDS!) British Israelism to exist -- it's an addiction that won't go away. His ministers just couldn't stomach his removal of 'truth' given them by 'Mr.' Armstrong. Everything after that is irrelevant. You have to ask, "Why?" There's no reason for Vision magazine... unless... unless... it's all about ego and money -- but! but! how can it be for such a faithful humble loyal servant minister?

    As for NO2HWA and the John Cafourek seminar on abuse, has anyone noticed it's on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles? And at the Wisconsin Dells Feast site? I'd say it's pretty much for members. And they need it. And no, how to recover from 'spiritual abuse' will NOT be covered.

    If the Cult of Herbert Armstrong Mafia were so all fired concerned about abuse, why don't they preach the gospel of redemption through Jesus? I mean, really, Jesus IS the answer.

    Or...

    You could just get "Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships" by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias and "Life Code: The New Rules for Winning in the Real World" by Dr. Phil McGraw.

    There's no use to having a seminar on chicken safety by one of the foxes guarding the chicken coop.

    Although, if you think about it, it makes a kind of perverse sense....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Minimalist2 October 2014 at 10:51

    Please go easy on 'Dr' Hulme, times are tough, and it's said he has a Trophy Wife to fund!
    I could not find anywhere on this vision.org info about his 'PhD' so I sent a message requesting what it was and from where?
    Received no reply. So no answers to the "Big Questions" at Vision, but there is a DONATE button!

    ReplyDelete

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