I've wanted certain friends in the ICoC to know that I was unhappy about cutting off all contact with them, but at the time, I felt it was for the best.

I felt that if I contacted my friends and a leader found out, the following would have happened:

1) they'd have been discipled� about how to talk to me to get me to come back to the ICoC, which I consider manipulative;

(2) they'd have been advised� (i.e., commanded) that it would be better not to continue the friendship, which I consider paranoid; or

3) I'd have eventually been publicly marked� for divisiveness� which I consider to be more a territorial act than a spiritual one (where the ICoC is concerned, anyway).

For non-ICoC readers not familiar with the term, marking� involves announcing to the congregation that current members are to have nothing to do with the past member; the past member in question is is publicly branded as a divisive� person. Whether these markings by the ICoC take place in accordance with Scripture is another matter altogether. And some people who have left the ICoC may be marked and not even know it - another instance where the ICoC claims to go by the Bible, but then turn around and act only in their own interest (see Matthew 18). Having left the ICoC and spoken out about my experiences, I have been called a "slanderer," "Satan's daughter," and a few other choice names by ICoC members - not that I care. I just chalk it up to persecution�. ;->

I've wondered lately why doesn't the ICoC put up a webpage that lists marked people so everyone will know who's not supposed to be talking to who? Seriously - I believe those who lead others in the ICoC, whether on a worldwide or a local level, don't want the public to know how many people leave or get booted out. That would be bad for morale. If not stated outright, it's heavily implied by ICoC leadership that associating with a marked� person puts one's own salvation in jeopardy, as well! Those that remain are made to fear those that have left. Especially if a sharp� person leaves - because others are sure to follow his/her example.

For the ICoC, disfellowshipping� and marking� are merely attempts at damage control.

Did you ever see the movie Wag the Dog which starred Dustin Hoffman? When you "wag the dog," it means you create a diversion elsewhere in order to get the focus off your own bad behavior. And "wagging the dog" is, along with so many other quesetionable practices, standard operating procedure in the ICoC.

Instead of disfellowshipping and marking people right and left who point out the inconsistencies and hypocrisy in the ICoC, why don't y'all just be humble and admit you've screwed up? Jesus himself observed that people will receive mercy in direct proportion to the mercy they have shown others (Matthew 7:2). Let me ask you a question: as an ICoC member who may be reading this (spiritual pornography� rebukes notwithstanding), are you frightened to be in a position where people might "do unto you" as you've done to them? If you are, you should be thinking LONG AND HARD about some things. If you really go by the Bible, how will you put Matthew 7:2 into practice in your life? Where is the evidence that people in the ICoC are doing what is righteous in this regard? Sorry, I just don't see it.

A Special Message

I did have a few close friends in the ICoC. (You know who you are.) I just want them to know that I am very grateful for them as individuals, though I firmly believe that they are part of a false church. I have faith that a Higher Power will show them a better way.


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