"Wag the Dog"

I've wanted certain people 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 should explain: I felt that if I contacted these folks 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" 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 from the pulpit that current members are to have nothing to do with the ex-member; the offending ex-member 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. Having left the ICoC and spoken out about my experience, I have been called a "slanderer," "Satan's daughter," and a few other choice names by ICoC members - it doesn't matter, as long as I am being true to what I know.

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 of this group for non-compliance. 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 - after all, if a "sharp" person leaves, others are sure to follow his/her example.

For the ICoC, "disfellowshipping" (which is, "kicking people out for whatever reason they can come up with") and "marking" are nothing more than damage control.

"Wag The Dog." It means, create a diversion elsewhere in order to get the focus off your own bad behavior. Why must you in the ICoC always be pointing the finger anywhere except at yourselves? Again, may I remind you, "what about YOUR sin"??? What is it about the ICoC which should make it (as an organization) immune to criticism? Does your members' indoctrinated belief that the ICoC is "The One True Church" make it so? If that's what you believe, then sorry - I beg to differ.

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 in a big way? 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, in my opinion. 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.

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