i was born into a cult... |

[@JoshuaFluke1]

This is not 'anti-Christianity' at all, it's a cult disguised as Christianity, just watch it and if you're religious I think you'd agree with me.

[@smoothdoge9184]

Hair looks much better like this mate

[@MohseenLala]

Christianity is a cult, it just survived and grew and now has splinter cults.

[@cg8939]

@@shubhamagrawal6359 yeah "Sanatan Dharma" is very interesting especially how close it is to science. Christianity has become a big MLM scheme now recruiting more and more members. I like their concept of God, just experience life. No need to shove God down the throat by a Cult.

[@Skapo]

Well I would clarify that all of these characteristics are innate to Christianity as a whole, but fundamentalist cults are just more adherent to the texts in a literal sense. The line between "cult" and "church" is extremely narrow. Steven Hassan's BITE model is usually a good tell tale of whether a group crosses that line: Behavior Control - Check Information Control - Check Thought Control - Check Emotional Control - Check Sorry you had to go through that shit man. Been there done that. I went to college for Biblical Theology & Ancient Hebrew and slent 7 years of my adult life in active ministry sharing the gospel. I eventually left after realizing how much it had fucked with my psyche. Shit messes with you for life. The guilt complexes still mess with me now and I'm nearly 8 years an atheist. It's rad you're willing to talk openly about it. I wish ya well dude.

[@TKUA11]

I’m in a Slavic Baptist church, it’s more traditional than strict . I hope bad churches like these don’t turn people away from Christ

[@drazicmilosovic1065]

There’s nothing Christian about making children suffer for sins that we are told Jesus has suffered for already.

[@TheJoePiper]

💯🙌

[@lamzy3773]

Absolutely!!!

[@babyramses5066]

Preach on it

[@bobby9192]

Wow

[@sylviadomerese352]

Well said

[@viviandean2656]

I'm the daughter of a Pentecostal preacher. I taught Sunday School, played piano, performed singing groups, went to church several times every week, plus occasional "revivals" and women had a very strict dress code, and I'm over it. Since leaving church, I'm more loving and accepting. I'm not defensive and it's so much better. Fear is no way to live.

[@benmollitor3776]

Was it a jesus only Pentecostal church? Where women have to wear the skirts and can't wear makeup and jewelry?

[@viviandean2656]

@@benmollitor3776 , it wasn't Jesus only, though Jesus only are sometimes like that. When I was a kid, the makeup, skirts, etc. was like that. These days it's a little more relaxed about jewelry, and some of the other stuff. Still, it's strict in other ways. No movies. You have the right idea though. It's horrible. There's so much hate and a person is judged on everything and talked about.

[@REMNANTRising2005]

@@benmollitor3776 JESUS Christ is GOD in the flesh and He is also the Holy spirit All in one

[@medsed1133]

@@REMNANTRising2005 thats pretty complicated/confusing , Jesus never claimed divinity himself plain n simple.

[@Cate7451]

Mohamed Sedki , that's not true just read the Bible, John 1, you're from a different religion.

[@ardentlyfair7315]

Brilliant. I'm a psychologist; have worked with cult survivors for years. You have a wonderful way of laying it out. This video will help more people than you know. Thank you!

[@hitzoneproductions7858]

Hi, Do you see patients over the phone?

[@AngelsVoiceASMR]

Yes same question!! Do you see clients over the phone or do you recommend any other people like yourself

[@brentsteyn6671]

I also need belp

[@Sk8ngInDuval]

Also wondering if you take clients over the phone.. I’m not a cult survivor, but pretty close...

[@hitzoneproductions7858]

@@Sk8ngInDuval Free counseling is available online via something called telemedicine. I just found it today. If you have IG I'll PM the link to you and anyone else who needs someone to talk to.

[@emileewright4661]

I’m so proud of you for not becoming brainwashed as a child. These stories show how intelligent you were even as a young child, and that you’re pure in heart by remaining authentic and also assuming the other kids were being as authentic as you were.

[@LeilaDandan]

i was just thinking the same thing. love how determined he was to stay true to himself no matter how much he wanted to fit in. religion seems to always be about doing the right thing to fit in, when it really should be about your own personal walk. as a christian (not pentecostal haha) i have met so many people that believe in jesus just to be like their friends and family. I cant imagine how stressful that must be.

[@DinoMarcoccia]

Yeah, that's amazing how he logically deals with things and wasn't influenced by the expectations of others

[@yoruichixx6951]

bro you are a netflix show

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Lmao sometimes i think im in a Truman show

[@Deschutron]

@@JoshuaFluke1 Your videos last week: Well in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening and good night!

[@meejmuas8686]

Silicon Valley mixed with Malcolm in the Middle. Id watch it on netflix

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

@@JoshuaFluke1 Out of millions of people and trillions of events some people are bound to coincidentally have stuff happen that feel like its an impossible coincidence. :-)

[@drkaustubhwagh9779]

Maybe that's his spiritual gift

[@lydialorraine5164]

Well no one can say you've had a boring life...

[@luisdelgado-in3oo]

Lol

[@YPM498]

😂😂 Lmaoo man has been through it

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Slowly learning that my life growing up was not infact normal. It was nuts.

[@Tom-ly4xf]

@@JoshuaFluke1 LET ME CONVERT YOU, LET ME SHOW YOU THE LIGHT! 😂 ...pls just give me a like

[@phunkyphresh3799]

@@JoshuaFluke1 There's a lot of wild shit in the world, you'd be surprised when you talk to your coworkers about things. I didn't think arranged marriages were still a thing until 4 or 5 of my coworkers were in them. One guy met a girl at 8 am in the morning, got married, and had the ring by the same afternoon.

[@titanninjawarrior]

As unbelievable as the camp was, what really boils my pot is that your family said that they were disappointed with you. I would be livid if someone did that to my child. I am so sorry that happened to you.

[@Crybaby-Media]

“I wanted to fit in, but I wanted to do it authentically. I never thought other people would be faking it. So I thought something was wrong with me” This resonates so much with me

[@stevenlaczko8688]

Holyy shhhiiitttt yep.

[@gabrielsanandres537]

Same here dude.

[@fabric1928]

Me too, man.

[@WolfgangGrimer]

Same

[@KajiJester]

I added the same line to my quotes list. I was happy to see others shared the same impact.

[@diannemclaughlin6332]

I attended a " church" like this for years...the doctrine was supposed to be that you are saved by grace but they were always trying to earn their salvation...thank God I finally understood that my faith is not a religion but rather my relationship with my Lord.

[@1ADTR]

Amen and amen.

[@REMNANTRising2005]

AMEN I don't go to a church building anymore I have a relationship with JESUS and it's all I need, we are the temple of God and when born of the spirit the Holy spirit dwells in our bodies not in buildings made by humans, the word says there is coming a day the true WORSHIPPERS will WORSHIP in spirit and truth that day came on the day of Pentecost in Acts in the upper room and they were filled with the spirit and spoke with other tongues as the spirit gave the utterances, there is a true spiritual tonge from the Holy spirit be careful blaspheming the Holy spirit people, I know there are fake tongues as well, but I have the true language from God

[@medsed1133]

Jesus isn't God though , Jesus had a God that you don't have a direct relationship with sadly.

[@siriusthecat]

This is awesome. I really respect this

[@HotMessToHotMom]

Grace = God did All the work thru Jesus AND we are GIVEN that grace and mercy and our own meritorious act is that we BELIEVE in Christ and his Perfect Sacrifice.

[@danadrewmichelle13]

My ex boyfriend was pentecostal when we dated as teenagers. His family HATED me. And like I don't mean just didn't tolerate me, they wouldn't always me in their house and we could only see each other at school and at church. He lived in literal fear of the lord and his family. He was so stressed out that at 17 he had acquired a huge grey patch in his hair. His family member tricked me into thinking we were going to fix things and she kicked everyone out of the house and cornered me and told me I was going to hell and my boyfriend wasn't going to be dragged down by a whore. They told me I wasn't allowed to go to their church anymore because I wore pants. They also threatened bodily harm on my ex because they found out we were "sneaking around" (we were getting ice cream together and walking around the park.) They made our lives hell. My boyfriend at the time was a genuinely wonderful human being, but the stress and fear drove a HUGE wedge between us until I finally had to break it off. He's out of that situation now and has an adorable little family and even though we aren't together anymore, it's such a relief to know that he ran FAR away from that lifestyle.

[@jaky411]

Oh man, so sorry to hear you had to go through a family like that. Also what a terrible mom to say such things about other women without knowing anything about them and labeling them as whores.

[@weirdgirl4611]

I am sorry that you had to go through that.😢

[@Tina06019]

That woman sounds like a nasty piece of work. If her son still talks with her, it may be more kindness than she deserves.

[@danadrewmichelle13]

Sadly, his mom passed away when he was young. She tried to shield him from all that craziness and after she passed, his extended family took him in. I could never speak ill of his mother. She seemed like she was very, very kind.

[@jellib13]

Sounds like my mother in law! Sorry you had to go through that 😔

[@tabithajarzynka1571]

I grew up Pentecostal too. At summer camp, they told me the proof I wasn't “baptized in the spirit” (aka speaking in tongues) was because I had the demon of rebellion against God. Left their denomination in college and by that point I had been brainwashed into believing there was something deeply wrong with me. It was incredible to join a non-cult Christian fellowship.

[@kadedah2077]

This scripture is taken out of context 'speaking in tongues.' Authentic Christians dont garble nonsense. In the bible in Acts 1 and 2 where it talks about speaking in tongues, it means visiting foreigners at Pentecost festival heard hosts speaking their own language and knew it could only come from God to be able to do that. And that helped convert the visitors. God shows miracles now through changed lives, not hearing gibberish which was never the case in the first place.

[@ElzariusUnity]

So from one cult into another? Lol

[@stevemartin7721]

@@ElzariusUnity I agree, I came out of something similar. It's not something to laugh at though

[@chinaarlene7035]

​@ElzariusUnity if every time you go to a church and you feel like you're in a cult, the problem may be you 😂😂😂

[@rebeccaa.3121]

@@ElzariusUnity - Cults have a clear definition. Most protestant churches are NOT cults. Charismatic beliefs however, often lead to cultic behaviour.

[@psychoticmime]

My coworker is Pentecostal and invited me to her church, and me, being agnostic just wanted to see what it was all about. It was probably the most traumatic thing I've experienced. Everyone screaming in tongues and crying and falling over and I'm just standing there freaking out. After all the pastor people circled around me and all put their hands on me... I don't like being touched but now i was trapped in a circle of strangers. Very scary experience and i never went back again. My mom raised me Baptist and i didn't enjoy that either. I was no longer forced to go at age 16.

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

Yikes! And going with a coworker no less...not even a close friend. That had to be intense!

[@milkandspice1074]

How was the discussion with your co worker after that?

[@ccalexander1924]

I had a similar experience at a so called gospel church but I laughed my a$$ off bc it was so hyper and I felt so out of my element 😂. I never went back

[@diamondssa]

Yes baby love I left a Pentecostal at 16. I was baptized and saved in one. But they almost made me commit suicide for making me feel like I'm not worthy enough. They didn't know my household was just the same. You ain't lie they are very strange.

[@LeilaDandan]

that sounds awful, so sorry you had to go through it man.

[@leeanngreen9830]

I was the black sheep of my youth group because I asked to many questions. Cults are freaking hell.

[@yulyasevelova769]

Oh yes, this resonates so much !! America really cranks out the cults, and the missionaries to spread the spores from whatever sect they are. Fear and deprivation is a major ploy of theirs. I did watch a documentary about that type of thing. * sigh* I hate seeing this done to people. This stuff you describe is the legacy of those slave- trading, genocidist Pilgrims/ Puritans, I'm sorry to say. Was this from the ATI course from Bill Gothard, by any chance ? They teach that video games and ' worldly music' is demonic. It sounds like getting away and going no- contact would be best. If that's what you want to do. I had to put up with my bi-polar, angry and terrified mother, once I was 18. No life for myself at all. The church people said I had to let my mother live with me, and not have her own place. She was a rageaholic, granted being stalked by abusive relatives did that number on her. I regret so much that I didn't just leave, and send her money by mail to help her out, yet stay away. It's not dishonoring parents to do that. One must enforce boundaries. That's how you could deal with anyone who insists you stay in this toxic situation with your relatives. So it's not surprising to hear your story. In the site, homeschoolersanonymous.org, kids who grew up in what you describe, survivors now, asking with nolongerquivering.com, will have accounts of these survivors of spiritual abuse. Like Cynthia Jeub, for example. Good luck on your journey of escape from the madness.

[@yulyasevelova769]

Good for you, LeeAnne, for asking those questions !

[@CanadianRM4]

That’s terrible. Even Jesus answered questions that questioned his status. The Bible even mentions debate and conversation.

[@saynotohookups]

It's totally okay to ask questions.

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

Same. Ugh.

[@olivyae3057]

It makes sense why you're so anti-corporte; the innate distrust of top-down organizations starts early. Don't blame you, man

[@viviblackmage2326]

😂

[@babyramses5066]

Yes i left the church.. don't like being manipulated and shunned by those who do and am anticorporate ..but I never made the correlation between the two till you mentioned it.

[@avamasquerade]

Ideologically, it's all the same. Kool-aid is kool-aid no matter how much it's watered down.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

Religion is a business corporation that jumps into bed with other corporations.

[@scarlotraven6193]

I didn’t realize I grew up in a Pentecostal cult until I did a sociology presentation in college. When I went up there, I assumed everybody would be familiar with the experiences I was sharing. They were in total shock. I still remember the look on their faces. The exorcisms, people screaming and rolling around on the floor and vomiting because they're full of demons. The hypocrisy, the pastor somehow buying a new car with no job while the church was struggling, my mom calling the Ninja Turtles demons and throwing away all our stuff. My Uncle trashed my cousins t.v. in front of the building while praying out loud because the cartoons were putting demons in his eyes. Years later my uncle got a reputation for exposing himself in front of women including my mom, he was still preaching on the street corner while still doing this. I have countless stories including the youth pastor getting arrested for sex abuse in the church basement, me getting banned from the front because somebody said I was using profanity, meanwhile all the teenagers that were allowed to participate in church activities were all having sex in the church basement and one got pregnant.

[@Ryattt81]

I know this is an old post but.......holy shit man (or lady) That is crazy.

[@chahinebourenane6291]

Shit! it's like some Muslims here...

[@Abreeclarey]

What?! That’s crazy

[@avamasquerade]

Beautifully worded. Pick a week, any week in the bible belt, and this exact sequence of events will be found peppered throughout. Watching the madness of it absolutely tickled me pink when I was growing up. There were these stark moments at church or "revival" when the buffoonery of it all would suddenly strike me, and I'd just cut loose laughing hysterically at these wild adults. My brother would usually catch whatever hysteria had gripped me like it was some kind of contagion, and beatings for our mockery (or "demonic influence") be damned, man, it was worth it for the unadulterated and unrelenting bursts of sheer maniacal joy... Fk, man, we still gleefully recount the many episodes to each other to this day, each scar a badge of defiance and a memory of all the times we unrelentingly mocked the absolute sht out of the adults. The more unhinged they became, the heavier their blows landed, the harder we laughed. Because we, *just to spite them all,* were free, and they couldn't stop us.

[@Sly-Moose]

"And the devil will disguise himself as the Lord" or something something. Idr how the line goes. But ya, that.

[@shannonhensley2942]

The reason why you don't hear about it is because most people didn't end up okay. And are increbily traumatized and embarrassed by it. I'm so proud you were able to stand up and say it. I'm horrified this exist.

[@karacole2304]

Or they have serious cognitive dissonance and refuse to leave. 😭

[@KAYKAMM61]

I grew up the exact same way. Still have many old friends who I grew up with still in church speaking in tongues and running the isles etc. Alot of us turned into either bipolar or felt guilty about everything so many turned to alcohol or drugs because we were so mixed up and confused as to how to live a normal life. Its so hard living with guilt that your not chosen or good enough

[@kwisatzhaderach1458]

That haircut is looking clean AF.

[@quirkypurple]

Yeah, looks good.

[@thatdude123]

Man's is handsome!

[@modeal317]

kinda looked like the front was the only part that wasn't cut off lmao

[@hepticftw]

the mr robot cut

[@therealdrachi12]

usa still in 2014 with their hairstyles. catch up folks...

[@ska187]

2019 Josh: Top 10 languages to learn to get a job in the industry 2020 Josh: I was in a cult. This is the content I subscribe for. Keep doing what you doing, josh 👍

[@Eden519]

Ska 1 I'm legit still in shock from all his personal stories and don't think i'll ever recover

[@jonathanalphonso2035]

Sometimes I miss the coding videos though.

[@jaredbaum]

@@Eden519 xDDD he recovered.. but can his viewers?

[@kenburrell6227]

I think Josh is opening up about a significant part of his life that is helping him, and perhaps others, to find fulfillment and happiness by dealing realistically with a traumatic event. Even if your whole life is non-religious and is only about software develipment, it would be quite common to experience trauma caused by others in which you placed trust. In that sense, it's a very realistic look at some of the issues you may experience just in a computer career. Some software firms suck up your entire life as if they were a religion.

[@Mike-zf4xg]

Yes, the guy is a liar. Glad you enjoy his fake stories that he randomly makes up. But honestly, it's entertainment.

[@OriginallyOodorii]

That “just have faith” is so triggering for me because after a while I was like “have faith in what?!” And I hate when you ask for an explanation about something and they’ll be like “because god says so” or “because god wants it that way” like, what?

[@djyua9157]

Have faith that God will help you and never let you down is it really that hard to understand?

[@Ethan-bn2pu]

@@djyua9157 ah yes, almost all the crackhead in my town said that

[@kenosabi]

@@djyua9157 it's about as believable as Santa Claus. Modern organized religion is essentially a control mechanism for keeping otherwise perfectly rational people in their place. Religion is used to start more wars then anything else, it's often the root of fanatical terrorism. It used to explain away and justify in too many cases people's shitty and hateful attitudes. It's been used throughout history as a political tool. It's been influenced by some of the richest and most corrupt people in the world (for example the Holy See took a Rothschild loan). It promotes group think and turning off critical thinking. It's consistently hypocritical. Its corrupted by man's grubby little hands. There's debate around whether Jesus even existed - there's pretty much no historical mention of him from the region he's proclaimed to be from. This guy walks on water and can turn it into wine yet no Historian of the region thought "wow I should really right this down, it's incredible". Neither the Bible nor the Quran were written in the time of their prophets - both came DECADES (at a minimum) later. Plus followers seem to struggle about whether it's to be interpreted or taken literally- both of which always seem to change according to the debate they are currently having and whatever half ass explanation they are trying to pass off to the questioner. Bringing up a ridiculous story about some guy living in a whale? Well that parts meant to be figurative. Dating the age of the planet? Well that part is literal. So yes. It's pretty hard to understand or believe. At least for anyone asking questions and pointing out the above glaring inconsistencies and power plays. Is God real? I think so. Is modern religion the path to him? I don't think so. For all the reasons above.

[@ShawnC.W-King]

​@@djyua9157It is when it's not presented properly so for some yes it is when you have people who are just vague AF and don't reference ANYTHING to back up a seemingly generic "Have Faith" response, like a rudderless ship. You're welcome

[@ShawnC.W-King]

Idk why, I read the ending as N'SYNC "I want it that way"

[@cheapfm]

Your special gift was that you were blessed with reason. All the others were doomed.

[@subigyalamichhane1363]

I don't think he is the only one blessed with reason but he is the only one with guts to not fit in with everybody and be unique.

[@mechamicro]

That is what the cult does, it deletes your thinking as an individual but more like a thinking as a group.

[@rachelcrawford1977]

There not the way he’s describing cult turned it into things it’s not why would god want people screaming random crap or only talk and understand others. Plus spiritual gifts are things your born with. Like he has the gift of a discernment he knew it was fake and was aware it was wrong. Plus he’s willing to take huge punishment to not lie to himself those are all spiritual gifts not what they are talking about

[@TheThreatenedSwan]

Uh, no. The reason most people aren't Christian nowadays is because it is no longer in power, and people are highly conformist. They just follow the mores laid out by the elite. Becoming non-Christian, hating on Christianity, and parroting the dogmas of the current regime is the path of least resistance

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

It's not a gift, nothing is. Everything is learned and earned. Takes many lifetimes.

[@podunk_woman]

What's really sad is how many people honestly think this is normal.

[@RandomDarter]

No, what's disturbing is that this IS what is normal, but very few people over the age of 30 seem to even question whether this is healthy.

[@lolas9256]

I didn't even know you did career/coding videos, I'm just here for the dumpster fire. Thank you for the quarantine content

[@FloppityFlopFlop777]

Pentecostalism is truly of the devil. This explains so much about how they treated you. I'm sorry they put you through all that. I've known adults who were sucked into that muck, but it must've been a real trip as a kid...I'll pray for your healing. 🙏 May God protect you and everyone else who escapes that trap. Thank you for sharing your story, hopefully it helps others recovering.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

Every worthless religion is the same way. I see your hypocrisy.

[@davidscritchfieldds]

I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness, so I understand this. It was a different variety of extreme religion/cult, but it still definitely fucked me up, and it's not a healthy way for a kid to grow up. Thank you for speaking about this, and helping other people get past their childhoods.

[@katherineb1253]

My aunt is a Jehovah witness & it’s so similar

[@blossom3970]

I am a JW well that's what my family think because I'm not do nothing more than stay in reunions but Im Gay and i have nothing and no support to leave the house, to go university, to have friends out of religion, so... I just hope one day when my parents or family past away maybe my life change but today that's not possible im asmatic, depressed without contact people out of religion, no friends, no nothing. I'm 24, live in Mexico, and i always remember been abuse and my family think it was my fault because I don't tell they what happened to me so... and by far now I have VIH because of the sex abuse, but I'm gonna be ok, just never be a JW never in my life. If god exist really need to listen so much things I have to say to he...

[@rosiej.1473]

@@blossom3970 I am so sorry, I love you. God loves you. JW's are a cult, I wish you could get out. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. Don't give up. A window out will appear hang in there until it does.

[@lunav5759]

Same here 😑 grew up in jw church. i have ptsd now because of it. I have a son now and will never make him go to a church or be religious! I will never put him through the same childhood I went through! Now my family hates me because i don't and never believed in their teachings.

[@jeaniejbutler4911]

Same I was in the middle of that mess from age 11-17, they make you either feel like your a moron or that you are the most evil person to have ever lived..I still have nightmares about it and I am now 62...

[@notatheist]

I was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome several years too late. I remember the terror I felt when everyone was being embraced and filled with the spirit. I didn't know the spirit. I associated spirits with possessions. I didn't want to be possessed. I didn't want to be embraced or touched at all. The music and screaming where difficult to handle but being surrounded by so many people felt unbearable. I saw them around me smiling and crying and singing and "speaking in tongues" which appeared to be a confusing set of repetative syllables unique to each person. I couldn't understand the smiling or the crying. The emotional expressions made no sense. I couldn't understand what purpose was served with singing. I pushed passed my confusion and made a smile. I clapped my hands. I did what they were doing until it was time for the camp pastor to lay on hands. When he came to my row, my whole body froze until he was a few feet away. He reaches his hand to touch my shoulder and I panicked and started screaming l. I tried to get away down the isle but one of the leaders put her arms around me when I was close enough to her. I look back and understand and that she was hugging me, but I was just trying to get away. I threw my arms up to escape, but I ended up tripping on something and I took her down with me. My head smacked her nose at some point and it started pouring blood. My scream turned into a wail when I saw her nose. I peed myself when they held me down to "comfort and calm" me down. I can't remember anything after that. How I got up. Leaving camp. I am glad to have learned that supernatural possession is NOT a real thing and I was NOT the weird one for finding it odd that people were talking and singing to an invisible parent.

[@sayay2700]

Oh man, you have a comical way of explaining your very traumatic experience. Bless your heart.

[@paulaoppedisano3685]

Omg you should really consider a cult comedy show. Thank you for sharing your experience. The visual swept me up into belly laughs.

[@babyramses5066]

Omg that sounds awful. I'm sorry you had to experience this. The way you wrote this sounds familiar and makes me question some things growing up. So thank you for sharing.

[@notatheist]

I asked my mom what she remembers about me going to that camp. She picked me up because I broke my leg. They said the entire camp was doing a nighttime game of flashlight tag. I was running from someone during the game and jumped across a ditch or creek of some sort. When I landed, my ankle buckled and broke. My mom really was happy to hear that I participated in a tag game like that. I have never enjoyed tag. Until that time at camp. When I jumped across a ditch of some sort to not be tagged by flashlights. At night. In the woods. She still has the x-rays of my leg and ankle and pictures of the toll that fall took on my body. Apparently, I was _really_ into that game.

[@ashleewhittlesey7874]

Jeez dude. That sounds truly aweful

[@TraversyMedia]

That is frigging scary man. It’s amazing you turned out so “normal”. I’m glad I grew up in Mass lol we don’t have that stuff here as far as I know.

[@destronger5313]

massachusetts has cults too. you see them come to your door, riding bikes, etc. cults are all over the US.

[@TheRealFaceyNeck]

@@destronger5313 Yeah, I think there's a pretty big Amish "community" in Massachusetts. I am sure not all Amish people are crazy, the majority are probably not. It is still a sect of people who refuse to join the majority due to backward beliefs that oftentimes hurt their friends and family.

[@kathyborthwick6738LakotaEmoji]

This kind of indoctrination is cruel - just like residential schools and has nothing to do with God! El Diablo is in the house!

[@Psalms144]

Pentecostals are all over MA as well.

[@Airmaster360]

@@TheRealFaceyNeck Also reminds me of the mormons like my ex and her family.

[@kyliebrown4930]

This is so absolutely heart breaking. I grew up in a “Pentecostal based” church and so thankful to have not experienced any of this. I’m so sorry for your experience and anyone else who has experienced this. Absolutely horrible

[@eduardochavacano]

The Catholics also made several communities like this to compete with the Christian cults.

[@roshanigladson9331]

Honestly Christians should take their Bible reading seriously. Like this is straight up manipulation. I'm afraid that these so called pastors that don't know what they are teaching and doing.

[@staceyveazey491]

I grew up in a Baptist church but started going to a pentecostal church at sixteen.It was then,I started Learning about the gifts of the spirit and really about the Holy Spirit and how he operates.Also,I must say that I didn't have the same experience that this guy had going to a pentecostal church. It's sad what this guy went through and I hope God truly introduces himself to this man.

[@sarahb4484]

@@staceyveazey491 I think God is already with him as has been.

[@emmbieemmbie2131]

Having attended a Pentecostal church, I can say I’ve seen people speak in tongues but it was never everyone all the time. I believe in it because the Bible speaks of it but I also feel it’s a natural occurrence for those who have the gift. I’ve never seen anything like he described though he isn’t the first I’ve heard describe it this way.

[@ashleycebula9321]

I lost one of my best friends to a Pentecostal cult and it hurts my heart to this very day. I watched it quickly unfold. I was maid of honor in her wedding to this Pentecostal man and then she just sort of dropped me.

[@jlovescxndy]

I feel you girl. I am kinda a reverse situation. Was in the organization but made the decision to leave. One of my best friends who I never thought I would loose no matter our differences dropped me like a fly once i decided to live my life differently. It sucks but just know that it is not anything you could have done. They can be very manipulative people and convince people that everyone outside is unworthy or sinful.

[@ashleewhittlesey7874]

I lost my sister 😞

[@elizabethcrossley6853]

Its a type of abuse for sure. Isolating them away from their past self

[@dougarnold7955]

That happens a lot.

[@waterlily3161]

I lost my best friend as well, many years ago now. She joined a Pentecostal cult at the same time I was exploring a different spiritual path. I could accept hers, but it seems she couldn’t accept mine 🤷‍♀️

[@mariannecstasy]

I’m so sorry this happened to you, as it happens to so many others. My husband and I just left a toxic culty Pentecostal church. He was in it for about his entire life. We did it for our son. We still love Jesus and we know this is false and toxic doctrine

[@GardeninGrace]

At my friends church once I asked the Sunday school teacher “what’s a soul? Isn’t it the thing on your foot” and she was infuriated, and kicked me out. I was 8, and genuinely didn’t know at the time. Crazy.

[@azsli2]

I was told "patience is a virtual". I aksed my teacher to define the word virtue. She just gave me circular reasoning

[@mattpennell1231]

Im using this response if anybody asks me if my soul is saved now haha. Yes i have great shoes to save my soul

[@GardeninGrace]

@@mattpennell1231 You just created a dad joke, and I’m here for it 🤣

[@wiseonwords]

@@azsli2 - Patience is a virtue. A virtue is a very good personal quality or characteristic that a human should ideally have.

[@mariahconklin4150]

That’s what they do make you feel guilty and ashamed just for asking a simple question. 😕

[@jaylove9507]

I feel this so hard. I grew up in a mega religious community and family. The church I grew up in was extreme cult vibes. Deacons ruled over the church. "Have faith, do not ask questions. If you do, you question GOD." Speaking in tongues and falling out was a big fucking deal. I remember being terrified seeing it as a kid. I'd cry and hide under the pews. Id hide in the bathrooms but the pastor was a creeper and one deacon had a "spiritual interest" (his words) in me...I'm so glad I'm out of that fucking town 1500 miles away.

[@neel6978]

Wow.. How did u manage to scape?

[@newme1589]

Its funny when people say "dont question God" because (in Christianity) God gave us free will precisely to question him lol

[@avamasquerade]

The "laying on of hands" by malevolent adults who were just trying to grope me made my skin crawl. When I was really young, I couldn't defend myself against them. But after I turned eight or so, there weren't any members strong enough to restrain me during a "laying on of hands" or "exorcism" because by that point, I didn't even care about surviving the event if my not surviving meant I could annihilate (at least this was the dream) some slimeball deacon/pastor in the process. Me and my "demons" were positively feral with rage by that point and the church knew it. It's sad and somehow a comfort to me that there must have been other kids there (aside from my brother and me) that were terrified. We felt like we were the crazy ones a lot of the time, so eventually, I just embraced my "crazy." But it's really nice to know that some of the other kids who seemed just so good in a way that I could never be weren't "lifers," that some, including you, got out and are now free.

[@closingatscale]

Josh u just keep getting weirder and I keep getting more interested

[@hecatrice2064]

@@Andrew-qm5im I disagree. Despite all his childhood trauma and disfuctional family he managed to be financially independent and have a career.

[@kattihatt]

Andrew thats the weirdest interpretation of something ive ever read.

[@TheLizander]

I’d say he keeps getting more and more relatable.. Dudes a bro

[@Terranova339]

@@Andrew-qm5im I wish people like you would lose the ability to think and t alk entirely, so noone has to deal with your dumb interpretations and thoughts

[@MrJeekz]

@@Andrew-qm5im If that's the message you're getting out of this you're a moron.

[@mechatronicsblog3172]

This cult “goals” are strangely similar to corporate culture. Now I see why so many people fake fun and do stupid things in corporate cringe activities, they just want to fit in. I clearly see it now, I guess I have received my spiritual gift! Joshua, I guess this is also your spiritual gift: unmask these kind of things!

[@lextor4712]

spot on bro

[@limouzine1529]

Exactly. Its all about group pressure, an amazing tool to manipulate people in doing all kind of stupid things just to get along with the others, just to be accepted, just to be part of the team. And leaders KNOW that, leaders know they can force individuals to do and accept things that they would never do in normal life. When people accept doing all these weird things during "corporate events and games", they will also be willing to accept any irrational business decisions taken by their managers.

[@monad_tcp]

the gift of being curious

[@robertbeisert3315]

Pentecostals forget that "discernment" - the ability to see bullshit as bullshit and truth as truth - is among the gifts.

[@5thfloor584]

Well, yeah they are both using manipulating strategies sure there basic but its still manipulation. If you want control of people who must use manipulation, most people will fall for the most basic tactics too so it's quite easy.

[@vegantattoo7292]

This reminded of the time my parents first told me, "WE don't talk about things like THAT in front of others". It was at the dinner table and I was in third grade. I don't recall what it was I said that provoked the comment. I do, however, remember that for the first time, I felt that I definitely was not part of the "WE". And so began my emotional exodus from the family..... Great great great video. Thank you.

[@indrinita]

Dude, I just want to give that little kid version of you a big, comforting hug. Cannot believe the abuse you went through! Man you are strong. I hope you remember to have a ton of compassion for yourself when things get rough. That's a really difficult basis to start from.

[@rrraewr]

Content I didn't subscribe for is slowly becoming my favorite thing wtf

[@brianx04]

"He threw some holy spirit in my direction" lmao

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Facts

[@lanadoesathing]

Someone doesn't know how the Trinity works...

[@wasted_cracker]

@@lanadoesathing ?

[@amanda.collaud]

@@lanadoesathing there is no trinity, there is just 1 spirit that got manifest. JESUS was YAHWE. The spirit of genesis 1 was YAHWE, was JESUS when he came intot he world and walked on the water. Look it up, the disciples saw him walk on water and were afraid, thinking it was a ghost(=spirit!). JESUS is the only God, the most high died on the cross for criminals.

[@TheSandkastenverbot]

@@amanda.collaud The trinity is the three 14s that fit into 42 wich, as has been clearly stated in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", is the answer to all questions about life, the universe and everything. Any other fiction books you want to discuss?

[@rodeogirl135473]

I grew up Pentecostal and this is spot on. And I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

[@ridinwithjake]

You need to come back to Jesus! This guy is a backslider and steering people on the way to hell!

[@bryanmitchell6809]

@@ridinwithjake is gas lighting what Jesus wants? This ia why we left the church. Forced attendance from birth constant abuse and lies Pentecostal cults are sickening.

[@bethp3320]

I started going to a Pentecostal church when I was 17. It was great at first and once I got properly involved it wasn’t good. I’m the type to ask question and it was as if you should just obey and not ask anything. It was exhausting having to always prove myself to people and always being put down for the smallest thing. I finally left for good when I was 23 and I can say it’s a privilege to be able to think for myself 😊

[@LindasFavorites]

Same here. Not born into one, but went into one with my mom after my father passed. She's still there, we weren't HOLY enough so luckily got "kicked out"... it tears families apart.

[@brendenzielinskitpt2647]

@@ridinwithjake he’s exposing the truth, unlike you. This is a cult, not Christian practices.

[@RachelMarotta]

I remember going to a church one it was my sisters boyfriend at the time. And the pastor was running around poking people and they would drop. He gets to me i look him dead in the eye and shook my head. Thankfully he didnt even try. After a few minutes the whole chuch was on the ground and it was just me and my sister standing. Sooooo awkward i had to get outta there

[@mrcheese5383]

What kinda church was that lol

[@RachelMarotta]

@@mrcheese5383 I had to look it up it was about ten years ago now. But from the website it looks like they have to same pastors leading it. He gives off major used car salesman vibes. But their pod casts description says it's an apostolic/ prophetic. The church has also been described as "super anointed" ... Whatever that means lol

[@abclove97]

@@RachelMarotta super anointed to the point they sell bibles signed by the one and only Jesus

[@RachelMarotta]

@@abclove97 hahahha yess!!! Or miracle water that Jesus turned into wine and then back into water again.

[@abclove97]

@@RachelMarotta so basically onlyfans bathwater but renamed as wine turned into water lmao, sorry I have a really raunchy sense of humor

[@veronicadiaz337]

As a former pentecostal myself. This is giving me such flashbacks. Not the good kind.

[@MetalMeltdown1995]

Very useful Model to tell if you're in a cult The BITE Model I. Behavior Control II. Information Control III. Thought Control IV. Emotional Control Behavior Control 1. Regulate individual’s physical reality 2. Dictate where, how, and with whom the member lives and associates or isolates 3. When, how and with whom the member has sex 4. Control types of clothing and hairstyles 5. Regulate diet - food and drink, hunger and/or fasting 6. Manipulation and deprivation of sleep 7. Financial exploitation, manipulation or dependence 8. Restrict leisure, entertainment, vacation time 9. Major time spent with group indoctrination and rituals and/or self indoctrination including the Internet 10. Permission required for major decisions 11. Thoughts, feelings, and activities (of self and others) reported to superiors 12. Rewards and punishments used to modify behaviors, both positive and negative 13. Discourage individualism, encourage group-think 14. Impose rigid rules and regulations 15. Instill dependency and obedience 16. Threaten harm to family and friends 17. Force individual to rape or be raped 18. Instill dependency and obedience 19. Encourage and engage in corporal punishment Information Control 1. Deception: a. Deliberately withhold information b. Distort information to make it more acceptable c. Systematically lie to the cult member 2. Minimize or discourage access to non-cult sources of information, including: a. Internet, TV, radio, books, articles, newspapers, magazines, other media b.Critical information c. Former members d. Keep members busy so they don’t have time to think and investigate e. Control through cell phone with texting, calls, internet tracking 3. Compartmentalize information into Outsider vs. Insider doctrines a. Ensure that information is not freely accessible b.Control information at different levels and missions within group c. Allow only leadership to decide who needs to know what and when 4. Encourage spying on other members a. Impose a buddy system to monitor and control member b.Report deviant thoughts, feelings and actions to leadership c. Ensure that individual behavior is monitored by group 5. Extensive use of cult-generated information and propaganda, including: a. Newsletters, magazines, journals, audiotapes, videotapes, KZbin, movies and other media b.Misquoting statements or using them out of context from non-cult sources 6. Unethical use of confession a. Information about sins used to disrupt and/or dissolve identity boundaries b. Withholding forgiveness or absolution c. Manipulation of memory, possible false memories Thought Control 1. Require members to internalize the group’s doctrine as truth a. Adopting the group's ‘map of reality’ as reality b. Instill black and white thinking c. Decide between good vs. evil d. Organize people into us vs. them (insiders vs. outsiders) 2.Change person’s name and identity 3. Use of loaded language and clichés which constrict knowledge, stop critical thoughts and reduce complexities into platitudinous buzz words 4. Encourage only ‘good and proper’ thoughts 5. Hypnotic techniques are used to alter mental states, undermine critical thinking and even to age regress the member 6. Memories are manipulated and false memories are created 7. Teaching thought-stopping techniques which shut down reality testing by stopping negative thoughts and allowing only positive thoughts, including: a. Denial, rationalization, justification, wishful thinking b. Chanting c. Meditating d. Praying e. Speaking in tongues f. Singing or humming 8. Rejection of rational analysis, critical thinking, constructive criticism 9. Forbid critical questions about leader, doctrine, or policy allowed 10. Labeling alternative belief systems as illegitimate, evil, or not useful Emotional Control 1. Manipulate and narrow the range of feelings - some emotions and/or needs are deemed as evil, wrong or selfish 2. Teach emotion-stopping techniques to block feelings of homesickness, anger, doubt 3. Make the person feel that problems are always their own fault, never the leader’s or the group’s fault 4. Promote feelings of guilt or unworthiness, such as a. Identity guilt b. You are not living up to your potential c. Your family is deficient d. Your past is suspect e. Your affiliations are unwise f. Your thoughts, feelings, actions are irrelevant or selfish g. Social guilt h. Historical guilt 5. Instill fear, such as fear of: a. Thinking independently b. The outside world c. Enemies d. Losing one’s salvation e. Leaving or being shunned by the group f. Other’s disapproval 6. Extremes of emotional highs and lows - love bombing and praise one moment and then declaring you are horrible sinner 7. Ritualistic and sometimes public confession of sins 8. Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about leaving the group or questioning the leader’s authority a. No happiness or fulfillment possible outside of the group b. Terrible consequences if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable diseases, accidents, suicide, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc. c. Shunning of those who leave; fear of being rejected by friends, peers, and family d. Never a legitimate reason to leave; those who leave are weak, undisciplined, unspiritual, worldly, brainwashed by family or counselor, or seduced by money, sex, or rock and roll e. Threats of harm to ex-member and family

[@wuestion9473]

My upbringing.

[@KylevanRensburg]

Credit to Steven Hassan for the BITE model and influence continuum.

[@cryptodeveloper]

I'll come back to this when I need to create a cult

[@MrsDazl]

😄 is there a tldr version, bro?

[@MetalMeltdown1995]

@@GreenPlasticWaterCan yeah, pretty much. I honestly thought it was just JW, I come to realize it more than I ever thought

[@taaayll]

“I’m pretty relaxed, they don’t seem that relaxed” that killed me 😂

[@wellIdiditagain]

Right

[@reneerose9730]

This makes me SOOO angry and heartbroken for you!!! I grew up going to all sorts of Christian camps with the very opposite experience. It was amazing and nothing like this at all. Man. I’m disgusted with everything that happened to you here. These adults in your life as a kid are going to have to answer to God on this. 💔💔💔

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

You should accept that religion is a fraud.

[@ClaireCambridge]

Super relatable. I remember trying to be so genuine and not understanding why I wasn’t speaking in tongues or getting slain in the spirit if I wanted it so badly? Crazy stuff

[@slindilengema9389]

I knew i was speaking gibberish when a so called pastor forced us to pray in tongues and he would walk around listening if we were praying in tongues. God we've been through some shiiiiiit😅😅😅😅😅

[@molsen8869]

I was newly married to my husband and he was interviewing to become a the "bottom level pastor" in this one denomination. They shamed me and made me feel bad that I didnt speak in tongues. Whereas I grew up learning that it was a gift and not everyone received it. I cried cause I thought something was wrong and that is where I really started questioning things....

[@Victoria-uq8mf]

I asked and asked and never "received". Apparently I wasn't asking genuinely...I would cry because I wanted it so bad only to be criticized over and over . Crazy

[@tiffanyrose5826]

Same

[@michellebennett4015]

Almost like none of it is really what it claims to be

[@marios_voices5971]

I just wanted to say that this video made me come to a realization. I never knew that I was in a cult and I never realized just how much influence they had over me even after I left. Looking back, the signs were super clear. I don't know what I am going to do with this newfound sight, but I wanted you to know that this video is helping me push past my traumatic childhood and realize just what was really going on. Thank you

[@timothyebiuwhe5209]

I'm from Nigeria, and it seems pentecostal rituals are sooooo consistent all over the world. This cracked me up. I always wondered how people around me were chanting, and I couldn't get hold of the spirit. I know you're not making this up for sure. Too familiar. None of it made sense to me. I remember everyone falling under the spirit, people screaming at the top of their voices and crying. Felt really weird being the only one standing, but I never fell.

[@fabrizi7362]

I’m Nigerian as well and my dad is a pastor. He would lay hands on people and they would fall down and have a conniption, roll around and wiggle then utter complete jargon (speaking in 👅‘s) Well my dad always skipped laying hands on me because I wouldn’t go down😂. Then he told me to stop coming because I was bad for the brand🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Christianity has been very bad for Nigerians and Africa as a whole. It is a cult I also relate 💯 to the realities in the video.

[@skybrotha1042]

Lol.....I know this

[@tracys169]

I know, me too. I thought that something was super wrong with me, why didn't this affect me the way it affected the others. It was both traumatizing and humiliating experience. They guilt tripped you too if you didn't react the same way...

[@paularah8877]

@@fabrizi7362 lmao

[@endod8708]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKfSlIp6bJWtqpo this is in Ethiopia they are everywhere

[@woodybop129]

I grew up in this. Son of a female preacher as well. People slain in the spirit, speaking in tounges, constant fear of hell because they didn’t believe in “once saved always saved”. People laughing hysterically all service. Speakers pushing peoples foreheads til they fell over. As an adult I still feel very confused about how I grew up and I as well feel as tho I was in a cult.

[@thotsi]

as a non-relgious person, not brought up in a religious family, this sounds like the plot of a medieval JRPG

[@Skynightburst]

Lol, sounds like a dark game.

[@Skynightburst]

Lol, Sounds like dark one :).

[@OHOHOHCOME]

Try Luminous Arc 1

[@quarantinelife.]

Same here lol

[@acsound]

Breath of Fire 2.

[@Eden519]

Came here first for resume tips. Then got the girlfriend cheated story Then the loosing my family story Now born into a cult WHAT IS HAPPENING??? None of us could have predicted this trajectory 😳

[@amandaranay6815]

Right, I came here because I'm in Lambda school and now I just wanna hug this guy. You've been through some crazy shit bro!

[@BlastinRope]

Hes a dramatic attention seeker, who uses emotional ploys to manipulate him into sympathizing with him aka a narcissist

[@cameronhumphries2377]

@@BlastinRope hes sharing his life story man. wym

[@BlastinRope]

@@cameronhumphries2377 dont be so gullible.

[@cameronhumphries2377]

@@BlastinRope you've got no proof that he's lieing

[@LeBeanie]

Josh's life is just the plot to an anime

[@brennalucas1302]

When I was 5 my parents got divorced and my dad got remarried to a Pentecostal woman. I was forced to go to church every other Sunday when I was with him from 5-9 years old. It traumatized me. I had never been to church before. I felt so detached there, like I was in another universe. It was such a weird experience. I have so many negative emotions associated with religion after that experience.

[@eduardochavacano]

the catholics have a version of this, and they also have those Holy Spirit and praying with tongues. because normally Catholics never read the bible. So they created sects to compete with the christian cults.

[@mariahconklin4150]

Exactly! That’s how I feel detached like I am always in a different universe. I’m about to just come up with my own church. Lol!

[@TheGrmany69]

My experience with the church was quite different, I am Latino so my understanding of a Church will always be a Catholic temple, and Caracas is filled with gorgeous temples where you usually feel safe because they are all about silence. Culture is a thing.

[@laurelsporter]

@Eduardo Viajero Catholics do not speak in gibberish. Speaking into tongues is considered a miracle in which in which the speaker can speak in their language, and the listener hears it in their own. They don't recognize the vocal spasming as anything but silliness, like at the beginning of this video. Of course, lately, they also don't recognize the Pope...

[@NASkeywest]

@@laurelsporter Catholics do pray to Mary and other “saints” who are not God or Jesus. They also call priests “father.” “Call no man the father but me.”- God. They also say you have to confess to a priest as if they are the middle men to communicate with God which isn’t true biblically speaking.

[@aladdinoscopy]

Ex Jehovah’s Witness here (raised as one). Just one of the things that made me a messed up moron. Glad you are standing up for yourself. Sometimes we start out with more burdens than others, but we still have to take ownership. No one has it all figured out.

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Welcome aboard to my trainwreck

[@KO-im6sm]

I worked with a Jehovah. Biggest liar i ever met. He had a need to control, manipulate and lead in the workplace.

[@CesarOzuna]

I too am also an ex Jehovah's witness. Disfellowshiped at 21 years old. I feel your pain.

[@naufrage0]

Cesar Ozuna saaame. So hard to heal when your family is still in it.

[@aladdinoscopy]

Cesar Ozuna Stay strong and just realize that no one is all knowing. I’ve made my mistakes since and understand my mother better actually. Just keep working and thinking about what’s happening, we have to keep trying to have a good life that’s honest. Then we understand everyone a little better. Just my two cents.

[@quinitawhitfield9541]

I feel like lots of churches are like this, especially ones with anabaptist roots. And lovebombing is common in non denominational churches. Its a recruitment strategy.

[@roseofsharon7551]

Agree. Many people don’t even realize they are doing it because it’s a church culture thing. But as soon as you “go off the reservation” and start sharing your own opinion, you realize “your tribe” or “forever family” isn’t so into you anymore.

[@undercat7767]

I'm middle-aged, from non-denominational churches, and never heard of such mess before

[@saynotohookups]

The ones with anabaptist roots are Baptist. I'm aware that there are problems in some Baptist Churches so if you don't mind me asking what did you experience there?

[@karacole2304]

Agreed. Our Word of Faith church immediately love-bombed me as soon as I walked in one Sunday. They ended up being a cult and I left. Now when I go church-shopping, if I hear anything close to "Oh hi beautiful woman of God!" on my first or second week, I'm not going back. 🚩🚩🚩🚩

[@Blighted_Ashes]

Guy tries to be authentically religious and filled with spirit. Discovers he's actually just in a cult.

[@nikelpikleger9754]

Crazy to think that out of all those people you were the only one who seems to have had an actual “gift.” The gift of honesty and critical thinking. To be a child and not totally break under all that manipulation and pressure is truly a miracle. I’m sure you had many emotional break downs but your spirit never broke. You stayed true to your self and didn’t lie to yourself just to fit in. That’s amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sly-Moose]

Underrated comment

[@dee7353]

I grew up in a Christian home and was raised in church. In fact, I grew up in the Bible Belt not so far from you. I went to a great church with great parents and never felt any kind of pressure regarding church. I was surrounded by truly God loving people who just truly cared about people. I agree that in today’s world you have to be careful about what church/denomination you go to. However, there are good people out there. I was never in a cult or felt pressured. I hate that there are churches who do this. They just manage to turn people against God and religion. Satan is alive and well and is in many churches.

[@TheGamingMotionTGM]

Sure, I mean Satan doesn't always have to destroy churches. As the master of all deceivers, he can made churches look good and fine with the shadiness hidden from prying eyes.

[@michelen5728]

Yes there’s no pressure until you decide to leave. Good luck with the satan of your church

[@godpilled9077]

@@michelen5728 I left my church and joined another one and no one disowned me from my previous church. I still hang out with my friends from there and go back to vist them from time to time. Real churches are not cults, they don't pressure you to stay or disown you when you leave.

[@michelen5728]

@@godpilled9077 I meant leaving a religion, not a church, for example believing in a completely different god or not believing in god actually. But anyway... If you’re fine with your new cult good for you, I’m not here to make social experiment with anybody.

[@da1stamericus]

@@michelen5728 I have gay friends who left churches for this reason, same with people. I love where I go to church. They are open-minded and love each other.

[@porterdallenbach1639]

He basically did Hell Week for SEAL Training

[@ericlivingston8027]

I got cancer 3 times when I was 18-19 right out of high school. At the time I was doing a internship and religious coworkers knew I was not religious. They had the nerve to tell me that I got cancer because god was sending me a sign. What they don't realize is when you do these kinds of things it sends you in the opposite direction of religion. After all why would a good God give you cancer.

[@NikolaNevenov86]

Technically cancer comes because of some problem in the body. Like inflammation that was going on for years. Poor diet could cause that. So...I would say, cancer is like a scream in your face "look at your health dude!" . Which is really reasonable....since anyone who has lived long enough will agree that we usually don't look at that unless you get hit really hard. Like I didn't took care about the food I ate until I got food poisoned twice and ended in the ER. Now I'm more careful with the exotic shit.

[@overworked1084]

Nikola Nevenov Many people are genetically predisposed to cancer and even by living a very clean and healthy life they still get it other people are exposed to toxins because of where they live or maybe the water they drink in the city but unknowingly so they can’t undo it. Not all cancer is lifestyle many it’s genetic or environmental

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

@@NikolaNevenov86 Looking deeper cancer is a consequence of being alive at all. Damage that the body does to itself as a consequence of having moving parts in the cells. Some things can cause it to happen faster but if you continue living sooner or later a cell will have an error in the dna that will make the cell divide without stopping. The only reason why we don't all die from cancer is because odds have it that some people get it later and some sooner so the people who get it later die from other things first. In a sense cancer equals old age. (Along with everything ells that is unavoidable damage the body does to itself in the long term and doesn't have systems to repair)

[@Szilvamag100]

Eric Livingston Hi, I dont’ exactly know what is causing cancer but what I am 100% about is hat not God is causing it.

[@LeilaDandan]

wow. as a christian, i have only stumbled into a pentecostal church once before, and i can’t describe to you how disturbed i felt in my gut. My whole family got up and left immediately after everyone started falling over and screaming. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that, especially at such a young age. I never really realized how cult-like pentecostalism was, and how harmful it is to those who are raised in it. definitely praying for you, thank you for sharing your story ❤️❤️

[@ElzariusUnity]

The only thing separating cult from religion is a number of followers. Mainstream sects of your organisation are not much better.

[@domenik8339]

That same disturbing gut feeling is how normal, functioning people see all religion, including yours.

[@shanrizzy7533]

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. We should have more laws to protect our children against cult culture. Live your best life now love.

[@porquee]

The red states would never allow that

[@myusernamerocks3]

@@porquee You're already a member of a far-left cult called the Democrat party. A cult that openly supports the mass murder of millions of babies.

[@xXRealXx]

Cults should be illegal.

[@dwightsbeats4274]

First couple seconds I was thinking, "this guy probably went to a Pentecostal church like I did..." lol yeah, man...I feel you with all of that, it can hit hard and definitely mess with your head (especially as a kid).

[@slipcase]

This makes me thankful that the church camps i went to just had us do arts and crafts lol

[@maximuscalistopontifice1042]

Mine had barbecues and pool parties!

[@Limbaugh_]

@@maximuscalistopontifice1042 bikinis at da church camp 😳

[@maximuscalistopontifice1042]

​@@Limbaugh_ It was in one of those times we went to a rented place that can serve to host a pool party and barbecue for any school/company/church that borrows it. We also had prayers, bible studies and worship, like any other church event. But in a short, yes, hot church girls using bikini the church camp!

[@Limbaugh_]

@@maximuscalistopontifice1042 epic me too

[@Cakebattered]

We played tons of sports at Church camp. It was dope.

[@ismith8053]

Josh its interesting how you notice the similarities between that cult and corporate workplaces and corporate websites which also attempt to be cults. Both are abusive and need to be fought.

[@legs4419]

As a Christian that just believes in The Bible, I can confirm that what you went through was a cult.

[@charissa6648]

Right? Wow..this is devistating!

[@matthewhunter6421]

haha, I like how you pretend you get to determine what a cult is based on what you believe

[@legs4419]

@@matthewhunter6421 I can't pretend what a cult is. what makes a cult is an objective, he explained it as objective, and what he went through was objectively a cult

[@NoName-to5xl]

Manipulation is the differentiator. "If its really hard to remember to practise your spirituality, you are in a religion. If it's really hard to leave your spiritual practice, you are in a cult."

[@charissa6648]

@@NoName-to5xl Yes! That's great insight! There is also always one man who is elevated above everyone else. The chosen one, who has received special revelation by whatever deity is being worshipped. This insight is too great to be given to the followers therefore this elevated person must be the conduit/prophet by which the others can connect to God. So instead of helping people connect to God, they make them codependent, and use thought reform and psychological abuse to dumb them down. Woman can also be cult leaders as there are a few hear on KZbin, but historically speaking I am bringing to mind the men who we know through recent history. The crazy thing is whatever god is being worshipped is not in all actuality being worshipped, rather the chosen prophet is receiving all admiration. I have noticed as well that their is almost always some sort of sexual perversion that gets exposed. This cult leader is sexually abusing children, sexually abusing woman, and degrading the men by sleeping with their wives.

[@Pats29]

I'm catholic and im not offended man, just so you know..my heart goes out to you with everything you've gone through. I can tell youre a good dude & i can only hope things go better for you. you cant choose your family...and best of luck for you brother. keep your head up!

[@davidbhaskara6880]

As a Catholic too, I think it's more balanced about faith and reason. The bad part of our lives was when the fundamentalist or Bible Expert or Charismatics want to shove their interpretation to our mouth. At least in modern world we didn't force shove our believe system and our interpretation to others.

[@tylerwaymire7709]

@@davidbhaskara6880 I’m a Protestant and I agree, it’s more of a relationship than anything

[@randomblacktemplar738]

@Neil Pinto It's not like the Protestant did the same thing with money and celebrity

[@louieporras3800]

@Neil Pinto i can relate to this guys saying its like looking to an old self im literally laughing and sad at the same time..... i dont care if you wont believe after all im the same as you before i criticizing people for following cult.... truth is jesus wants personal relationship with you but god works in mysterious ways but for you to know christ you should read the bible and understand it that jesus want to save us all like being the symbol of gods love through different religions... he is killed by the pharisees or “cult” the leaders because they think they are the chosen people by god..... they fcked up pretty bad killing god himself 😂 but without jesus death i cant be save still im thankful to god jesus..... most of disciples died preaching to different parts of the world you can know a true follower if hes willing to die for his faith in jesus...

[@meejmuas8686]

I went to one of those years ago. People were hysterical and saying made-up Hebrew or something that effect. I tried to pray and I realized that when I was praying, I couldnt focus with all of the chanting (spraking in tongues) going all around. Some girl was taken outside in tears, on the ground and hysterical. It was scary and looking back at it was really cringe

[@sokoyaadedolapo5321]

Well in prayer session it's only the ladies that goes into spirit they fall on the ground and start shouting or speaking in tongues

[@limouzine1529]

It must have been quite a scene. Incredible how easy humans are to manipulate in doing all kind of weird things by using Group pressure as a tool.

[@anonymousnearseattle2788]

Someone once suggested that I go to a church activity one afternoon when I was around 17. At least I drove myself because when I walked in, I found a large group of people all walking around inside and speaking gibberish. I hadn't known what to expect before I arrived, but once I saw all of that nonsense I turned around and left immediately. I felt so incredibly uncomfortable, and I couldn't get out of there fast enough! And yet, as I was leaving, people outside who were on their way into the building looked at me like *I* was the crazy one!

[@ananaanana8458]

@@sokoyaadedolapo5321 I don't know what church are youtlking abut, but several times I attended Pentacostal church in long island. There Wholy Goest "enter" men too. Strangely oll wholy goast victims regardless of gender were not intelectually bright.

[@cuivre2004]

I went to a church camp that was a very lighter version of this for Catholics- it was called "Tec" (Teens Encounter Christs). There was some testifying, personal story telling, crying, etc- but nothing I would classify as harmful. Many of the same worst dynamics ffrom public schools played out there, as well, so nothing transcended the basic instincts of kids that age WRT how they treated other kids.

[@jenyork23]

I was raised in an Assembly of God church, and certain things you described really resonated with me. I remember being scared of people (my family members included) speaking in tongues and falling over, never really understanding it. I was never sent to a camp or told to fall over, but doing so was definitely encouraged during certain services. I grew up terrified of the end times and being left behind in the rapture, etc. Now that I'm an adult who can educate myself and talk to God on my own terms, I have come to different conclusions about what it means to be a Christian.

[@MuMu-fu7qe]

💗 sameeeee

[@notmychairnotmyproblem]

Same! My personal conclusion with Christianity works for me and has made my relationship with God stronger than ever. That's the beauty of religion.

[@FatherCorn]

That's so weird. We have polar opposite AOG churches, but I've found it doesn't matter what denomination the church is. Some churches are evil manipulative cults, and some are the best places on earth.

[@staceyveazey491]

@@FatherCorn Unfortunatly I think that Satan has gotten into some churches and corrupted the leaders but that's not the case in all churches.

[@FatherCorn]

@@staceyveazey491 exactly, and if you feel something isn't right, can't go wrong with talking to God and figuring it out.

[@Galloway278]

Wow as a mom (and a Christian), my heart is broken hearing this and how messed up and abusive this was for you and all those kids! I’m so sorry this happened to you. So SO wrong!

[@kodedart2311]

You messed it up at "(and a Christian)"

[@Galloway278]

@@kodedart2311 how is that?

[@kodedart2311]

@@Galloway278 Every religion, without an exception, is BS invented by men. And the chistian one is at the bottom of all bottoms. I would love your intellect and your compassion, but there you go...

[@Galloway278]

@@kodedart2311 well my comment wasn’t really for you.

[@kodedart2311]

​@@Andre83572 Thanks, I love it when a comment is replied to with reasonable thought. But I think you went far with assumptions here. It's very simple from my POV: I see religious anything, I'm tempted to put a comment - that's it. Now if you read it again without assuming anything, you'll notice that I never "attacked" the lady with nonsense like "scum, liar" or similar, nor tried to convert (?), change her view (?!) or even tried a discussion. This is a YT comment section, it's not a place for such debates. I also don't think I'm better than anyone/her; on a contrary, I believe that this woman is a good human being, probably a great mother, spouse and friend. Then notice that I stopped with replies because to continue would be an attack, so I did. To make a full circle, I will always short-comment on religious BS in any form and place and aim where it matters. Makes sense?

[@fionafox420]

Ohhh this hits home and is honestly a bit... ***triggering*** . I grew up in an ultra religious home, dad was, and is, a pastor. I was asked to speak in tongues, I couldn’t and basically got the same treatment as you, I got grounded for a month when I was 12. I remember being made to attend a revival with my parents, they made me “lay hands” on people to pray for them. I remember being so stressed out before this event that I broke down in the middle of the service and started crying uncontrollably. My parents took that as a sign from god that I was Having a spiritual breakthrough, and they took me out for ice cream after. That’s just one memory that I haven’t managed to squash down and repress. I know I have many more stories like this, I just have a really tough time recalling a lot of stuff from my childhood.

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Sorry

[@nobody8328]

🫂🤍

[@maytheforcebewithyou4313]

That is so hard to imagine, because we looked down at religious square families, and their constraints scared me. My heathen athiest parents who smoked in the house, got drunk, and I mean my dad had scotch every night from the gallon sized handle bottle, and the whole neighborhood would be over on Fridays and Saturdays. They had party after party and I cleaned up on Sundays all the cig butts in glasses smelling like warm scotch. We heard so much fighting between them and one car always roaring out of the driveway that I couldn't sleep well the rest of my life. But we never got religiously indoctrinated as children. I just would go to church with a neighbor mom of my best friend. I was not Catholic, but the mass was easy to attend, and I snuck in line and got the wafer once. At 14 what happens? I become a born again and after that my brother does, so both my heathen now divorced parents had to endure the bible thumper kids from our twenties saying the xmas tree was a pagan worship idol and them fornicating was unacceptable. One of the smells that triggers my memories, some positive, most scary, is Scotch and cigarettes breath, or just a glass of scotch. I really tried never ever date a smoker because I can't stand the secondhand smoke, its like being trapped and I never dated a christian because there is a thin line of being into Jesus, and I didn't want to be stuck with some guy using the bible against me or being a hypocrite to where that's all can see about him.....funny. life is funny.

[@tullysoulliere8103]

I was raised Penticostal as well, My Dad was a Deacon!!!! Seriously i grew up around so many sweet people. But i feel like the followers just needed connection. We had many pastors,I as a child thought these people were grifters and some of them were just evil! Weird how many really good people and how many bad people came together i believe i have Complex Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. As an adult i realize that even in utero i was being programed that i was bad and undeserving! Not true! I love my parents , i do believe they were loving kind and good, not perfect but they did instill love in our lives and I do look forward to seeing the kind loving people i loved from then again . But i just at this point don`t want to belong to a " church" religion but i do beieve in Christianity and other faiths. Brother where art thou! LOL! man there were some evil narcs and i could see them very clearly! That youth pastor was asking sexual questions to yo to use them as guilty leverage and his own pervy vibe to use against others later. Jerk what a jerk. I got kicked out of my youth group as well,after i told him he was full of shit during our class.Asshole tried to tell us if a baby died and its parents were sinners it would be sent to hell ! Idiot! that is just wrong! I told him show me in the Bible that it says that and he couldn`t.If i even use the word cult my family members get so angry with me. Sorry for the book , just feel ya! Thank you for this vid! I don`t feel so alone in my self work ! and yes God does help me!

[@Mydogslove2laugh]

Wow! That is horrible about the babies

[@kadedah2077]

This scripture is taken out of context 'speaking in tongues.' Authentic Christians dont garble nonsense. In the bible in Acts 1 and 2 where it talks about speaking in tongues, it means visiting foreigners at Pentecost festival heard hosts speaking their own language and knew it could only come from God to be able to do that. And that helped convert the visitors. God shows miracles now through changed lives, not hearing gibberish which was never the case in the first place.

[@danb8610]

Next video: I was abducted by aliens | #grindreel

[@JoshuaFluke1]

Done

[@mothersarmsreadinesscoachi9360]

Cults and aliens go hand in hand for some weird reason. True story.

[@HeidiJoubert]

Lol

[@angelinagiovinazzi766]

I literally jus spit my coffee out reading your comment😂

[@sarahnightwing8978]

:::grabs blanket and chocolate::: cool...im in...

[@mrmody249]

Watching "Jesus Camp" gives me PSTD.

[@robasiansensation3118]

me too.

[@Weebs76]

Same. I’ve seen it and it makes me want to puke. It’s horrible how many people have been through this.

[@bluevelvet2976]

Lol!

[@iris8272]

Grew up AOG... scary

[@tullysoulliere8103]

@@iris8272 What is AOG? just type what your trying yo get across please!

[@melonie_peppers]

The sleep deprivation is a huge part of the hypnosis process

[@Tahia213]

Sleep deprivation is recognised as an act of torture ... one of many practices made in Guantanamo.

[@christineadams1284]

Melonie Sleep deprivation is one small part of the govts abusive MK ULTRA MIND CONTROL PROGRAMMING. Look up Cathy O'Brien on YT.

[@shadamyandsonamylover]

I didn’t grow up Pentecostal, but when I was a teenager I also attended a charismatic youth group. I always felt so out of place because I could never do the tongues or anything else. I did end up faking it and trying to justify it that it was happening for real. I’m no longer a Christian and I feel bad for my younger self to have been subjected to that. It really makes you feel othered like no other.

[@blackjackjester]

It's wild...would love to hear the stories of people who did go all in more...maybe everyone is just pretending. But it really bends my understanding of human nature. So many people are leading this, doing this, doing this to other people. It can't be all self aware people grifting.

[@shadamyandsonamylover]

@@blackjackjester no, you’re conditioned to believe it’s the Holy Spirit so even if it seems a little forced, if you believe by one modicum it’s pretty easy to keep going deeper into the “it’s all real” mindset. Also, there are different kinds of people. Like people with big imaginations. My sister has seen visions (and my grandma too) and she’s seen them since she was little. I do think there’s something out there, since my sister would see things as a 3-4-5 year old that she wouldn’t know to talk about if she made it up. My sister continues to have foreknowledge of things she shouldnt and sometimes sees things still and we’re in our 20s. But my point was that I think those types of people are also more susceptible to the charismatic movement potentially. Because they can already experience things that normal people can’t. My sister is still a Christian as is the rest of my family.

[@taytaysinger]

I’m a Christian who has experienced several different denominations, including Pentecostal. You definitely experienced a cult

[@dougarnold7955]

...smells like a fire ...its probably a fire! 🔥 👍

[@castielsgranny4308]

So did you.

[@billg7205]

They all see you coming. My experience is that they're looking for and expecting people to come to their organization to practice religion. They don't care for individualists who in any way challenge any of the beliefs and practices, even when you can back it up with the Bible.

[@bingwen469]

@@castielsgranny4308 Ok edgy 14 year old

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

They are all fraudulent cults.

[@olliesidaway]

“Just have faith” Bruh, that’s like asking a science teacher why planets have gravity and his answer is “because they just do”

[@pawlet]

Do you follow Owen Benjamin?

[@azsli2]

In Christian school you are told "god made them like that" .

[@stargazer2042]

The difference we can do repeatable tests on gravity but not on God's existence.

[@pawlet]

@@stargazer2042 I used science to prove Gods existence. ... Every strand of DNA is signed by the creator.

[@jcstroble91]

That is an answer …

[@RubixCubed3]

This sounded less religious and more like child abuse.

[@VenturiLife]

They're convinced they're doing the best for them. That's what indocrinated people do. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions...

[@znapphanen]

Is there a difference?

[@supermariograyson]

Agreed

[@cizd]

Those aren't mutually exclusive. Religion is defined as "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods." Religion is what you make it and as long as you believe it's the will of god it's religious.

[@nylesprint]

Is this Boystown in Nebraska circa the 80's?

[@elizabethhamilton4678]

I am a Christian and I am so sorry you went through this. I am a Southern Baptist and my relationship with Christ is a personal one with Him. I was never forced to do anything like you experienced and I was always encouraged to ask questions in Sunday School. I don't care what pastor or person tells you something, always look for it in the Bible to make sure that it is in there and that it's not taken out of context . Always remember that the greatest gift is LOVE. The fear tactic that caused confusion in you is so wrong because God is not of confusion. Don't give up on God, He does love you.

[@jamessharp9790]

Thank you, unfortunately Neo Calvinists have permeated much of the SBC . This is probably no surprise to you. Thankfully, wife and I found a new church home.

[@catmomjill]

I hate when parents drag their kids into this brainwashing.

[@abellyold4859]

You know what, most people's brainwashing started when they were just kids. Most people follow a particular religion not out of personal conviction, but by the family and social environment in which they were raised.

[@anthonystroman8407]

Sad thing this us still to this day but in a different way normal in today's modern church.

[@laraoneal7284]

Wow Josh you have been through so much abuse. So happy you are having these revelations and don’t have blind loyalty to them just bc they’re ur parents. Ppl must break that fantasy bond with with parents who are completely UNDESERVING. God bless you. You are so authentic.

[@lechatel]

How do you know? He is here spilling lots of personal stuff and making money.

[@lnostdal]

Child abuse. That's child abuse.

[@cyberneticbutterfly8506]

Though I think that to summerize something with a term like that doesn't add anything. Just simplifies it so we don't need to engage with the detail.

[@Marisol1711]

So... christianity? lol

[@KurtDarmanin]

Yepp. Specifically brainwashing. Can speak from experience they despise logical kids who ask too many questions.

[@feaudaz5252]

This just breaks my heart :(. It’s very upsetting too! So sorry for all you went through. You were a brave young man and still are. God bless you always!

[@foxibot]

When they do that high emotion and start speaking gibberish I just can’t. I actually had some guy trying to make me speak in tongues, when I said that’s just gibberish I speak to my pets, he seriously said you have a gift of being able to speak to the Animals!

[@unapologeticallyamy9031]

The Bible contradicts what they’re doing. Speaking in tongues is a language that everyone understands despite the language they know and speak. It talks about having someone to translate which isn’t happening in this “church”. I was open to this thought of people speaking in tongues because I try to make a decision or form an opinion once I have an experience, not before. Two people prayed over me and one started speaking in tongues. She was SHOCKED that I didn’t “feel” anything. I figure it’s because I’m not vulnerable enough to be searching for any little normal physical sensation and give it a meaning. I really liked these people but knew we are too different to be friends.

[@greenbelly2008]

lol

[@cathyakins3995]

You can not make someone speak in tongues. That is not how it works. JUST LOVE GOD AND SEEK HIM. HIS WILL.

[@jcstroble91]

Had this happen at a youth group

[@derekwiley8521]

The first red flag here is there was no talk about a relationship with Jesus and God. It was all about “spiritual gifts” which shouldn’t be the first thing they teach. The second red flag is when you were made to recall your sins which Jesus already paid for and isn’t necessary to remember them. I’ve been through some church crap too. Thanks for making this video, keep it up man!

[@saynotohookups]

Yes Jesus did pay the price but it has to be received by repentance towards God and belief on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith.

[@christineadams1284]

@@saynotohookups Yes, repentance. 🙏🏼💜

[@michellebennett4015]

Why did Jesus even have to “pay a price”? Because Yahweh decided animal sacrifice was too passé? If you really think about it, none of it makes ANY sense. But, God’s ways are not our ways, we’re not meant to understand it...right? Isn’t that convenient

[@shirase8244]

@@michellebennett4015 he had to pay the price because he was the only one without any sin. Like, people in olden days sacrificed only the best to their gods no? Think of it in that way. Also, yes, god's way is different but he isn't going to hide it. Eventually he'll reveal it all. The Bible says that so.

[@scatteredseedsofhappiness3285]

@@michellebennett4015 the "price" is the cost of our sin. Everything that is wrong has a cost, at times it seems like it doesn't have a cost to the person who is sinning, at times it may seem like it only had a cost to others (stealing, talking trask about people behind their backs etc) but the cost of sin is being dead spiritually. The blood of animals never payed the cost, it only hid the sin, it was temporary. The death of Jesus not only erases sin but also gives us power to stop sinning. Think in terms of an addict that wans desperately to live a good and happy life but their adiction is stronger than their power to overcome it, the sacrifice of Jesus gives people the power to overcome these things they are so desperately ashamed of and wanting to overcome. Church should never be about shame and repression, it should always br about freedom from shame and to be the real YOU, the one God so lovingly created for a beautiful and meaningful purpose. Christians are supposed to bring light, freedom and love into the world, it's sad that so many are doing the opposite but it doesn't change the fact that that's what Christians are supposed to do. ✌️

[@gurucoconstructionandprope7973]

I grew up Penecostal I know exactly what you’re talking about. My dad was a federal ex convict drug dealer came out of jail became Penecostal it’s just another drug!

[@boomersoonerbaby3466]

Oh gawd... my dad also did federal time for drugs. I’m so happy he didn’t go down the religion route. That would’ve made my high school days suck even worse 😣... it’s bad enough having all of the teachers tell all of the other students parents about your family’s personal shady business but you know a teacher would never do that to a kid 💅🏼

[@xxWhitey09xx]

Practically everyone I know that has fallen away from their faith has a story like this. And yet these “camps” still exist. It’s so incredibly frustrating. My church camp was and is still my favorite place on earth. It blows my mind how different other people’s experiences are. I’m so sorry. That’s all I can say.

[@blastwave2k]

i remember church camps too from when i was young. not wonderful memories like you. but not like his. it was actually camp, with the cabins and the counselors and all. the constant supervision, people always watching everything everywhere. we had to go to assemblies two or three times a day, and there was a campfire every night and a curfew. but otherwise it was a summer camp. sports, activities, swimming. the works. however, even tho that part was a generally fun environment, it only reinforced the same thing i learned at church and sunday school and even a small church run private school. you are what you do, not what you say. people are still people, and kids are still kids. the bullying, the cliches, the hypocrites, it all still existed. and often the victim of this bad behavior was blamed for it. for not being christian enough or forgiving enough or turning the other cheek enough. there were favorites everywhere and they got away with everything. always. i was able to successfully bow out at around my jr year of high school... my parents kinda gave up pushing it? it was costing them more than they could really afford anyway. i sometimes wonder and look back, but not enough to really actually go back. bringing back all kinds of things i thought i had forgotten now. still not over some of it i guess.

[@disneyprincessintraining2725]

Yeah, same here! Church camp for me growing up was cabins or camping, hiking, swimming, really fun! Of course we read scriptures as well and talked about how to be better to ourselves and each other, but like, none of the chanting or sleep deprivation. If anything, we always ended up getting snapped at because us girls would sometimes stay up half the night doing dumb crap when it was time for bed! 😂

[@jurjen909]

"If you don't open your mouth, the holy spirit can't come." hmm...

[@boatymsboatface3929]

Heh heh....

[@ohwell7344]

Bruh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bodhitree33]

Yikes dude

[@00Tenrai00]

Perversion...

[@AlphaGenius97]

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuh

[@whatsupdoc84]

I started attending a church and everything seemed fairly normal. My teen daughter was going to the youth services and fellowship but one evening she came home really shook up... she described what sounded a lot like your experience. We never went back.

[@damdamdamdumdidum]

No wonder your family is crazy... sorry if that sounds insulting. And good for you, you're sane. Obviously you have a strong mind.

[@AXL_967]

This resonated with me so much. I grew up in both an Assemblies of God church and non denominational Pentecostal church, and went to a private AG Christian school from preschool to senior year. I played piano, sang in the worship team, and taught. I was fully indoctrinated but was also a very inquisitive and thoughtful child. Unfortunately I was also apart of the LGBT community and because of how HORRIBLY I was treated, and because I was taught that I was evil for being that way, I learned to hate myself and hide it. I’d notice when things didn’t add up or inconsistent and would immediately be shut down. The speaking in tongues, crying, screaming, chanting, rolling around on the floor, all of that was normalized. I was so judgemental and had such a god complex, but I was traumatized and lonely. It wasn’t until a couple years ago at 19 that I made the decision to leave. Now that I’m 25 and I’ve been out, I can see just how fucked up my childhood and teenage years really were.

[@scottkruger5899]

Mine is a similar story. Only difference, my dad was the Pentecostal preacher...Im 41...and free.

[@a.freedman2726]

Gay and grew up in the United Pentecostal Cult.

[@globalarts4440]

Brings back terrible memories of my childhood and early adult life in sick church groups like this. The best thing I ever did was get up the courage and leave. It wasn't easy. Thank you for telling your story, and being true to yourself.

[@sylviadomerese352]

This makes my stomach hurt This is BRAINWASHING

[@2023GR]

I am a Greek Christian Orthodox and I was raised to respect all cultures and religions. You were definitely grow up in a cult and I’m glad that you turned up to be such a great guy. Well done Joshua , I respect your struggles and everything you had to go through to become you ♥️

[@desireefielder2154]

Thankyou, we've all been taught and brainwashed, fearful indoctrination. GO YOU!!!

[@KimchiYeo]

i am a Giraffe and we are taught to murder all hoomans!! HABALUKI HABALUKI!!! \ O.O /

[@tjb70]

A Greek Thing: The Greek Orthodox Church is vehemently anti-LGBTQ+ & reinforces outdated gender roles. Do you subscribe to those Church teachings, sir?

[@Marsalis_CW]

@@tjb70 Yes we do.

[@retrocloudstudios]

@@tjb70 Yes. Not Greek Orthodox is anti-LGBT, but every single Christian denomination. Why? Because God is against it, therefore we are against it.

[@theadrenalizedartist6843]

I am a grandchild of a deceased Baptist pastor who died before I was born. My mother was the Youth Advisor of our Youth Group, my dad was a Deacon. I have numerous clergy in my family from various religions. I write all that to say: This saddens me. Thank you for bravely sharing this. I think it shows you cannot force someone to get any kind of spiritual awakening, Holy Spirit experience etc. I am still quite spiritual but stopped attending church a few years ago because of things just like this.

[@michelledalenaa]

Growing up I was, literally, the world's worst Pentecostal. I could write a book. I never fell out either. I was told I had a spirit of bitterness and I was totally fine. I was that kid that corrected wrong and inaccurate information and that didn't go over well with my youth pastor. My sister got kicked out of Sunday school for pointing out that Jesus drank real wine and grape juice wasn't a thing until Mr. Welch came along. I got out of that as soon as I could.

[@olgafigueroa2909]

So ...that female pteacher can "decide" to speak in tongues? That was so cringy to see..

[@amorky8391]

It’s common. It’s their ‘secret prayer language’ not the same thing as speaking in tongues in the Bible.

[@genzvirus]

Imagine being God and people do this kind of stuff in Your name.

[@marjn1030]

@@AndreyFere89 you have the breath of life from God and you're saying their's no God? If people still talking about God for centuries you may want to seek him before it's too late.

[@Crazy09starkillor]

@@marjn1030 which one? There's so many Gods, how do you pick one?

[@kysfggt]

@@AndreyFere89 I am God

[@dothedeed]

mar jn you have been brainwashed since childhood. There are thousands of religions why do you only believe in 1 god?

[@JJ-ix2gk]

dothedeed anyone can believe what they want, whether that believe in multiple gods or not

[@OldBon3s]

This actually helped me a lot. I grew up going to church camp too. I also attended pentecostal churches as well as Catholic and baptist church. My parents were divorced and went to different churches and my sister and I both went to a private Catholic academy until high school. I always felt like there was something wrong with me because I was the only one that couldn’t speak in tongues. Everyone I knew could even my best friend. I remember being so jealous when she received her “gift”. I’m now a 38 year old lesbian who lost my faith in college or what I prefer to say which is I woke up to the non-sense. My mother and sister are in the same camp as me but both my sister and I just refuse to discuss religion with our father and step-mother. Anyways thank you so much for this video I haven’t thought about these things in a long time and it brought forth so many memories.