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I looked up a really friend 1 and a half years ago. I had moved a few times and so had she. Thus, we lost in touch. It had been 40 years approx. since we talked. When we were growing up she was the bad sheep of the family. The religion they had were and are called 2 X2's. They do not go to houses like JW's. It is scary in a way because she was such a Rebel when we were growing up. NOw, she is fully into this religeon. She is a very good person, and her husband is a wonderful guy too. They seem to just practice good Chrisitianty. I do not understand all of their ways, but two of their things are - women do not cut their hair nor color it, and they do not wear pants. Really weird, but I was jus wondering if anyone else knows any of these people?

Edit to say: they have several sects and meeting places. I went to one of their services and it seemed quite normal.

moonpie:-6

Sorry but I can't help you with that one. There are some 22 000 Christian denominations around the world as well as thousands of other sects and cults. Even within the Christian faith there are probably some that would follow the same rules.

According to the translators, linguists and scholars the word faith does not mean right or correct beliefs but refer to a relationship, a right relationship with one's fellow man and God. In other words faith means "trust". If it meant correct belief than Christianity itself would have problems. Which one of the 22 000 has the right beliefs?

Shalom

Ted:-6

Sorry Moonpie, but that seems like a cult. AND, cults are very scary places to be. They're really evil places to me because they seem to dominate people and cut off all family ties to their members. Don't go there......please....

She tried to direct me to a place in where I live who has a "meeting" once a week. She knows that betwen me and hubby we are pretty poor prospects. But, it is so hard to believe that she is still into this stuff. It seems very normal and Christian like, but I cannot understasnd why it could be so different in other ways.

moonpie:-6

Could you list some of those differences? That might help.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Just because the women don't cut their hair or wear pants doesn't make them a scary cult.

Now, if women couldn't leave the family home without the family male present and were not allowed a voice in daily life - that would be a scary cult to avoid.

Any group or organization that splits people up causing others pain in either the physical or mental sense is something to be wary of. The great faiths of the world all began on the two tenets of justice and compassion. Anything else is questionable at best.

Shalom

Ted:-6

My girlfriend is the very same as she used to be. She has a wonderful sense of humour, she is a very strong person in the sense that she wears the pants in the family. She has a really great guy for a husband - he is from Antigua, and it is a mixed marriage, but they have those people down there too, so it is quite world-wide.

Ted;725044 wrote: moonpie:-6

Could you list some of those differences? That might help.

Shalom

Ted:-6


Well hubby and me drink and I smoke.

moonpie:-6

Personally I hesitate to call it a cult as I know nothing about it. With all of those Christian denominations around the world I have heard of some strange things. This does not make them a cult in the modern sense. Back in the year 100 Christianity was considered a cult.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Kathy Ellen;725040 wrote: Sorry Moonpie, but that seems like a cult. AND, cults are very scary places to be. They're really evil places to me because they seem to dominate people and cut off all family ties to their members. Don't go there......please....


Not a chance, I am too much of an atheist. Even though I believe in my God. That sounds redundant, I beleive, yet I dont??

moonpie:-6

Drinking and smoking do not make someone evil. The smoking may be bad for you LOL but it certainly isn't illegal. As for drinking Jesus himself was known to imbibe on numerous occasions.

Shalom

Ted:-6

JAB:-6

Thanks. I've never heard of them before. I've learned something new today.

Shalom

Ted:-6

moonpie;725054 wrote: Not a chance, I am too much of an atheist. Even though I believe in my God. That sounds redundant, I beleive, yet I dont??


Thanks Jab:-6

Moonpie...just don't go there and worry about it too much. :-6 Your friend will make her own way in the world.

They are really good basic people, I know Jehovah Witnesses that are good people too, it just muddles my mind about religeon. I was raised a Catholic and I think there has been some question about that too. I want to respect everyone and their ideas and thoughts, but it is challenging.

moonpie:-6

There are many good people in all faiths and of no faith all around the world. If they display the unconditional love of God known as "agape" they are of God. Their particular faith or denomination is of little consequence.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Kathy Ellen;725058 wrote: Thanks Jab:-6

Moonpie...just don't go there and worry about it too much. :-6 Your friend will make her own way in the world.
When I lived in Texas, I worked for the Hunt (oil) people. There was a particular lady who worked for Hebert Hunt. She was a bleached blond who showed up at the biggest Baptist churst in downtown Dallas. She was always saying Bless You, and the Lord Moves, etc. Not too long after her hubby dies, she blows her head off. So much for religeon and believing in it.

moonpie:-6

Suicide has nothing to do with faith. It is the result of a serious physical illness called depression. This is a serious illness and needs the care of a competent physician.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Sorry Ted, I disagree. It should have been her faith in her lord, etc.etc. I had a husband who had a massive stroke when he was 28 years old when he was not the least overweight, and he dammed near died. The Lord? I dont thinks so. Since then ... I am back in Canada. He was a nice - really nice guy except he started getting violent.

moonpie:-6

You are certainly entitled to disagree however, the medical profession does not agree with you on that one. Generally in western society suicide results from depression which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Does faith prevent one from getting the flu? Of course not. It has a physical basis and the same holds true for depression.

Anyway you are entitled to your opinion.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Ted, I will definitely give you that. I was just surprised that she opted (sP) sp? out of this so quickly, Apparently, she did not drive, shop for herself, etc. She always looked like out of a catologue. She was a very nice looking lady. They did have 1 kid.

moonpie:-6

It is a most terrible illness and little understood by most folks. Nevertheless it is a serious illness that needs instant medical attention. It can afflict anyone.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Moonpie,

Obviously there's something - gut feeling here that somethings more than different.?? put religion aside - is there something (gut) that makes you question the life style ??

Your statement with a husband died and then the wife killed herself - that has nothing to do with religion - thats depression, not allowing yourself to feel you could live without the other.. Been there

Is this a question on a relgious belief ?

Is this a what the hell is this question?

Patsy

Patsy Warnick;725083 wrote: Moonpie,

Obviously there's something - gut feeling here that somethings more than different.?? put religion aside - is there something (gut) that makes you question the life style ??

Your statement with a husband died and then the wife killed herself - that has nothing to do with religion - thats depression, not allowing yourself to feel you could live without the other.. Been there

Is this a question on a relgious belief ?

Is this a what the hell is this question?

Patsy


This Lady worked for one of the most powerful person in Texas at the time, She was always, I thought condescening. She was in otherwords - a huge phony. If she even had a thought about her religeon, then that is good. I hope it helped

Edit to say: If she had the faith in her religeon, than it should have carrried her though the death of her husband.

her in the long run.

So what are you saying - a phony died for attention?

Back to your friend - was there something to make you question the life style?

Patsy

Ted;725053 wrote: moonpie:-6

Personally I hesitate to call it a cult as I know nothing about it. With all of those Christian denominations around the world I have heard of some strange things. This does not make them a cult in the modern sense. Back in the year 100 Christianity was considered a cult.

Shalom

Ted:-6


It apparently is not a cult. I said that - and I should get my face slapped for it. It is not a recognized religieon, and it does not make me feel uncomfortable, I was mostly wondering if anyone has heard of it in their travels .... mainly that ,,.....

I am a 56 year old person who does not have a lot of experience in life. I left Vancouver in 1972 and went to Dallas, Tx. to live with new new husband, I worked for a few different companies - mainly for the Hunt industiries. I moved in 1985 to come back to Canada. I am not too astute, but I just want you all to know that I am open to any thoughts or ideas you have and I welcome them.

Besides that to say my first husband had a major stroke at age 28, and that literally traumatized me. I am okay now, but that is pretty traumatizzing when thatt happens at such a young age to someone.

Moonpie

My husband died at the age of 30

we were both 30 years old - and yes I wanted to die without him - trauma, it was beyond trauma. I call it shake - rattle & roll..

I shook - I rattled until I was 80 pounds on a 5'8" frame female body..

Roll - I curled up into a fetal postion. My religion had nothing to do with the trauma..

I'm sorry for your experience - I really think you had a gut feeling on your friends life style. right or wrong she seems to be happy..

Patsy

Patsy Warnick;725106 wrote: Moonpie

My husband died at the age of 30

we were both 30 years old - and yes I wanted to die without him - trauma, it was beyond trauma. I call it shake - rattle & roll..

I shook - I rattled until I was 80 pounds on a 5'8" frame female body..

Roll - I curled up into a fetal postion. My religion had nothing to do with the trauma..

I'm sorry for your experience - I really think you had a gut feeling on your friends life style. right or wrong she seems to be happy..

Patsy
I am so sorry for you. It seems like it is just me. I feel so bad for you, It almost brings me back to where it was before ... my husband lived ... so sorry for yours...

jester:-6

I don't disagree with much of what you say. However, according to four doctors whom I know and the Merck Medical Manual "Clinical depression" is a chemical problem.

Yes there are other causes such as grief etc.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Hi moonpie-

I'd just try to appreciate your friendship with this person, go to her religious service, if it was so important to her that you did, and you wanted to honor the principal force in her life (in order to let her know you loved her). But if you feel uncomfortable with her beliefs I would say definitely express your feelings, and, then, let it be. Sometimes I think we cause ourselves problems by not agreeing to disagree. On the other hand, if her ways are grating on you, or you do not find joy or friendship with her due to conflicting values, maybe it's time to set the boundaries and ask yourself if her friendship is one you value.

I remember in the Bible somewhere, Old Testament if I'm not mistaken, it says that God suggests, or commands that we as individuals try most to NOT be stumbling blocks for others in their faith in God. To me that means when I'm around a believer in something different than what I'm used to or that I understand, I will try most of all to not put up barriers that hinders the relationship between God and that individual.

Actually, now that I'm writing about this, I think I remember this passage was in reference to Gentiles eating foods that offended the Jewish people? I always think about this when I'm with others who have a different faith than me. I don't want to make anyone feel less of a connection to their spiritual path than they have.

Caveat: There are some individuals and religious organizations that go wayward, usually, imho, because of control features. I don't know the why or wherefores, but the Jim Jones cult is an example of this sort of thing. Doesn't sound to me like your friend is involved like this, from what you've written, but I don't know her (or you, really) either.

Erin

Hi Erin, thanks for your post, I did go to one of their services when I was visiting them for a few days. It was fine, it was not crazy in any way possible. They had their singing and praying and it was no different than any other chuch. I know she wishes that I would think about attending more of their meetings. Sorry, I just don't have it in me to do that and be a phony. I can respect anyone's religeon whether I believe or don't understand it. I like to think I can appreciate and respect anything from a distance. I hope that does not sound too screwed up, but I don't mean to disrepect anyone's beliefs. Thats about it in a nutshell. I have known this person since we were kids, although there was a 40 year gap in our friendship because I moved away a few times, but I am glad that we more or less picked up where we left off and we have found each other again.

Thanks for your post Erin, and everyone elses' too.

moonpie:-6

Looks good here.

Shalom

Ted:-6

Thanks Ted, I really appreciate that. I hope you have a wonderful evening and rest of the week!! Take care.

Now I really feel bad. My GF had to go in for a scope and they found a a mass on her ovary, even though she had a hystectomy many years ago. She is to see the GYN hopefully next week, and sounds like she will have surgery before x-mas. AShe sounds positive, yet she is scared. I feel so bad now i brought up her religion, Please think about her, she has kids and grand kids, and she is a great person.

Wishing your friend the very best of Luck Moonpie

I googled 2x2 and found this real interesting site that explains all about the sect they follow...Definately doesnt sound like a cult to me.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_2x2.htm

also here is a link to a website some use, you can peruse as a guest and get a measure of their outlook etc, hey maybe your friends are members, however since owing a tv, pc is against their belief, I dont know whether these people are ex members???

http://professing.proboards16.com/index ... rd=general

jester:-6

Now hang on to your seat. LOL I am in agreement with what you have posted re depression. The only thing I would add is that instead of a psychologist etc. that one should head to a competent medical practitioner who under certain circumstances my recommend a medical specialist.

Shalom

Ted:-6

moonpie:-6

Prayer is a good path to follow for your friend.

Shalom

Ted:-6