User talk:Psmidi

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When I do a simple Google search on "International Churches of Christ" I come up with many results that talk about the ICOC being a cult. Why are these things not mentioned in the Wikipedia ICOC article in a controversy section. The whole article reads like an advertisement for the ICOC. It is not encyclopedic in quality.

I did a simple Google search for The International Churches of Christ. Here are the results:

1. The Wikipedia article 2. An ICOC produced website 3. A website calling the ICOC a cult 4. A website stating that the ICOC has some controversial beliefs. 5. A website that would recommend people to stay away from the ICOC. 6. 3 videos talking about the ICOC being a cult. 7. A website calling the ICOC a cult. 8. A website discussing controversial beliefs. 9. A story of a person escaping the ICOC calling the ICOC a cult. 10. A website talking about the faulty beliefs of the ICOC. 11. A website calling the ICOC a cult. 12. A website calling the ICOC a cult. 13. An ICOC produced website 14. An advertising website 15. A website stating that the ICOC abuses people. 16. A paper written by an ICOC leader. 2600:1700:4260:35D0:299C:36C:B735:2293 (talk) 06:11, 5 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]

he ICOC uses "heavy shepherding." This is not mentioned in the ICOC article.

https://www.gotquestions.org/heavy-shepherding.html

“Heavy shepherding” (also referred to as the “Discipleship Movement”) is a method of psychological control used by abusive churches and cults. It came out of the Shepherding Movement of the 1970s. The International Churches of Christ from the Boston Movement is perhaps the most well-known group that practices heavy shepherding. Another infamous group to come out of the Shepherding Movement was Christian Grown Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."

I see no mention of certain practices used by the ICOC in the Wikipedia ICOC article. The following article from Got Questions talks about the practices used by the ICOC: https://www.gotquestions.org/International-Church-of-Christ.html

1. " . . . high-pressure, intrusive, and abusive or spiritually manipulative tactics at the hand of the leader they were assigned to."

2. Love bombing. "This fits well with the ICOC’s preferred method of “love-bombing”—suddenly and purposefully surrounding a person with high amounts of friendly contact, various forms of aid, and an overall sense of being immersed in a community—things first-year college students especially crave. While none of these things are unbiblical (indeed, community, service, and friendliness are all excellent aims for Christians), the International Churches of Christ uses these virtues as a façade and manipulative tool to increase membership."

3. The ICOC calls itself the one true church. " . . . the group is exclusivist, claiming that the church is meant to be divided only by geography. Any church outside of their unified system, i.e., not under the ICOC’s leadership, is not a part of the “true church.” Such claims of exclusivity should raise a red flag. Any church or denomination that claims to be the “one true church” and that all others are false churches is itself teaching falsehood."

4. Grace and salvation through works. "The ICOC believes that anyone who is not baptized is not saved and must be “evangelized” and brought into the church. Further, the ICOC teaches that the only “valid” baptism is one performed by the ICOC. No other baptism will do. Further still, the ICOC does not allow anyone to be baptized until he or she is first a “disciple” committed to the organization. The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9)—including the work of baptism."

There is no mention of any of these things in the Wikipedia ICOC article. 2600:1700:4260:35D0:299C:36C:B735:2293 (talk) 06:16, 5 September 2022 (UTC)[reply]

There is currently a discussion at Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard regarding a possible conflict of interest incident with which you may be involved. The thread is Psmidi. Thank you. Cordless Larry (talk) 19:40, 14 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Just a heads up in case you want to modify your comment on talk:International Churches of Christ Nowa (talk) 13:38, 15 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]