Help!

[HumbleServant94]

My friend and his mom believe in some thing called the church of God. They are worshipping some guy named Ahnsahnghong. I'm scared. Not only is their religion contradictory, it's changed them. They're aren't the same. Anybody have any info to help me get them out of it?

 

[Rasta]

How has their behavior changed in a way that scares you?

Why do you want them to stop practising their beliefs?

I don't know if you can convince them out of it, if they want to believe. Is there anything someone could say or do to make you denounce what you believe?

 

[HumbleServant94]

My friend lies to me more. He calls my thinking stupid. He calls me ugly. His mother has become more aggressive. She has taken more to smoking than before. My friend use to support my choices and he used to not care about my appearance. Now he calls me ugly. He used to be forgiving of everything. Now every blow brings hate. It chills me to my core. I cry everytime I see this. He now has joined conspiracies that say Bush made the Twin Towers fall. He says I'm not saved because I didn't do the passover. I'm worried everyday about him. He's being changed slowly but surely. Inside-out. It's like I don't know him. He calls the Catholics idolaters saying that they're the antichrist and that they secretly worship sun gods. I don't know what to do. I'm getting bombed by ideas from the devil. I can't take it. I feel torned in the inside. I pray for him so many times. And whenever I talk about it I start to cry like I'm doing now. He's been my best friend for eight years and just seeing him like this makes me cry so much. I wish he could see how different he is and see how bad this is turning.

 

[Dark_Lite]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahnsahnghong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Mission_Soaciety_Church_of_God

Yeah....

 

[Druweid]

My friend and his mom believe in some thing called the church of God. They are worshipping some guy named Ahnsahnghong. I'm scared. Not only is their religion contradictory, it's changed them. They're aren't the same. Anybody have any info to help me get them out of it?

Greetings HumbleServant94,

Here's a start: What to do if you have a cult member in your family

There's quite a bit if other information you should be able to find on that same site.

I wish you the best of luck.

Brightest blessings,
-- Druweid

 

[Im_A]

My friend and his mom believe in some thing called the church of God. They are worshipping some guy named Ahnsahnghong. I'm scared. Not only is their religion contradictory, it's changed them. They're aren't the same. Anybody have any info to help me get them out of it?

well here's some basic info on that church.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Mission_Society_Church_of_God

i would be very careful about this tho personally. what is different as believing this man is the second coming of Christ, or believeing that a jewish carpenter was God? i'm only throwing that in there to give one advice. make sure your advice and trying to help them out not based upon your convictions and your belief system but a geniune concern that something could be wrong here with those individuals...iow, or imo, genuine care, not doctrinal care.

how have they changed? is it a bad change meaning morally and ethically? is it a change criminally? what kind of changes are they?

since this is an offshot of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, maybe go and talk to a Seventh Day Adventist minister about this. it'd be a way that if you've seen character changes and personality changes that are bad, you could find a way that would make sense to them to try to help them out or better yet, strike it at home. i'm sure the Seventh Day Adventist Church would have things to say against this church. you could always provide that information to them and let them make their choice.

 

[HumbleServant94]

well here's some basic info on that church.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Mission_Society_Church_of_God

i would be very careful about this tho personally. what is different as believing this man is the second coming of Christ, or believeing that a jewish carpenter was God? i'm only throwing that in there to give one advice. make sure your advice and trying to help them out not based upon your convictions and your belief system but a geniune concern that something could be wrong here with those individuals...iow, or imo, genuine care, not doctrinal care.

how have they changed? is it a bad change meaning morally and ethically? is it a change criminally? what kind of changes are they?

since this is an offshot of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, maybe go and talk to a Seventh Day Adventist minister about this. it'd be a way that if you've seen character changes and personality changes that are bad, you could find a way that would make sense to them to try to help them out or better yet, strike it at home. i'm sure the Seventh Day Adventist Church would have things to say against this church. you could always provide that information to them and let them make their choice.

They've definitely changed morally and ethically. But they weren't Seventh Day Adventists before. They were just Protestant.

 

[Druweid]

They've definitely changed morally and ethically. But they weren't Seventh Day Adventists before. They were just Protestant.

I believe that the idea of being an off-shoot of Seventh Day Adventists comes from Ahnsahnghong having formerly been baptized as one, as well as a notable similarity in philosophies. In this respect, Im_A would be basically correct. In any case, the possibility that a SDA minister might have good advice in this situation does have merit, regardless of any specific relationship between the two faiths.

Respectfully,
-- Druweid

 

[Bookofknowledge]

My friend lies to me more. He calls my thinking stupid. He calls me ugly. His mother has become more aggressive. She has taken more to smoking than before. My friend use to support my choices and he used to not care about my appearance. Now he calls me ugly. He used to be forgiving of everything. Now every blow brings hate. It chills me to my core. I cry everytime I see this. He now has joined conspiracies that say Bush made the Twin Towers fall. He says I'm not saved because I didn't do the passover. I'm worried everyday about him. He's being changed slowly but surely. Inside-out. It's like I don't know him. He calls the Catholics idolaters saying that they're the antichrist and that they secretly worship sun gods. I don't know what to do. I'm getting bombed by ideas from the devil. I can't take it. I feel torned in the inside. I pray for him so many times. And whenever I talk about it I start to cry like I'm doing now. He's been my best friend for eight years and just seeing him like this makes me cry so much. I wish he could see how different he is and see how bad this is turning.

Practice Patience, evaluate yourself, some times in your post you have mentioned your friend as "She" and some times you reffer to your friend as "He" - Practice Patience

Bring your friend to a common platform and then research -Practice Patience

 

[HumbleServant94]

Whoops! Sorry, the keyboard is sometimes frustrating. It's a guy by the way. But he's been in this cult for more than two years. Two years! He keeps getting crazier and crazier ideas. It's like he's slowly being turned into a... nutcase. I get worried sick all the time. I just have this feeling in my gut and heart that something isn't right. Something's going to happen soon.

 

[HumbleServant94]

By the way, the "she" part was when I was talking about his mom.

 

[Bookofknowledge]

Whoops! Sorry, the keyboard is sometimes frustrating. It's a guy by the way. But he's been in this cult for more than two years. Two years! He keeps getting crazier and crazier ideas. It's like he's slowly being turned into a... nutcase. I get worried sick all the time. I just have this feeling in my gut and heart that something isn't right. Something's going to happen soon.

Have patience, Pray to the God of Abraham. May God give you courage and security... Seek guidance from the God of Abraham and consult with those who are experianced in giving advice.

May God also Protect the family of your friend and your friend, May God Guide them to the faith of Abraham.

 

[ahmid]

My friend and his mom believe in some thing called the church of God. They are worshipping some guy named Ahnsahnghong. I'm scared. Not only is their religion contradictory, it's changed them. They're aren't the same. Anybody have any info to help me get them out of it?

I have studied this Christ Ahnsanhong and I would pray for your friend. Many anti-christs will come in the end of days. I do not consider Ahnsanghong the second coming of Christ.

You will know when Christ comes, it will be obvious. Like when the sun rises in the East. No one will need to tell you because you will know.

-------------------------------------------------
Even as Paul thru Jesus Christ convinced idol worshiping infidels in the first century; likewise do I move about Breaking the Sword of Islam. For the true G*d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. I will love G*d and my neighbor. By Jesus Christ, all evil is bound from hindering. --- Ahmid Truth

G*d thru Jesus Christ bless Zakaria Botros - today he is reaching up to 50 million Muslims in the middle east through televised evangelism via satellite. Reportedly hundreds a week are turning to Christ and abandoning Islam... Hallelujah. 3lotus.com

Help Stop Islam! ...over 12,000 selfish attacks since 9/11 ... Islam Kills!

 

[peepnklown]

I think you need to give this friend some distance.

 

[Im_A]

They've definitely changed morally and ethically. But they weren't Seventh Day Adventists before. They were just Protestant.

well if they've changed morally and ethically on a bad level, then my opinion is address that first. not in a judgemental way, but just simply and kindly ask why they do whatever they do that is bad immorally or ethically that they are doing, and why did it happen when they started going to that church? the timing is ironic isn't it? then go from there.

that's at least how i'd personally handle it. if they can admit to their bad changes morally and ethically happening as the same time they started attending that church, then you have working ground possibly. if they deny and exscuse it, then as far as i'm concerned, you have no working ground.

the advice in regards to the seventh day adventist side is really only because, if they claim that their way is the only way, the truth, and since the founder of their religion claims to be the "Christ", he was baptized and once a SDA. so my advice of going to the minister of a SDA church would be more along the lines of theological. it would be the last attempt i'd make though. i mean this person is making a claim that most Christianities would be against. not to mention, that they pray in Ahnsanhong's name trying to prove their theology wrong in regards to the relation with the SDA church, or even the Protestant church or historical Christianity. and even tho some of their views don't seem anti-Christian, the very basis seems awfully contradictory to any type of Christian claims. but my advice is, if you'd choose to try to refute them theology and lead them out of that church make it a last ditch effort. the only way one can change is when their conscience is pointed at as far as i'm concerned. sounds odd, and maybe a bit mean, but i don't know anyone that changes their life because their doctrine is wrong. the only people i've ever met in my own life is, when they change their ways, get out of something in general, it is because whatever they are in, is leading them to be immoral.

but also remember, no matter how much you care, you can't change them. the only way they will change is if they come to on it on their own terms. all you can do is, at least in my opinion, lend a hand out to help out. and if they deny everything, and will not change, my best advice is still be there for a friend.

 

[Druweid]

...but also remember, no matter how much you care, you can't change them. the only way they will change is if they come to on it on their own terms. all you can do is, at least in my opinion, lend a hand out to help out. and if they deny everything, and will not change, my best advice is still be there for a friend.

This is a very good point, one with which I agree, and one that is hardest for most people to handle or understand; the possibility of an undesired, yet inevitable, outcome. If, after all your efforts, your friend continues on his present path, don't blame yourself. I've known counselors, social workers, child service specialists, and some medical professionals who left their professions because, despite all their years of training, they were unable to come to grips with the concept of failure in the face of futility. Each had refused to accept this one unfortunate reality; You can have all the education, all the technology, all the talent, and yes, even all the faith humanly possibly, but in the end, you cannot save a person from themselves.

But please, don't take this to mean you should ever stop trying. Even if all you do right now is unsuccessful, don't ever give up. Continue to love your friend with the most pure and unselfish love that you are able. If you have mutual friends who feel as you do, please, ask them to do the same. One day he may come to realize the fallacy of his chosen path, and when he does, he will feel his entire world has fallen apart. He might be too embarrassed or humiliated to come to you at that time, for fear of having to admit such terrible mistakes. But he will also, at that time, be desperately looking for a way to return to solid footing within himself. If you are strong and steady, then he will know that you and any other faithful friends can be that rock for him. And remind him, always, that whether you believe he is right or wrong, first and foremost, you are his friend.

Proverbs 11:14 "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."

17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

27:5 "Better is open rebuke than hidden love."

27:9 "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel."

27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Brightest blessings,
-- Druweid

 

[HumbleServant94]

Although that is good advice, I'm still concerned. Before their "conversion" they were normal. They turned into fanatics. The result, now they go to some guy's house which is their "church" for two hours every Saturday.

 

[Druweid]

Although that is good advice, I'm still concerned. Before their "conversion" they were normal. They turned into fanatics. The result, now they go to some guy's house which is their "church" for two hours every Saturday.

Perhaps you could still invite them to a personal Bible study? Any and all other participants would have to be aware and VERY sensitive to the situation at hand so that you don't accidentally alienate them (presuming they consent). And if they do consent and participate, DON'T focus on lessons that challenge their choice, stick to basics. If their choice is into darkness, light will surely reveal the truth. If their choice is not into darkness (who am I to judge?), the light of truth can surely do no harm.

And please, understand, I'm in an awkward position here. In my faith, it's morally wrong to interfere with a person's free choice of religious path. If that path, however, is obviously causing harm, intervention (when careful and loving) is certainly warranted.

Best wishes,
-- Druweid

 

[HumbleServant94]

Perhaps you could still invite them to a personal Bible study? Any and all other participants would have to be aware and VERY sensitive to the situation at hand so that you don't accidentally alienate them (presuming they consent). And if they do consent and participate, DON'T focus on lessons that challenge their choice, stick to basics. If their choice is into darkness, light will surely reveal the truth. If their choice is not into darkness (who am I to judge?), the light of truth can surely do no harm.

And please, understand, I'm in an awkward position here. In my faith, it's morally wrong to interfere with a person's free choice of religious path. If that path, however, is obviously causing harm, intervention (when careful and loving) is certainly warranted.

Best wishes,
-- Druweid

What are the basics?

 

[Druweid]

What are the basics?

Matthew 5 is always a good start (and a personal favorite). John 1 is typically considered a basic start, but maybe too close to the problem at hand. There's also 2 Timothy 3 which is good, 1 John 1 as well. And most anything from Psalms or Proverbs.

I have to run just now, but will be back later tonight or tomorrow with some more thoughts.

Brightest blessings,
-- Druweid