There can be very little doubt that religion and religious movements continue to be powerful forces that can have a profound influence upon their communities and especially their members. There are thousands of sects and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between them. Some sects have become targets with critics accusing them of a wide variety of spiritual and even worldly aberrations. HOPCC certainly seems to fall in this latter category.
Even a quick online search reveals a number of sites that are highly critical of the House of Prayer Christian Churches. A number of complainants allege that they had to donate all their belongings to the church. In some cases this even included the family home. Some even say that they were coerced into resigning their jobs, so as to be able to spend more time on matters pertaining to the church.
Some parents accuse the church of breaking up their families. They say that the Hope of Prayer make extravagant promises to youngsters on both a spiritual and material level. A number of parents allege that their children have been forbidden contact with their families. Other parents say that their children have stopped their studies or quit their jobs after joining the church.
Disgruntled critics have, in some instances, tried to lay formal complaints but they have not had much success. The position of the authorities is that they cannot investigate allegations unless a crime has been committed. Donating personal possessions to a church, for example, is the right of every adult. They also point out that every citizen is free to follow the religion of his or her choice and to associate with anybody they please.
The House of Prayer Christian Church has not responded to the attacks against it. They maintain that the church is a spiritual home for those that choose to be members. Nobody is forced to do anything against their will, although members are encouraged to pray regularly, to attend services and to become involved in mission work. There are also no shortages of glowing recommendations from church members.
On the official website of the church, it clearly states that they are running a seminary and that the rules applicable to the faculty and students are rather strict. No student or staff member are allowed to ponder worldly matters. Presumably that means that they may not own possessions or that they may not earn incomes from regular jobs. Instead, they are to focus wholly upon spiritual matters.
Meanwhile, critics continue to attack the House of Prayer Christian Church on a variety of websites. In fact, some of the comments are downright nasty, vitriolic even. Reading some of the comments may lead one to believe that the church is wholly evil. However, balanced individuals know that there are always more than one side to a story and it may be best to discard the most vicious of the attacks on the church.
There can be no doubt that the House of Prayer has many enemies. Many of those criticising the church are previous members or they have family that are still members. The fact remains that there is not much that can be done when an adult willingly join a specific religious group.
Even a quick online search reveals a number of sites that are highly critical of the House of Prayer Christian Churches. A number of complainants allege that they had to donate all their belongings to the church. In some cases this even included the family home. Some even say that they were coerced into resigning their jobs, so as to be able to spend more time on matters pertaining to the church.
Some parents accuse the church of breaking up their families. They say that the Hope of Prayer make extravagant promises to youngsters on both a spiritual and material level. A number of parents allege that their children have been forbidden contact with their families. Other parents say that their children have stopped their studies or quit their jobs after joining the church.
Disgruntled critics have, in some instances, tried to lay formal complaints but they have not had much success. The position of the authorities is that they cannot investigate allegations unless a crime has been committed. Donating personal possessions to a church, for example, is the right of every adult. They also point out that every citizen is free to follow the religion of his or her choice and to associate with anybody they please.
The House of Prayer Christian Church has not responded to the attacks against it. They maintain that the church is a spiritual home for those that choose to be members. Nobody is forced to do anything against their will, although members are encouraged to pray regularly, to attend services and to become involved in mission work. There are also no shortages of glowing recommendations from church members.
On the official website of the church, it clearly states that they are running a seminary and that the rules applicable to the faculty and students are rather strict. No student or staff member are allowed to ponder worldly matters. Presumably that means that they may not own possessions or that they may not earn incomes from regular jobs. Instead, they are to focus wholly upon spiritual matters.
Meanwhile, critics continue to attack the House of Prayer Christian Church on a variety of websites. In fact, some of the comments are downright nasty, vitriolic even. Reading some of the comments may lead one to believe that the church is wholly evil. However, balanced individuals know that there are always more than one side to a story and it may be best to discard the most vicious of the attacks on the church.
There can be no doubt that the House of Prayer has many enemies. Many of those criticising the church are previous members or they have family that are still members. The fact remains that there is not much that can be done when an adult willingly join a specific religious group.
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