What is the focus? That is the question that ex-members of a UBF chapter in California have asked.
On a meeting for bible study with ex-members one of the sisters brought up the question about the purpose of the group. We as a group had a discussion and came to the conclusion.
The conclusion being that our purpose is to be a body of Christ that reveals God clearly and be a safe haven to both ex-members and current members whom have also witness & experienced the abuse and sometimes dehumanization from UBF pastors, seniors, and junior members. Our purpose should not be about just merely exposing UBF problems or be a group of haters. If we do so as the sister pointed out we create more problems and end up effecting and harming everyone especially God.
What she said got me thinking about how for a time I become a perpetrator like the the UBF leaders. This got me convicted of my sins and realizing that it is time to turn a new leaf by having a new beginning.
So me and some of the ex-members created a blog that shows techniques and methods to resist UBF’s mind control and possibly prevent and/or resist Stockholm Syndrome. It is called UBF: Ur Being Flat. The reason for this title is because musically you don’t end on a high note in UBF but the melody is always flat with the constant redundancy.
Here is the link to the blog: https://ubfisacult.blogspot.com/
Also here is my email if anyone wants to get in contact with me personally: eddieisvercetti@gmail.com
That is the key, isn’t it. Perhaps we won’t be able to bring true reform to all of UBFdom. We can, however, be a resource for people suffering from the weight of emotional trauma and spiritual abuse. UBFers sometimes say, “Just stick to your ministry and we’ll stick to ours; don’t hinder the work of God.” A response: “Our ministry includes those who are being hurt by your organization. Should we leave them stranded?”
“don’t hinder the work of God” seems like “don’t interfere with our way of doing things”
unfortunately the problem is bigger than ubf, but perhaps the resolution is the same: continual elucidation/modification
for example having grown up catholic I am bothered that it took decades to realize too many priests abused too many kids & too many bishops/cardinals/popes covered it up & ultimately/effectively too many donations ended up spent on lawsuits; instead of feeling bad I can learn/always elucidate the elemental life-wide problem of elevation of spiritual authority & modify my attitude/influence to not trust/believe more than typical human nature of us all would indictate; what if enough people had done so long ago, would countless damage have been avoided? if enough of us now do so will countless future people fare better?
another example is preferred universities have a decades old club hazing for membership/status problem (illegal underage alcohol inducement & dangerous activity expectation) with consequent addiction/mental health damage to many students/families; I can continually elucidate the problem & advocate mutual achievement/service
one more example is Chicago police culture of silence (corruption/coverup) which abuses power/damages citizenry (whether illegal graft overlooked/partaken in by superiors or fearful overreactive injury/death colluded by confreres/superiors) thru suppressive intimidation/false charges against victim/advocates; I can continually elucidate the problem & advocate limited trust/following of their directives even if they wrongly harm me as a result
in sum I see a culture problem: culture of much religion/especially ubf, culture of much education/especially northwestern, culture of much police/especially Chicago; cultures of using/damaging/corrupting for personal/leader/organizational benefit/gain; I must continually elucidate errant idea/practice & advocate true protection/service