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 rudimentary online search quickly reveals that there is no shortage of complaints about and criticism of the House of Prayer Christian Churches. There are many critics that allege that they have become members of this church, only to be coerced into donating all their worldly possessions to the church, including their homes and cars. Some were even required to stop working at regular jobs so that they can dedicate more time to the church.
A number of critics are of the opinion that the House of Prayer recruit young people under false pretensions and then separate them from their families. This seems to be the case especially when the parents of such young people start to question the involvement of their children with the sect. Parents say their children show behavioural changes and they avoid their own loved ones.
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.
Officials from the House of Prayer Church maintain that the church is nothing else but a spiritual home for those that long for revival and that want to worship with others that share their norms and values. The church expects its members to attend services and prayer meetings and they have a strong focus on missionary work.
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.
It is clear that some of the critics that launch regular attacks against the House of Prayer Christian Church are very angry and either embittered or outraged. The language used in some of the attacks is downright spiteful and rude. Perhaps level headed readers will know that it is often best to discard opinions on both ends of the spectrum.
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 rudimentary online search quickly reveals that there is no shortage of complaints about and criticism of the House of Prayer Christian Churches. There are many critics that allege that they have become members of this church, only to be coerced into donating all their worldly possessions to the church, including their homes and cars. Some were even required to stop working at regular jobs so that they can dedicate more time to the church.
A number of critics are of the opinion that the House of Prayer recruit young people under false pretensions and then separate them from their families. This seems to be the case especially when the parents of such young people start to question the involvement of their children with the sect. Parents say their children show behavioural changes and they avoid their own loved ones.
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.
Officials from the House of Prayer Church maintain that the church is nothing else but a spiritual home for those that long for revival and that want to worship with others that share their norms and values. The church expects its members to attend services and prayer meetings and they have a strong focus on missionary work.
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.
It is clear that some of the critics that launch regular attacks against the House of Prayer Christian Church are very angry and either embittered or outraged. The language used in some of the attacks is downright spiteful and rude. Perhaps level headed readers will know that it is often best to discard opinions on both ends of the spectrum.
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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