INDOCTRINATION….
Google tells me another word for indoctrination is brainwashing.
My husband Don and I professed in our early 20s, a year after we were married. Raised our four boys faithfully attending meetings. We had meetings in our home for many years, including gospel meetings.
Our professing days came to an abrupt halt in 2023. We could no longer be part of such a dishonest fellowship. They call themselves THE TRUTH. Not so! I am embarrassed to say that I was part of it. You might ask, “WHAT were we thinking??? We didn’t have to think. Look up the word CULT and see if anything sounds familiar.
People that have been brainwashed are sometimes called a cult, because their members are controlled and told what to do. When to do it. What meeting to go to. When to speak or not speak. Who to pick up. What to wear and not to wear. What NOT to have in your home, i.e. TV, radio, wine, beer, and in some countries even Xmas trees are taboo. Can you believe that?!
They never ask for money but get lots.
They never tell you about rules—until you break them.
They tell you if you are allowed to partake of the emblems.
They tell you if you can be baptized.
Our sons, Paul and David, were told their hair was too long to be baptized. Our friend Paula was told she could NOT wear her pierced earrings if she wanted to be baptized; otherwise, she would have a bad spirit. WHOA! Where did that come from?
If you are divorced, you are not allowed to speak or pray or partake of the emblems. The workers consider themselves GATEKEEPERS for God. So much for the veil being rent in twain.
But WAIT! If you happen to live in the eastern parts of the country, you are in luck. Those workers think it’s OK for divorced and remarried couples to speak and take emblems in meetings—unlike the western dudes. Will they ever get their act together? Not sure where the cut-off line is.
This church believes it is God’s only true way and the ONLY WAY to get to heaven. They preach that you have to work hard to earn salvation. That’s called WORKS. That is a lie. Like my son, Tim, said, “Life in the 2×2 religion is nothing short of an endurance test. So much for Jesus dying on the cross.” They sing a hymn “Suffering must precede the glory.” Really?
When I say, “We were kept in the DARK,” that’s exactly what it was. When we PROFESSED we knew nothing. They told us to stand and we stood. Told us to sit and we sat. Nothing documented. No explanation of their doctrine or where the money went or how they became overseers. Little regard for the sister workers who would never become overseers and who never took a meeting if a brother was present. Never sit on the platform at conventions. Always did most of the cooking, cleaning and laundry at conventions.
AND MUCH MUCH MORE! No questions asked!
That’s a long explanation, and it all falls under the heading of INDOCTRINATION.
Even when keeping the PEACE means NOT telling the truth—I will tell the truth. When my church comes between me and my neighbour—I will choose my neighbour.
And so, we rejoice in our deliverance in the Summer of 2023. We have joined the human race once again. and started a new life. Where there’s life, there is hope. We continue to untangle ourselves from the yoke of bondage—never to be entangled in the yoke of bondage again—as we enjoy the true peace that freedom and liberty affords us. Galatians. 5:1. It’s a wonderful feeling to get to know the authentic me again—just an ordinary normal human! Albeit OLD, (87 years old to be exact) but very happy, and so thankful for all my blessings. Who now can ask questions! We rejoice in our deliverance and His GRACE. Thank you, Jesus.
To many, this little walk down memory lane will just be preaching to the choir. But for others—it is not meant to offend. Everyone’s journey is different. I get it. But rather: This is MY story—this is how I see it. Like I said, when keeping the peace means NOT telling the truth—I will tell the Truth.
One more thought. Last but certainly not least, it’s not a secret. Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and Sexual Abuse (SA) are RAMPANT in the workers’ church. There are hundreds of alleged perpetrators and many of them are WORKERS. It’s not hard to understand why. My heart goes out to the many victims and how they have been treated. CSA and SA are the biggest reasons we could no longer be associated with this church…just so you know.
Sadly, I lament that our family has been divided since Bruergate, and for the most part estranged. Ten to be exact… three generations. It’s been BITTER SWEET…but the SWEET outweighs the bitter. It’s a new life…the authentic ME, and I am loving it.
As told by an 87-year-old great-grandmother who spent far too long under the cloud of legalism. Over 60 years…with no questions asked.
Connie Borys
March 10, 2026
Winnipeg, Canada
Originally posted on Connected and Concerned Friends (CCF) at:
https://connected-and-concerned-friends.mn.co/posts/99044818