303. Did you lose complete faith in God at the GRC? Not surprising if you did due to there being no results resembling anything like what the GRC promises. If anything did look like it happened it was chance and it appeared very seldomly.
304. Do you get a bitter taste in your mouth thinking about the Bible, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, church, wearing dresses or suits, the hall, camps, fasts, hymns and choruses, and other related topics? Because all of it only reminds you of bad leaders and hypocritical behaviours.
305. Do you agree that if there were dependable, as frequently as you prayed miracles, healings, protection, provision, open honest exemplary ministry leading that helps keep families/people together and reunite that you would still go to the GRC? I would. I'd go even if I had to be very disciplined in everything the GRC ministry said to be, because you'd know it was God and not them making you believe it all. That's the whole point of following 'The Lord' isn't it, to see Him working and not just the ministry providing theatre? It's not about make believe and a select few controlling everyone else.
306. The GRC ministry is anything but exemplary. They pray and nothing happens. They shepherd and sheep get devoured. They profess themselves, are believed, nothing happens and people keep on believing.
307. Have you resolved there must be a God or creator/intelligent designer and have realised the GRC has no business in the truth?
308. Maybe you believe the GRC is a false church that is the enemy of searching out the truth for yourself. Because that's exactly what they don't want you to do - look for the truth yourself. They'll tell you exactly what to do and what you'll experience. But the experience doesn't happen. It's the worst of both worlds.
309. What if none of the experience you are having, or have had, at the GRC has anything to do with proving God exists or not? You purely keep attending due to the fear they spread. Fears about many aspects of your life. Irrational fears that you can't seem to shake.
310. What if the GRC is really there to destroy your chance at finding the truth and following it? That theory fits doesn't it? Think it all through. Everything fits perfectly if the GRC is a false church that's really a tool for the enemy of God. Look at the numbers, look at the facts, it all fits really well.
311. Thinking about many GRC situations in your life: Doesn't what happened make sense thinking that that was just a person doing it, a person's own thoughts acting out, a person doing things under their own power, a person pretending, a person picking and choosing a behaviour, a person leaning on the Bible as an excuse for what they do, a person thinking it's how the Bible wants them to do it, a person aware of other GRC people watching their behaviour - or not at that exact moment, a person in control and doing what they think they should or shouldn't? Exactly, it never is God working in there in anyone. It is just them doing it all, every bit of it. Every little thing is just a person doing it. Not God.
312. So if there is a God or not, don't blame God. Point the your arrows at the GRC. Not God.
313.Firstly I want this website to point out the GRC is a false prophet church. Secondly I want you to look for yourself about God, or other reality/ies. I'd be disturbed if you thought you knew what I think and followed that. Do it for yourself. Be a searcher or not, but do it through your own choices.
314. Never have said, or will say, there is a God or creator or not in my experience on this site. I will say don't judge and decide if there is a God or not through your time attending the GRC. Please. You are in control now.
315. Maybe the GRC has given you a hate towards God. He is a father who ignores His needing children. Or you now think there can't be a God. How can there be after what happened at the GRC?
316. The GRC only ever brute forces their own Bible interpretations, their own way to follow the Bible, their own version of how when and why to pray, and tell you exactly what to expect from their own thoughts on the Bible into your thinking over how many years? You have not seen the results they said to "Give God a Go to See For Yourself". That's what Pastor Hollins said to me, I saw nothing from God, gave God a go (as their version only mind you), and eventually left.
317. Think about it this way: If the GRC isn't following the Bible the correct way in the first place and it doesn't work, you see bad things and hypocrisy at the GRC, lies and massive exaggeration, twisting of the truth - That doesn't mean the Bible is a fable and God doesn't exist or God does not want you - It very basically means the GRC is not following the Bible correctly and God doesn't want the GRC.
"Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person." It's a lovely thought. And then the GRC takes that and turns it into: "The GRC might not destroy the world, but it destroys the worlds of many people and families for nothing in return to anyone. Ultimate stupidity."
318. This site is primarily for anyone needing a little help, guidance or ideas on how to make sense of what happens to them within the GRC cult. Here are some entries where it's ok to exercise a healthy potential mind outside the bounds and restrictions of the very narrow, sheltered, disabling, growth stinting, and completely unfruitful thought limiting enforcing done by the GRC ministry and other members.
319. Have a little fun and exercise some imagination. Continue to think about these God/Creator options that you'd never hear about while attending the Geelong Revival Centre or from strict GRC rule adhering parents as you grew up. You may not know any of the below thoughts and beliefs due to being compromisingly sheltered (meaning hidden from any aspects of life the GRC forbids learning about) by your parents at the GRC during your upbringing. Don't feel embarrassed as it's not your fault and you didn't have any control. Importantly you are here right now choosing to learn some new ideas, which might even start you down an adventurous and rewarding path for the very first time in your life. Everyone started somewhere.
320. None of the ideas below are original, even if we think we started thinking about them first we weren't. Not even close. The amount of people who have thought, or are now thinking about the below ideas is truly astronomical as they all seek meaning for life. I foolishly fell into the trap of thinking some of the below were my very own, turns out the more I look the more have thought the same. We can never really know what triggers our thought process as discussed during the subconscious learning entries.
321. Please don't lock in what you think my belief is. This website has never been the aim of sharing that information in any way. It would make me much happier that if anything the combined content of this website instilled a good and new feeling inside of you to search and discover for yourself. Note this, I have deliberately entered contrary to my current thought's content with styles and context to throw you off. Can't think of anything more opposite to my intent here than to explain why the GRC is all wrong and then to say this is what is really going on AND YOU SHOULD FOLLOW THIS, this, this and that. Yuck.
322. In random order.
323. There is no God or Creator. No Gods, no Intelligent Designer. We and everything around us, everything we know is the result of incredible coincidence through probability, huge numbers of happenings and chance that resulted in our earth and everything on it working out. After something like the latest Big Bang theory everything in our universe and beyond what we currently know began. All current organisms started branching and developing changes from a bacteria which formed from non living matter. Evolution of the fittest is the mechanics behind our living world and how extremely wonderful it has been and is turning out. Evolution has not only been the engine for constructing our bodies, but possibly even more amazingly it has also designed our varying level of consciousnesses. Big Bang theory also initiated all the laws of physics.
324. Panspermia. Similar to the above but the first seeds of life have navigated through space from elsewhere to land on our planet and evolved from that point. The interstellar origin point we know not of and therefor cannot study the source and how that has developed further, if it exists anymore at all.
325. There are multiple universes (multiverse theory) all overlaying each other right now at the same time. Every possible situation is happening right now in a universe. This is due to Quantum Mechanics and all the consequent outcomes from each timeline branching off into every other possible outcome. You are in the universe with the timeline and present situation as we know.
326. Our brain is an antenna that sends and receives undiscoverable signals (information) from a different unobservable dimension, or undiscovered realm that's around our physical beings right now. Our soul, or control consciousness is not within our bodies. Our spirit is not of this world, but dwelling in another form, possibly spread all over the universe at once, or not in this universe itself.
327. The situation above or similar others mentioned here could have evolved from the Big Bang or other theory all the same. There may or may not be an Intelligent designer behind any option in these entries. To me it's a key aspect to consider. What would have stopped evolution from making any option in these entries? Something to think about.
328. God of the Bible is the real situation. It's only your faith that will get you home, faith that goes against anything physically observable by the discerning fully operating and honest objective mind. There's a special spirit in the ones selecting the God of the Bible and they are correct. But the Geelong Revival Centre is a false prophet wolf in sheep's clothing ministry. It's not the one approved church of God.
329. A God of any number of other religions entirely different from the GRC preached is correct and true. Which one it is, is up to you to search out and find. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Shintoism are a few options.
"There is nothing as promising as a blank sheet of paper." It's exciting thinking of this option of you clearing out from the GRC, leaving your old book of messy scribble behind, and wondering what YOU would put on a fresh new blank sheet.
Next time we continue with the God/Creator/Evolution and any other combination topic. Take care of yourself until then and hoping you're having a better time understanding your life and everything with the content of this site and all the brilliant other caring people outside of the GRC who are doing great work exposing and publishing the truth. It's really good to see and only getting better with more people chipping in and helping. If the content of this site isn't for you, stop reading. I'm not doing it for you...unless you are starting to come around, then it would be great.
330. Science. The Intelligent Designer is easily fooling and tricking scientists. If Intelligent Designer can make all this, human scientist tricking and steering off course is a walk in the park for them. Creator doesn't want to be discovered, annnnd won't be discovered. Jokes all on us. We are the quintessential 'Know it Alls' that know nothing. So smart, but really so dumb. As the Intelligent Designers were looking at us when we came up with the term 'The Dunning Kruger Effect' they laughed and laughed and laughed while we point fingers at each other using the term. Turns out the more 'Human Brain Clever' you are the more wronger your knowledge Thag. Look up the Dunning Kruger Effect.
331. Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM movement). You should look this one up. Interesting story. Would you become a Pastafarian and practice Pastafarianism? Although it all started as a parody, who is to judge what it has become right?
332. This is all a Virtual Reality (VR) experience. In a full senses feeling VR body suit. Along the lines of the brain being an antenna idea previously, but with some added laws and features. As in a computer game there is a maximum draw distance. We are constantly expanding our draw distance as we design, build and use more powerful telescopes. The more powerful the telescope the more video is drawn, the further it looks we can see, and with higher resolution, but there's nothing really out there. Same goes for looking at the smallest things, in the other direction. Macro and micro distance 'viewing only'. It's only images and senses produced by your VR body suit. You are actually locked in. Hope the power doesn't go out. All feelings, emotions and experiences are provided to our conscious which resides somewhere, somehow, that we mere mortals will never find out...until GAME OVER.
333. It's all a computer simulation. You are the only real one existing thing. All your senses are fed everything and it sure feels real. Anyone and everyone around you, the animals, the sea...all projections of images and senses only. Not really there.
334. Any or all of these ideas can include an Intelligent Designer or not. These ideas could have evolved from nothing the same as Charles Darwin taught, but in a much different scale and other worldly context. Or there could be a Designer behind it also. Think about how technology and computing is advancing at an incredible rate, but this has all happened at least once before and gone a lot further. To the extent we are now in a computer simulation and the scenario is sort of reiterating itself within. If you know you know. Inceptionish. Started off and left as an experiment by a creator or completely evolutionary with no starting help.
335. We're in a jar on some creature's office shelf in their universe. The jar is next to many others with different universe types. We do it. We have zoos and model collections. No one can guarantee it's not the case for us being samples. Refer entry 330. As a side note, I often wondered about calling all these verses - Not entries. That was the original idea truth be told. There. Snuck that site trivia in super randomly.
336. Everything is at it appears to us the way today's science describes it but with a slight twist (ok, using 'slight' loosely here)...everything only exists as it is observed by a human. No one in the room next door? The room does not need to be there, so it isn't there - until someone looks. It goes deeper than that though. Everything you are looking at is only extremely thin for appearance only, until you observe through the current viewer side layer by cutting, breaking, disassembly or other method. The screen you're looking at right now, there is no behind the screen until you open it up, or turn it around. There doesn't need to be. Atoms be controllable atoms. Maybe along the lines of the double slit particle / wave duality observer spooky quantum physics behaviour lines. Look it up. Freaky.
337. Aliens. UFOs. Other world beings. They need a mention do they not? Whether they were created or evolved also? The biggest argument against this idea is that UFO's can't really be flying around here because the distance needed to travel from their world to ours through space is too vast for anything to travel at the limiting speed of light maximum. What if...they don't have to fly far at all because they reside in a layer we can't see, and haven't discovered, all around us right here right now? They're not traveling far, they're just changing universe layer, wavelength, medium type, or atom shifting idea. Dimensional wormholes? They're not spotted and recorded on our common phone cameras as much as we would expect because they're onto that, and easily work around it...mostly.
338. Last one. The Geelong Revival Centre Pastor and ministry is right all along. Doesn't look good for me then, should probably take down this website, from the internet that Pastor Hollins prophesied would never take off immediately before roughly 1000 desktops turned into 34,876,933,286 interconnected 'proved him wrong again' machines. And most of you reading this should delete your browser history and stop doing evil things along the lines of putting plastic bags in your recycling bin. No! Stop! Take a breath and relax. Don't get hot. Highly doubt it. Of course. But I'm not that proud to admit I could be wrong and I just don't get any of it. Everything went over my head. The whole lot. God never wanted me to follow Him openly and honestly. He didn't want you reading this following Him openly and honestly either. God was testing us by seeing if we had the faith to see past any reality, the exaggerating GRC ministry and any real tangible outcomes after praying, or after being prayed for by the Apostle. Nothing happening time and time again after GRC prayer, and believing completely against reality is totally void of any intelligence but hey, that was the point all along. You know that engine in your car? Don't turn it on to get around, start pushing your car instead - It's meant to be like that with your brain, don't use it no matter how good yours is (I am sure it's a brilliant one too). This is the least likely reality to be correct from this whole set of entries. Says something doesn't it? Hope this point hits home after two weeks of this topic.
339. There are many more ideas of what is going on and more are being invented. Not the comprehensive list here.
340. Maybe you can conjure up a new idea about our existence that really is original. Well done if you do. Would love to hear it.
341. Interesting to you or not the above ideas and beliefs are not easy to contemplate and then develop further while attending the GRC, because you aren't truly able to wonder and discover for yourself. The GRC consciously and sub consciously fills your head so you are unknowingly programmed to think a certain way, whether you realise or not. Thoughts get blocked and redirected.
342. It's possible you skimmed over these entries due to not being interested, it's too much to deal with thoughts like this, or you already know (think) and have faith in what you believe and experience. That's very good also. Hoping this section didn't bother you, and it's understandable if it did. It's better for you if you aren't bothered with playing with these ideas, because that would mean you are open and have some humility about yourself and humanity in general.
"Whoever prayed for our downfall, you lost."
Next time we might discuss what the GRC are doing to their own kids intellectually at the GRC. WARNING - Some may not like.
343. Do you judge this entry's title as clickbait? It's not, it's true, plus you're already here, no bait required.
344. These entries are hard to discuss, while trying to demonstrate I'm very respectful of anyone who has neurodiversity. If this topic offends or hurts you please don't read this site's uploads for the next 2 weeks. There are many topics that will hopefully be discussed in the coming months that are designed to cheer anyone up and I'm certain anyone who keeps reading the uploaded entries will learn at least one meaningful thing. If you are attending the GRC and hate this site, disagree with the last 343 entries, or even no longer go and don't like it here either - then please stop reading either way as mentioned many times previously - this is not for you at the moment with your current life position. I'm highly biased towards helping people who are weaker in differing ways, people who have little support, people who are at their lowest, individuals who are bullied, young people who are being mislead, anyone who needs to understand and untangle situations they are in, anyone who feels helpless about the topic of this website - You are why I do this. My one wish is to never be found out in return. I want zero recognition.
345. This is nothing new to many, but most may not have put what happens to the minds of children growing up in the GRC cult as bluntly as to say the ministry and members are purposely bringing up intellectually limited children within the GRC who become intellectually limited adults in the GRC, who then cycle through reproduce and train up more intellectually limited children in the GRC as a repeating loop that keeps the membership at a constant flatline. The ones who are truthful and good to themselves wise up and find the courage to leave. To go onto fully developing their own intellectual abilities as they desire.
346. We who have left have experienced the proof of this. Some who attend still also witness it but keep attending for their own reasons. There is some hope for those minds because they are thinking for themselves.
347. Like muscles through the body, the brain should be exercised in all varying motions and regularly. It's the old adage "Move it or you'll lose it!" There are motions in the brain that are not exercised in the GRC, it's frowned upon if you do. These motions are not easily used as a result of neglect and they need strengthening, which is best done completely free from the GRC environment. And it can take a while to develop these areas in the mind once you leave (or continue to attend but are P.I.M.O Physically In, Metally Out - maybe half the congregation? Seat warmers as the ministry says) but with practice you will strengthen the areas due to the very plastic (mouldable) nature of the brain. It's going to be ok - If you leave.
348. I've thought it blatantly obvious, didn't need specialists to explain and verify, due to seeing for myself the signs and GRC promised miracles being absent (we'll go over the difference between 'tempting The Lord' and general promised healing another time) at the GRC which resulted in thinking for myself objectively. Understandably, you may not believe these points regarding GRC induced intellectual damage until I refer to documentation from professionals. Below we start going through some papers from legitimate sources. Specifically on cult brought up children and adults. Links to all references included.
349. Cognitive Impacts: Reduced Flexibility and Critical thinking.
Research shows that children from the Geelong Revival Centre with the common strong fundamentalist attending parents, exhibit alterations in brain network organisation. A study published in Nature's Scientific Reports, titled "Parental religiosity is associated with changes in youth functional network organization and cognitive performance in early adolescence" (1), analysed 5566 children and found that stronger parental beliefs (GRC easily qualifies) correlated with lower efficiency, community structure, and robustness of the frontoparietal control, temporoparietal, and dorsal attention networks. These networks are critical for executive function, including cognitive flexibility, attention, and problem-solving.
350. In the GRC, where questioning doctrines is completely discouraged, the effects above are magnified. The study also notes lower Matrix Reasoning scores, meaning reduced cognitive performance, which aligns with the hypothesis that the GRC environment limits critical thinking. This is particularly concerning as cognitive flexibility, the brain's ability to switch between concepts and update beliefs based on new evidence (GRC does not look at any physical evidence objectively), is essential for adapting to new environments — A trait linked to the prefrontal cortex, as discussed in a Salon article, "A link between brain damage and religious fundamentalism has now been established by scientists." (2 and 3) Note this is where it states brain damage leads to people believing the GRC also.
351. Please look through the references (copy paste each one singularly into your web browser address bar - yes they're safe as always here):
1 - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-22299-6
2 - https://www.salon.com/2019/01/08/a-link-between-brain-damage-and-religious-fundamentalism-has-now-been-established-by-scientists_partner/
3 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5500821/
Note - There are studies published by religious organisations claiming that children brought up in religious households are better socially, and worse academically, but they are not referring to social isolating fundamentalist cults like the GRC. These studies represent open progressive churches that freely intermingle among society without restriction. The GRC heavily restricts general societal intermingling, as in "We are not part of the World, so we do not associate with it", hence the total isolation. Therefore those particular studies are irrelevant to the GRC.
"The Geelong Revival Centre offers an escape from reality, but in doing so, it creates a new twisted reality that binds and controls their followers."
We continue on this topic next time. Wondering if are you someone that attends the meetings and sits there thinking of anything but what is going on at the meetings? Or, if you were that person. There's a good reason for that. No wonder. So why go? How do you feel about using that time in the meetings to plan your departure? I sometimes think if I should put a list of all the topics and discussions already written up ready to add, or are planned. Maybe something to think about until they are entered here?
352. GRC children, teens and adults are usually socially immature outside of the GRC arena. Something is a little off. They tend to only fit in the GRC social group environments with it's very hierarchical structure that is enforced by the members and ministry whether they realise it or not (anyone who spent time looking for it, or had compassion, would definitely realise). There's often something absent. A vagueness within. That can all be fixed if the person rejects the GRC teachings entirely and develops their own personality and practices mental exercise in areas that have been neglected. If you wonder and worry about this aspect within yourself don't worry, nothing to be ashamed of and you'll be normal in fair time. As with exercising muscles and your body, your mind will grow strength and ability quickly where it is currently underdeveloped.
353. I remember an article in The Geelong Advertiser many years ago that featured a story with people who left the GRC that had bones to pick with the GRC. They claimed it was a cult and shared their problems. Back then I was attending and thought they were clueless back sliders. That thought has flipped completely, apologies for thinking that way back then. One man explained how he couldn't think for himself after leaving, didn't know what was right or what was wrong. I never understood until I left that people went through this. It's GRC brain damage that caused it all.
354. On the surface, Obsessive Compulsion Disorder (OCD) is ingrained in the average minister and member, but instead of checking the stove is off 120 times a day, locking the front door 34 times before bed, or washing their hands every five minutes they go to extremely repetitive meetings constantly. OCD is a mental health condition with unwanted thoughts and behaviours, which is the case with many members not wanting to go every week but can't seem to easily stop. If that's you, you can stop, start by contacting advanced from the GRC members who very willing (and currently very public) to help, if you like.
355. Maybe a GRC pastor, minister or member is reading these entries and scoffing about themselves being intellectually superior than grcfacts, for example they'd never make the obvious grammar mistake that was in the very first word after the title on this website for weeks (it's fixed now). Because they are smarter than me, how can I give facts about intelligence? Who am I to lecture on the GRC restricting potential intelligence? There's no doubt many GRC leaders and followers are smarter than me in various areas, better at producing publications, better at grammar, better at mathletics, better at history twisting racism (had to throw that in), better at public speaking etc etc, but we're measuring compared to ourselves as an individual. Not against anyone else. In other words Melissa, John, Greg, and Sara who grew up in the GRC would each be smarter if they left compared to themselves as they go. Grcfacts would gradually become less intelligent in areas if they went back. If you are reading this and attending and fully following the GRC you would be better off mentally if you left than if you stayed, your intelligence abilities in all areas has got nothing to do with my own personal placings no matter how smart you could be. Then also think about this, some of us who grew up in the Lord were discouraged to excel academically due to it not being our place to have the careers we liked and could have easily excelled in. Another way the GRC dumbs down it's members. It's sickening to hold anyone back. How many of us could have gone onto excellent extremely helpful careers? GRC was evil to me with this and many many others.
356. Adding up all the meeting hours, the repetitive praying hours God doesn't need to hear 1000 times, the meditating on the 'Word' as the GRC interprets it hours, the traveling for the meetings hours, the camp hours, you have approximately 850 hours per year. Does not include preparation time for 'words' if you are a male or general day to day contemplation of anything GRC belief related. It could easily be as high as 1700 hours per year. More than a full time day job. Those 2500 hours per year thinking about all things GRC cannot be spent on training yourself in any other activity/topic, or attending a good church. Imagine the GRC people thinking how glad they are to be spending that many hours...on...something that does nothing.
357. Since there are approximately 6200 waking and thinking hours per year for each of us, and you're using 2500 for the GRC beliefs there's only 3700 left for work, housekeeping, tending to children, bill paying, chores, socialising and personal hygiene. Mind development is chronically crippled if fully committed to the GRC. Away and free from the GRC life everyone has an extra 2500 hours to develop intellectually, socially and spiritually elsewhere. The GRC is retarding (as in limiting) children and adults mentally alike. If you feel you have been limited in the topics as discussed do not feel ashamed, sad, helpless or hopeless. You're a very valuable person either way and will improve with freedom to strengthen your wings when you can. Start talking to people outside more frequently and make friends to practice. There will be times when you bump into grumpy too busy for you people, but there will be plenty up for chatting. If I can do it so can you! You've got this and are fully respected and loved. Be good to yourself.
"Escaping a cult requires immense courage and strength. It is a process of reclaiming one’s autonomy and rebuilding a sense of self."
We continue on this topic next week, adding another way to discuss what the GRC is: A CHDG. Only one more entry set upload on this subject then we move on into another sunrise, probably with a topic that many wonder about as pivotal to their belief system.
358. These entries regard a great article on this website - https://cultrecovery101.com (full address at entry 365 below)]. The term cult sends a bit of a shudder through me when I say or even hear it. Closed, High-Demand Group describes the GRC accurately and it doesn't give any pangs of disturbance. You might like the term also. Below is a summary of the article. You should read the complete article yourself during the week.
359. In the article 'Born or Raised in Closed, High-Demand Groups: Developmental Considerations', published in the ICSA e-Newsletter in 2005, Leona Furnari, a mental health professional specialising in trauma and recovery from spiritual abuse, explores the challenges faced by individuals born or raised in cults or Closed, High-Demand Groups (CHDGs). While much of the existing literature on cult recovery focuses on those who joined such groups as young adults, Furnari emphasises that this group — those who grew up in these environments — faces distinct developmental issues that need special attention.
360. Furnari starts by defining CHDGs, drawing on works by experts like Singer, Lalich, Tobias, and Lifton. These groups are characterised by authoritarian leadership, totalitarian control over members’ lives, manipulation, exploitation, and potential harm to members through neglect and abuse. She prefers the term 'Closed High-Demand Group' over 'cult' to avoid stigmatising language, aligning with findings that former members favour terms like 'spiritual abuse' or 'psychological manipulation'. Key traits of CHDGs include excessive zeal, suppression of individuality, and environments where questioning authority is discouraged, often reinforced by tactics like milieu control, mystical manipulation, and a demand for purity.
361. The article goes into how such environments impact child development. Furnari integrates insights from interviews with approximately ten adults raised in CHDGs, clinical work with four such individuals, and consultations with parents and former members. She highlights how unpredictable parental behavior—stemming from the group’s influence — disrupts a child’s sense of safety and consistency, often leading to hypervigilance or dissociation. In many CHDGs, children are separated from parents early (e.g., at ages 2–5), as seen in groups like ISKCON or the Sullivan Institute/Fourth Wall, increasing risks of abuse and neglect. This separation, coupled with thought-reform ideologies that devalue familial bonds, hinders healthy attachment, a critical factor in development according to Bowlby’s attachment theory.
362. The entry above may have you thinking there wasn't much parent / child separation or neglect at the GRC, but the act of a youngster being told by a parent or minder to "Just seek the Lord about it" and to "Get the victory", is a from of developmental neglect and parental separation. Instead of discussing personal issues as they arise GRC parents will often take the easy incorrect way out using the forementioned mantras and not provide any reasonable discussion when it's most required to further develop a youngster's understanding, knowledge and experience. Instead of discussing with and assisting a youngster to understand varying personal important situations they cease the opportunity of discussion and refuse to talk about the issue any further, brushing off the matter at the youngster's expense. How many times has this happened to you as a youngster? And, how many times has this happened to you as an adult from ministry or other members?
363. Furnari uses Erikson’s developmental stages to frame how CHDGs thwart normal growth. In infancy, trust is undermined by neglectful caregiving dictated by group rules, fostering mistrust. In toddlerhood, autonomy is stifled by shame inducing control, leading to doubt. Preschoolers’ initiative is quashed by guilt, school-aged children develop inferiority instead of competence, and adolescents struggle with identity formation due to rigid doctrines. Lifton’s eight features of ideological totalism, such as "dispensing of existence" and "loading of the language", exacerbate these effects by isolating children from external perspectives and embedding group-specific jargon as their primary worldview.
364. The long term consequences are profound, affecting brain development, particularly the right brain’s role in attachment and stress regulation, as noted by Schore. Early trauma can lead to complex PTSD, dissociation, affect dysregulation, and difficulties with relationships and self concept. Interviewees reported losses like childhood, identity, and critical thinking skills, alongside persistent shame and isolation.
365. Furnari concludes with a brief overview of recovery, adapting Martin’s stages evaluation, reconciliation/adaptation, and integration for those without a pre-cult identity. Recovery is slow, requiring patience, support networks, and often professional help to address intertwined family and cult-related trauma. Despite the challenges, she underscores human resilience, suggesting that building safety and strengths over time can foster healing, mirroring healthy developmental processes.
This article highlights the need for tailored approaches to support those raised in CHDGs, emphasising their unique developmental and recovery needs.
Full article can be accessed here - https://cultrecovery101.com/born-or-raised-in-closed-high-demand-groups-developmental-considerations/ Copy and paste into your web browser address bar.
"People believe what they want to believe and then look for reasons to reinforce their beliefs"
Next we discuss Models of Mind control used at the Geelong Revival Centre.
366. Now we look at three criteria models that precisely explain GRC mind control. Keep in mind, once you have power over the head you can control a person's entire body.
367. Margaret Singer’s Criteria for Thought Reform:
1. Keep the person unaware of what is going on and how she or he is being changed a step at a time.
2. Control the person’s social and/or physical environment; especially control the person’s time.
3. Systematically create a sense of powerlessness in the person.
4. Manipulate a system of rewards, punishments and experiences in such a way as to inhibit behavior that reflects the person’s former social identity.
5. Manipulate a system of rewards, punishments, and experiences in order to promote learning the group’s ideology or belief system and group-approved behaviors.
6. Put forth a closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure that permits no feedback and refuses to be modified except by leadership approval or executive order.
(Singer, Margaret Thaler and Lalich, Janja (1996). Cults In Our Midst: The Hidden Menace In Our Everyday Lives. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.)
368. Robert J. Lifton’s eight criteria of mind control for creating “ideological totalism”:
1. milieu control - the control of communication within an environment; builds unhealthy boundaries.
2. mystical manipulation or “planned spontaneity” - experiences which appear to be spontaneous but were orchestrated in order to demonstrate “divine authority”; this authority allows leader(s) to use any means toward a “higher end” or goal.
3. the demand for purity - absolute separation of good & evil within self & environment.
4. the cult of confession - 1:1 or group confession of past & present “sins” or behaviors that are often used to humiliate the confessor & create dependency upon leader for definition of goodness; surrender, total exposure ; no confidentiality.
5. sacred science - the teaching as Ultimate Truth that allows for no questioning.
6. loading of the language - use of terms, jargon that have group-specific meaning; phrases that will keep one in, or bring one back into, the cult mindset.
7. doctrine over person - denial of self and self-perception.
8. dispensing of existence - anyone not in the group or not embracing the “truth” is insignificant, not “saved” or “unconscious”; the outside world, or members who leave the group are rejected.
(Lifton, Robert J. (1961). Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism. New York: W.W. Norton.)
369. Deception Dependency and Dread (DDD) (Langone, 1993):
1. Convince the would-be members that the group/leader’s values & goals are the same as the seekers’ and therefore beneficial. Actual agenda or beliefs of group/leader are not disclosed.
2. Indebtedness to the group/leader grows as the individuals feel that the group is doing things for them. This deepens the commitment. In order to progress or advance one must follow the dictates of the group, or “surrender” to the group, which by now has procured a position of authority and defines what is “real, good and true.” One can only advance with the help of this group.
3. The individual dreads the loss of the group’s support or acceptance because such losses validate the individual’s flaws. By now the member is completely dependent on the group/leader and alienated from most, if not all, outside supports. Dissent and doubt are viewed as caused by inherent flaws in the individual, therefore the individual must always project a positive and happy demeanor. Phobia induction is used so that one believes that leaving the group will bring physical, spiritual and or psychological harm.
(Langone, Michael (Editor) (1993). Recovery From Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse. New York: Norton.)
370. 'SPIRITUAL ABUSE' is yet another perfect description for what the Geelong Revival Centre ministry is doing.
371. It's time to remind you again that I gave the GRC life a really good go over many years. I did exactly what the ministry said, and I was a good person. Anyone who says I did not give completely over is a liar. What the ministry preached to me didn't happen, didn't eventuate, didn't appear. What I saw, felt and learned was things happened and ministry behaved contrary to what the Bible teaches. You need to understand and believe me to feel what you are reading here is relevant to what you personally know as your walk at the GRC. I only had one or two ex GRC supporters when I took the plunge and left everything and everyone at the GRC. I did have a few friends who never went which were incredibly helpful, supportive and inclusive as they knew what I was going through. It's important to take in what I am saying, and that's why we are here 370 entries later. I like for you to really feel that I can confidently link you to these brilliant outside sources of CHDG criteria and cult leaving teaching and supportive people who never went to the GRC, as I can vouch they know and understand what the Geelong Revival Centre is, and even more importantly what the GRC is not. And I can promise you the GRC is not unique, it's not the special elect one and only true church. It's identical to thousands of other CHDGs. This is why I assure you the material I share in here is completely relevant to the GRC ministry, GRC member, GRC ex member, both alive and passed. Until you realise and feel this for yourself, through your own enquiring mind, honesty and searching, the full depth of the contents of this site likely be not fully understood.
372. Be the best you can for all those around you - Especially the weak, young, desperate or lost.
That includes yourself.
"People want answers more than they want the truth."
373. It's preferable if you watch this full video to begin with. It truly relates to the GRC lived experience. Watching the video before going on to 374 should put you in the correct frame of mind to absorb the following entries about GRC preached Bible related history and Bible event archeology topics you may wonder about being true or not. Be aware about being trapped in mental boxes and improve your mental elasticity capability. This vid adequately explains many aspects of our thinking and mental states far beyond GRC and Ex-GRC life. Hiding behind this keyboard I'm sincerely hoping at least one person receives an amazing life hack or two by watching the video. What are the key take-aways for you? From 15 minutes 40 seconds can you imagine it's you looking up to the sky absorbing the importance of what is being communicated? Do you tear up a little bit for any of it? What the GRC claims to be true is only real if you make it so. GRC heresy debunking is in-coming for little while.
Youtube Channel: Solace Fox
Title: Give Me 18 Minutes and You'll Control Your REALITY
Duration: 18 minutes
Date: 3.3.25
Copy Paste Link: https://youtu.be/UiYC0yWdrcU?si=dDzFWe8mina6QIVx
374. The Geelong Revival Centre preaches non-Bible mentioning Bible-related events and archeological proofs to try and convince people more than just what the Bible should do on it's own. There are no miracles, healings, and other faith building events happening within the GRC assemblies - hence they need to use these added motivators to convince people to follow their misleading preaching. Their one and only God appointed ministry, with the one only living Apostle in the whole world, that has a few inside scoops other churches don't have. They lean heavily on these out of Bible events and ideas that they deem of tremendous spiritual value, claiming they are given to them as prophecies, while vehemently opposing reading any of the historically correct Biblical period Dead Sea scrolls. There is one very pressing issue here - There is no proof, at all, of any of the GRC's highly valuable below items (prophecies) that they use as belief reinforcement in the GRC being true!
375. These GRC preached and relied upon fallacies assist to destroy people's faith in God and help produce atheists when the truth is discovered by a searching soul. If I had of known the below while watching the topical slides and hearing the convicting words from the platform I would have realised the GRC ministry is false prophet territory a lot earlier and done different with my life and those around me. If you didn't know any of the below you are about to read some things that may raise your eye brows. Please feel free to do your own in depth research on any of this. You are truly blessed with all the knowledge of the world being at your fingertips these days. On the other hand the GRC is cursed with all the knowledge of the world being at your fingertips to seek out their lies. Take note I am not claiming the Bible is false in any way itself. In random topic order over the next few weeks let's start debunking.
376. THE CORONATION STONE BENEATH THE CORONATION CHAIR. JACOB'S PILLOW. STONE OF SCONE. The legend tying the Stone of Scone to the biblical story of Jacob's pillow is a fascinating and enduring myth, but it is highly unlikely to be true from a historical or archaeological perspective. Here's a breakdown of why this connection is considered more legendary than factual:
378. There is no concrete historical or archaeological evidence to support the claim that the Stone of Scone is the same stone Jacob used as a pillow in the Bible. The biblical story of Jacob's dream is in Genesis 28 v 10-22, and there is no record of the stone's physical preservation or transportation towards the Coronation Chair in any ancient text including the Bible! The idea that the stone was transported from the Middle East to Egypt, then to Spain, and finally to Ireland and Scotland is highly implausible. Such a journey would have required meticulous record-keeping and logistical coordination over thousands of years, for which there is zero evidence. The Stone of Scone is made of red sandstone, which is geologically consistent with quarries in Scotland or northern England, not the Middle East.
379. The connection between the Stone of Scone and Jacob's pillow is part of a broader tradition of medieval legends that sought to link European royal lineages and artifacts to biblical figures. These stories were often created to legitimise rulers or institutions by associating them with divine or ancient origins. Similar legends exist in other cultures, where sacred objects or royal lineages are tied to biblical or mythological figures to enhance their prestige.
380. During the medieval period, many European monarchies and religious institutions created origin stories to bolster their legitimacy. The Stone of Scone's alleged biblical connection may have been promoted to elevate the status of Scottish kings and align them with divine authority. The involvement of the prophet Jeremiah in the story is particularly telling, as Jeremiah is a biblical figure associated with exile and divine judgment, making him a convenient symbolic link for a sacred object.
381. Most historians and archaeologists agree that the Stone of Scone is likely a local artifact, possibly quarried in Scotland or northern England, and used as a symbol of kingship by early Scottish rulers. Its association with biblical origins is considered a later embellishment, reflecting the cultural and political needs of the time rather than historical fact.
382. While the legend of the Stone of Scone's connection to Jacob's pillow is a compelling and culturally significant story, it is almost certainly not true. The tale is best understood as a medieval myth designed to enhance the stone's sacred and royal significance. The true origins of the Stone of Scone are likely more mundane, rooted in the local traditions and materials of early medieval Scotland. Nonetheless, the legend remains an important part of the stone's cultural and symbolic legacy.
383. When I was young I used what the GRC ministry told me about Jacob's Pillow enduring to sit under the Coronation Throne to help strengthen my faith. It was part of my belief tool kit. The ministry said without exception it was Jacob's Pillow. Thank you GRC ministry for lying about that. Why do you do this?
" 'Want' and 'think' often get mixed up. People will proclaim what they think something is, when really it's what they 'want' it to be."
We continue GRC Myth Busting next time. If you didn't watch the video at the top, go have a look, it's very interesting and relates to many aspects of life, not just GRC fallacy gullibility. You, and those around you, will surely benefit by simply watching and taking in the contents of the video. Please do. If anything start watching it for me. Even if you don't need it concerning the GRC experience, it will help with every day life, plus it may steer you towards going down a brilliant rabbit hole you never imagined was there.
384. This is the second in a series of GRC extremist cult belief myth busting topics that are being published in random order. You decide which topic is more significant to your experience as we go. These aren't in any order of importance to myself personally. Are you wondering if one of the GRC fundamentalist extremist beliefs you think about is coming?
385. This section may not feel that great, or you could love it, but let's place it on the grcfacts record in any case. Geelong Revival Centre ministry and their committed worshippers (they really do so) vehemently oppose the idea that the wine Jesus made and what they drank in the Bible was alcoholic. Would the GRC bet their salvation on it? Yes. Yes they would and do! Lying about Bible content is not good for salvation. Especially when claiming to be the sole (soul?) prophets of the world at this time. Not saying I like to drink or not, that's irrelevant, we're here to see what is the go. Before you read on, what do you think? Was it alcoholic or not? Is it ok to drink and get a little de-stressed, feel a little warm and fuzzy, and loosen up a little? Not talking about getting sideways drunk, passing out, or anything above consuming a socially accepted amount of fun in a receptacle. Here we go.
386. The Greek Word Oinos Means Fermented Wine - The term used in John 2:10 (oinos) always refers to fermented grape wine in ancient Greek literature (e.g., Septuagint, Josephus). Unfermented grape juice was called trux or gleukos (new wine still fermenting).
387. When Jesus famously turned the water into wine - The Banquet Master’s Statement Requires Fermentation - John 2:10 contrasts "good wine" (aged, better-tasting) with "cheaper wine" (diluted/less refined). Non-alcoholic juice doesn’t improve with age—fermentation does.
388. Jewish Wedding Wine Was Alcoholic - Wine was required at Jewish weddings (Song of Solomon 1:2; Mishnah Ketubot 5:4). Ancient Jews did not preserve unfermented juice long-term (no pasteurisation).
389. Jesus’ First Miracle Wouldn’t Be Watered-Down Juice - His first public miracle (John 2:11) demonstrated divine power—transforming water into real, high-quality wine, not mere grape juice.
390. Jesus Drank Wine at the Last Supper - Matthew 26:29 calls the cup "the fruit of the vine"—a Jewish term for fermented Passover wine (Mishnah Pesachim 10:1).
391. Jesus Was Mocked as a “Winebibber” - Luke 7:34 records critics calling Jesus an oinopotēs ("wine-drinker"), a term never used for water/juice drinkers.
392. Early Christians Affirmed Alcoholic Communion Wine - Justin Martyr (150 AD) described Eucharist wine mixed with water (First Apology 65). Tertullian (200 AD) defended wine against teetotaler heretics (On Modesty 15).
393. Non-Alcoholic Wine Was Impossible to Preserve - Without refrigeration, grape juice fermented within days (Pliny the Elder, Natural History 14.80). Boiling/pasteurising juice (to stop fermentation) destroyed flavor—no historical record of this practice.
394. Old Testament Wine Was Alcoholic - Genesis 9:21 (Noah’s drunkenness), Proverbs 20:1 ("wine is a mocker") assume fermentation. Psalm 104:15 praises God for wine that "gladdens the heart."
395. Jesus’ Parable of Old vs. New Wine (Luke 5:39) - "No one wants new wine after drinking old wine" only makes sense if both were fermented (aging improves taste).
396. Archaeological Evidence Confirms Ancient Alcoholic Wine - Winepresses and storage jars in Israel contain tartaric acid residues (proof of fermentation).
397. Jesus’ Critics Wouldn’t Mock Him for Drinking Juice - If Jesus only drank unfermented grape juice, the accusation of being a "drunkard" (Luke 7:34) is nonsensical.
398. Every linguistic, historical, cultural, and theological indicator confirms Jesus made and drank alcoholic wine. Denying this requires ignoring: The plain meaning of oinos, Jewish cultural practices, early Christian testimony, and common sense about ancient preservation methods.
399. Water in ancient times was often unsafe, so alcoholic wine was a safer drink.
400. Final Thought: If Jesus turned water into non-alcoholic juice, why did the Holy Spirit inspire John to call it the best wine (John 2:10)? The miracle’s power is in creating real wine—not avoiding fermentation.
401. It's about moderation, not prohibition. The Bible condemns drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), not alcohol itself (Ps. 104:15; Eccl. 9:7).
402. Only non-drinkers who are frightened of alcohol, never had experience / don't understand it, or possibly on the other hand can't control their drinking deny Jesus turned water into alcoholic old wine. Simple really, isn't it?
403. Here we are again. Another GRC extremist myth broken like a dropped wine glass. GRC says they're the only doorway to being saved, going to heaven, being favoured by God. Can only be 'saved' if you do as they say. At the same time as preaching that they make rules and laws that aren't in line with the Bible and it's message. It's complex to navigate, confusing, over bearing which results in you questioning your faith, questioning if God is real, questioning the Bible, then often being spiritually broken and leaving as nothing makes sense. You may falsely believe you failed in following Jesus, when you have not. If you feel condemned to hell, thinking you failed Jesus, no you did not. All you failed was following a false prophet ministry, and luckily have left or can leave to search Jesus, or other truth, for yourself away from the ridiculous laws and narcissists of the GRC.
404. Tip: It's cold and flu season. You know when you have that itchy sore lower throat that makes you constantly cough until you are clawing the walls because you can't get to sleep? Not saying if I drink alcohol or not, but this works, but buy a small bottle of Whisky. Straight. Unmixed. Unsweetened. You won't need much. 20ml in the bottom of a glass, gargle, swish it around your mouth and swallow. It will remind you of drinking methylated spirits, or something, if new to the taste. But...annoying cough causing throat issues will usually be quenched sufficiently to fall asleep. Straight whisky (small amount remember) is far better than the cough medicine you can buy at the chemist. Do not drink the whole bottle. That would put you to sleep also, but in a less desirable way. Another tip to stop coughs from getting worse is to resist the itch and sensation to cough as much as you can. Something about the increased irritation of each cough making it all worse, the more you hold it in the better you'll be off.
"It's Nice to be Important, but, It's More Important to be Nice!"
We continue GRC doctrine busting next time. In the meantime listen to some more short 'My Unsung Hero' podcast episodes by Hidden Brain Media. Don't believe the GRC propaganda machine dribble about everyone outside of the GRC mental confines being bad. Most people will do good.
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