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.
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.
Some of the people that have related their experiences with the church say that they have laid complaints to various authorities. However, according to them, the authorities are hesitant to act in a decisive manner. The right to enjoy freedom of association is an inalienable right and formal steps can only be instituted if there is clear evidence of a crime being committed.
It seems as if the House of Prayer Christian Church prefer to ignore the allegations made against them. The church maintains that it is Christian church that holds the core values of the gospel very dear. Their members are encouraged to spend as much time as possible attending services, prayer meetings and outreach programs. The church is also actively involved in missionary work.
The church is quite clear on one matter however. They unequivocally state that the staff and students at their seminary are expected to lead austere lives that are free from worldly matters and thoughts. Instead, they are to strive towards spiritual growth and they have to pour all their energies into the missions of the church. Some may argue that such a policy means getting rid of all their material possessions.
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.
Whether or not the House of Prayer is misleading its members or not is certainly not clear from the material that is available online. However, people have the right to decide for themselves and even to make choices that seem ill informed to others. Nobody can be forced to become or remain a member at any organization where they are not happy.
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.
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.
Some of the people that have related their experiences with the church say that they have laid complaints to various authorities. However, according to them, the authorities are hesitant to act in a decisive manner. The right to enjoy freedom of association is an inalienable right and formal steps can only be instituted if there is clear evidence of a crime being committed.
It seems as if the House of Prayer Christian Church prefer to ignore the allegations made against them. The church maintains that it is Christian church that holds the core values of the gospel very dear. Their members are encouraged to spend as much time as possible attending services, prayer meetings and outreach programs. The church is also actively involved in missionary work.
The church is quite clear on one matter however. They unequivocally state that the staff and students at their seminary are expected to lead austere lives that are free from worldly matters and thoughts. Instead, they are to strive towards spiritual growth and they have to pour all their energies into the missions of the church. Some may argue that such a policy means getting rid of all their material possessions.
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.
Whether or not the House of Prayer is misleading its members or not is certainly not clear from the material that is available online. However, people have the right to decide for themselves and even to make choices that seem ill informed to others. Nobody can be forced to become or remain a member at any organization where they are not happy.
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