The following is my opinion based on over 30 years of experience with the 2x2 cult.

Possessed by a Demonic Spirit

The overseers and workers pray for a spirit to be present in the meeting. They claim to be led by a spirit. This is the same spirit that gives them power and control over followers when the followers claim to "see the truth" and hear the "message within the message" in meetings. This is the spirit of the devil having been transformed into an angel of light. It is the power of the devil (insinuations, guile, deceit) used by workers to control the followers like puppets so they cannot see God, understand God or think on their own. They are blinded by the god of this world so they cannot see the true gospel. The followers are not able to think on their own. They mindlessly parrot the workers and contradict themselves. This demonic spirit is the spirit that they claim to have. I believe this because I have tried the spirit possessed by the workers and it is not the spirit of God.

Fear and Isolation

The 2x2 "friends" fear the overseers, workers and the elders who masquerade as ministers of righteousness. The overseers, workers and elders try to isolate the "friends" from sources of help including: Christians, "worldly" friends, counselors at schools, Christian music and Christian books. Their source of pleasure is to worship the overseers and workers to get their smile of approval. Workers use fear, behavioral control, isolation, subtle deception and a few outrageous lies to control their followers. The followers of the workers may equate God's love for them according to how much they please the workers by inviting workers into their home, feeding them and patronizing them. Many have no idea how they are being used by the overseers and workers, and it all being done in God's and Jesus Christ's name. It is so sad to see these people being used and wandering through life so confused and disoriented, not knowing God and feeling very unfulfilled. I remember how many foolish things I said and did and later kicked myself for it, while in the cult.

The Love of God

I have learned that the love and grace and truth of God is the most powerful thing in the world. God is full of love and kindness. God pleads with us to accept his gift of grace and love and truth through Jesus Christ. I am so glad that God has touched me with his love. I hope to reach out to you and share what I have learned from God so that people in the cult could turn from the wiles of the devil to the love of God.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2x2 Friends are not Christians

God said to love others. If we lie, we hate. 2x2 followers lie about the cult beginnings. Therefore, they do not follow God. see also in more detail Are 2x2s Christians? If you will put in writing the truth about the cult origins and two overseers to sign it, then please contact me with link below. There are many things that keep people from detecting lies. If you don't know God, you're easily deceived: you are open season for Satan's hunting. You're a sitting duck.

Who are the 2x2 Friends?: These are people who have professed allegiance to the fellowship. 2x2 Friends are friendly with the workers and mostly with each other. This does not mean that 2x2 Friends make good friends, rather it tells who they are friendly too. I believe the term came into being that these followers were "friends of the workers" which got shortened to "friends". see their recruitment methods

2x2 friends put their faith in workers. How do I know? They love workers, meetings, talking about workers, singing hymns with workers, praising workers, bringing people to meetings and such like. You can tell from their works where their faith is placed. They often repeat lies to cover up for workers.

Identifying a 2x2

How do you tell who is a 2x2? That's kinda hard going just by their words. For example, if you ask for their church name, they will claim they they don't have a name. This is a lie. They have many names. They call themselves "the way" or "the truth". But they hide it. You have to go by their deeds. To catch them in their words, you have to smoke them out with questions. They will try to conceal their identity because of their secretiveness and secret doctrines/beliefs. Sometimes the only way you can find out more about the cult is to find out the name of the church convention they go to and then search for that name on the internet. Start by asking questions:

Pro 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

• The biggest hallmark of a 2x2 is fear. They fear displeasing the workers, they fear believing in Jesus Christ, they fear following the Bible if the workers don't approve
• Do you worship with other people? (should answer yes)
• What's the name of the church? (They often reply "We don't have a name" or "We are nondenominational". That's your first clue, even though they do call themselves many different names. I was taught as a kid to say that we were non-denominational and claim we didn't have a name)
• Do you have ministers? (They may say yes or no, because they call them "workers")
• What are their names? (They may be reluctant to tell you. Write these names down and google them)
• Do you go to yearly conventions? (Yes)
• What is the name of the convention? Where is it? (Google the convention name they give you. I am going to try to list all the 2x2 conventions so people can identify their religion since they are so secretive about it.)
• Do you have overseers? (Yes. That's a strong indication they are 2x2s)
• What is the overseer's name? (They may be very reluctant to give this out. They will probably know that you know something about them at this point. Google the name of the overseer and you may find a site about the 2x2 religion)
• Are there any websites about your group? (They will probably say "No". Because they would definitely not want you to know about or searching for "2x2 religion" on the Internet etc)
• Have you ever heard of William Irvine? (They will probably say "No.", because workers don't want people to know about him.)
• Do you publish a creed? Have a statement of faith? etc (No. Workers don't want to reveal their heresies publicly)

Form of Godliness

2x2 Friends have a form of godliness: women with hair in buns, go to meetings twice a week, be friendly with workers. But they don't have the power of God in their lives.

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Distinguishing Characteristics of 2x2 Men and Women

• Fearful of overseers. They revere them. They are afraid of getting kicked out of the cult for displeasing the overseer. Afraid to ask them questions overseers don't like.
• Fearful of workers. They are afraid of getting caught. They are afraid to ask the workers questions the workers don't like.
• Fearful of elders. They are afraid of getting kicked out of meetings. Afraid of asking questions the elders don't like.
• Controlling about what they read and hear - avoiding truth about the cult
• Shy about talking about God with strangers or in public
• Believe in homeless 2 and 2 ministry as long as it is their workers that are doing it
• Go to Sunday Morning Meetings in a home religiously. Meeting is run by an elder or workers of their group
• Don't worship with Christians or go to worship services with Christians
• They claim their religion has no name, but yet they call it the name of "the way", "the truth" or "the fellowship"
• Go to "gospel meetings" held by workers twice a week typically. They would not typically go to hear a pastor preach at a "church". Many believe that a building for worship is evil.
• They go to "conventions" held at "grounds" owned by the "workers" and one of the "friends"
• Go to annual "Special Meetings" run by workers
• They often don't have a TV (forbidden by most workers)
• They feel very uncomfortable talking about their religion with non-2x2s.
• They believe you need to be "in line" with the workers

How Can I Physically Identify a 2x2 Woman?

• Usually wearing dress or skirt. Not always long. Not always below knees, unless going to a meeting.
• Wear hair in a bun, especially when going to meetings
• Rarely any jewelry
• Rarely any makeup

How can I Physically Identify a 2x2 Man? (you cannot usually)

• Look the same as a typical business man
• In some areas, it is frowned on to have a mustache or beard or other facial hair
• Definitely don't have long hair (rare)

How the 2x2 Friends identify other 2x2 Friends if Unsure

They ask questions that focus on fundamental belief of knowing workers:

• They will ask questions like, "Excuse me, but do you know [insert their overseer's name here]?
• Are you friends with [insert their workers name here].

Signs 2x2s Share with Other Cults

• Fundamentally allied to the group, whether they share all teh group's beliefs or not.
• Afraid to talk about their true feelings and beliefs especially in public
• Allegiance to workers and meetings and not to God.
• Whether they like the workers or meetings, they will defend them to people who ask questions
• Trust in workers and not in Bible
• Very confused about fundamentals of Christianity.
• Confused about their own beliefs also
• Lacking in understanding of principal scriptures
• Typically don't like questions, especially from people who know how to ask questions
• Lacking in good works. This is a result of no faith in God, but in their way of meeting.
• Lacking in fruit of spirit. No true love, joy, peace etc
• Emphasize belief in 2x2 workers, meetings in home and going to meetings
• Not involved in caring with poor or helping in community
• Spiritually lazy and not exercised in good works
• They use cult terminology which is redefined words that they feel "safe" with
• Contradict themselves in conversation about God and get frustrated
• They are very poor reasoners and feel that they are always right. It's others that are wrong

Most Common Fundamental Beliefs of 2x2s (Varies by Geography)

• They believe in the 2x2 workers. They may say that the workers are apostles.
• Can only be saved if profess through workers. Others going to hell if they don't profess
• Workers are the chosen ones of God
• You must agree with workers to be saved
• Having a name for a church is evil
• Having a TV is evil
• Church buildings are evil
• Christians are "worldly" and educated pastors are of the devil
• They are "the Way", "the Truth"
• Claim to be nondenominational (yet their teachings clearly depart from scripture)
• Women must have long hair
• Women should wear hair in bun
• They don't believe workers should be paid a salary (but they take collections through handshakes)
• They don't believe workers should be formally educated about the Bible or God
• They believe their way of worship is better than any other way

Other Things that MAY Identify a 2x2

• They think Jesus is a good man who saves us and he's the son of God but don't really understand what that means. They typically don't believe Jesus is THE WORD and is GOD in the flesh. In fact if asked, they may cringe.
• They feel threatened when talking about their beliefs.
• They have an "us against them" mentality. They are "for" the "way" no matter what that means.
• They don't know how their group got started (puzzled looks about William Irvine)
• They believe if you profess then you are "found" and if you don't then you are "lost".
• The women wear their hair in buns to meetings

Helping 2x2 Followers

Many people have relatives or know people who are 2x2s and want to help them. Some try to talk with them about the Bible and are greeted with cheery phrases like "I am content" (which is what workers tell them to say). Others will lie about their experience and make light of homosexuals, pedophiles or sexual misconduct of workers and their relatives. Some of us have tried to reason with workers and their followers, only to be shocked by their outrageous lies and hurt by their antisocial behavior. I have come to the conclusion that the 2x2 religion is not only anti-Christ, but is also demonic. I believe many of these people are possessed by devils, demons. And why should any of us be surprised? Don't they say that they all have the same spirit? After doing reading in Bible about Satan, the devil, I have seen that what the 2x2 overseers, 2x2 workers and 2x2 followers do is exactly in line, and in keeping with Satan. They are merely pawns of Satan, under his control, doing his evil work in the world. I am more and more convinced that the 2x2 cult is a Satanic cult trying to take on a good appearance. This is the most devious of influences, worse than a witches coven which is much more easy to identify. The facts that they are: so secretive and don't publish their beliefs, reject the Bible's fundamental beliefs and exhibit anti-social behavior when trying to reason with them bears this out. They are wolves in sheeps' clothing.

2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

What Workers expect of 2x2 Friends:

• Profess in a tested meeting held by workers
• Attend all the worker's meetings
• Female 2x2 Friends are also expected to dress the same way or with the approval of the 2x2 workers in their "field".
• Give your "testimony" at Sunday morning meetings
• Allow the workers to stay in their homes and allow workers to eat their food
• Attend at least one full yearly convention that they are assigned to in their area
• Help with convention preparations
• Pass cash to the workers through handshakes as you leave gospel meetings

Worker Expectations of People who have Meetings in their Home

• "Keep the peace"
• Support them in all their decisions
• Report people who are "not in line"
• Disregard scripture in order to "have fellowship with what we agree on"
• Fix meals for the workers at special events and give them money
• Provide a field car for the workers
• Pay for the workers' auto insurance
• Provide rent money for the hall
• Provide money for the workers' clothing

Why 2x2s Stay in the Cult

1. They have bought the lie that the cult was started by God
2. They believe that if they leave the "only way" then they will go to hell
3. Circular reasoning. For example: You must go to meetings to be saved. Why go to meetings? Because workers said so. Why listen to workers? Because they are servants of God? Why are they servants of God? Because that's what they insinuate in meetings. Who go to meetings? (And now they are back at the beginning. Until they introduce God's will into their thinking, they are stuck, blinded, bound.)
4. They don't know the group is a cult and was started by William Irvine and/or refuse to believe it and it's implications.
5. They have spent so much time in the cult, that they don't have friends outside the cult and don't want to lose their social life in the cult
6. They don't know the real gospel and don't know what they are missing out on. They believe they are the way because that's what the workers have told them to say.
7. They don't believe that Jesus will reign on the earth and are more afraid of the workers
8. They cannot get past the brainwashing, mind control, redefined words in order to think straight and make a sensible decision
9. They are afraid to stand up to the workers
10. They fear more of what their friends think than of what God thinks

Expectations when there are "problems in the field":

• Not ask "disrupting" questions during meetings or questions which show "doubting"
• Support the 2x2 overseer in all his decisions
• Support the 2x2 worker or 2x2 workers in their field in all their decisions
• Support the local 2x2 elders in their meetings in all their decisions
• Ignore their lies taught at their meetings

Expectations when crimes are committed by workers:

• Take issues to the workers and do what the workers tell you to do
• "Forgive" the workers who offend them without following the teachings of Christ
• Help workers cover up problems through silence and not holding 2x2 workers and their followers accountable
• Not go to authorities when their children are molested by senior brother workers
• 2x2 men are expected to support the workers even above their families well being
• Not declare the money they give to workers in their income tax reporting
• Say your support of the workers is a "gift" when actually they are providing obligated support of the workers as a 2x2 member

As a worker, I was shocked at how many followers didn't want the meetings in their home. Now as I look back on it, it's no wonder. There are so many problems in a worker's field because of corruption and lies that no one wants to be an elder and have to deal with it all.

Beginnings of 2x2 Friends:

Becoming a 2x2 friend started a little before 1908 when William Irvine changed his mind about people who wouldn't become 2x2 workers. He started the formation of house churches to accept donations and support by people who liked him but were not willing to sell everything, give it to him and become a 2x2 worker. See The Secret Sect by Doug and Helen Parker.

1. Compulsive lying "The workers sacrifice so much for us"
2. Absence and often inability to use sound reason "The workers go out in pairs so they must be apostles"
3. Mysticism and superstition: "I'm supposed to marry the man who fixes my brakes"
4. Special revelations from their god which contradict the Bible "These people are homeless so they must be the servants of God"
5. Willful slander and libel of others "They've quit coming to meetings and have lost out"
6. Lack of understanding "How could they quit coming to meetings. There is nothing better. Are they going to start their own church?"
7. Willful ignorance "We are the way God has set up on the earth."
8. Willful ignorance of the Bible, God and government "Jesus said taxes were wrong"
9. Ignorance of doctrine and widespread conflicting beliefs "Confronting the workers is like rising up against Moses"
10. Conformity to the workers' practices out of fear even if privately telling other 2x2 friends why they hate them.
11. Willful slander and libel of people who use reason to oppose their religion "They're lost, ignore them. Everything they say is trash"
12. Willful ignorance of the effects of their perverted practices "It's too bad Johnny turned out this way"

Sickness and Disease

I've met more than one follower of the William Irvine religion that has had nervous breakdowns, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, depression and insomnia. I've seen and heard some freaky things that 2x2 workers have done regarding sex acts with little kids. It's disgusting.

Isolation and Kept in the Dark

2x2 friends are kept in the dark about what happens and why some workers are kicked out of the work. There are so many workers that come and go, that I think often 2x2s just lose track of them. And relationships are often just so shallow, that most people don't really care anyway. The workers change fields so often that it's hard for people to keep track of them or develop any real friendships even if they could because of their religious ideas and practices.

Confusion

Many 2x2 friends are so confused, that when you talk to them, they don't make sense. They have plans in their heart about what they believe, and their lips reveal their confusion. Here's a quote from a 2x2 follower after reading the statement that workers are not in touch with reality.

"Your reality, ie how the world really works, is not the reality they or myself take much interest in."

Australian 2x2 that goes by "Bert" http://professing.proboards15.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=13&page=1

Why 2x2 "friends" Are Not of God and Their Threats Can Be Safely Ignored

1. They do not know God and accept other peoples description of their god contrary to what the Bible says.
2. They idolize the workers instead of loving God with their whole heart and getting to know Him
3. They are cruel to themselves and others. They don't stop to think "Would I want others to be treated by workers like I am treated by the workers?
4. They don't keep the commandments of God and don't even know them
5. They reject the teachings of Jesus. They reject and discredit people that tell them about Jesus

Questions the "friends" of workers don't like to think about:

• Do you believe Jesus is God?
• Do you believe Satan is real and has transformed himself into an angel of light?
• Do you believe evil spirits or devils can possess people?
• Do you believe that a man who is posing as a minister can have a devil and quote scripture to a congregation?
• Do you believe that overseers like to condemn and punish followers?
• Do you believe Satan likes to condemn and punish?
• Do you believe demons like it when people praise the Lord?
• Do you believe Satan is the "accuser of the brethren"?
• Do you believe that God's Holy Spirit is more powerful than the devil?
• Why do you go to meetings?
• Is it OK to worship Jesus like the disciples did?
• Why didn't you become a "worker"?
• Do you believe it is a sin for women to not have long hair? If so, why?
• Is it a sin for women to wear modest pants?
• Is it a sin for women to wear inexpensive jewelry?
• Do you believe you must be a 2x2 to be saved? or is believing in God enough?
• Is being a 2x2 and believing in Jesus the same thing?
• Are other people going to hell because they are not 2x2s even if they believe in God and their works show it?
• Is the 2x2 organization a non-profit or a for-profit group?
• Is it wise to be taught in meetings by people who are not educated and don't understand fundamental concepts taught in the Bible?
• Does it bother you that many workers are pedophiles?
• Would you trust a worker with your young daughter or son?
• What do you hear about people who leave the cult? Have you checked to see if it is true?
• Do you believe that all men are created equal? Do you believe you are better than others?
• Is it OK to idolize/worship the workers? even a little?
• How often do you say "Praise the Lord"?
• How often do you praise the workers?
• How well do you understand your Bible after all your years of going to meetings?

Salvation

Is it possible for 2x2s to be get saved? YES! of course. There are many ways that they can be helped. People who need help can be helped. People who feel no need of help cannot be helped. Some people pray for 10+ years for family members and are still praying. It can be hard to help people trapped in false religions.

Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.