2x2 Friends
Hiearchy
2x2 Overseer
2x2 Workers
A Day in the 2x2 Work
Elders
Faith Mission
Fields
Group names
Oregon 2009
Inside Scoop
William Irvine
| 2x2 Friends or 2x2 Friends of Workers
Definition of 2x2 Friends: These are people who have professed faith in 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".
Why 2x2 "friends" are not of God and can be safely ignored
- They do not know God and accept other peoples description of their god contrary to what the Bible says.
- They idolize the workers instead of loving God with their whole heart and getting to know Him
- They are cruel to themselves in others. They don't stop and think "Would I want others to be treated by workers like I am treated?
- They don't keep the commandments of God and don't even know them
- They reject the teachings of Jesus and people that tell them about Jesus
How to identify a 2x2 friend
They use cult terminology which is redefined words that they feel "safe" with
They claim their religion has no name, but yet they call it the name of "the way, the truth or the fellowship"
They call other members the "friends" and their preachers workers
They constantly contradict themselves and are unaware of it
They are very poor reasoners and feel that they are always right
They go to Sunday morning meetings in a home like their salvation depends on it
They believe in the 2x2 workers. They may say that the workers are apostles.
They feel paranoid about saying the word "God" in a public setting.
They feel very uncomfortable talking about their religion with non-2x2s.
They don't believe workers should be paid a salary
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 ways
Mostly they believe you cannot be saved unless you "profess" in a meeting
They go to "conventions" held at "grounds" owned by the "workers" and one of the "friends"
They attend a yearly "special meeting".
Other things that MAY identify a 2x2
You can't be saved unless you "profess" in a "meeting" held by "workers"
You need to be "in line" with the workers
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 will 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
Many 2x2 will say of their own that they are "one of the friends". This is another example of damaging cult mind control through word redefinition.
Obvious expectations of 2x2 Friends by the workers
As a 2x2 Friend you are expected to:
Profess your faith in the workers way (usually during a "tested" meeting).
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
More expectations if you have bible study in your home or a Sunday mornig meeting:
Have meetings in your home
"Keep the peace"
Disregard scripture in order to "have fellowship with what we agree on"
Feed the workers and pay for their meals
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
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 your field in all their decisions
Support the local 2x2 elders in your 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 coverup 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.
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 and 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 [b The Secret Sect b] by Doug and Helen Parker.
I've seen the following things in many followers of the 2x2 workers:
- compulsive lieing "The workers sacrifice so much for us"
- absence and often inability to use sound reason "The workers go out in pairs so they must be apostles"
- mysticism and superstition: "I'm supposed to marry the man who fixes my brakes"
- special revelations from their god which contradict the Bible "These people are homeless so they must be the servantts of God"
- willful slander and libel of others "They've quit coming to meetings and have lost out"
- lack of understanding "How could they quit coming to meetings. There is nothing better"
- willful ignorance "We are the way God has set up"
- willful ignorance of the Bible, God and government "Jesus said taxes were wrong"
- ignorance of doctrine and widespread conflicting beliefs "Confronting the workers is like rising up against Moses"
- conformity to the workers' practices out of fear even if privately telling other 2x2 friends why they hate them
- willful slander and libel of people who use reason to oppose their religion "They're lost, ignore them"
- willful ignorance of the effects of their perverted practices "It's too bad Johnny turned out this way"
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.
2x2 friends are kept in the dark about what happens and why some workers are kicked out of the work. There are so many of them that just come in go, that I think often people just lose track of them. And relationships are just so shallow, that most people don' 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.
Many 2x2 friends are so confused, that when you talk to them, they don't make sense. 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."
Austrailan 2x2 that goes by "Bert"
http://professing.proboards15.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=13&page=1
Questions about the "friends"
Do you believe Jesus is God?
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 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 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?
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? |