John and Chino invite Liz to share her story about her time in Faith Assembly under the leadership of Hobart Freeman. Liz recounts how she and her husband were drawn into the movement through her brother-in-law and moved to Indiana during what she describes as the exciting days of the Glory Barn. She explains how the environment gradually shifted from enthusiastic Bible teaching to an increasingly authoritarian and isolated experience as the group transitioned from the barn to tents, then to a permanent facility. Liz discusses how theological disagreements—especially Freeman’s use of Hebrews 11:1—sparked concern and eventually led to her family’s departure. She also recounts the group’s control over information and refusal to acknowledge suffering or death among members, which became glaringly evident in the aftermath of high-profile tragedies.
As the conversation progresses, Liz reflects on the deeper psychological and spiritual impact of being part of a controlling environment. She describes the emotional disorientation that followed her exit, the healing that came through speaking publicly, and how she eventually went to seminary and became a counselor. Chino and John add broader historical context about Faith Assembly’s connections to other movements and explore the personality traits and health issues that may have influenced Freeman’s increasingly harsh and erratic behavior. Together, they reflect on the nature of spiritual authority, discernment, and recovery from high-control religious systems.
00:00 Introduction 00:31 Liz’s Early Life and Entry into the Charismatic Movement 02:05 The Glory Barn Era and Early Excitement 04:17 Growing Concerns and the “Diet of Bones” 05:34 Jonestown as a Turning Point 06:25 Disillusionment with Hobart Freeman’s Teaching on Faith 07:23 The Move from the Barn to the Tents and Authoritarian Shift 09:44 Hidden Tragedies and Media Silence 13:07 Parallels with Jonestown’s Information Control 15:01 Moving to Indiana and Immersion in Faith Assembly 17:11 Wrestling with Doctrine and Questioning the Leadership 19:24 Being Dismissed for Open Theological Discussion 22:03 Life after Leaving and Personal Recovery 24:23 Trauma, Vulnerability, and Cult Recruitment 27:18 The Allure of Freeman’s Seminary Training 31:12 Disputes over Doctrine, Women’s Roles, and Medical Treatment 33:30 Rebuilding Faith and Helping Others through Counseling 37:11 Speaking Out in the Media as Therapy 41:15 Hobart Freeman’s Health Decline and Personality Changes 43:09 The Role of Diabetes in Freeman’s Mood and Leadership 46:10 Pain, Anger, and the Collapse of a Movement 49:33 Personal Reflections on Leaving and Finding Real Faith 52:22 Counseling Women and Confronting Subtle Religious Control 54:26 Closing Thoughts and Hope for Survivors
______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp
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