My parents were over today and we were talking about what the Nazi's did in World War II (my parents are both from Holland).  In the past, I've done some study on the Nazi's and there are some surprising parallel's to the Geftakys group.  Authoritarian dictatorship, control over every aspect of members lives, informants, mind control, etc.  

As a side note, I remember one seminar where George was talking about Hitler.  He said that his dad told him one thing after another about what Hitler would do and sure enough, he did them.  He asked his dad, how did you know?  His dad told him that he read Hitler's book, Mein Kampf.  What Hitler wrote, he carried out years later.  George used this as an illustration to show that God will do what he states in the Bible what he will do. George wrote his own manifesto, Testimony to Jesus, and did what he wrote.  

Hitler and the Nazi's nazified every aspect of German society.  From the stamp collecting club, to the bee-keeping club, from the motorcycle club to protestant and catholic churches.  Everything became Nazi, for the Fatherland, of course.  In the Geftakys groups, every aspect of the members' lives revolves around "the work" (aka "the testimony", "this ministry").   Fellowships, meetings many times a week, brothers and sisters homes, seminars, conferences, couple's meetings, campus Bible studies, etc.  
And then there is the mind control.  I've seen photographs of Hitler practising his speeches, using all kinds of hand motions and other persuasion technique's.  Anyone who has been in the Geftakys group (and is no longer in it) knows what kind of coersive persuasion the leaders force upon the members.  No criticizing the leaders or the ministry, must be loyal, must maintain unity, etc.

With the Nazi's, a whole society was decieved and became cultish on a major scale, and we all know what the result of that evil was (at least I hope so, I've heard recently that 20% of Americans don't know or don't believe that the Holocaust even happened).  Most agree that it was because of the debilitating conditions of the Treaty of Veresailles at the end of WW I, and the depression that followed, which opened the door for such a man as Hitler to come in and give "hope" to the German people.  It fed their pride.  They weren't losers, as the Treaty had made them out to be.  No, they were overcomers, and they'd show the world how wrong they were for beating them down.  And thus came the German war machine. (I must note that, of course not everyone in Germany went along with it, but guess what happened to them - concentration camps or banishment.)
Sound familiar?  Many who came to George in the 70's (and later) were having problems dealing with reality in the first place.  George offered them "hope" and it fed their pride.  "We are not loser hippies!  We are overcomers and the Lord's servants!"  And what happened to those who didn't quite like George or agree with him--and not just then but all through the years?  They got the boot and a slandered name.  

The reason I bring this up is to ask a question.  I have heard that there is repentance by some.  I haven't thought about this before and now I have to.  What I find is that, the pain doesn't go away with "I'm sorry".  They took my life from me.  They took my trust.  They took my joy.  They took my heart and trampled all over it.  They can't give it back.  My question is this:  Is there no punishment?  Is it ok for them to just say, "Oh sorry about that, won't happen again.  Have a nice life." ?  The pain is still there.
When the Nazi evil was crushed, there was a trial, a set of trials.  The Nuremburg trials.  Wicked men were punished--hung by the neck until dead--for what they did.  

But we are Chrisitans.  Ah yes, that's the clincher isn't it?  We have learned something about mercy.
David murdered Uriah in a most despicable manner to take his wife.  What a miserable low-life, scum.  Yet God forgave him!  Ah, but God also punished him.  As far as the victim is concerned, though, could David give back the life of Uriah?  No.  (Interesting that David said his sin was against God.  Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy site.)

So what are we to do?  Forgive and that's it?  Is it in our hands to punish?  These men, to my knowledge, have not killed anyone, so they do not deserve death.  But they have violated others in ways worse than physical, and physically also.  What punishment is there for that?  Let God handle the whole thing?  You, please, tell me.

Hi Arthur:
In my opinion after repenting they should be leaders no more, anywhere. Do Christians really need another sect, even if it is new and improved? There is more to service to God than leadership, anyway.
Your post (article is a better word because you did a great job) gives us something to consider.

Rudy,

You are correct, of course. We are to forgive unconditionally.

That does not mean we do not hold someone accountable/ responsible for their actions.

And discipline is not revenge or retaliation. God disciplines those he loves! See the whole: consequences thing below.

Did you see the story posted two days ago from the young woman from the Tuscola assembly whose step-father was molesting her?

He repented, was forgiven and sent back to the home. Guess what happened?

Without question, they should step down.  But beyond that?

Rudy, oh dear brother thank you for reminding me.  I've thought about that parable a few times.  But...I don't know if it is within me to forgive.  Something in me says, "this just isn't right, these men must be punished, how could they do this to us?"  And you know what, it does eat away at me.  I always have this condeming thought in the back of my head, making even my own actions suspect to me.  But that is what they taught me.  God taught me about grace and mercy.  They taught me about harshness and bondage.  I could not withstand it.  I tried, believe me, but they and the system were too strong for me, in Fullerton.  I guess I had not enough faith.  But here I am.  And I ask, shall the merciless obtain mercy?
But even if they are punished in some way that we deem satisfactorly, that wouldn't give back what they took.  But it would give closure, wouldn't it?  And in some way that would be some restitution, wouldn't it?

Mark,  Yes I agree. There is a difference between the leaders (most of the leaders) and the little lambs.  Of course, my anger is not against the little lambs.  It is obvious which is which as you can tell a wolf from a sheep (once the sheepskin is pulled off the wolf).  Not all the Germans were hung, only the head Nazis.  I think the analogy still holds.  Most of the Germans were good people who got swept up in this torrent of evil.  Not their fault, in my opinion.  But those dirty, rotten, no-good Nazi leaders.  They got what they deserved, at least here on earth.
About Joseph and what he went through and what he told his brethren in summation. Believe me.  When I was in Fullerton and under tremendous pressure in spirit, I thought much about Joseph (as well as David fleeing from Saul, etc).  But I found that I am not so noble as him.  I have not so much faith.  I gave up and retreated into a shell (I even started playing video games a lot to keep from having to think about how bad things were).    I guess I don't have what it takes to be an overcomer.  That weighed heavily on me also.

H, thank you.  I hope I can find faith to do so nobly.  Faith comes by hearing, right?

Guys, thank you so much for your answers.  I'm having a really hard time about this, and talking it over really helps.  No doubt, others are too.  Lord help us all.

Tom,

Now there is a typical Assembly response. Let's belittle the reasonings and emotions of the "offender", make them feel guilty, inadequate and stupid.

In actuality, dear brother, it is you who takes the analogy too far. It is not a fallacy to compare any situation to another where similarities are found even if there are serious degrees of differences.

I took a class one time where we discussed totalitarianism and Nazism provided many of the examples. It was during this class that I began to have a deeper understanding of the Geftakys cult.

You owe your brother in Christ an apology for the thoughtless (and incorrect, I might add) way you publicly corrected him.

Feel free to take as many shots at me as you like. You will not find me in the least bit fragile or susceptible to humiliation, etc as I have already survived it.

Scott

Scott, well said and I pray the point is taken.

Lord Bless,
G