I'm having a lot of fun reading some of the stuff on the NAC Singles website, in particular the featured news story about a New Apostolic member who claims to be able to see "angels, souls, spirits, demons and much more" after receiving a visit from none other than the archangel Michael. The angel informs our hero that "very few people reach the level of faith that you have reached", and proceeds to lay out a "plan" that God chose for him before the foundations of time. It's all in a book NAC member and former minister Jim Rybak wrote. He also has a website where he offers to "heal your energy" and tell you all about your chakras and auras. Oh, and just in case you wondered whether he's abandoned his NAC beliefs, he's still a church-going member who sings in the choir.
How does one reconcile the teachings of the New Apostolic Church with such new-age tripe? Has this faithful member ever offered his divinely-inspired insight to one of the NAC's "apostles"? If so, I wonder how that played out. What about the NAC members at large, what revelations can Jim offer the faithful now that he sees dead people? And what about those pesky demons and spirits, how can we spot them should we want to avoid them? If only Jim can see them, it seems there's some important information that he has a duty to disseminate to the great unwashed masses who haven't achieved his awesome level of faith.
Delusions are a fascinating thing. But have you ever noticed that there's never a lithium dart laying around when you really need one?
Saturday, April 4, 2009
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Rybek's book and site seem to indicate a need to establish recognition in order to sell his wares or even start his own church. I certainly hope that members in his church don't adhere to his claims or support him by purchasing his books!
ReplyDeleteYou never know, some may be curious, at least enough to read it for a good laugh.
I'm going to start calling the effect of these delusions, the Irvingite Syndrome.
Anonymous said: You never know, some may be curious, at least enough to read it for a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe e-book is available for $8.95 on his publisher's web page. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead buying that book.
Stealing it, maybe. Might be good for a few laughs. :P
Rich said:
ReplyDeleteI'm having a lot of fun reading some of the stuff on the NAC Singles website, in particular the featured news story about a New Apostolic member who claims to be able to see "angels, souls, spirits, demons and much more" after receiving a visit from none other than the archangel Michael. The angel informs our hero that "very few people reach the level of faith that you have reached", and proceeds to lay out a "plan" that God chose for him before the foundations of time.
Does "delusions of grandeur" apply here? Aren't these symptoms of mental illness as defined by the psychiatrists? The so-called "gift" of being able to see those who have passed on may be accepted by mainstream NACers, but how do they rationalize that Rybak has been visited by the archangel Michael and been given a commission? How many human beings have been visited by archangels anyways? Mary comes to mind...probably a few prophets in the OT.
Doesn't that supercede the position of the chief apostle of the NAC? Doesn't that diminish his role? Maybe Rybak should take over the church since archangel visitations have historically been enjoyed by prophets and the mother of the son of God.
While this individual is free to make any delusional claims he wishes, what I don't understand is why the NAC Singles site is promoting this nonsense to its participants, many of whom may be fairly young and impressionable.That in my opinion is unconscionable.
The more I read about Rybak's "encounter" with the archangel Michael, the more incredulous I become. He claims to have knelt before the angel and received a blessing!This is beyond delusional and seriously frightening in its implications.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I find it disturbing that apparently no one on the NAC Single's site has questioned the validity of this claim on the blog. Am I to believe that there isn't one single rational thinker capable of challenging this claim? How exactly DO they reconcile the commission and supposed authority of the chief apostle and also believe that Rybak has been visited by an archangel and chosen amongst the masses for a purpose greater than that of the CA?
I can't wrap my mind around why no one has challenged this claim...
Is it because they are afraid to challenge the moderator who has an office? Is it because they're so indoctrinated they don't have the capacity to reason for themselves? What causes people to act this way? I'm astounded by the passivity and lack of response.
And most important of all...what the hell is the NAC Single's moderator thinking about by promoting this on the Home page??? What's HIS motive?
Phoenix said: I can't wrap my mind around why no one has challenged this claim...
ReplyDeleteI think the admin is a friend of Rybak's, and is promoting his book on the single's site as a favor. But you're absolutely right, it's very odd that no one has commented on it - unless they're making comments in the forum area, which is a member-only thing that isn't world-viewable.
Even there, the only thing I can imagine any of them doing is kissing Rybak's behind and telling him how amazing he is. I'd bet not one of them is used to thinking critically or challenging claims. New Apostolics are encouraged to keep their skepticism to themselves, rather than "give someone else a struggle."
What Rybak needs is psychological help, not people encouraging his delusions. When I see or hear of one truly great verifiable thing (that I couldn't do myself) coming from this man, perhaps I'll sit up and take notice. Until then, I'm still looking for that lithium dart . . .
The more I learn about mental illness, the more I am convinced more people in leadership positions within the NAC suffer and have suffered from serious mental illnesses.
ReplyDeleteOnce you learn the signs and symptoms it is scary to think of all the "visions" we heard about growing up in the NAC. Sister N of A who was able to see just about everything imaginable.
She saw Streceisen (sp?) with a message for Kraus, and the list goes on. Perhaps she also was the one who saw all the souls "going into the church through the windows" since the two brothers at the door evidently had a feud nobody knew about, except the souls from the beyond who could not enter past the two at the door.
The list goes on and on. Sad, very sad.
Anonymous wrote: The more I learn about mental illness, the more I am convinced more people in leadership positions within the NAC suffer and have suffered from serious mental illnesses.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if religion causes a sort of temporary mental illness, one that goes into remission the more critical thought is applied? At the very least, I used to believe some of what I was taught as a child, and these days I'm surprised I did.
So is it mental illness that causes these behaviors in the leaders, or just self-delusion that makes it possible?
"Is it because they are afraid to challenge the moderator who has an office? Is it because they're so indoctrinated they don't have the capacity to reason for themselves? What causes people to act this way? I'm astounded by the passivity and lack of response."
ReplyDeleteAs an NAC member for over 30 years, none of the above astonishes me anymore.
The cause of passivity is learned helplessness, which masquerades as "faithfulness" in the NAC. The lack of critical thinking ability is an outgrowth of lifelong systematic spiritual abuse. It is very similar to "battered spouse syndrome," in which a victim is abused again and again, only to return back to the abuser over and over. She (usually it's a "she") will usually come to understand that this person is dangerous to her, but the years of physical and/or verbal abuse (e.g., "You're worthless; you'll never make it on your own!") make it almost impossible for her to break free.
It's the same in an authoritarian church like the NAC, where members hear on a regular basis that they are nothing on their own; without the "apostles," they cannot have their sins forgiven, or hear God's "living word"! And let's not forget the belief that the prayers of New Apostolics mean more to God than the prayers of "children of the world," and that to ensure you have a chance to have your prayer answered, you need your "bearer of blessing" to pray for you! In short, you are nothing without the NAC, and should you decide to do without the NAC, you will land in eternal hellfire. Those teachings are extremely effective and keeping people under control and passive.
As to Mr. Ryback's claims, I believe the NAC makes members highly suggestible. After all, weren't we constantly told about the amazing faith of so-and-so who saw such-and-such during a Service for the Departed? Having visions is synonymous with being über-faithful, so I think people subconsciously try to out-do one another. After years of NAC indoctrination, their minds easily go along with it.
That being said, if this man really and truly experienced what he did, he needs to get in touch with a psychiatrist ASAP. This goes way beyond the usual "I see dead people" claims that I have heard my entire life, and those are disturbing enough.
Seeing 'dead' people or people who are not there is not uncommon for those who are mentally ill. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses include hallucinations and conversations that ARE real to the mentally ill. I agree with Kay, seek psychiatric help, IMMEDIATELY.
ReplyDelete