It was one of the titas that was in KFC, but there’s also a guy who hate posts like, every single day. He uses his phone to record Sky News and it’s actually pathetic.

Anyway, this is a long-ass post, I don’t know if anyone will even read it, but the discussion (if you could call it that) genuinely saddened me, and I just wanted to get that off my chest.

What I know I’m angry at, is the hypocrisy that has gripped what should be role models in the community, the lack of dialogue, the fact that hate and vitriol is a commonly-shared opinion among the community.

That those without the knowledge do not seek to find it, but to create their own.

The post in question included elements that are in direct opposition to the core tenets.

Don’t get me wrong, there are very good, ethical people that have come from the community.

In fact, I’m not sure what to be angry about, the propaganda and brainwashing? The lack of empathy or compassion?

I asked to look inside, not with a cynical point of view, but one that was more aligned with being Christ-like, like what the community was meant to be about.

What was worse was that while this was a private conversation, I could see former leaders and role models in support of the post.

I asked whether they would show empathy, to not be cynical and generalise the oppressed with the ones that are truly struggling. And all I got back, despite only asking for those two things, were the talking points of the hateful. The unnecessary bringing up of DEI, of J6 innocence, among others.

I’m bringing this up because I recently opened up dialogue with a leader, an elder who was prominent in the kids chapter.

One who, despite being ethnic, would prefer to bring down the ones being targeted at the moment.

I asked if, without looking at politics, they would be compassionate.

My parents, despite being in the community, didn’t force me to join, I went on my own accord. I continued to have healthy discussions with them about politics, ambitions, opinions.

While they pushed for me to remain within the faith, they wanted me to just be good, honest, and virtuous.

Admittedly, some members became some of my closest friends.

However, the absolute vile rhetoric that goes unchecked in this current political climate continues to fester.

If I had known about the vitriol and hate that would come out of prominent members, I wouldn’t have joined.

Now, none of them have done anything particularly heinous, in the sense of other scandals within the church. No predatory behaviour, just a big clique consisting of the leaders, prominent families.

Fellowship was a big part, however, fringe members were often left on their own.

Open to individuals who:

> held a Facebook Account between 2 November 2013 and 17 December 2015;
> were present in Australia for more than 30 days during that period; and
> either installed the This is Your Digital Life app or were Facebook friends with an individual who installed the app.