People of praise - thoughts?

[u/Beginning_Dream_9096]

So I’m somewhat new to SB and throughout my journey of meeting people here have met several who have tried to tell me to join a church (I don’t really associate with a specified religion but do enjoy going to masses/spiritual gatherings) and have heard a ‘people of praise‘ group brought up a lot. after looking into it some I have found mostly articles about Amy coney Barrett, but also lots of references to it as a cult. From the people I’ve met personally the things I have taken away are that it’s a hyperconservative mostly catholic group. (?) The aforementioned People I have met are not ones I would especially like to associate with (because of the previously mentioned hyperconsteravtism) but am still curious to find more out about what the specific practices are! and if there are any people who might’ve left the group either recently or a long time ago.

[u/SB-IN]

Child of group told peers to not associate with my kid because my kid “is not Christian”

[u/lobstercapote]

Avoid - it's extremely insular to the extent that most members are related to one another (it's practically a big group of cousins); it is absolutely hyper-conservative and not exactly Catholic, I've heard it described as 'not Catholic enough' for dogmatic Catholics, but it self-describes as "ecumenical Christian." Happy to chat further over messages, I have first-hand experience with the PoP and cannot emphasize enough how abnormal the group is - just join a local church instead

[u/theflyingrobinson]

Avoid. Very conservative, very culty, cliquey.

[u/HelloLestorHolt]

I was on site at their book warehouse and they prayed over the server, speaking in tongues. Very nice people, but insular, conservative, naive and creepy.

[u/twinsandbooks]

To be clear PoP is NOT a catholic org although some Catholics participate. Echoing very conservative, very culty. Join a church for social life is terrible advice 🤦🏼‍♀️ I would try some new group activities or something if it were me - pottery classes? Something through the library?

[u/DarkBlue222]

Very conservative, very Catholic. I have aquaintenances who are POP and I can say without reservation that they are very kind and generous people. I would not say it's a cult but rather a collection of people who prefer practice their religion in a way that gives spirituality more meaning and purpose. They don't evangelize in my experience, they are not looking for recruits. I think if you are interested you should sit down and privately talk with them. You will find that the POP folks are just like anyone else, with the exception that they are VERY religious and RIDICULOUSLY conservative. This is just my 2 cents, keeping in mind that I am a very liberal non-practicing Catholic.

[u/whynotfather → u/DarkBlue222]

Very conservative and largely trumpy which negates the kind and generous attributes. Or in my personal experience, they are kind and generous to people who look similar to them but not to others.

[u/pizzahorny]

Nobody told you to join that church… lolololol

[u/InformalCommission28]

Speaking from personal experience: it’s very niche, and the community went through a very difficult time recently, so it changed a lot. They are probably as cult-y as you can get without joining a religious commune. If that’s what you want, go for it. There are benefits to an exclusively community-focused group. But the barrier to entry is pretty high. I wouldn’t say it’s a blanket “no” (maybe go to one meeting?) but if you’re just looking for spiritual gatherings and good people, I’d try to find a church. Happy to chat more over DM.

[u/Whole-Woodpecker-964]

conservative, boring, toxic, ostracizing, cultish (prophetic visions), money grubbing, overly influential shitheads

[u/Driven-Em]

Best way to meet people is to just do activities you like doing and join activities that do. Check out go574 and libraries. If your not particularly religious why join a church? Find clubs that do activities your into instead.

[u/icedlatte_eachday]

You’d perhaps really enjoy Encounter Ministries based on what you’ve shared. Amazing local communities, great formation, Catholic ministry but you don’t have to be Catholic to fully participate. Happy to share more if desired!