A couple of people at my church (United Methodist) have encouraged me to go on an Emmaus Walk. At first, I thought it was just a spiritual retreat weekend, but the more I read about it online, the more it sounds like a cult or something. I'm looking for specific details, good or bad, from people who have participated in this.
Please do NOT give me the answer cut-and-paste from the Upper Room website. I've read all that.
Please do NOT tell me that you don't want to ruin the "surprises." I hate surprises. That's a goofy thing to say and it just makes people sound brainwashed and perpetuates the idea that this is a cult.
What was your experience like? Did you enjoy it? What specifically did you do? Did you want to leave? Would you have been able to leave if you wanted to? If there was an emergency at home, would you have still been reachable? Did you feel controlled or spiritually manipulated? What is with all these weird rituals I've been reading about - did they do any ritualistic or ceremonial things at the Walk you attended? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
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I haven't been on one, but United Methodists are pretty tame as far as the Christian faiths are concerned. As long as you've met the pastors/leaders ahead of time and they seem normal... and the people you're going with seem normal you should be totally fine.
Then again, I could be wrong, but I think Upper Room is associated with Jehovah Witnesses... if that's the case then it probably is culty and to be avoided.
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