Commenting on Lutherius original post.

As you would imagine I dont think the logic is complete.

You seem to automatically equate authority with authoritarian, and control with mind control within a pentecostal context.

Now we would agree that this often the case, its is not a proved point ( ie the fact that some cats are black, doesnt mean all cats are black.).

The distinction I would draw is this absuive, controlling and authoritarian tend to be intrusive, and does not know boundaries. Its also is based on personal revalation rather than scriptural principle.

ie 'gods told me that you shoudl give 20% this month', 'Gods told me your relationship with your gf is wrong'.

Valid authority and structure tends to be unintrusive, related to matters of church displine or protecting personal boundaries, and biblically based.

ie, 'Your prophecy of jesus return at the 7 -11 on tuesday disagress with the bible', 'Your word of knowledge that joanne ought to marry you is abusive and wrong' , 'I dont care what your special revalation says jesus doesnt 'hate hispanics''.

Any c/p church needs the latter form of authority or else it would be chaos, and I would agree any authority based on the former structiure could very easily become abusive, but there are different lines and levels on how and when this can be done.

Im not saying that your wrong, just that any article that is going to be serious on the issue needs counter these kind oif arguements.

Not every p/c leaders is a derranged loon, and if the thoughtful considerate people are still wrong, you need to give thoughful considerate answers why, rather than bracketting in with the extreme end of the movement.