u/BadAggravating9155

Things they got right.

Their fear / distrust of outsiders, called “worldly” people irl.

The churches absolute control over the congregation, and their ability to ruin members lives by shunning them / separating them from their families.

The forced submission of women by their husbands and fathers, this part is played up a little for the show, but women ultimately have no say in church matters and little say in important family decisions.

Financial malfeasance. While church members are instructed to pay their taxes, and most do, the church itself is suspected of having undeclared millions in private offshore bank accounts.

Assembly discipline. While not as depicted in the show (in my personal experience) the church does / did isolate members as punishment and to “protect the community”.

Things they got wrong.

The clothing. While the women do wear scarves, long skirts, and the men all wear white shirts on Sunday, most PBCC members wear modern clothing when out in public, in part to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Assembly discipline / physical aggression towards church members. I have never personally witnessed the following:
Members being manhandled or confined in locked rooms.
Members being forced to drink alcohol as a form of punishment.
The congregation literally turning their backs on members accused of sinning.

The lack of technology. In the last 10-20 years the PBCC has began allowing its members to use cellphones and computers, although they are heavily restricted and monitored.

Things that weren’t mentioned (yet)

The financial might of the PBCC. Despite being a relatively small organization (50k members or less) the church has nearly unlimited resources for things like legal protection, security and political funding.

The PBCC’s political influence. The church spends vast amounts of time, energy and money to promote / support / defend political parties whose policies best serve their own interests. Despite claiming publicly not to have any involvement in politics.

So far really enjoying the show, it’s obviously quite heavily dramatized but close enough to reality to give me and other ex-members a lot of “aha” moments while we are watching.

Things they got right.

-Their fear / distrust of outsiders, called “worldly” people irl.
-The churches absolute control over the congregation, and their ability to ruin members lives by shunning them / separating them from their families.
-The forced submission of women by their husbands and fathers, this part is played up a little for the show, but women ultimately have no say in church matters and little say in important family decisions.
-Financial malfeasance. While church members are instructed to pay their taxes, and most do, the church itself has been accused of hiding millions / billions in offshore bank accounts.
-Assembly discipline. While not as depicted in the show (in my personal experience) the church does / did isolate members as punishment and to “protect the community”.

Things they got wrong.

-The clothing. While the women do wear scarves, long skirts, and the men all wear white shirts on Sunday, most PBCC members wear modern clothing when out in public, in part to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
-Assembly discipline / physical aggression towards church members. I have never personally witnessed the following:
Members being manhandled or confined in locked rooms.
Members being forced to drink alcohol as a form of punishment.
The congregation literally turning their backs on members accused of sinning.
-The lack of technology. In the last 10+ years the PBCC has began allowing its members to use cellphones and computers, although they are heavily restricted and monitored.

Things that weren’t mentioned (yet)

-The financial might of the PBCC. Despite being a relatively small organization (50k members or less) the church has nearly unlimited resources for things like legal protection, security and political funding.
-The PBCC’s political influence. The church spends vast amounts of time, energy and money to promote / support / defend political parties whose policies best serve their own interests.

So far really enjoying the show, it’s obviously quite heavily dramatized but close enough to reality to give me and other ex-members a lot of “aha” moments while we are watching.