Letters to the Editor

UBF experience a good one

In response to the article about UBF, I wanted to share some of my experiences and thoughts on the group.

I have been a member of UBF since October of last year. Being new to the area, I sought to find a local church that was devoted to the Bible. After accepting an invitation from one of the UBF Bible teachers at the First Look Fair, I was very pleased to find that UBF is just that.

The UBF offers many activities for students besides Sunday service. One-to-one Bible study gives individual students the chance to deeply study the Bible, and fellowship groups meet twice weekly. When we meet, we discuss what we learned from church or Bible study, share prayer topics and testimonies, celebrate birthdays and pray together. The time I spend with my fellowship group is a highlight of my week. Also, there are Siloam meetings open to students where we meet to study, sing praise songs and eat a meal.

Participation in all UBF activities is voluntary. I continue to attend events because I have come to truly enjoy exploring the Bible and spending time with my new friends.

Megan McCarty Graduate Student Information Studies

UBF a harmful group

As a longtime former member of University Bible Fellowship, I am responding to the June 28 article "Fellowship or Foe?" Who better can provide an accurate picture than those who have experienced it over a long period of time? UBF's middle name is Bible. If you read their Statement of Faith it is perfectly in line with the Bible. But that's only in writing; in practice, it's another story.

I have witnessed and experienced that UBF leaders control members: hairstyles, clothing, major in college, place of employment, marriage, having children, etc. I did not know or experience this when I first joined - at first I loved UBF. As I got more and more involved, things became mandatory. Later they began to teach if I didn't go to their church or if I ever left UBF I would be punished by God and go to hell.

How is it that I or anyone else could have subjected ourselves to this? It is because UBF leaders had a Bible verse that appeared to support each of their teachings. The problem is that they would take a verse out of its context and thus could make it say whatever they wanted. When I asked my first bible teacher why UBF member Samuel Lee beat members, she said in the Bible Nehemiah pulled out people's hair.

UBF leaders have been accused of serious things: coerced divorces and abortions, making members orphan their kids, stealing offering money, and so on.

In the comments section to the article, Jacob Lee, the leader of Washington UBF, says he welcomed your article, as it opens up the door to constructive dialogue. He also vaguely admits to past mistakes with the excuse that no church is perfect. I invite Jacob Lee and all UBF leaders to continue the discussion first by specifically and publically confessing these serious abuses.

Amy Young Former UBF Member