Leaderboard

There are many out there who say VPW would "turn over in his grave" if he heard what was going on. I would just add that if that were the case, it would be to get a better view....

The cult cannot survive out in the open.......it seeks the shadows and the darkness. Open discussions on the field and open internet forums will NEVER happen. Rivenbark tried to take the upper-hand by extending a sappy "invite to hq." Wierwille perceived that seclusion on a farm setting would build his cult. It hasn't changed from its inception........and it ain't gonna change now. Old McWierwille had a farm......ee i ee i o And, on this farm he built a cult......and that's "the way" to go.

Splendid: same concerns ("these are specific things that are wrong"), same response ("come and see, things are different"), followed immediately by shunning. John knew that if he accepted the invite to go to HQ, he'd get a real face-melting. And yes, pretty much that letter could have been written now.

John's wife Hope asked me to post this letter and some associated follow up. He wrote it and sent it 17 years ago this week. In a sense, it contains some of the same stated concerns the R & R group has stated much more recently. I think it's about 5 pages altogether. Of course, more than 30 years ago, another group of then soon to be former TWI leaders tried to get the attention of the hardheaded and hardhearted hoarders of millions of ABS dollars. So, for your reading pleasure, here's what John wrote in June 2000. Richeson Letter to Rivenbark June 2000.pdf

Thanks Rocky – and to John & Hope also for sharing that letter. I get a kick out of Rivenbark’s answer to the issues John brought up…And now ladies and gentleman…drum roll please…we come to the magic portion of our show…The Grate and Malfeasant Rivenbark will attempt to make all TWI-negativity disappear – a feat that has only been duplicated by previous charlatans within the confines of their own compound: “…I would like for you to come and visit us at headquarters. We’d house you and feed you, and show you around for a couple of days. This is the only way I know that could resolve your concerns. Come and see for yourself. Many of your points seem to reflect Internet defaming rather than what actually exists. I’d be happy to sit with you and discuss your suggestions.” == == == == == Then, I love how John (in the response to Rivenbark’s invite to HQ) in various ways calls out bull$hit on her diversionary tactics: “…Does the Word not work everywhere? Do you not have other communication methods available such as email or telephone? Come and see what? Maybe things are fine at headquarters, but that is not the case on the field. Dr. Wierwille always taught that the life of the ministry is on the field in the household fellowships…” == == == == Thanks again for sharing this letter it’s almost like an episode of Penn & Teller: Fool Us for cults. Love and peace to John & Hope T-Bone

How ridiculous, Mrs A has a wealth of knowledge. And that's appropriate to share. It's part of the Body of Christ working together, every part contributing what it can. Mrs A, having raised all your kids, could contribute a lot in the realm of childcare, and what was an appropriate cause for concern and what was "normal" for a kid growing and developing. There were so few people with kids at that time, most were singles. I'm sure that later, F was able to advise and guide some of the others who later had kids, and that's nothing specially "spiritual." In fact, that's a significant reason why TWI failed. Didn't meet people's needs, kept them in enforced infancy and dependence, didn't allow natural growth in personality and development in changed circumstances, etc etc. God gave us common sense for a reason and TWI was out to destroy that as "senses knowledge" and replace it by its own "mystery religion." So thankful we're all out. ((Hugs)) to ((Mrs A)).

T-Bone, great post! In my opinion PFAL was a lot of garbage! And it was boring as Hell to listen too!

WC32, my oh my, I begin to feel old. If they were still denoting Corps in that way, they'd be on WC45 or thereabouts now. Aren't they called "Class of xxxx" nowadays? so I've read here. Actually I reckon they must be back to the Zero Corps now - can't imagine a huge number of people wanting to throw their lives away in this cult. The days of Corps intakes in the hundreds are long gone, never to return. TWI'd never admit that no-one wants to sign up - would say instead that people of appropriate calibre haven't applied, or some such lie.