JustThinking

Goey, Thanks for using TWI-style reproof instead of just telling me. I didn't realize that is what the triangle was for.

If you see the name "Jesus" and think "isn't he an hispanic baseball player?"... ...you might be in a cult

Doesn't this belong in the doctrinal section?

This was eliminated by LCM when he got his latest "revelation" to only go to the middle class in the mid-90s. JT

His use of numerous, really mean terms for homosexuals in the main tent at ROA '95. Terms like "rump ranger" and "pillow biter." I had my kids there for goodness sakes! Even if it wasn't the last one, I certainly wouldn't have had them back anyway. So much for a "family" event.

Based on TWI's size now, should it be Smallville?

WW quote: "They don't openly discourage people from "speaking the word" to lower class people with no teeth, education, cars or money, but it is very clear that they do not want these people in their homes and in their ministry." What hypocrites! Minus the teeth part, that describes most of the people I knew in TWI-2! No money, no education (unless they had it before they came) old beat-up cars, etc. Only enough cash to pay for some clothes and rent a house so you looked prosperous. No savings, no retirement plan, etc. JT

Can anyone tell me what was on the evaluation form? Was it detailed? Can a blank one be posted here on GS? JT

I think the Way got more coverage when it was larger. (Back in the 70s) I think you are right about it's size. It's not really a threat to any mainstream church groups any more.

Ref, Stunning accuracy! That is a message I heard prior to departing. The teaching theme was "the Faithful Remnant." Only us "True-blue, faithful, special people have stayed true to God's Word." Many comparisons were made to Paul near the end of Acts when so many had departed him. Although Craig Martindale more often compared himself to Timothy. In his "humble mode", the founder, Weirwille, was Paul and he was Timothy. True to the end. Unfortunately or fortunately, he was true until getting ejected. My guess is this is not the first time you've heard this story? JT

If you have been in an organization for over 10 years and are still waiting "for things to get better"... If your minister tells you via email to not use the internet... ...you might be in a cult.

Refiner quote: "Is the church high turnover?" I would say it's more high decline. They had a lot of people in the 70s but have been in decline for years. As for new members, most people look them up on the web and then decline to come. Either way, they are in "decline." For those who do come, most do not stay very long. In my final years, I saw almost NO new members at all. To follow their terminology, there are no "members" but the three members of the board of trustees who run the place. All else just "freely avail" themselves of fellowship. So let's call them followers. To be considered an active follower, one must quickly take the basic instruction course called "The Foundational Class." During the waning days, most of the new students were the kids of old members. Once they turned 18, most did not attend unless they still lived with their parents. JT

WW quote: "I think someone said once that this was why lcm started coming up with meaningless statements like "go until you hear glass break". He was trying to "spontaneously" come up with things worth quoting so they could be overheard and written down." Exactly how insecure does that make him?! Yikes. Most guys his age just buy a corvette and flirt with 19 year-old girls. Then again... JT

Can I flirt with Exie too?! JT

I learned in another thread that the Corps underwent annual evaluations. News to me as I was just a nobody. Anyone care to share their experiences?

Paw, Using your survival skills learned on the WOW field? ;-) JT

Any innies know if the purging has stopped yet? They're so small there can't be much left to lose.

I forgot one. My first TC owned some type of dog that VPW owned. A hunting dog but can't remember the type. I remember him going on about how good it was for hunting ducks. When I pointed out that he didn't hunt and, for that matter, didn't even own a gun, he got really irritated. Oh well, one more annoying question ignored. :-( JT

Goey, I missed TWI-1. Was Donnie F***t around after that? I've heard his name but know nothing about him. Who was he? JT

Was this a corps evaluation? JT

Jim, Wow! How did you manage to get away with that?! I forgot to renew ONE of my families subscriptions (ALL grads should have one, after all) and my LC called and I got a letter from HQ reminding me. I must have been in the wrong state. JT

One of the more odd or creepy things in TWI-2 I saw was the effort to imitate or rip-off things from TWI-1 by TWI-2. For example: For a while, people were being pushed by the corps to call Howard Allen "Uncle Howard." (A la Uncle Harry) Not directly told but they said it so much is was weird. I heard corps refer to LCM as "The Teacher." There was talk at one TC meeting I attended of collecting sayings of LCM for a book like "Lifelines." (Collection of VPW sayings) People imitating LCM the way they did VPW. (He grew a mustaches, the corps grew one too, etc) These all just petered out eventually. Any others out there? I'm not really thinking of abuses. They are well documented here. More the desire to emulate TWI-1 but make it in their mold. JT

Templelady, I think you've nailed it. Anyone with "weakness" got shoved out in the 90s. Hadn't thought of it that way but you are correct. It certaily makes life easier when you just whack people with problems. No muss, no fuss. Great example of the APPEARANCE of Godliness being much more important that the hard work of producing or living it. Shaz, When LCM taught on the "Prevailing Land" or "Prevailing Word in some land" or what ever he called it, he compared Israel to the Word. He said in Joshua's time, the land had rightfully belonged to Israel and had to be taken back. In our time, the Word had been stolen by the adversary and had to be taken back. But did he mean in general or in our own minds? Either way, weren't we doing that before the Amazing Bridge to The Promised Way of Holiness of The Way Bridge to The Land of Promise that Prevails in the Household of The Way? I asked my LC and he drew a blank. No clue. Guess he hadn't gotten his "Corps brief on how to respond to annoying questions" yet. The whole idea wasn't even mentioned after about a year or so. Just another dumb idea that had no substance. Rather than admit it meant nothing, they just let it fade away and disappear. JT

If you refer to your religion's corporate location as "home"... If the only pictures on your wall are of a dead religious leader you never met... If your religion puts it's annual slogan into a poster... If you buy that poster and hang it on your walls... If you religion expects you to hang it on your wall because you're in leadership... ... you might be in a cult.

Screaming No real research going on No growth Lawsuits Craig worship Leaders disappearing in the middle of the night BBBOOOORRRRIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG teaching tapes that I had to buy And then I found this website... JT