MarkedAndAvoided

It is tough to forgive and forget. Because Christ died for me unconditionally, my sins were forgiven. I can learn to forgive and I can't go back on it once I do. Forgetting is harder. Then again, keeping one eye open against someone if they strike again may be a good idea. This is a tough issue and I need more Bible. Marked and Avoided

Ex10 I couldn't agree more... Marked and Avoided

These were all great responses and I agree with every one of them. I did in fact notice several people turning away from Christianity after they had been in it. I privately hope they return to Christianity but not to the Way. I believe Roy's statement that they are in fact, more representative of the devil than God or Jesus Christ because of the hard-heartedness and resentment they have just for leaving. It is such childness coming from such men and women of stature, that they are in fact, not the professionals they set out to be. They must be left to their own conscience and integrity. Marked and Avoided

The Big one. Bottom line to the Wayfers. Are the Board of Directors, the Way Corps, the Way Disciples, and "loyal" believers good ambassadors for Jesus Christ to represent Christianity and Jesus Christ? Marked and Avoided

How dare you say the Doctor VPW plagiarized his works? NOT TRUE!!! He merely copied them in a Kinkos print shop...there is a difference!!! Marked and Avoided

________________________________________________ I completely agree with diazbro. I never in my life saw so much lack of compassion than this ministry. It was the poorest witness for Christ I had ever seen. The Satanic church knew better in recruiting people by showing more compassion than that. Satanists are lying, but at least they put on the show of compassion to make themselves look legitimate. I never saw the ruthlessness of such a ministry come to bear fruit than in the treatment of VPW's wife, who gave them half the land to operate and 60 years of her life. Harve Platig and the rest of the board know what has been done and they must see the monstrous and completely ungodly decisions they have made and done. The ruthlessness, the evil, and the torment they inflict on others in the name of God. They do not light a candle as ambassadors to Christ, and the way they are now, God would not want them using His name in their actions. Marked and Avoided [This message was edited by MarkedAndAvoided on December 14, 2003 at 18:47.]

The stupidest stuff...possessed VCRs, anal retentive hosting of the tables, anal retentive etiquette (that I dare not call Christian Etiquette), Corps brothers and sisters ratting on each other for minor matters that would not be a matter outside the Way...the list can go on... Marked and Avoided

Shaz: That pretty much explains everything I suspected about the Corps. I was in for a year and before that was allowed to attend some of the classes the Corps took, kind of like auditing a course, or in this case, the Corps. It was fun for me the outsider at the time, but I remember academic classes were lacking and it was mostly about doing work for the farm and the ministry, mainly menial jobs. When I became an "insider", I was shocked at the low level of heart involved, the reproof and abuse, (correction was abuse and not handled in a loving way), shocked at the elitist attitude of the leaders, shocked at brothers and sisters in the Corps reporting mild infractions on each other, and watched as the hard-heartedness was taught to me and others. I became an abusive fellowship coordinator in my area. I began with 15 people and lost them all. After leaving TWI, I apologized to all of them. I was surprised and very moved when all 15 forgave me, the women and men shaking my hand and giving me hugs. I couldn't bear what I had done to these people. I had a lot of grief over what I had done. I feel better today about it because of them. Simply put, the followers were better leaders than I. It is an example I will remember for the rest of my life. Marked and Avoided

Not to give an excuse to LCM, but was VPW all that innocent of plagiarism, sexual abuse, and bad doctrine? Was VPW militaristic in the Corps? The Corps was supposed to be taught love and discipline. Was the entire show about obedience to VPW? Those that have experience on this please answer. Thanks. Marked and Avoided

Thanks for the post. I'd like to remember my buddies who died in the 73rd Signal Battalion in April '72 in Camh Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. It is hard to forget them and I don't think I ever will. It sure is healing to know people out there care enough for them to have such an extensive thread. God Bless You All. Steve Marked and Avoided

I was in from 1980-1992. Marked and Avoided

When I told other people about Wierwille's Christian Family and Sex class which I did not like and had to pay for in order to get into the Advanced Class and the Corps, I referred to Maggie Muggins as Maggie Morgasm and Johnny Jump-UP as Johnny Hard-Up. Was I crossing the lines of plagiarism? Was that my crime? I wondered that as several Bless Patrol asked me to leave the grounds in 1993. Marked and Avoided

E* H*ny was a guy who loaned his wife to Martindale and he admitted it in public, to my absolute shock. That was bad enough. To learn he whacked people in the head in the Corps really gets my blood boiling. I never liked the guy due to his elitist and pompous attitude to begin with. He never hurt me personally, but I really don't want him in my neighborhood just for the mere temptation of going over for a visit. I'm glad most people don't know who he is. Marked and Avoided

He has been associated with Christian Family Fellowship if you need to get in further touch with him. Marked and Avoided

Hi Fred and Carol! God Bless! Marked and Avoided

Joe and Lucy were still in. I'd love to contact them as they were pretty good area coordinators, but will not because I don't want to cause them any trouble. It's a shame, though. I hope they can see how ridiculous it is to follow the doctrine they do in life. If they need help getting out, I'm here. So is my wife. Marked and Avoided

Mark and Terri live in Findlay, Ohio. They maintain their own family fellowship there. Marked and Avoided

Hello GreaseSpotters! I can feel your pain! (No, I am not Bill Clinton...he would like and appreciate a guy like Martindale, I suppose...) To be honest, I am not against all ex-way ministries or Christian televangelists. I've ordered some tapes from CES and let me tell you, John Schoenheit and Mark Graeser really know how to research and teach. I am not associated with this ministry, though. Anybody know anything about this group? So far, I like the personality and the teaching. And I appreciate they do not follow after Wierwille. Any help would be appreciated. There are a couple of fellowships not too far from here and my wife and I are tempted to go. But I need to know from others their experiences in case we get marked and avoided again for whatever reason. Any help or information outside of us directly contacting them would be appreciated. I want to know from experienced people first. My wife and I just split from another ex-way ministry. We could go to church, but we would kind of like to share at least some of the Word we knew. God Bless, anyone. Marked and Avoided

Wow, Greasespotters! You sure did have a lot to share! All of you seem to be in pretty good mental health despite it all, though. So am I. I just ignore the head and neck jerking from time to time at the table, and my right eye quivering when I am in mixed company. Marked and Avoided

Do we have old habits we kept from TWI? Are we still annoyed by others who have different opinions from us? Do we condescend to others and think all churches are a crock? Are we attracted to other ministries out from TWI? Anybody still going through psychotherapy over it all? And are any of the new fellowships and ministries acting like TWI? Marked and Avoided

A real tearjerker was "I Never Sang For My Father" with Melvyn Douglas and Gene Hackman. I watched that with my real father, whom I haven't seen in 22 years. Marked and Avoided