skyrider

Happy New Year. Happy Freedom from a cult. When I sit back and reflect upon those days in a cult.........it belied every aspect of "freedom in Christ." None of this was happenstance.......it was deliberate. A snare was set in my path and it altered every decision and direction of my life going forward. But....but.....but "the Bible was taught and you learned so much," right? Wrong. I believe wierwille's agenda and motives were deceptive and dark. The word that comes to mind is.......ENTRAPMENT. So much of twi's history has been further clarified in Mrs. Wierwille's book.........seen here, Click. All of this brings clarity to those who were indoctrinated by wierwille's mantle, "The Man of God" and opens discussion for even more devious motives. Namely, wierwille's past portrays him as a bench-warmer, a back-row participant. So, he spends years and years trying to find an edge, a gimmick, an opportunity to step into the spotlight. And, Leonard's class was that "edge"......except wierwille skewed it to his advantage. The Three-Pronged Strategy of Wierwille's Agenda: Foundational Class......and other classes Outreach programs......WOW and Way Corps The Way Tree structure PFAL was not taught to lead us into "freedom in Christ".......it was taught to herd us to twi's canyon (dependency). Segments 8-12 were driving the herd to *speak in tongues*.......and then, "stand with the ministry that taught you the word. Therefore, STAND." See, it was only twi (cough, cough) that had "the word"........even though wierwille had spent 15-20 years going to other men's seminars and retreats. Oh, the irony....LOL. Outreach programs.........Go WOW: offer them "the class" and if they don't want it, move on. The Class, The Class and nothing but The Class. What about the Christian kindness and goodness that comes with being born again? Nope. Sell the class.....and if they don't sign up, go find someone else. And, the corps program........learn to be the best twig coordinator you can be. Translation: Be better prepared to teach pfal material, run classes and help at ministry events. In other words, be a sycophant follower to the cult. The Way Tree structure was/is a perversion of Christian doctrine and thought. Yes, small groups and bible study are helpful and welcomed.......but not pyramid structuring. The corps program escalated the "social-class structure" and ushered in irreparable damage. Corps versus non-corps? Staff at the spiritual epicenter? Was this wierwille's agenda to embed a striving culture within the ranks? And, even if it was a detrimental outcropping.......why didn't wierwille address it or stop it? Could it be......this was wierwille's conniving agenda all along? Hopefully, more people will find the exit doors in 2018.

Two things, Mike...... Exploitation Indoctrination No matter how much you idolize wierwille and his writings, he also initiated and implemented the corps work/study program. The corps "training" program was a product of his oversight and involvement. In 1978, when I went in-residence.........the plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and masonry workers in the 7th corps (elder corps) were shipped off to Camp Gunnison to work. So, many of these guys missed whole swaths of classes.......Greek, Aramaic, Thessalonians, etc.......and were put to work for 8-10 hours per day (ie exploited for work, because the "academic side of the corps program" was a scam). And besides, lots of the "in-house teachings" were indoctrination anyways. In the Spring of 1979........lots of corps were sent to work at L.E.A.D. hdqts. Same deal.......plumbers, electricians, etc. Go ahead and point out that corps people were "overloaded with activities and responsibilities"..........but then, ask the follow-up question, why? Why all the over-burdened activity? Who was running this railroad anyways? If wierwille and corps coordinators were using and abusing others, then they were not following Jesus' teachings, were they? Mike, you might want to refrain bringing *the corps program* into the picture, because it soils every aspect of wierwille's character.........1) promised in-depth biblical truths, but furthered indoctrination, 2) derailed people's lives from career building, 3) exploited labor to build his campuses, 4) bullied and intimidated corps who raised questions or dissented, 5) boasted of nine manifestations, but couldn't do them, 6) drank his Drambuie at late-night corps mtgs or night owls, 7) sexual predation on motor coach with corps girls, 8) etc. etc. .

Welcome Akhurnu....... Coffee is coming around......hope you sit a spell. If anyone calls you a liar, I will bust them in the chops.

Propaganda and historical revisionism go hand-in-hand. Uncovering the lies of twi's past underscore its intent............

In the grand scheme of things, wierwille was no "compiler"..........he was a deceiver and a fraud. Sure, he gave a passing "credit" once or twice.......but then, would discredit their work as missing the mark. In fact, I will go a step further and say.........imo, wierwille reworked this material from good, honest and godly men and re-tweaked it to serve his own agenda. In other words, wierwille's work was conniving and detrimental to the individual and the church body. Everything from wierwille's classes, programs and structure ensnared the students/followers into a pyramid of dependency. That whole "study to show thyself approved unto God"........became the cult's cornerstone of manipulation, intimidation and exploitation. Oh sure, it says "approved unto God".......but how many ways were we instructed to obey leadership, no matter what. Going down the road of re-researching wierwille's work is a fool's errand. And, the irony of this whole discussion which has been turbocharged by Mike's hypotheses is......Mike is one of wierwille's truest disciples and not in twi. His beady-eyed, laser focus on the jots and tittles of the writings is NOT cult-friendly to twi.......it only serves as a wedge to start another cult. Similarly, Chris Geer did this same thing in the mid-70s. He and his wife, Barb, studied every aspect of wierwille's life........listening and detailing every sunday teaching tape, corps teaching, wierwille's habits, mannerisms, reading genre, mood swings, dog training, etc. to become his valet/bus driver/aide. In his mind, Geer became the sole authority on wierwille.......what he preferred, when he wanted privacy, ad infinitum. Geer's rabid obsession with all-things-wierwille became a cult within a cult. Man's theology and study, no matter how well dressed or "intended"......leads you away from God.. And, studying wierwille's works will not bring one any closer to "the Word in the flesh".....the Lord Jesus Christ. .

Thanks Mike..........for participating in this thread, "The Wierwille Legacy." You epitomize his legacy. You've given me a crystal clear example of the end result of the cult's twisted approach to research by "re-researching the works of wierwille." I have never been so thankful.........to have jumped from this train when I did.

How about this metaphor........... .....behind every secret door is another secret door. Unless you walk thru these doors, you'll never discover the inter-connecting knowledge of each secret let alone the mysteries of the wierwille-writings.

Well......in a nutshell, there it is Mike. In your own words, you've detailed "the reality" of your constructed ideology/idolatry. You centered on the pfal film class, eschewed all the workings of wierwille's ministry and shortcomings of cult leader and his followers........and locked-in-with-laser-focus to the generic/plagiarist writings. When you find yourself in a hole..........keep digging. .

Mike........it looks to me like you've passed thru the cult skeletal corridors, into the inner sanctum of mystic-delusion, and found the lockbox of the psychopath's papers. Clearly, no one is going to understand the depth of your discovery. Your grasp of the secret codes of research is a three-dimensional chess paradigm that few will ever understand, let alone accept. Rest assured that you are one of wierwille's truest disciples.........and bestowed with honor, the Bullshcittery Maximus Award. .

LOL............. Thanks Penworks.......succinctly well said.

Every splinter group is, supposedly, a teaching ministry......................why? Self-appointed leader goes straight to the top of the pyramid Unaccountability.........to board members, progress reports, deadlines, underlings All-expenses paid traveling........of course, double-honor is given to "teachers" No overhead or operating expenses..........butt behind desk or podium, easy-peasy Access to tax-exempt status and gifts/perks...........win/win Adulation from others goes straight to leader's head......feeds the narcissism Leaders teach.........others "serve tables" No missionary work, feed the poor, charitable programs.......that's all counterfeit (wierwille said so) /s Starting a cult-splinter..........the fastest way to jump-start a career, when resume looks like dang

Maybe, I should have added a sarc tag...... No, I'm fully aware of the deception......what they say and what they do is in two different realms. Doing a start-up splinter.......re-directs their vaunted egos and diminishes guilt/repentance Attempts to salvage reputation.......trying to help others with "the word" /s Supplements income........and adds perks their way (gifts/dinners/trips) Feathers their nest.........with some added income and activity "Being seen in the marketplace"........as someone of importance, ie pharisee Heck, even a couple of GSC-posters noted that Rosalie is "running out the clock."

My Prediction: This R&R splinter group will fade into irrelevance within two years. Why? GSC.......the power of the internet is exposing cult activity Too Late..........all the pfal cult-sycophants were taken 30 years ago Bad Marketing.....already, they've had to drop one "R" (restoration)....oops Too Old............who wants to follow self-appointed, grey-haired retirees? Too Complicit..........what credibility do they warrant for having stayed in the twit-cult so long? Teaching PFAL clichés...........refried beans and a cookie anyone? Who needs you?.......here splinter, there splinter.....everywhere there's a splinter splinter And.....if no followers........who's up and out the door to go witnessing? You R&R guys are deceiving yourselves...........you are irrelevant. Give it another year or so.......let the fresh air clear your foggy, cult brain cells........and then, see what happens. I suspect that MANY (in your band of merry men) will find new avenues, opportunities and vistas of life. Especially those who feel compelled to sit, listen, obey and give $$ to your refried teachings....... Even the big-name splinters (Geerites, CES/STFI, and CFF) have gone thru major shifts, staff-firings, fraud teachings & prophecies, and people left those groups. Here at GSC, there are sub-forums on these groups.......and hundreds of threads on their corruption and pettiness. And,.......no one even talks about Larry Panarello's splinter group anymore. And now......I heard recently that Larry suffered a stroke. Maybe, you guys should consider a name change? Revival and Survival...... and use the "defeating the adversary" material as a pretext to survive devil onslaughts that come your way.

No apology needed, T-Bone...... I had this misplaced loyalty to "biblical research" and believed that twi would break thru the barriers of wierwille's arrogance/manipulation..... Having "fought" thru deprogramming to marry my fiancé (5th corps)........two years later, I found solace to be on the field and away from headquarters. Especially, our three years in Canada......1984-1987. Yeah, I could have voiced my dissent much earlier.....and probably tanked my marriage. Not sure how all that would have played out. Anyhoo........we hung in there far too long, but exited together nearly 20 years ago. What a difference these past two decades have been.

I believe that many, if not most, in-residence corps stayed and gutted-it-thru the program, because they were endeavoring to fulfill "their vow" (to God). Perhaps, it seems rather irrelevant in the scheme of things.......but highly motivated people are not quitters. Then.......there's the relationships/social element. Once graduated, a corps grad is known for this "elevated status of respect" and is constantly going to meetings, corps week and roa that strengthen this bond. And, then there is the marriage commitment.......if said corps grad is married (two corps grads, a couple.......going to corps meetings). Emotional bonds, marriage bonds.......there is a very strong reason why the cult insisted that corps only marry corps. A culture of salt........and who has the balls to pepper it with questions/dissent.

Yes, I agree......."the orange book" referred to the PFAL BOOK. But you know, waysider.........that is so '70-ish thinking. As we moved into the '80s, the collateral books were given and/or sold to the students and grads........BUT "the orange book" was shelved. At least, from what I remember......volumes 1-5 were there to supplement the pfal class, but "the orange book" was not sold/distributed to the masses. Vaguely, I seem to recall that this decision was made to keep grads from lending this book to friends, family and co-workers.......and THEN, they felt like they didn't need to take the pfal class, because they'd read the book. ..............and, yes........"The Word's Way" book was burnt-orange with a vertical brown ban near the binder. This brown ban was on all volumes 1-5. And.......If I'm wrong about this.......then shoot me. It's been like forever since I thought about this........

Well, of course.........no more mention of restoration. These guys were kicked out of twi. You can't "restore" when you're not allowed in the door.

Taxidev.......I hate to break it to you, but I've heard this SAME SENTIMENT since 1976. People came/come to fellowship, because of the social element as well........love, compassion, concern, kindness, etc. from caring leaders. Personally, I believe THIS is what made twi grow exponentially.......genuine, good-hearted people helping, serving and teaching others. All of legalistic mandates and pontificating at the bureaucratic-glut of "headquarters" was to feed wierwille's narcissism

Welcome Taxidev.........coffee will be served to you promptly. GreaseSpot Café is a unique place........its doors opened shortly after the Waydale site closed [in agreement with court settlement regarding LCM/TWI]. For nearly 19 years, many have been giving free advice/counsel to anyone trying to extricate themselves from twi and/or waybrain. Even though many left twi decades ago, the "waybrain effect" lingers on......until eradicated by strengthening one's critical thinking skills and exposing twi's dark underbelly. There is a doctrinal forum if you want to dive deep into some of those discussions. Stick around.........the coffee is hot.

No, Mike.......I wasn't making fun of your spelling, just your logic. Wierwille gives one little snippet to "claim that he did NOT originate anything"......but put it together. YET, he boasted how Father talks to him, how he could just reach up into "Daddy's cookie jar," walk with "all nine all the time" and dozens of other snappy lines. All those corps nights I sat thru, all those hours of corps teachings, University of Life tapes, and Sunday Night Teachings.......where wierwille was "The Teacher." The guy's narcissism was so embellished that he wore a bracelet with the inscription "Man of God." And, now.......you come here to GSC and proclaim that God gave revelation to wierwille to be "A Student?" That's rich. Well then, with that "divine analysis"........I could simply refute your claim and say, "God wanted ME to take pfal to find the 3% of good in it and toss the 97% of garbage regarding wierwille's seductive doctrine and private interpretation." Everyone of us would have been better off with that "revelation." The Scripture in the Book of Timothy instruct the faithful to seek ministers/overseers whose MANNER OF LIFE is in accordance with godliness and uprightness. Wierwille was a striker, deceiver, drunkard, bully, etc.......unfit to lead others, when he couldn't properly lead himself out of his own demise. He failed on all accounts according to I Timothy 3. ............Although I saw lots of red flags, in my youth.......I didn't realize that wierwille's driving agenda was to build a cult.

YIKES.......... look out !! Mike...........you just passed delusional boulevard and speeding toward insane highway. .

If God gives a revelation VPW to study BGL........

Totally agree........corps "training" was regurgitated drivel and straight-up indoctrination, no thinking minds need apply. And.......that's why I never visited that corps site. Why would I want to hang with indoctrinated sycophants in this exclusive club? Yeah, it was an exclusive club alright........exclusively brain dead of any critical thinking skills and acting accordingly.

Forget the polls and surverys..........we've got a first-hand, documented account published by the cult itself detailing that victor paul wierwille was so adrift at age 36 that a student from one of Leonard's classes was needed to teach them. Shattering the myth........that God came down from heaven to speak to veepee. Shattering the mog-doctrine.........that wierwille was some hand-picked "great one" Shattering the cult-history........that wierwille "pieced it all together to perfection" Having been thru seminary and then pastoring at a second church, wierwille still had no faith or touchstone to God's infinite grace and mercy. Mrs. Wierwille's book gives us insight as to how vpw moved from the denominational church structure to its class-based organization. I am still gleefully amused that the cult published this book.

Mike........I find your credibility sorely lacking when you "have a Xerox copy of Mrs. Wierwille's book from 1996 and haven't looked at it yet." Sounds like you are selectively cherry-picking only material that agrees with your preconceived adulation of wierwille. You, Mike, are trapped in an echo chamber of your own making. Here at GSC alone, you've posted 3711 times........and yet, you haven't even read this book, a biography, from the wife of this man that you so dearly revere. What does that say about you, Mike? If you care to have an honest, substantive discussion here at GSC about victor wierwille ......then, at least, read her book. You've had 20 years to do your "research" and yet, you give it that lame "time permitting" excuse. Really? Just face it Mike.......you only want material that strengthens your idol-worship of wierwille. I've put in enough time to really understand who wierwille was.......and he was a fraud.