skyrider

Yeah.... so even by 1976, if the prices were doubled it wasn't that bad. Then, when twi-followers went WOW or lived in Way Homes.... the rent was split 4 ways (as an example). So, even if monthly rent doubled to $260, split 4 ways = $65 a piece. A guy could spend a lot more time witnessing when a group of youngsters ponied up their share of expenses. We could easily take those hourly-wage jobs at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, retail stores, etc. because we were sharing the cost of expenses. By golly, you could easily work a 4-6 hour day since you came home to an apartment with no television, no cable fees, no internet services, no cell phone bill, no car payment (most WOWs didn't own a car). Walking was cheap transportation. And, witnessing was cheap "entertainment." Those were the days, my friend.... we thought they'd never end.....

Agreed.

My point is.... that there might NOT be "multiple sources/links" because it's too hard to formulate any conclusive statement on the matter.

Maybe that should also apply to all "non-profit" foundations that are set up by celebrities, retired sports figures and the like where the administrative costs and payroll fees to family members are nearly 85-90% of the foundation.

And, this article might be "readily accessible" because it's pushing forward a narrative. The other side might be as equally true (lazy, addicted parents who homeschool)..... but that it's harder to detect, enforce and create a narrative around it. With the wide-range parameters of no-oversight parenthood, I highly suspect that it is just as susceptible to neglect. A journalist would have to really dig deep to go to such lengths of finding these lazy, addicted parents who could care less about their child's education or life. .

But as you pointed out... some type of system of "controls" should be warranted. It's hard to think that government regulations will do much good. So many things fall thru the cracks as it is.

Or, the opposite could be true as well. Lazy, addicted parents could be so undisciplined that when THEY do homeschooling.... there is little oversight and no curriculum to speak of.

Sadly, you are so right, OldSkool. Our educational system is broken. It would probably be more fitting for a private school or chartered school to get their students to higher educational standards. But then, homeschooling might do just fine as well to teach your own kids these critical thinking skills. In fact, for that matter..... teaching your own kids these truths would tend to be the BEST WAY FORWARD.

I agree with much of what you've posted, Rocky. To me, it seems clear that these critical thinking skills need to be taught in a Humanities or Sociology Class as a Junior Level (age 17) in high school. Yes, in college courses, educators could devise a class that incorporates these principles into a larger package.... but then, not every student goes on to college. I could see several possibilities on a class format.... but subtitles would be useful. Having a Part 1 and Part 2 series of classes would generate thought and class involvement. For example: Give a one-hour view of how society reeks of con artists, scams and fraudsters. Then devise a two-hour teaching series (Part 1 and Part 2) on subtitles....1) Deception, 2) Manipulation and 3) Exploitation. Part 1 would give examples and short-clips of deceptive practices and how they are orchestrated. Part 2 would require class involvement on how to spot and dismantle the deception in one's own life. In this manner, the 17-year old is, at least, initially aware that Deception is a common practice in the real world by companies and shady organizations. Manipulation and Exploitation would add two more power punches to this teaching series.... and then, a one-hour closing session. So, around 8-10 hours of teaching would equip our youth with the underbelly tactics of greed in the world at large. Of course, at the college level... a semester class could delve into more granular tactics to overcome one's gullibility. Even in my college Marketing Class we went thru some examples of how marketing often involves deception. One such example was the Salem cigarette commercial... where a healthy couple is pictured walking on city streets, but then lighting up Salem cigarettes in the countryside. With a diddily cute tune, the song goes...."You can take Salem out of the country, but... you can't take the country out of Salem." This song plays a couple of times thru the commercial and when the commercial comes to an end.... you hear, "You can take Salem out of the country, but..... [ding]" The song stops with the 'ding.' From a marketing strategy viewpoint, it gets the customer or potential customer to finish singing the song (in his head). Salem Cigarette Commercial in early 70's .

I've been thinking about this and the question becomes... HOW do you teach, persuade or school people to NOT BE SO D@MN GULLIBLE? If you were to formulate a teaching series on helping people to overcome this... what would be your targeted objectives? Similar to teaching someone in high school how to debate effectively, how would you teach others to overcome this "gullible factor?" I have several thoughts on this, but will hold them in reserve to see what you deem necessary. Thanks in advance.

This post was directed at OldSkool, not me. Other than that.....yes, kudos to OldSkool to come thru this experience with success.

I think that it's safe to say that Lonnell Johnson was not going to allow himself to be caught in twi's trap. Even though he graduated in the 2nd way corps, he did not allow that to define him. Therefore, by 1977 or so he started vigorously pursuing academic achievement to strengthen his ability to break free.

Yes, I noticed that as well.....NO MENTION of twi experience or exposure . Kicking off the dust of his feet and moving on.

Lessons from Johnny Cash:

Yes, bigger churches should be playing a bigger role.... which leads us back full circle. The greed and corruption within these mega-churches has perverted the very essence of the church structure in society. Rather than a source of spiritual strength to the family unit, many of these mega-churches have become a conduit of slavish adulation and idolatry to "church leaders." It falls in the description of man-worship.... and that's not an exaggeration. These men are treated like gods.... just like the scriptures tell us. Woe to these men who flaunt God's churches to such corruption. The foundational principles to "the office of a bishop, church elder" are found in I Timothy chapter 3.... and these men have far surpassed the thresholds of God's structure. Just to name a few..... must be blameless, vigilant, sober, of good and sound behavior, not lifted up with pride, not greedy of filthy lucre, etc. Far surpassing these qualifications, the corruption is permeating society and people. God help us to help others.

Yes, exactly right. Lonnell Johnson is an accomplished and competent professional. Another link.... Dr. Lonnell Johnson

There seem to be multiple root causes (plural) when it comes to this area: poverty, no father-figure at home, abusive parents, extreme lack of direction, poor schooling, very little discipline, pre-teen and teen gang affiliation, petty misdemeanors, crime, etc. Since there is no home life structure, the pre-teen goes searching for "support" on the streets and elsewhere. If these support systems are not in place throughout childhood years, the problem gets exacerbated in their teen years and beyond. Seems to me, parents and society norms are failing our children. They grow up fast and they grow up mean (sounds like a Johnny Cash song...lol) and there just aren't enough support structures out there when parents fail at their most fundamental duties.... raising strong and independent children to where they can stand on their own two feet. Laws and government regulations need to clamp down on pedophilia, child trafficking, perversions, drag queen shows for kids, hard drugs in the inner cities, etc. Look to many examples in the animal kingdom and you'll find that most animals teach and support their offspring to the point of generational longevity. Whereas, many parents are too selfish, too addicted, and scrambling to stay ahead of the bills. Lots of things needed to reel in these societal problems.

Yes, I believe there were concessions made at times. I remember when one military guy received orders II go to the Middle East theatre. He was supposed to teach a Sunday night service, but orders are orders. Twi missed out on flaunting him on their Sunday night service. He quickly was driven to Dayton, grabbed a plane and was gone.

Sounds like a twig coordinator..... preparing people to be spoon fed the pfal class. Or, sounds like wierwille trying to teach dispensation administrations to keep us from receiving the FULLNESS of the gospels that Jesus Christ brought to light.

Yes, twi tried to put higher ranked military men in the spotlight. The exception with military personnel was.... when they were called to duty, their commitment to military service was #1 priority. No messing around. No bowing to twi-leadership. No taking orders from wierwille or martindale. Nope, none of that. These men never needed to kowtow to region/limb guys. If they were on base and unavailable for a pfal class schedule.... nothing further needed to be said. Twi could not employ their fear or guilt weaponry on them. It did NOT work. The boundary lines were set and no amount of twi-wrangling could change it. These military men took their orders from someone "higher" than wierwille. I loved it. .

Twinky.... I know that you and your faithful group of "street ministers" help the homeless, the addicts and the abused on the streets. What you are doing is highly commendable. God needs faithful disciples like you. This whole area of the homeless, the addicts, the abused and the poverty-stricken is a growing problem. Here in the U.S., drugs are pouring across the border by the drug cartels and human-traffickers who load up these "mules" to carry marijuana, fentanyl, etc. into this country. It seems that with current laws, we are in a losing battle. What I'm getting at.... the problem is worsening. If your country is anything like what's happening here, then you and your group are going to be overwhelmed by a problem that keeps growing in leaps and bounds. Having 5-10 mansions to "house" this wave of addicted, abused and homeless will not begin to put a dent in the growing problem. This needs to be tackled at its source with laws and regulations that stem the tide.

Sure... all of these components come together into a pot of evil brew. Mega-church preachers steeped in greed Gullible people who are seeking signs, prosperity Tax laws and loopholes Destitute followers addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling The fallen state of man devoid of sound minds Etc. etc. From any number of tangents, this problem has exacerbated into other sets of problems in society. You're right.... it stands out as a US problem, but mainly because of the wealth in the US system. Preachers, like all con men, seek an environment where they know it's easy pickens. Far too many people are so gullible. It seemed to be a similar scenario during the PT Barnum carnival days when the circus came to town with side-shows of bearded ladies, dwarfs and two-headed goats. What did PT supposedly say? "There's a sucker born every minute." Why do these mega-church preachers target US society? It's again, similar to what the bank robber Willie Sutton said back in 1933 when asked, Why do you rob banks? "I rob banks because that's where the money is." .

Well, I wouldn't just point to the "US society"..... the scriptures warn against the love of money being the root of all evil. Whether it's Saudi Arabia or the elite culture in Davos, Switzerland.... the evil nature of greed has permeated. It's bigger than bashing the USA.... it's devilish evil that has twisted and contorted the mind of man to lust after covetousness. How many times do the scriptures speak on the covetous man?

Today is March 4th. To me, it is a significant day. It's the only day on the calendar with a command.... March Forth. The precious moments of our lives are ticking away. Whatever it is that fuels your gas tank, get busy doing it. Take nothing for granted. Time wasted is time lost. Do not allow a hurtful past steal from a promising present. And, do not allow a promising present overshadow the hope and glory of an eternal future. I treasure this day, March 4th.... because of what it represents to me. In 1984, I left twi's headquarters with my wife and Vince Finnegan to fly to London, Ontario Canada. Preparations and procedures had already been in play for my wife and I to become the next country coordinators of Canada. Suffice it to say that the last man fell on his face and time was of the essence to replace him immediately. So, on that day a whole new world opened up to me. Different country. Translation of another language was needed for me (in French Quebec). Metric system. Multi-cultured ethnic groups in every major city.... far more diversified than the U.S. (which seemed new to me in 1984). Language barriers. I was no longer in Kansas.... er, rural Ohio anymore. LOL Living there for three years was a thrill of a lifetime. The people and culture were fascinating. My travels led me from the west coast to the east coast, from Vancouver, British Columbia to Moncton, New Brunswick. Spending time with Canadian believers was a treasure that I will cherish a lifetime. Lots of events, fun, laughter, weddings and some funerals. Besides the ministry work, I got to alpine snow ski at Whistler, B.C., tour Banff National Park and resort areas several times and ice skate on the canals in Ottawa, Ontario. Three years of power-packed activity. So, on this March 4th... I raise my glass to salute my Canadian brethren for welcoming me to their country and their homes. Those moments of treasured time spent will be cherished for the rest of my life. .

Yes, with the social network of the internet in play... it is "so much easier" to exit twi today than in the 70's, 80's or 90's. Instantly, you can find support and friends scattered across the country through a number of networks (ie. Facebook or Friend Finder here on GSC). Somebody generally knows someone who can lead you to that long lost friend or acquaintance. Exit trauma is real, but it can be minimized as long as you keep stretching forward. Do not get caught in a trap of despair or depression. The best days could be right before your eyes. But if you exit twi and STILL hold to waybrain nostalgia and doctrine....then the trap of guilt closes in around you. Reading is good. Humor is good. Walking in the sunshine is good. Getting a dog as a companion is very healthy. LOL Test the waters of new hobbies. Make the precious moments of the present your friend. .