oenophile

Watersedge, Were you ever a hippie or did you know anyone who was? How did your/their parents react at the time? Are you or they still living la vida de freak? The answer to your question my friend, may be blowin' in the wind because the times, they are a changin'.

Happy Birthday...Eat some Wilburs and celebrate!

Belle, I am sorry that you read into my questions some disagreeable tone. Let me be open and clear that I like you even though we have never met and I enjoy your posts because your smarts and heart almost always shine through. It would be a significant personal loss if you chose to exit my shrinking circle of GSC friends. My intent in asking the questions is given the fact that we demand freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof for ourselves, why do we blink an eye in 2007 about extending that freedom to people of other faiths? Unfortunately, your observation later in the thread (which I did read before posting) about how most people who take oath on the Bible are not really Christians doesn't address that fundamental issue. The purpose of taking a oath is to be bound to perform the oath. In our western culture oaths have traditionally been taken upon the Bible because it is presumed that the oathtaker will bound by his faith in the Bible as his/her ultimate truth. I do believe that you are probably correct that there are those who swear upon the Bible who do not believe it to be true but for purposes of political expediency do so anyway. It is for that reason that we should celebrate this Congressman's taking an oath on a text that he felt morally bound. Regarding Mark's other posts, I think that I made it clear that Mark does take pains to carefully document his points.

Happy Birthday to one heckuva guy. RJ

It really highlights the lack of 'separation of church and state', doesn't it? And, what about Muslims being elected to office? Especially after the stuff I found earlier this year on their beliefs regarding 'white man', it's rather unsettling. Belle, Would you prefer to have it mandated by law that all public officials must swear upon the Bible when taking an oath of office? Do you think that Muslims should be barred from serving in public office? Second, I think that, rather than being a statement of his faith, it is him trying to "make a statement." Best cure for him "making a statement" is to ignore it. Mark, Do you have any evidence that the Congressman uses his minority status whether racial or religious to be flashy or controversial? Even though we often find ourselves taking opposite positions on many issues, I have admired your dedication to documentation as well as your presentation. This statement, however, has the ring of presumption.

My brother lives in Lizard Lick, NC.

Roy, I honor your heart of love and caring for people that have been impacted by TWI. I do not think it helps us to see ourselves at war with TWI or any other offshoot thereof. The reason Greasespot has been effective is that it offers a forum where people can talk about their experiences as well as listen to what others have experienced in TWI - whether it was good or bad. As long as it continues to be a forum for open-ness and truth, it will continue to succeed in helping people recover from what they may have suffered as a result of being involved with such high demand and high pressure groups. When we were in TWI, we were pretty much spoon fed the information that the people running the show wanted us to know. We also became socialized about what was acceptable and unacceptable to speak about. Peer pressure was skillfully used to either keep the "deviants" in line or else push them out. It may help us all to remember that we all took those first few unsure and unsteady steps when we left TWI or when it left us. We, (especially me because I have love to go toe to toe with "waybrain" or any other form of groupthink) need to remember that there are those who post and visit here that are still struggling to regain their balance while others of us celebrate our freedom to think and speak for ourselves. Peace, Robin

Happy New Year Sudo, I heard about this old geezer who went to a New Years Eve party. He was approached by a beautiful redhead who asked, "Hey big guy. How about coming back with me to my place for some super sex?" "Hmm, is it good soup?", the old guy asks. I am taking your advice and staying in. Robin

First, when one advances an opinion in a public forum like this and another disagrees or offers a different perspective, such criticism does not constitute "mudslinging." Regarding the Bible and those who still have one and read it, the scribes, Pharisees and doctors of the law in Jesus had Bibles too. They were the Bible experts of their day. Scripture and religious discipline was their lives. They were looked upon as the very paragons truth and virtue. Yet, Jesus confronted them as blind leaders of the blind, whited seplechres and chided them for straining at the gnat while swallowing a camel, bending the peoples backs under the heavy load of their doctrine while omitting the more weightier things of mercy, judgment and truth. One does not find Jesus dealing harshly with the drunkards, demoniacs, prostitutes even corrupt officials of his day as he deals with those who expound the Bible while casting a condescending eye toward the former. Judge not lest ye be judged.

"The Word of God works with a mathematical exactness...?" Why did it never occur to us that language is not exact? It is rich with nuances of meanings that are not always easily quantifiable. Perhaps it is when we think we have weighed and measured it, Truth passes thru our fingers as the waves of the sea. Paul said the letter killeth but the Spirit gives life. Buddha said when I point to the moon, don't mistake my finger for the moon.

The panel assembled to investigate the assassination of JFK was the Warren Commission, chaired by then Chief Justice Earl Warren. The fact the Gerald Ford served on the Warren Commission is it's best recommendation, imho. Oliver Stone and TWI pronouncements are probably the best reasons not to listen to it's detractors and other conspiracy theorists.

I didn't listen to TWI and voted for Carter. I make no apologies because Carter accomplished more for the cause of peace in the Middle East than any other President before or since. With that said, I liked Jerry Ford. I think he was right to pardon Nixon even though at time I thought it made mockery of American justice. It was an act of courage that cost him the Presidency. If JFK had lived, perhaps a chapter dedicated to Ford should have been included in a later edition of Profiles in Courage . (Incidentally, both Ford and Carter were both given Profiles in Courage awards at the Kennedy Center. ) He also demonstrated courage and resolve when ordered the liberation of the U.S.S. Mayaguez that had been seized by the Cambodians in international waters. Besides all that, Gerald Ford was a decent human being.

Is destroying people's lives part of the "package."

If CES isn't fruit from the poisoned tree, it is enough of a reasonable facsimile to give one great pause before taking a bite. Robin M. Jackson rjackson1031@gmail.com One cult is one too many.

LMMAAO Sushi!!!

I laughed my A$$ off!!!

1972-1994

I'll take you up on everything except the karioke. I don't feel the need to get stressed out over CES. I figure if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...it must be a f..k..g duck.

Back in the 80's a neighbor of mine, (tight end with Miami Dolphins) used to do same thing with cute little pug.

Excerpt from John Schoenheit letter: Trying to follow the logic here. 1. You cannot believe the document in question as reflecting the leadership practices of CES. (Trust me on this one.) 2. But just in case you still have concerns, the PAC has been disbanded. Don't worry about the possibility of the same people may be functioning in some other leadership capacity. 3. We are studying personal prophecy more closely. Read my book. I am the authority on personal prophecy.

LG, After the shock subsided in my mind after reading the first few lines of your post, I read that your thoughts were not for yourself but your gratitude for Lisa, Dee and healing what emotional barriers that may have existed before. Your calm acceptance of what life has dealt you without to cursing God, the Universe or fate is a lesson that I will try to remember when facing my petty challenges in comparison and when I face the reality of my own mortality. Please be assured that your GSC family is here for you and your family. Robin

Congrats to Mr. H. and Free at Last. My hat is off to both of you. You guys are left side brainiacs given your penchant for numbers, spatial and quantitative reasoning. My kid's first semester at Cornell grades: Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Philosophy A Spanish Literature (in original Spanish) A Introduction to literary criticism A Phys Ed. w/ fishing activity A

Radar, Methinks you protest so much. Up until the CC's posting of the documents, I was under the impression that CES was a warm, fuzzy, kumbiya singing TWI redux. It clearly is not. It is a vicious, venom spewing, hierarchical cult. Instead of calling CC's act of bringing the truth of CES of light for us to view in the clear light of day devilish, perhaps it would better to remember that it wasn't until Waydale, GSC (and you in my case) pulled back the curtain on TWI that we were able to process and move on with our lives. The truth does set us free indeed.

Rhino, What are the All American Apple Pie core beliefs about which you have doubts that Mexicans and others share with you?

I nominate CK as Most Venerable Sage of the Dungheap.