waysider

I used to think there was comfort in "knowing that I know that I know, ad infinitum". I now realize there is a sense of relief in accepting I'm not as smart as I once thought. It gives me the freedom to explore, to change, to learn in ways that I may have avoided in the past. It was a bit scary, at first, learning my foundation was built on something defective. Wierwille used to say "You can't go beyond what you're taught." My wish for you is that you discover how very wrong he was about that.

Or moving from one "house" to another on a moment's notice with no advance warning. Because, ya know, who knows when the Illuminati might sweep in and try to grab us all. We have to maintain a state of preparedness.

Yeah, I remember that crazy stuff. People thrown out in the middle of the night, being told they had to clear the state lines before the sun came up. What a joke. Too bad there's no funny punchline.

Maybe he should have phrased it, "Why are we still here?".

ABS=All B.S.

He won't get that much from social security. That's close to the maximum amount anyone can possibly receive. (Currently, the max is about $2600/month) In order to do that, he would have needed to earn the maximum amount for at least 35 years. (The current 35 year max is somewhere around $127,000 per year.) Most average recipients get somewhere around $1200-$1500 per month. In addition, he will have a tax liability if his individual annual income exceeds about $25,000 ($32,000 for joint filing). Aside from that, I totally get the point you are making. Source: Those numbers are approximations of the amounts found on the official GVT. site.

Bit of a side note here. I used to recommend his books and frequently lent out PFAL, though I had my doubts about the organization in general and didn't promote any activities, such as twigs and classes. The book was rarely ever returned to me and I would replace it from time to time. Finally, about 10 years ago, while still quite the novice in how the internet worked, I accidentally stumbled into GSC in my search for a replacement copy. Wow! were my eyes ever opened. I discovered I really didn't know anything about the workings of the organization I had inadvertently promoted. One thing that had plagued me after I left was a sense of guilt for deserting my commitment, including the salt covenant. I was also concerned about crazy stuff, like "how safe would my family be now that I have walked away from the so-called hedge of protection?". I was concerned that I would see consequences in my health and safety because I longer abundantly shared (tithed). Lots of things ran through my mind. It's not a good place to be, mentally. This place has helped me tremendously in understanding that my concerns were misplaced. I'm not exactly sure if that addresses the concerns expressed here but those are my immediate thoughts.

Like Sonny Boy Williamson said: Don't Start Me Talkin', I'll Tell Everything I Know. Warning! Link contains "The Devil's Music".

I wouldn't rush into anything too quickly. Pick something specific that interests you and explore that before expanding out on a bunch of tangents. Almost any subject you can think of has been discussed here over the years. We can help you find those discussions or help you initiate a new discussion.

Almost everything he wrote was lifted from uncredited sources. I can't tell you what to read and what not to read. If you like some aspects of what you read, we can certainly help you find the original sources. Personally, I'm not inclined to believe the original sources had it right either but that's just my opinion.

Welcome to GSC. I hope we'll be able to help you resolve some of the confusion you may have. See, here's the thing about his death. He taught, in the Advanced Class, that cancer is caused by devil spirits. In not so many words, what he implied was that people with cancer are "possessed". He died of cancer. His brother, "Uncle Harry, died of cancer. His son, Don, died of cancer. Do you see a pattern? Now, what we have here is a dilemma. If he was right in what he taught about cancer, we were following the teachings of a man who was possessed. If he was wrong in what he taught about cancer, he could have been wrong about anything and everything. It all comes down to credibility. As to what he taught, via his classes and books and so on, the vast majority of it was plagiarized material, sometimes whole paragraphs, even whole chapters and. yes, even entire books. This, despite the wild claims he made about God talking to him directly and having exclusive knowledge that hadn't been known for 2,000 years. I've gotten off-topic. This thread is simply to let people know the truth about the cause of his demise. There are probably many who still have no idea.

Is he teaching ballet?

Send him a PM.

Insert: Anyone who was/is on the outskirts of twi.....or simply took a couple of classes......has NO IDEA about this cult. Extrication is so intricately interwoven into every fabric of one's heart, soul, emotions, relationships, memories, fiber of being, approval before God......that to get out is an arduous process. Wierwille AND martindale strictly taught that to leave twi........was to leave God. Sure, it's laughable now......but to those who exit AND those still in.................it is very real. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is why I've so often said that it's not about doctrinal issues, such as 4 crucified or cry of triumph or figures of speech or whatever else we focused on. It was about a crazy lifestyle we lived that sometimes escaped the attention of those fortunate people who only remained involved at a local level.

I think it's a bit unfair to say I'm not willing to look at it from another perspective. I did, after all, suggest you present one.

Quite a few new posters are showing up these days. Just in case they may have missed it, here is the official word on VPW's cause of death: HERE

Remember that class that was supposed to show people how to separate truth from error? Yeah, how's that working out? You rock! Loved your book.

You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

Or, to quote my dad, "It's exactly the same, but completely different."

"I learned some things from that [AC] class" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- O.K. So, there ya go. Take that thought to doctrine and initiate a discussion of what you or other people may have learned from the Advanced Class.

I'm all ears. You are more than welcome to elaborate on the specifics of how you were hurt and the heart and motive behind your post. That's a big part of why GSC exists. There are ways to be specific and, at the same time, redact identifying information if that's a matter that concerns you.

That's a mighty fancy way of saying "Just get over it." (Not a popular view point of people who were genuinely hurt by the organization. Philosophy may augment but does not replace reality.)

GSC is a very diverse place with many beliefs and attitudes being represented, all the way from Christian to Wicca to Taoism and so on. The most appropriate place to discuss those beliefs is in the doctrinal forum. However, the main purpose of GSC is to expose the reality of what was taking place and continues to take place within The Way. Before the site was reformatted, that was stated clearly on the front page. Perhaps you haven't been here long enough to remember that. It does appear to me, as indicated by some of your responses, JJ, that you haven't had the opportunity to explore some of the areas of discussion that have appeared here over the years, such as speaking in tongues, the Advanced Class, the law of believing and many more topics. If there is a specific area of concern in the videos you've posted, perhaps you could start a thread in the doctrinal forum to narrow the discussion a bit.

Click HERE Cadence and Cascade Kept a man named Jade; Cool in the shade While his audience played. Purred, whispered, "Spend us too: We only serve for you". Sliding mystified On the wine of the tide Stared pale-eyed As his veil fell aside. Sad paper courtesan They found him just a man. Caravan hotel Where the sequin spell fell Custom of the game. Cadence oiled in love Licked his velvet gloved hand Cascade kissed his name. Sad paper courtesan They knew him just a man. Songwriters: SINFIELD, PETER JOHN / FRIPP, ROBERT Cadence And Cascade lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group