waysider

To a large degree, this electronic revolution (on a large scale) has all happened in the short time since most of us graduated from high school.

I think the average person would be flabbergasted to discover how inextricably their life is linked to the internet. My mother-in-law, for example, has never used a computer...ever. But, she doesn't fully realize the role that cyber activity plays in her health care and finances. We're at a point of no return....Well, at least without catastrophic repercussions.

There were people at the local levels and in the close knit groups that cared about you, without a doubt. But, for the most part, the organization, itself, didn't give a rat's azz about anything outside of its own interests. Some people, after all these years, still can't seem to wrap their heads around that reality. These forums help bring that reality out of the shadows and into the stark nakedness of the light of day.

Even back in the early 1970's, when The Way was experiencing a growth peak, I was instructed, as a twig leader, to doctor my membership roster. We were given lists of people who had taken the class but had drifted away. We were to contact them and try to recruit them back. Even a phone conversation constituted a renewal of "active" status. Oh, wait, I forgot, The Way doesn't keep membership rosters. Riiight!

I need some clarification. I'm assuming we're not talking about the type that is blatantly obvious. Is that correct?

"With twi.....it was more like "What would the Apostle Paul do? Or Timothy?" ........................................................................... I think the same could be said for a large part of modern, mainstream "Christianity", especially those factions leaning in the fundamentalist direction.

Telling abuse victims they need to get over it is like telling poor people they need to get money.

So many times when I hear this subject come up, it seems like the person insisting on forgiveness is also asking for the questionable action to be forgotten. I think there needs to be some sort of mental demarcation that separates the act from the perpetrator. Are we supposed to forgive/forget the wrongful acts that are committed against us or the people who commit them? I, personally, think it's foolish to forget the wrongful acts. That would be like forgetting it was the fire that burned your hand. We remember so we don't make the same painful mistake again.

That's the part that seems to get lost in the conversation.

"All you had you wasted." Yep....That's me. Well, not the girl part, of course. :P

I'm one of the more fortunate ones. Of the several times I've moved, only four were to directly accommodate "the ministry". They were all within my first ten years and all within my home state, where I currently reside.

It's just a guess on my part, really, but I don't think you'll have much luck finding people on this site who are interested in promoting The Way or PFAL. Good luck to you just the same, though. I'll be believing for you.

I thought about responding to this but I'm running late for class set-up and I'm on the refreshment crew.. I need to wash the lipstick stains off those disposable styrofoam cups so we can get another 12 sessions out of them.

Move The Word = Sell PFAL. Word Over The World = Run lots of classes. Even today, when I hear people talk about how they're still moving the word, what they really mean is they are promoting the contents of PFAL.

Well, it was all done by revelation so, I'm thinking the revelation must have changed. :P

I love a parade!!

Wierwille said in CF&S that some sort of spiritual bond takes place between the participants of intercourse. Maybe that's it. We all feel a special bond to each other because we all got screwed by the same sleazy con game. Did that sound bitter? Oh, Lord, I hope that didn't sound bitter. :biglaugh:/>

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times....Hey, buddy, ya got the time? I'm not bitter. I'm not even sure I ever was. Disappointed, disillusioned, angry...maybe. Bitter? I don't think so. It is what it is and it was what it was. We all got sucked into a crazy scam. Oh, yeah. I forgot "embarrassed". Definitely embarrassed.

Blinding light, oh light that blinds.....

Maybe we're all just on the same bus?

I agree.

This thread is about the spread of cult and cult-like groups and organizations in today's society. it's not about anyone's particular, specific beliefs regarding God, the Bible, the devil, VPW, fundamentalism, inerrancy or political tendencies. Cults and cult-like groups come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, colors, flavors....you name it. What we're talking about is how to identify them and safeguard ourselves and others from the traps and pitfalls they so often present. The aforementioned subjects are not off-limits but are misplaced in this thread. The preferred approach in discussing such things is to find another thread that is more focused on them or to simply start a new one so this one can continue in the intended direction.

A big part of professional sports is pushing the legal limit, doing as much as you can get away with. Good sportsmanship, sadly, is no longer relevant.

I just come here for the coffee and donuts.

Well done.