waysider

I'll drink ta dat! <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcMtt2UyvRM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcMtt2UyvRM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcMtt2UyvRM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

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Yeah, been there, too. What I'm referring to here, though, is when NO ONE, as in zip, zilch, nada, shows up and you find yourself in the room by yourself.

Sometimes life offers us "either/or" options and choices. Most often, though, it doesn't. Maybe that's a part of what some of us found appealing about The Way. The World was in a state of turmoil. We were young and seeking answers. The Way seemed to offer a a method of simplifying the complex. Maybe it's just human nature to look for a way to make sense out of matters that are otherwise senseless.

It's like a guy told me once, after I related to him a bit of personal misfortune. He said, "It could have been worse." I asked him,"How?" He said, "Well, it could have happened to ME!" :P

You belong here more than you may realize. The Way, or someone who was a member of The Way, had a long term impact on your life. The severity, or lack thereof, is irrelevant. I don't want to bore anyone with a "there I was" scenario so I'll do my best to compress it. When I was 21, I got witnessed to by a group of high school kids who feigned interest in what I was doing as an aspiring (but unsuccessful) actor/singer/songwriter. One of the young ladies involved me in a "date and switch" scenario (It was strictly Platonic.) long enough to get me to sign "the green card" and get to session #5 before the ruse was uncovered. After that plan of action started to unravel, they fed me false encouragement that I would find a place in the ministry to actively pursue my true interests, which at that time were, as I stated, music and acting. Next thing I know, I'm leading songs at branch meetings, setting up classes, running a twig and on the list goes. It just sort of snowballed in not-so-tiny increments. It didn't take long, though, before they told me I had to choose between the ministry workings and pursuing my show biz dreams. Regardless of what the future may or may not have held for me in entertainment, I made the wrong choice.

But if you don't believe in the "storybook, why should you care what Paul said?

Be sure to look for the seal of approval.

"For yea, verily, thou shalt know them by their ball caps"-----Facetious 4:1

Sure thing, dude. Do you walk to school or carry your lunch?

That's the best response you could come up with??? Better luck next time, dreary!

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I wonder what sort of conclusions will be drawn, two millennium from now, when several crates of Spanish translated PFAL collaterals are unearthed.

Yeah, the Ol' Adversary is really hittin' ya hard for takin' a stand.

I remember when The Way started to ordain people on a large scale. Someone asked about whether "The World" would recognize the ordinations. The answer that came back was, "Oh, we don't do the ordaining, Gawd does. We just celebrate it with a ritual ceremony."

No offense intended but I don't really need to read an entire book to recognize circular logic. I got plenty of experience, staring at it face-to-face, in The Way. edit: I hereby confer upon myself the honorary degree of Doctor of Circular Logic Recognition by the powers vested in me by myself.

It's the same reason that the degrees conferred upon Way Corps grads are virtually worthless outside the gates of TWI Zion. Likewise with the "Doctorate" Wierwille made boast of. I'm tempted to tie it back into the "Thus Saith Paul" thread but I probably shouldn't. edit: The quotes in my previous post were not authored by me. They are from the the link I provided.

James Trimm's doctorate has been used to promote his website "Yeshiva" or simply put, a Jewish Rabbinical School. He stated in an internet email, and on his website that, "Beit Netzarim Nazarene Yeshiva functions under the approbation of the International Nazarene Beit Din." James Trimm set up the International Nazarene Beit Din, with himself and a few others on the board, and then authorized himself to form the school called, Beit Netzarim Yeshiva, although he isn't Jewish. The "International Beit Din," then, is the so-called "Jewish authority" formed and headed by James. That means he gets his authority from, makes decisions for and is basically answerable to, himself. SOURCE ........................................................ Sounds a bit like a certain "Doctor" some of us remember----Dat's Riiiiigggghhhhttt!

What are the qualifications one must meet in order to represent their self as a Rabbi?

I think the kind of lifestyle we lived had a far greater impact on us than such things as the "4 crucified with Christ" type teachings we heard. All the talk about consequences from non-compliance. That's where the splinter label comes into play. They still teach "follow the leader" and promote an organizational form that is hierarchial by nature. Oh, and don't forget to send money.

If we're going to discuss the tithe on a thread whose focal point is V.P. Wierwille, it only makes sense to limit said discussion to the tithe "as defined by the parameter's of V.P. Wierwille's belief system". Wierwille's belief system was built on a framework of The Bible, not Torah. Wierwille taught that the tithe is a requirement for today's Christians. The Bible, Wierwille's reference point, clearly states otherwise. Wierwille went on to say that today's Christians should feel compelled to go beyond the standard 10%. Thus, the phrase "Abundant "Sharing" (or ABS) came to be. Wierwille's plan, from very early on, was to use The Bible to create a vast base of people who would not only tithe, but ABS exclusively to the multi-level marketing scheme he developed, thus ensuring him a steady flow of financial gain. He stressed the (fabricated) spiritual importance of following this doctrine in PFAL when he used the illustration of Ananias and Saphira's fate because of their disobedience. It was the groundwork for what has proven to be a pattern of subtle manipulation and abuse of power.

A "splinter" is one that retains some of the qualities/doctrines of the original. If they hold fast to the old Way theology or promote a lifestyle that mimics The Way, to my thinking, that would qualify them as a splinter.

and your proof of this?

You might consider not abbreviating it. I'm just sayin'