waysider

I don't see it as a question of whether or not the final decision was theirs. The point is, outside forces may have contributed to their decisions. In this case, the outside force was an irresponsibly dangerous program administered by the Way Ministry.

This appears to be an extreme departure from the experience that many others had, including myself.

My first exposure to the L.E.A.D. accident and surrounding events came via GreaseSpot Cafe. My personal feeling is that these events and details were deliberately hidden from the general populace of the ministry. I have never seen a rebuttal from The Way, either, even though we are all quite aware they know the incident has been discussed here.

The reason I asked if anyone recognized her or her name is that there is a scene where she leads the kids into speaking in tongues that shares a lot of similarities with session #12. (She even starts her tongue with "Lashanta---) It made me wonder if she had been exposed to PFAL at some time, either personally or vicariously. According to the information I found on her, she is a fourth generation Pentecostal. Maybe they have always done it this way, I don't know. If they have, it would seem to cast a shadow on the authenticity of session #12.

I noticed that too. Anybody recognize her or her name?

another short clip

The sound effects were added by the person who uploaded it to youtube to make it even creepier. You can go to youtube and watch the actual movie in 10 minute installments. I think TWI is even scarier because they were so clever about camouflaging its true nature, whereas this group is very blatant and obvious.

After The Goldrush---------Neil Young "Teeny Bopper, my teenage lover----"

Hmmmm. I should have quit you A long time ago Sounds like Killin' Floor by Howlin' Wolf The rest of it doesn't fit though so that can't be it.

Stumped :(

They(the cult) may be hiding her somewhere, Pond. There were occasions in Fellow Laborers when we would "host" visitors for a weekend or so before they moved on. We weren't allowed to ask questions or talk about it, even among ourselves. I always got the impression they were trying to avoid de-programmers but that's just a hunch. Who knows? As large as they are, they may well have an "underground" network of sorts.

I was "witnessed to" by a twig of young people out witnessing in a park. They were 4 or 5 years younger than me. One rather attractive young lady took it upon herself to assume the undershepharding responsibilities. Almost immediately, she started to gently move me away from my friends and capitalize my time. (But not in a possessive kind of way that you might see in a made-for-TV movie.) She followed everything in the W&U class to a tee (even though there actually was no W&U class yet at that time.) It was completely platonic. I found that to be quite refreshing. (In contrast to some of the subculture I was hanging out with). We spent lots and lots of time that first week discussing what I thought at that time were philosophical issues. I know I said many things that I later found out were contrary to Way doctrine. She was very cautious, though, not to correct me but rather she presented an alternate perspective for my consideration. We read the Word and the Blue Book quite a bit together. Not long after that, I found myself in PFAL. Of course, now we had even more to discuss and bond over. I felt pretty close to her. Our (platonic) friendship was getting quite strong. (or so I thought) At about the middle of the class, I discovered by accident that she was actually the class instructor's fiance!! Man, I felt like a real sap . But by that time I had become so enthralled with the class I didn't even consider dropping out. Someone else took over the undershepharding duties almost immediately. This time it was a guy. That actually made it even easier for me to believe I was there for the class and not a gender based relationship. I went from being a "free wheelin', guitar totin' hippie" to a bona fide Jesus Freak in what must have been record time. Looking back on it, I still don't understand how I let it happen.

Link to Amazon http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/index.ph...mp;#entry406309

Close enough for me!!

Does anyone remember Wierwille stating that intercourse is always a spiritual event? He also said something about the consummation being a key ingredient in what constitutes a marriage in God's eyes. He said the spiritual marriage in God's eyes is the only one that really counts and that a legal marriage is just something to satisfy the law of the land. I think it might have been in CF&S. Therefore, by his own definition, he himself practiced polygamy and promoted it as a doctrine amongst the upper echelon of TWI. (At least within the "spiritual" sense he used to define it.)

No takers on this one yet? Sheesh!! Where's your spirit of adventure? Oh, well, no skin off my nose.

Where else will they have to go?

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jsKwdW...DnrJrs8_kx5nksA http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles...as_church_raid/ Polygamy is illegal in Texas. The legal age of "consent" is 16.

(I have modified some portions of your post in order to address them.) Do you realize how amazingly restrictive that would have to be? Going back to the "soft answer" example. Suppose a person(we'll call him an Atheist for illustrative purposes.) in a customer service related field stumbles on the "soft answer" technique. He subconsciously keeps it in his cache of techniques because of its effectiveness. He hasn't gotten this from written scripture nor has he received revelation. He simply stumbled on it through trial and error. And yet, the technique produces results. Why? Does it work because he got it from scripture or received revelation or "operated" believing? No. It simply works because it is God's word. Even though said person does not believe it is God's word, it will still work. The only condition that needs to be met is that he must utilize it. He could, in fact, simply view it as a wise way to do business. It will still work.

It's usually far more subtle than that. But if you do get that option, it could well be a turning point. You see, Brushstroke, we didn't just buy this stuff, we sold it, too. We even had a "class" that taught us techniques to use to sell the PFAL class and the ministry in general. It was called "Witnessing and Undershepharding". Here are some brief exerpts: "The basic reason we witness is to help people into the classes on Power For Abundant Living -------" ( W&U class syllabus, page #2) "Witnessing is a way of life as ambassadors to the people of the world". (page #3) "witnessing is like life- you make it work by "believing"--". (page #5) "I suggest you read How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This will help you in this first step." (page#7) FOLLOW THROUGH WITH UNDERSHEPHARDING (page #11) "The best tool in undershepharding is the PFAL class.(more than once)" (page 13) and on and on and on------

For starters they'll saddle you with some small responsibility like helping set up chairs. Before you know it, you'll be the guy who is IN CHARGE of setting up chairs. They will let you think you are making some important contribution to a noble cause. It will make you feel needed and important. It will escalate from there in measured increments until your life revolves around running classes and signing up new students. (Who, of course, will start out helping them set up chairs.) Actually, it's probably already started with "the lending of the Blue Book". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you realize the Blue Book only contains the very basics that are taught in "The Class"? Yeah, you see the other books go into much greater in-depth detail. 'Course you can't really understand those books by themselves, you have to read them in context with "The Class". You do want to take the class so you will understand them, don't you? I mean, once you've heard the "Truth", how could you possibly go back to your "old man" ways? It would be like a dog that returns to its own vomit. Besides, once you know what "the adversary" has up his sleeve, it would be foolish to go back to the "world" where he can do as he pleases with you. That would be downright dangerous. You'll be much safer if you stay within "the hedge of protection" that the "one true household" provides. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starting to get the gist of it?

To All The Girls I've Loved Before Julio Iglesias and Willie"The Red Headed Stranger" Nelson. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I raise my head in a touchy situation. (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) Yes, I make my bed in the heart of the nation." ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ I can bring you pain I can bring you sudden pleasure na na na na na na na na na na Your life will only gain if you're love's final measure.

Money For Nothing-----------------Dire Straits -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I know you want to leave me"

Well---OK But suppose I faithfully change that oil without a clue that the engine could seize-up if I didn't. Would the engine still benefit from my proper course of action? Or, would my ignorance negate the benefit?