waysider

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?

Hi, Chuck If you were "lost", it's unlikely you would be seriously contemplating the concerns you expressed in your post. IMHO

This is from a "wiki" on Norman Vincent Peale regarding his Power of Positive Thinking.(1952) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teachings “Positive thinking,” as described by Peale could be broken down into a three step process of practicing repeated self-hypnosis, attaining “divine” or God’s power to use for oneself, and eliminating and avoiding all negativity in life. The first step in positive thinking is focused on the use of repeated "techniques." Peale describes positive thinking as first and foremost as “simply a series of practical and workable techniques for living a successful life.” [6] Peale, who had no mental health credentials, was vague as to a definition of his "techniques," although he repeatedly stated that they were scientifically proven and "firmly established as documented and demonstrable truth." [7] Mental health experts, however, clearly saw and identified the techniques as hypnosis.[8] Hypnosis is defined as "A trance like state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject."[9] The reader was instructed through constant repetition of affirmations to bypass his conscious mind and implant suggestions into his unconscious mind where they would operate automatically, without the interference of conscious will. “Let them sink into your unconscious and they can help you overcome any difficulty. Say them over and over again. Say them until your mind accepts them, until you believe them – faith power works wonders.”[10] Peale's readers were instructed to "pray ceaselessly," to use his techniques repetitively and permanently. Peale promised the reader that if they followed and practiced his techniques, they could attain success over almost any adversity. “It is a power that can blast out all defeat and lift a person above all difficult situations.”[11] Peale insisted that the only way to acquire these attitudes was through the unconscious and through his techniques. Peale repeatedly instructed his readers that their conscious will, their self knowledge, self determination, courage and intelligence were not be enough to live a successful life. He described these conscious acts of will as unreliable, untrustworthy and not sufficient to meet the demands of life. The conscious, self-determining self was to be rejected, disempowered and “surrendered,” so that Peale’s techniques and the unconscious were now the determining and motivating factors in the individual’s life. The payoff for this rejection of self, according to Peale, was the attainment of God’s power, “I hereby draw power from You as an illimitatable source,”[12] is one Peale formula. Men now had superhuman powers, and God had now become "man's omnipotent slave." [13] Peale further said that regular prayer was insufficient to meet the demands of life, that in order for prayer to really work the reader had to use his techniques. Peale said controlling the unconscious, using his techniques, was the only channel to attain God’s power. “Surface skimming, formalistic and perfunctory prayer is not sufficiently powerful” [14] says Peale when describing his “prayers” for overcoming an inferiority complex. Formalistic prayer used for thousands of years by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and other mainstream religions didn’t produce sufficient results according to Peale. Peale also promised his readers that if they followed his techniques that they could always think positively and remove all negativity from their lives. Negative attitudes were not to be tolerated but avoided at all costs according to Peale. Negative thoughts were to be repressed, cancelled out and destroyed through his techniques. “It is important to eliminate from conversations all negative ideas, for they tend to produce annoyance and tension inwardly." [15] Peale’s readers were instructed to never doubt or question a statement Peale made or this would cut off the “power flow.” Any negative doubting of Peale or whether his techniques worked were to be immediately canceled, and the reader was instructed to immediately repeat the Peale phrases. The Peale statements, and the words that made them up were actual “things” according to Peale. “Thoughts are things,”[16] and the repetition of his phrases were more important than actions. Repeating positive only statements would cause only positive things to happen. But according to Peale, the reverse is also true. Thinking negatively causes negative things to happen. Thus the fear of negativity, of avoiding all negative, fearful "thoughts" and realities is part and parcel of positive thinking. There can be no positive thinking without this avoidance of negative thinking, according to Peale. “Never think of the worst. Drop it out of your thought, relegate it. Let there be no thought in your mind that the worst will happen. Avoid entertaining the concept of the worst, for whatever you take into your mind can grow there.” [17]

You say the "soft answer" example is moot because it is not a "promise". I can recall many, many times when this very verse was offered as an example of the "over 900 promises". I also don't see in the verse that you quoted where it says the Word is only guaranteed to work if a "promise" is implied. And I definitely don't see where it says the Word will only work in you if you believe. (Promise or no promise) But let's put that aside for the moment. Back to the "soft answer" example: ( Let's forgo a debate of whether or not this is actually God's word.) Assuming this is God's word, if and when I use this tactic and it works for me, that would mean that God's word(the "soft answer" technique) is working in/for me, regardless of my status as either a saint or a sinner. No believing is required on my part. In fact, I could, with skepticism, try this technique at the advise of someone else merely to see if it works. If and when it works------------ it is God's word at work in/for me. No believing required. No saint or sinner status necessary.

So then there's a "promise' in there that says "If you believe hard enough, you won't die."?? I must have missed that one. Any idea where I might find it?

So then if an atheist uses something from Proverbs, such as " A soft answer turns away wrath", it won't work because there is no "believing" involved? Come to think of it---- How does that factor in with Wierwille's statement that "believing" works for saint and sinner alike? You see, in my Proverbs example, the person is not a "saint" nor are they operating "believing". I'm just sayin'--------