Bolshevik

His drinking could have certainly been a catalyst, though, yes?

If you're referring to those who chose twi and left later, sure. I can see that. TWI is a given, it's people. Not revocable. Just an is. You have to deal with it, accept it, no?

And yes, thanks Wordwolf, this might explain some of what I was seeing. Groups like twi exist so easily, possibly because of the Constitution.

Sorry, thought I had.

Wierwille was a drunk? No? . . . or was he taught it too? By George S Patton maybe? Then TWI is really all about the danger of alcohol. Amazing how thousands were eager to learn this behavior.

Yes I've read the wiki site before, thank you. In casual conversations there's time to explain. If someone wants to burn time to listen. Does government recognize cults as a bad thing? I don't think so. The term "religious extremest" is used for bad groups. I was caught off guard when asked several times by several different people, professionals in their varying fields. No I have not come up with a concise, clear way to communicate a cult experience. I've begun to believe it can't be done, because our society doesn't make room for it.

Doesn't sound like a bad thing does it?

I've been in situations where I had to explain to some "outsiders" about TWI. Very important meetings and such. I'll as an aside describe TWI as a cult. They'll ask, "What makes it a cult" What do you do? Hand them a book? It can't be explained. Not in any serious context, not when it matters. Maybe cults don't really exist? It's all in your head, right? Just a word for pop culture or something of the like? Cult, religion, church . . . all synonyms?

Interesting quote, Mr. Waysider. How is a cult run? Does it have a goal? I'm not sure I see how yet, Mr. Skyrider, statements of activities here really. "Yet, mindlessly and methodically....the cult drones on." . . . Is a cult run? Does it more or less self-perpetuate? TWI is collecting money . . . for who really? Some foreign stockholder? A cult has a business side. Running a home has a business aspect.

You know, is there something wrong with having no destination? The hamster wheel was very much there. However, as you got "deeper in", they would seemingly turn it around on you. Like if you were wanting to experience what receiving revelation is, you'd go through all the classes and services they required, then, one day, they'd tell you you've been receiving revelation all along. That thought you had a year ago? Revelation. Happened to turn the car around at some point? That was the spirit. . . . Do you feel spiritual now? A person constantly searching for something that they assume exists, after years of effort, might fall for anything if it means they finally succeeded. Maybe no destination in mind is good sometimes. Maybe another thread topic somewhere . . . oh well I'm off validate my search for alien life.

There's the family you're given, and there's the family you choose. Some chose TWI, some did not.

I had similar experiences, newlife. I eventually ended up going to HQ and walking up to every leader I could find. The popular statement at the time: "The Research has been done" . . . largely referring to the idea that there is no more "revelation" to be revealed, what you've been taught is it. Wierwille did the heavy lifting, *makes sign of the dove* (I'm sure similar to the phrase "That was handled in The Class") Which is funny because you keep jumping through classes and at the end of each class, you've got questions, to which the answer is always, "Well, now you need to take this class or go Way D or go to HQ." So I did those things, short of corps *wew*. There's nothing new, just loose ends that YOU have a problem with. Time to serve, because you're thankful, you little b****.

I think it's been said LCM just didn't know to hide it. VPW's old tapes were certainly full of bigotry. He just said it calmer. The greatest cargoes of evil come over quiet seas. The silence in twi is always like thunder. People probably yelled at each other to drown out the noise.

Was VPW as harsh as LCM? That was all hidden was it not? A good teaching was not a good teaching unless there was harshness. Being harsh to another was a sign of spirituality. The harsher, the closer to truth. People thanked each other for being harsh to one another. Harshness was expected. With emotions and feelings considered unimportant, almost evil, and generally not allowed to be expressed, harsh anger was substituted in their place, was it not? How could there be a relationship without the rod of correction? Fury is love. Fuzzy is evil.

Sure this website has helped a lot of people, in different ways. Certain groups favored more than others, of course. Unintended harm as well. I believe this site started for one purpose and kind of branched from there, no? That's great you stand firm on your convictions. Enjoy your freedom. I thought I elaborated clear enough. Those in twi in their mid 60s and 70s are people's mothers and fathers, and you're free to talk about them, and ask hypothetical or rhetorical questions. These questions bring up more questions. I will refrain from asking them here.

My honest take is I'd like to run-away and never look back. It can't really be explained here. I've tried pointing out before many have had great input on past matters on this site, but it's a dead horse now. Recycled old thinking, no time for elaborate explanation on everything. Best I see, The Way is groups of families of all ages. Webs of connected outies and innies. The opening post I find insensitive, possibly offensive.

A little sarcasm back at you. Now, what concern are those folks to you? How are you planning to deal with them?

I'm not sure what this part is about . . . I thought I was responding to some asides . . . If it's another thread worthy have a go. I find this site in particular difficult. Yes, I care about what's coming down the road. Very much so. TWI was not a choice.

Who cares? You guys are silly. Skyrider, I'd like it if you clarified you point on on "serving aspect as someone on the field ages"

What to do with old Wayfer is an actual problem people face. Is it not? And those other discussions I have other websites for.

Mocking TWI is ultimately mocking The United States as a whole. Another discussion. Defining what TWI is . . . most here leave to relative few people to blame . . . another discussion . . . you wouldn't like it.

A-Weirwillism. I've seen a statue of him. Visited a grave of some sort. There's these pictures and books with his name on it. But . . . does that make him real?

And again, your opening post seems to want to address TODAY. The posts here of mainly of YESTERDAY. History is always rewritten. Followers of The Way read The Bible, which is ever-changing, and talk of Wierwille, who exists only in people's minds. The retirement subject involves generations people in and out of twi. To say twi "kicks people to the curb", to point at leadership, is a lazy cop-out. All organizations do that. Retirement was talked about. Sometimes by leadership. Mostly by the rank and file PFAL grad - who were a step above the rest of us. The follower of the The Way will follow their reality . . . and take whoever they can down with them. But skyrider, do you propose any ideas on how to deal with retiring wayfers? Or are we just here to mock?

It was all Biblical in nature though. Was it not?

Skyrider, This site is notorious for pushing past reality on the present. This thread in particular I find a little personal. Retirement was talked about in The Way often enough since the 80s. Which is as far back as I can remember. This thread is appears again to be more mocking nonsense when there's actually a need for knowledge. Numerous points are being left out. Groupthink is held just as tightly here as in The Way. At least nobody here is getting hit with sticks. Taking a modern, relevant problem, and viewing it through the lens of years ago. I'm sure there's a name for that. Maybe there was no goal with this thread. It seemed to conclude itself in the opening post. I do have great interest, in what I thought the title of this thread meant, so yes I felt let down. Maybe you perceive curveballs in my posts. I don't see them. If you weren't there, you won't get it.