JavaJane

I agree with Waysider... I think it can be genuine or faked. The whole "SIT cannot be counterfeited" is a load of crap - but I don't know how it works or where it comes from when it is genuine.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!! I am really enjoying all the points of view on this thread. It is interesting to me to see how many different routes people have gone with this - guess we're not cookie cutter people, even though we all may have been effected by twi.

Stained red with the blood of all the people they stomped on... I remember they said they changed it to red because red symbolized COMMITMENT.

I do remember hearing a story from someone who was working at HQ during placements when Claudettee was sent out on the field again... Something about her being REALLY HAPPY to get away from HQ - but then again, I wasn't there.

Many times I have thought (even in my twi days) that all religions must have truth to them, or people wouldn't be part of the religion. I have an uncle who is a Universalist (I used to think he was a part of Universal Artists - but that is another story) - I like their ideas, but since I was raised in basically a Christian household (except for a little detour into Wicca my Mom took a long time ago) I think I will stick with the basic Christian churches. It's too bad that so many religions have no tolerance for any other belief system than the one they ascribe to. I can't imagine that God would leave everyone else out there high and dry - especially when the basic beliefs of so many religions are so similar. (I know I am being over simplistic here)... It would be nice to find a church that respects the right of others to choose what they want to believe - if not respect that God loves these other people, too. Guess I have come a little ways since my twi days - look how open minded I have become!!! I actually believe in freedom of worship!

I remember being taught that it was like the guys who were selected to serve tables in Acts... Because the apostles ("biblical" tranlsation according to usage: BOT and co) needed to attend to the movement of the Word.

I heard that VP had said that God had given him revelation that there would always be at least two people standing in twi until Jesus came back. Any truth to this? I mean, truth that he said it... I certainly hope twi falls apart by then!

I wonder how Mrs W's poodle felt about the whole thing...

I can say one thing about her - she made Way Prod actually worth listening to occassionally... Now they just suck.

Sometimes I think I cry during church because it reminds me of being in twi. Sometimes I think I cry during church because of all the time I feel like I wasted in twi. Sometimes I think I cry because I am mad at God (but I don't want to be). Sometimes I think I cry because I am thankful. Sometimes I think I cry because I think of all the crap I did while I was in twi that God probably thought wasn't all that great. Sometimes it's because I don't think I belong anywhere when it comes to a church. Sometimes it's all of this stuff... And I know most of it is not really right, but its stuff I have to work through. I think I may be a little broken - but I'm getting better.

Well, when you're being treated well, it's hard to see that other's aren't, you know?

Isn't saying this sort of thing equal to saying that God killed her to punish her parents? And isn't that the exact OPPOSITE of what twi SAID they taught? In fact, the fact that God was always good and never evil - that He was a loving Father and not waiting with a bat to smack up every time we messed up was one of the things I liked about their doctrine... but they would always just say that it was the adversary who killed the girl because God couldn't protect her... What?? It just makes no sense!

The church I most recently (and not all that recently, cause it freaked me out) had these guys who would always get up and hang around the edge of the room when the pastor or his wife would pray... couldn't figure out what they were for.... them and the ladies who would get up at the same time holding blankets. Turns out they were the catchers for the people who would be slain in the spirit... Blankets were so they wouldn't get cold in the spirit, I guess.

You are all so wonderful... Socks - I think the place was called Family Worship Center or something like that... Your mention of the body language thing makes sense - because, like bow, I pretty much want to cry when I go to church - I'm pretty good at holding it back, but I'm sure I make some pretty horrible faces in the process. My husband was raised RC, and I actually like the services I have attended - the focus on doing good for people is wonderful... and I like that they acknowledge a female side to God. But there are a lot of other doctrinal stuff I would have to work through before I could consider the Catholic church as a place I would feel comfortable. Waysider - I think they may have had snakes in the back... We were in the right part of the country for that! Mark - thanks for the info on that church! WG - That pastor probably wouldn't like me, either. I'm an outspoken female, too. I liked how you called it a "domination" and not denomination - Freudian slip?? I think you are right, God will let us know if we find the right place or the wrong one. I never felt comfortable in that church we went to with the casting out of devils, and all that even though it seemed like a nice place on the surface. Bow I totall get the panic attacks and the crying. I do the same thing when I get into a church... I noticed it first when I was still in twi and I went to a Catholic Christmas Mass... I cried through the whole thing... Tearing up now as I think about it. Why does that happen?? I just don't really understand that yet... I hate crying... probably left over from the old days of not showing or having any emotions.

Mark - thanks for the website information! I will look over it with my hubby tonight... It's not too far to make a trip to see if we like it or not! Kit - My husband was raised RC before he became involved with twi. Because of his family's involvment in the Catholic church I have had the privilege of being exposed to Catholisism for the first time in my life - and I have to say, it has been a good experience. I enjoy what they try to do for people, and have actually considered checking that out as an option as well, although there are some major things I would have issue with I think, doctrinally, at least... But they do HELP people - which is one of the things I really want in a church... Not just a intellectual approach to God, but people who want to help God's kids... you know?? Thank you both!

Yes, I do read and study the Bible on my own. This is not the reason why we are considering finding a church in the area... Our reasons are more about finding a group of people who we can spend time with in person who also love God and ascribe to the same basic belief system that we do. Also, we are looking forward to starting a family one day. Since both of us were involved in some sort of religious upbringing we would like to have our child be a part of a church growing up as well. Some of my best memories as a small child were when we would visit my grandmother and I would get to go to Sunday School at her church (I was raised in twi for the most part... but before my family got involved, we went to a normal church.) So, the whole studying the Bible part doesn't really fit for me personally... I know that is why a lot of people go to church, (and it was the reason why I stayed with twi as long as I did) but it is not the reason I am looking now.... Hope that makes sense...

They were probably kept just in case the Pope showed up with his aircraft carrier.

This is very interesting to me... One thing I have thought of is that I might feel more comfortable with a large denominational church than a small non-denominational church. Reason being - I can more easily blend into the background in a large congregation, and I don't think they will have a whole lot of interest in trying to run my life for me. Never thought in my twi days I would ever say something like that!

You mean, POSITIVE CONFESSIONS????

Hubby and I are looking for a church... for the second time since we left twi. First time seemed like it was going ok. Until they started casting out devils and getting revelations about people's problems (too close to twi for me!!) And when the pastor kept trying to get me to come forward in front of the congregation and give my heart to Jesus... And when he stared at us and said that he could sense UNFORGIVENESS in some people in the room... that we needed to forgive all the people who hurt us. (not that that's a terrible idea, but I am no where near ready for that yet.) Just gave me the creeps. Anyway, we've decided to look again, although I think we may have a difficult time of it. Especially with anyone who has a title like Reverend, or Pastor, or Father, or Elder. See, I was involved in this cult, and it kinda gave me a complex about authority figures, you know?

We're now in the Kansas City area and looking for a good church. Is there anyone out there who is in the area or knows of a good church in Kansas City, Lee's Summit, etc? Any help would be appreciated!

It's the Pope's hat that really gets to me... something wrong with that thing... WAAAAAY too pointy, you know? As for waterfront access... maybe he was concerned about that lake over in St Mary's?

I had that one used on me, as well... Mainly to try and keep me from fellowshipping with my M&A family... BUT, I was also told that if I stood with twi, it would keep my family alive because I would be "standing in the gap" for them - God would keep them alive even though they had left the ministry if I would just not have anything to do with them. :blink: :unsure: :( <_< And I beleived them... being the good little believer I was.

Try www.weeklyworldnews.com Not so good with link messages and stuff - sorry about that, Ham!

This is where I find all the best Pope news... My favorite paper... The World's ONLY Reliable Newspaper. Good article on Vampires this week. Ham may want to take a look... *edited to try and get the darn link to work... nevemind. See my next message...