penworks

Hi Junebug120, I knew Donna Randall. I was in the second Way Corps training program (1971-1973) and she and Gene, her husband, lived at HQ at that time in the trailer near the ones for the Corps. In my memoir, Undertow (see the thread here about that) she appears, although I did not use her real name. She was Wierwille's "research" secretary beginning before he even filmed the PFAL class. She taught the Way Corps a class on biblical research keys. The woman who taught me Aramaic, Bernit* Jess, is also noted in my book but by her real name because she was already deceased when I published it in 2017. She was Donna's friend. My story covers the years of my involvement, 1970 - 1987. Donna was still around when I left, but not prominent. For more history on The Way, I suggest you try and find a copy of The Way Living in Love by Elena Scott Whiteside. Donna is written about in that story. You can also send me a private message here, and I'll try to answer any questions you might want to ask me. Cheers, Charlene Lamy Edge

Bart rocks.

The rabbits built themselves a new house as they were fed up with the hole thing.

Seems to me there's no end to this rabbit hole. While I was in the research department at Way HQ (long ago and far away) there was an attempt by some members of it to study the history of the text in more depth. Walter C*mmins initiated this. When Geer showed up and challenged LCM, that project backfired. The endeavor raised too many uncomfortable questions that, to those who admitted it, revealed the fact that VPW's legacy of fundamentalism (he was already dead by this time) was incapable of allowing honest inquiry into textual or historical Scriptural research. I witnessed this situation and write it in the latter part of Undertow. After I got out of TWI, I spent some time sorting out my evolving thoughts about the Bible and what it is. I came across lots of sources in the good old public library and college libraries. This was the late 1980s and 1990s when people actually browsed around in brick-and-mortar libraries to see what they might discover on the shelves. I later found scholarly works online. For this thread, I'll just offer three sources that were helpful to me. But I realize my interests are unique, not for everyone. For those interested, here you go. I'm not promoting Amazon as THE place to buy these books, I only include links to Amazon to give information about the books. Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution it Inspired by Benson Bobrick. 2001. Wide As the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution: Bobrick, Benson: 9781451613605: Amazon.com: Books. The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament by Bart. D. Ehrman. 1993. I think Ehrman is the finest, most accessible scholar today working in historical research regarding texts. Amazon.com: The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament: 0884915134810: Ehrman, Bart D.: Books This last one was eye-opening to say the least. The End of Biblical Studies by Hector Avalos. 2007. The End of Biblical Studies - Kindle edition by Avalos, Hector. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com. These days I'm happier out of the biblical research rabbit hole. I read lots of fiction and poetry and even write some of it myself. Peace, Charlene https://charleneedge.com

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: Wierwille called us Way Corps members his "kids." This habit was deliberate on his part. Obedience was a primary goal of Wierwille's... he touted God as asking us to obey "His Word." Obey, obey, obey. That's what parents ask children to do. Infantile people do not question authority. They obey it.

Hi folks, First, an update on how Undertow is still going strong since its publication five years ago (and a little more). It's been sold around the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, and who knows where else through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and The Book Depository, which offers free world-wide shipping. As of 12/31/21, there were 1,475 copies (incudes paperback and ebook) that had been sold. So, I send a big thank you to Greasespotters for helping me get that story out. It's two stories in one, as Frank Schaffer described it on the front cover of Undertow. The two stories are: my personal one, and one about The Way organization that shows the devious Wierwille at work, up-close. TODAY cults are still in the news. Diane Sawyer did a special program that aired last night about Heavens' Gate. Here's a link to info: In Exclusive Interview, Former Cult Member Reveals She 'Never Stepped Foot Out the Door' | PEOPLE.com So, more people are asking questions about cults. I know you can tell them some good answers. BTW - some grown up kids of my former Way peers have been contacting me lately, thanking me for Undertow that gives them important and healing info their parents do not or cannot tell them. They are thankful. Some are mad. More voices may be coming here with stories of abusive Way leaders, but also of wonderful recoveries from the darkness of The Way. I'm humbled Undertow has helped them on their journeys. Stay strong. Charlene https://charleneedge.com

Yes, they (VPW's "girls") hid the fact that they slept with him or rather interpreted their liaison with VPW as "serving the man of God," which really means they slept with him because he intimidated them into doing it, preying on their sympathy. Or did they get brainwashed into believing they were "helping" him? I know some who would answer YES to that question. I recall a meeting in the fireplace room of VPW's house, which was the basement. It was sometime in 1976 or 1977, during the year I was separated from my then husband who left me there in Nov. 1976. There was a third Corps person who wanted to divorce his wife. VPW, in his chair alongside the fireplace, Drambouie in hand, confronted that person about divorce, stating that his (VPW's) situation served as an example of "staying together no matter what." He said that even though Mrs. Wierwille had had a hysterectomy which debiltated her from enjoying sex, he stayed with her. That was commitment. I did not want to know this. He foisted this information upon us whether or not we wanted to know the intimate details of his marriage. In hindsight, I realize that telling us this was possibly his ploy to gain our sympathy. Perhaps, I think now, it was his effort to justify his extra marital affairs. But that's just my opinion. We'll never know for sure. I do know I felt VERRRRRY uncomfortable with his telling us this most personal information. Why would a man do that?

For further help on recovery, I recommend: Take Back Your Life

Thanks so much for posting this part of your life story, Raf. I'm grateful for it. It's a lovely way to share with us the complexity of your life, of all of our lives. Charlene

Skyrider, Thank you for sharing your story in such detail. I admire that. The more background and insight about TWI that's presented here from eye-witnesses and thoughtful former members, the better. Over the last five years since I published my memoir, Undertow (about my 17 years in TWI) not a few former members have contacted me to share their stories. They themselves can't speak out for various reasons, but they validated many things I wrote about in my book. It's up to those of us who can speak and write to sound the alarm. Let's hope more brave former followers get up the gumption to share their TWI experiences, info about Wierwille's abuses, plagiarism, manipulation, and the resulting harm to so many which continues to this day, some of it through offshoots from the original Ohio-based organization. Wishing you and everyone here at GSC a happy and safe holiday season. Cheers, Charlene L. Edge https://charleneedge.com

I just love nostalgia ... it's so cozy and comforting and ... oops ... other stuff that's not so great. In case you missed the article I wrote on this topic (posted here on GSC back in 2009), here you go. Enjoy. Nostalgia article CEdge10-28-09.pdf

Plenty of former Wafers know that there "allegedly" were women in the early years of the "ministry" and then ones in The Way Corps who were Wierwille's "girls." He seduced them. One wrote her story about that in, Losing The Way. Others have told me themselves. This is not a new revelation on GSC.

In 1971, I attended the first ROA and went to every one thereafter until boycotting the ones in 1986 and 87 while I was working at HQ and trying to figure out how to leave ... I see this revival of ROA as a way of recruiting young folks like I was back then, who are oblivious to the twisted roots of TWI, Wierwille's plagiarism and abuse of power, especially concerning women (the alleged secret harem, etc. that I happen to know now was in existence), the patterns of manipulation beginning with Wierwille, used to perpetuate its warped agenda of controlling people to further the organization and, in my view, its sick ideology of bibliolatry, homophobia, and self-righteousness beneath the cloak of "loving people" but in fact only demanding their loyalty. There's more, but ... As for nostalgia, I don't underestimate it in groups like this. It is powerful. But the target audience for this ROA is aged 18 - 35, or thereabouts, right? What are they nostaligic for? Not the "good old days," as far as I can tell. It's the current older "leadership" who are nostalgic and think this event will inject energetic new leaders/believers into its withering cause. Sigh. It might, but aren't people in this age range TODAY more attracted to social media, instant gratification, on and on? Are they willing to spend money on travel, housing, food, etc. for a week of ... what? Maybe. And just what are the goals they're supposed to shoot for if "The Word" is already prevailing (at least in some people's imagination). Maybe they'll just be looking for a good time meeting others their age and finding a future spouse or something. Good luck with monitoring what happens there, if monitoring is part of it. Seems like a lot of accidents waiting to happen in one way or another. Hope not, but human nature is ... well, human, no matter how many Bible verses you push into people's minds, no matter how many rock n roll bands sing on stage, no matter how much "sprituality" is talked about. I shudder whenever I think about it. That's just me. Go ahead and call me Wet Blanket. I don't mind.

Thanks for posting this. I added a comment there, too.

... which, in 2017, was published as Undertow. :-)

Lonnell was in the 2nd (Second) Corps with me. Facts matter. Cheers!

Hi GreaseSpotters, This is Charlene checking in to say HI and let you know that you can read a FREE chapter of my memoir about being in the Way during the early 1970s and 1980s. I was on the biblical research team. To read Chapter One, "Hiding in Plain Sight" click here. A little about me: I am Charlene Lamy Edge formerly known in The Way as Charlene Lamy then Charlene Bishop. I graduated from the second Way Corps in 1973. My memoir, Undertow: My Escape from the Fundamentalism and Cult Control of The Way International was published November 21, 2016. It is available in paperback and eBook at major booksellers and independent bookstores. Paperback ISBN: 978-0-9978747-0-9. In 1970, college students at ECU, who were grads of PFAL, recruited me to The Way. I gave The Way 17 years of my life. From August 1984 to August 1986 I worked on the Biblical Research Team at Way headquarters in Ohio, specifically on the Aramaic Concordance project. In 1987, I escaped from The Way headquarters with my family and disassociated myself from the organization for good. MY WEBSITE: https://charleneedge.com

Greetings. Over the years I've found important help/understanding/support from the International Cultic Studies Association. Today, I republished on my blog what I think is a mainstay of checkpoints for understanding how a cult affects a person. See what you think. Agree with some aspects? Disagree? Find helpful? Check it out at https://charleneedge.com/the-3-d-cult-experience/

Good morning, GreaseSpotters! This is Charlene chiming in thank Rocky for posting this link to what is in fact my FINAL public talk. For what I say about that: Visit: Charlene's Last Public Cult Talk | Charlene L. Edge (charleneedge.com) I'm here also to thank Pawtucket for risking so much, giving so much, putting up with so much as he's hosted this venue for so many years. Aren't we lucky we can meet here to share our stories, get info, and offer each other support! Cheers to you, brave ones!

Ever think about how being regularly faced with symbols in TWI like the old official logo of a globe with PFAL written on it, and hearing slogans such as "The Word over the World" and "The accuracy of God's Word" over and over and over ... helped VPW gain power over us? I have. A few years ago, I thought about this so much that I submitted it as a topic for a paper I could present at an annual cultic studies conference sponsored by ICSA (mentioned above): their international conference, 2017, in Bordeaux, France. They accepted it, and I delivered it. After my session, you can be sure I totally enjoyed a wine tour through the countryside with my husband :-) To read my paper, "Breaking the Power of Cult Symbols" click here. Cheers.

Twinky, yes, I hope they get help, too, and I think the International Cultic Studies Association can help. I cite that organization in my blog post (linked above) because the author of the article is Michael Langone, PhD, the Executive Director. I know him and have worked with him at conferences, etc. His endorsement of Undertow is on the back cover. Also, for anyone wondering about Undertow: Get the first chapter of my award-winning cult memoir, Undertow, for FREE on my website. Go to the Home page, look for "FREE" and click the link, Chapter 1, "Hiding in Plain Sight." Happy Monday! https//charleneedge.com/

Hi GreaseSpotters, Hope you are doing well! Just a note to let you know my blog post today is a special report on QAnon and whether it is a cult. The research was done by a long-time cult researcher, author, and counselor. To read it, click here.