Belle

Thanks, Abigail! I think I'll join in too, albeit a bit late. So we fast on Saturday, the 25th? I have a few Jewish friends who always recognize the Christian holidays by sending me cards, etc. I have never done so for them (too much Waybrain). I think I will start.

WOAH! To hear them talk about how they make decisions you'd think they were perfect decision makers because they did think things through thoroughly, almost to the point of "analysis paralysis", and, of course, God was telling them the right decision. I always heard they accounted for every penny and spent our abundant sharing oh so carefully and wisely. Yet another myth debunked by first hand testimony. Geez, we were so stupid on the field. I know I believed everything they told us. --> Just pass the kool-aid this way, would ya?

Let me preface my comments by saying that I neither care nor read whatever mj posts. What I believe happened is that a) many of us were conditioned to believe that leadership knew what was better for our lives that we ourselves did and, as a s result, followed very unwise and ungodly counsel that we thought was Godly counsel or were bullied into following. b) people followed rules and recommendations based on what they thought would promote them in the eyes of leadership. People in category A (of which there were many) are blameless. They made wrong decisions and maybe didn't go with their gut feelings, but they were manipulated into doing so. People in Category B knew exactly what they were doing and did it anyway. Example: the LC/RC who counseled many women who were spiritually abused and raped by LCM. I did some things I'm not proud of and have apologized to the people I know I have affected by my inaction. Anywone else I learn of as having been hurt by my inability to stand up for what I knew was obviously wrong, I would apologize to immediately. I only wish many others (some who post on this board) would do.

I have a friend who signed on to be there for one year and when it was up she wanted to leave. They told her that her agreement was for TWO YEARS and that she had to stay. Naturally, she stayed, miserable as she already was after one year, she got even worse during the second year. It was a shame to see her go downhill even further thinking she was doing what God would have her to do.

This is so much fun watching. Can y'all post pictures of Stanley that you're sending? I always wait with anticipation to see what Stanley's up to and where he's headed next.

It might be her! A lot of her teachings sound like someone who came from TWI, but not as harsh as I'm used to hearing. Would she look like this today? Joyce Meyer Picture Joyce's Home Page

I just read this article and I don't see anything wrong with it, in fact, I actually learned some things. I was especially glad to see the bit about angels not being merely "guardians" of those who were to become born again in the future. I never could see that and thought LCM was wrong, but was too blind to be able to see the error (scary). Now, reading this article, I had a "Duh" moment....Angels did help many, many people in the Bible who were obviously born again...including Jesus, Peter and Paul. "Duh" How could I have been so stupid?!? Of course there are angels and of course they work for God taking care of us. If the devil has his minions, and they have carte blanche on who they choose to mess with, why wouldn't God have his angels working to protect us from those minions and ourselves? I know it wasn't your purpose, but thanks for posting it. I guess it's still an effective piece, even if it is decades old.

The Unified Field Theory is mostly physics based, but many people believe that it is a good start on proof that we are all unified and "one soul" as Abigail so wonderfully put it. I think this is what the Bible means when it talks about us being of one mind and one body. It's a shame most religions don't see it that way. I ran across a thread on the Open forum from a while back on this and thought y'all might enjoy seeing it so I brought it up to the top.

I've been on a bit of a new spiritual awakening, if you will, since leaving TWI. I have found out that there's a lot, a ton, a bunch even of good information out there that I've been missing out. Seems an awakening was going on and because TWI-ts have their heads in the ground we've missed it all. I'm not eloquent enough to explain what I've been learning, but it has given me a completely different pserspective on the Bible and the truths there. My cousin says you can understand the Bible to the depth of your spiritual knowledge. Abigail, I think you are right on with us all being part of one body and one mind. I think all of us make up the consciousness of the universe and we all contribute to it whether we believe that or not and wether our contributions are positive or not. Everything we do, say, think impacts us and others we may not even be aware of. I think Jesus and the woman with the issue of blood and him feeling virtue go from him is an example of the hands on healing many people are doing these days in a way. Jesus said we would do greater works than him and TWI-ts limit that to speaking in tongues while justifying reasons they aren't able to do even do half the things Jesus DID actually do. The move "What the Bleep" also touches on this. (Awesome movie, btw) I have more to say, but not much time. Great thread, Abigail!

Good? Shaz, all I remember about help "outside the household" was that therapy or anything along those lines was nothing better than a "rent a buddy" system. Paying people to care for you and listen to you. LCM likened it to fraternities and sororities and paying people to like you. "All needs should be met in the fellowship/twig/household" if they weren't, well, then you were screwing it up somewhere, but it wasn't TWI's fault. Pretty sick. I'm ashamed I ever believed it and actually judged people based on that "fact" because I believed everything LCM taught. Gawd, the amounts of kool-aid I drank.... -->

I got in when things were starting to go downhill after POP. I didn't even know about it or what it was until WayDale. There was definitely a "honeymoon" phase and then I started feeling the pressure to conform and turn my life over to TWI. Funny thing is I submitted and did and my life got progressively worse. I just don't understand how a normally rebellious lady like myself allowed that to happen..... -->

OM, he also spent a great deal of time talking about the "flesh" and "evil works". Are you saying that John 3:16 is more important than raping young women? That that part of God's word is more important than the scriptures that tell us how to act and live?

I'm not too good at big words like "conundrum" but I'll try. (thanks to www.dictionary.com) ;)--> I think with GSpot we are moving forward. Recognizing where we made choices that caused us to get so involved and then abused by TWI. We also learn to see the things that influenced us as we were growing and how absolutely evil the group truly is (and always has been). We are also in positions to help people who are also leaving TWI and moving forward with their lives. To me, GSpot is a great place for assistance in moving on and moving up in life. Going back to TWI or any formal religious group that tries to manipulate or control or judge my life would be like willingly turning myself into a concentration camp or having my doctor turn me into some vegetable state. People who claim to have the corner market on the truth or who act like they know better than I do what's best for my life send up red flags and sign the alarms. TWI was founded on lies and to even consider going back to a false foundation with people who refuse to admit and apologize for their treachery would be spiritual (and probably physical) suicide, imo. That's probably more than you wanted to know, but I hope it answers your question. I'm not judging anyone, just my personal opinion. Song, check your private messages.

Sadly, I will not be able to make it due to several unexpected expenses that have come my way. :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> :(--> I was so looking forward to meeting everyone. I guess I'll just have to get a WOW mobile and take a tour of the states to get to see everyone face to face.

Ummmm, OM, I don't know how to tell you this, but Paul repented. No one in TWI has repented or apologized, especially not your trusty ole slick vick. And Paul taught the word AFTER he repented. He changed. He then changed his life for the better and began helping others do the same. No comparison. Your analogy doesn't hold a single drop of water, or mint julep for that matter. And, most people here would not take kindly to you comparing Paul with vic. I know I don't.

I prefer to keep moving forward, not "going back" and not "returning" to anything related to TWI. I've learned that TWI was founded on lies and other people's true research and hearts for God. I've also learned that there are a lot more people like that out there and that there are a lot more groups that are a lot better than TWI. I was in a spiritual vacuum in TWI and I have missed out on so many great spiritual discoveries, re-awakenings and so much learning while I was in my TWI cocoon believing that there was nothing better out there. There isn't one da*n thing they could do that would bring me back to that group. I do wish they would apologize and come clean with my ex so that he would see that I wasn't out of my mind and that he would start rebuilding the life TWI destroyed.

Ditto Ditto Ditto what's already been said. And I will add that if you don't feed the monster his posts will sink to the bottom of the page and slide off into the netherworld of page 2 and beyond.

But they are NOTHING like the RC's they love to bash. Right. I keep forgetting that. I'm so glad they remind us all the time. -->

So they got rid of the BOT and all the RC's? All the nazi WC are gone? They are going to be apologizing to people who's lives they ruined and marriages they destroyed? They're going to allow people to choose who the leaders are? They're opening their financial books to the public? They're going to limit the amount of time people spend on staff and in top leadership positions? Is that what you mean? If it's not, then it's the same old whited sepulchre, they just added a new coat of paint.

Is the actual roast on Friday or Saturday? I only got a room for Sat and Sun nights. Planned to be there early on Saturday. Do I need to adjust my schedule to be there on Friday? I don't want to miss anything! And if we have pinto beans, we'll need bean-o if we're going to be hanging around together after the roast. :D-->

I can bring cornbread! Is there anything else that we need?

Alright, Chas! I'm convinced we have the same brain! You posted verbatim what I was thinking of posting! I even called our twig "The Dead Sea" for the same reasons. I got people involved when practically no one else in our twig did and they left quickly when the screws and manipulation started becoming more obvious. Our WC leadership never did bring anyone the whole time.

Roy, I think about this all the time. The key being "if you could get them to listen". My husband wouldn't listen. I tried so many different things and ways to get through to him and none of them worked. To the leadership? I just don't know how they sleep at night. I have a lot more to add, but I don't have time right now. I'll post more later. Good questions, Roy.

Looks like I'm going to drive since it will be cheaper than flying and then having to rent a car. What do you still need for the weenie roast, Rascal?

Another thing, Shaz, I don't know how close you and John are/were, but I can't stand it when people I hardly know tell me they love me. Heck, I don't even say that with my dearest friends.