Rocky

I most appreciate your kindness and forbearance. Thank you.

Still blaming others for your lack of clear transmission, eh? However, please understand (if I wasn't clear enough) that I was asking for clarification. Which is entirely natural and not accusatory.

So, your point/conclusion is "what it is not?" How about being more specific about "what it is?"

Might this have anything to do with us having been so wrong? Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJV Probably not the best translation, but it worked in fooling us. Here's the NIV: Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Yes, it works.

Reasonably so. I've met her, heard her teach on writing novels and choosing subjects based on items in news and read other of her books. Further, she has contemporaneously claimed authorship of the book. Nobody has (credibly) challenged said claim.

Actually, this book is a tremendous example to illustrate my comment from a half hour ago. I read this book this month. The story is tied in with people being subjected to cults and can mitigate, at least a little bit, vulnerability some people might have to cult recruitment. The author lives in the same city I do, I have met her. She's a great writer.

The birth of a grandchild would definitely be great news... oh well.

Crucial learning not available elsewhere except in some instances from the school of hard knocks.

Truth! I agree.

A message that has been said more than once and will likely be necessary again sometime. For the record, I have a belief system, but I don't need to label it... other than Deist. I still tell people IRL that I'm Christian, but I'm not really dogmatic in that regard. I do, however, zealously cleave to knowledge and understanding I have gained, especially as a result of experience (i.e. school of VERY hard knocks in some instances) and an attitude and desire for lifelong learning. I mention this now because a new member mentioned sometimes believing she's atheist and at other times agnostic. As far as I'm concerned, that's perfectly fine. Also, some people may wonder about why us old-timers still frequent GSC. Well, unless we were born in a twi family, we were drawn to twi in large part because it gave us a sense of belonging... for whatever reason. Well, setting aside how much I think I know about anything, I enjoy drawing insights into group behaviors (aka psychoanalyzing the groups). And that has opened doors for me other than regarding twi. That's basically how and why I started getting published in local newspaper editorial pages more than 25 years ago. Not that my insights are always "the" right ones, but that they have at least some legitimacy. Anyway, I got sidetracked (tangents, eh?). My main point in the previous paragraph is that I feel a strong sense of belonging to and with people at GSC. To Leah, I would say now that I think there's probably a great deal that you have going on that you don't struggle with. But I'm glad you are able to recognize the opportunity and need for working on or dealing with those things about which you do struggle now. I can only imagine the intensity of the psychic damage from having grown up in the situation you did. Many of us know how intense your father is or at least was. In addition to what I said last night, I want to emphasize the deep admiration I have for YOU and the course you have been choosing and are now on. I hope you're able to make music out of the rocks in the creek over which the water of your life is now passing. And can dance (now or eventually) to that music.

IKR? LOL

I assure you, that is NOT rambling. I'm in my mid-60s now, was 19 when I first met a wayfer and 31 when I exited the cult. I married at age 34. My (fairly short) marriage was tumultuous largely because I didn't grow up learning about personal boundaries and twi exacerbated the problem. I too have dealt with PTSD (not diagnosed) and depression and anxiety (diagnosed). I've also experienced grace in my life since. Lots of it. My two grandchildren are my greatest joy. I'm retired now and spend a lot of time writing and reading. Much love to you, BecomingMe!

Leah, I applaud your bravery. I stand with you. I'm confident you don't remember me, but I was at Emporia in the late 1970s with the 9th. Whatever we at GSC can do for you, please let us (privately or not) know.

From an old friend, Ramblin' Dan. Btw, Ramblin' Dan Stevens knows where WE have been too. If you know what I mean.

I'm confident that WW holds nothing against you. Also, I'm puzzled as to how you would infer that the "site Administrator doesn't want people to read old posts." Are you suggesting by saying "still America right?" that someone is challenging your right to post or question anything here? As I read the comments, it seems the challenging was solely to seek clarification on your intended meaning. So, I would ask, why are you seemingly so sensitive? There's no need to be cryptic with your posts/comments. Tell us what you want to tell us. If someone disagrees with you, they might say so, but so what? I mean, you did suggest you're a Marine, didn't you? I was unaware that Marines so easily get their feelings hurt.

Unless one is prone to being triggered by cult related behavior. Following along without being able to critical assess the situation isn't always a good thing.

Read between the lines of her 20 minutes speech.

So, I listened to the first couple of seconds of a few of the recorded teachings. Nothing very interesting.

I then tried to dial in to Rico's teaching on "God and His Word are Right." Also got "invalid access code."

I just tried to listen to Rico's teaching on obedience to the household. The computerized voice told me it was an invalid access code.

Taxidev, Right. You can get access to the posted teachings without a password. But if you think they're not asking for money, you're not paying attention. Some of the teachings have audio right on the page. However, for Rico, it gives a phone number and access code. Did you listen to his teaching on Obedience to the Household of Faith? WTF do you think that might be about? The issue of money and the R&R group has been discussed since you last posted that they weren't asking for any. Didn't someone find something about charging for classes?

I was only speculating on what it might take to motivate very fine people to do so... not on whether anyone is or is not capable.

If only we knew what we were counting down to, very fine people might be compelled to carry the torch in your stead, Raf.