Rocky

Good insight. It occurs to me they may be looking to shed the "controlling cult" aspect of their well-documented (in particular on GSC) history. Of course, I have no insider knowledge at this point, but... IF (hypothetically) they see the organization at a dead-end fiscally, they may institute a mindset of adaptation and look for ways to head off the seemingly inevitable. I think, in this regard, of the Mormons (LDS church). In the 19th century, as a controversial pseudo-Christian organization, it both encountered growth and massive pushback or resistance. It found ways to survive (so far). How controlling and oppressive it was/has been, I don't know. But I wouldn't be surprised if top twi leadership isn't or hasn't studied LDS church history to look for what worked for that church. I wonder to what extent twi is prepared to alter its financial model to extend the likelihood of survival of the organization. What I do know about the LDS is it is VERY strict about tithing. However, in parallel to that practice, the Mormons are far more generous in using what now reportedly amounts to a treasury far in excess of what TWI has been know to amass... to TAKE CARE of the families of its members. By no means does that indicate LDS society is even close to utopian. Sexual dysfunction is STILL a significant problem largely because of the closed nature of LDS communities. However, IMO, if twi wants to survive, it will at least have to figure out how to redirect away from sucking PFLAP grads completely dry of the fruits of their labors while still enforcing the tithe. I offer these thoughts only because I/we figure they're still readings what we have to say. In the meantime, we keep pushing back on and against TWI.

I am thankful for your resilience. And for your voice. Because both of those things MATTER greatly.

Because CULTS, by definition, isolate and depend for their survival on YOU depending solely on them.

This book, by this author, may challenge how you look at life. And that can be a good thing. Anders is an award-winning sci-fi writer, which pretty much by definition means she looks at life and things in unconventional ways. I add this to the list of anti-fragility literature because she has faced plenty of her own very difficult moments. The first chapter is titled, "How to Make Your Own Imaginary Friends." The chapter opens: The waybrain might tempt you to fear doing so, thinking you could be inviting possession by a sinister spiritual power. But it's NOT that. Because YOU control your imagination. YOU can construct YOUR new reality. To borrow something from a source TWI liked (at least when I was involved), "what the mind of man [or woman] can conceive and believe, it can achieve." https://timothy-simpson.com/what-the-mind-of-man-can-conceive-and-believe-it-can-achieve/ https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/193057-whatever-the-mind-of-man-can-conceive-and-believe-it https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/948213.Success_Through_a_Positive_Mental_Attitude However, to borrow something else, "Life is not a bed of roses." 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 The point is: Charlie Jane Anders can teach and inspire one's imagination. Scientist Einstein, one of the smartest people to have lived, is thought to have said, Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. Waybrain for some people engenders fear. You don't need to be afraid to expand your imagination.

Here's some philosophical wisdom that readers may or may not relate to, but I see it definitely as concerns twi: There is SOOOOOOOOOO much more knowledge about so SOOOOOOOOOOOO many, many things in life today than there were when we were enchained by TWI.

I didn't say that... I just don't see them as being very sophisticated.

Another way to view it or rather to label it is to realize each is the cult's "origin myth."

Of course. Yes, we still have agency in such situation(s). Isn't that the essence of the dilemma of getting conned by a charismatic cult leader and the importance of actually learning how and why one got caught up with said cult? Then deciding to take steps to find ways out along with finding less cultish ways of getting our need for belonging met.

Perhaps a more stark mental model for said kind of dark example of a void is a guy in the news all over the country the last couple of weeks for his pervasive, persistent prevarication. A guy who claims 142k people selected him for a seat in a certain national legislative body (in the US). But that 142k voted for somebody who conned them.

AFAI am concerned, the "great principle" is NOT in the bible. Ecclesiastes says there's no new thing under the sun, sometimes that's true. But "the preacher" who wrote Ecclesiastes didn't know much about astronomy beyond names of some of the most prominent constellations; didn't have anywhere near as much available knowledge of cosmology or healthcare or geology or electricity or any one of hundreds or thousands of sciences or other fields of study. However, there WERE philosophers back then. Thinkers. MY Great Principle is Lifelong Learning. I clearly don't know nearly as much as I would like (or love) to know. But this is one thing I learned a little bit about today.

What matters is the response, not the reaction to the response. I love chockful's idea.

YES!

Not surprising. Paranoia can be serious.

They may not have liked how we criticized their FOG pic. The new one seems to be trying to project a more "cheerful" image... with a pic of the fountain in front of where the plagiarist, alcoholic, adulterer is buried.

Yeah, I know they've kept lists of PFLAP grads. That's how I figured they'd been doing it... without using any database/filter techniques. I doubt they have a current address for me, however. I told them to take me off of mailing lists at least 30 years ago.

Good deal.

Hi Extremist, I recently started a thread in the About the Way forum on the subject of Which is more or less saying what you're asking with different words. You could also go to Goodreads.com and search for books about spiritual abuse. There's also some memoirs from former Way Corps that you might find helpful. Of course, you probably have already identified and become aware of problems with TWI for yourself. Long ago, people here at GSC were also recommending The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse. This book was published 31 years ago. Much research has been done since 1991. The International Cultic Studies Association has resources you can either send for or perhaps find in public libraries. Written by one of our own friends, Charlene Edge, a memoir Undertow, My Escape From the Fundamentalism and Cult Control of the Way International. Is listed on the ICSA website, but you probably can get it for less directly from Charlene or from any online bookseller in either paperback or kindle edition.

The friend, to whom I referred in my comment earlier, intuitively noted he has lived in the same house for too long a time. I don't believe twi is anywhere near sophisticated enough to do such research. In fact, the mere fact they are doing this seems to belie a definite fiscal desperation, as others have noted.

I heard from a friend on FB yesterday, a friend who has posted prominently on GSC, about having received one of those postcards. While probably would make sense for twi to filter the mailing list as you suggested, I don't think the cult is currently sophisticated enough to figure out such targeting for the mailing.

I wonder if Mike has chosen to ignore me. I wish him success... maybe not with his stated goals, but rather with what might be his actual heart's desires. I think of Psalm 37 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; What got me thinking about that? This YT video. Then, like rivers of understanding running together in my mind, I looked up this book and immediately requested it (put it on hold) at my local public library. THEN I considered how and why Mike is so apparently not successful in his state goals (getting GSC readers to believe him about Wierwille's ministry and writings. Robin Dreeke might have some insight on that issue. What do you think?

Probably the "Fountain of Living Waters" near where they have the plagiarizing, alcoholic, adulterer buried.

[/snarc]

And as we ALL know, feelings ARE NO [a] guarantee (evidence) for truth. -- Victor Wierwille. What is it called when one thing is articulated, but the opposite is practiced? Btw, for any potentially strategic thinkers in the audience:

Great post Twinky!

Ownership, Mike. Take ownership of your communication skills or lack thereof. Genuine leaders don't blame. The support. Which one are you? Which one do you want to be?