Grace Valerie Claire

Sky, even back in the 50's, VPW was a bully. He was told not to come, but he came anyway. What an arrogant young man! I would have told him to leave; the class had already started. Rude, and a bully to boot; that was VPW.

And many of us wish we had never gotten involved with TWI. Merry Christmas.

DWBH, I thought you were going to say Bull Shucks! LMAO!

T-Bone,

T-Bone, "obviously... priority." Is that a polite way of calling Mike a liar? Just curious.

Sky, and DWBH;

Twinky, your post is so very, very true. A lot of "very great harm", did happen in TWI, to a lot of people, both male, and female. Some people lost their lives while in TWI, some people committed suicide, far too many women were raped; the list is long and sickening. Most of us in TWI decades ago, were very young, and truly believed we were doing God's work on earth. I think VPW took advantage of many of us, because of our youth, and what we thought was our Godly calling. He was what 50+, and many of us were under 25. I believe he knew he was taking advantage of us, but he didn't care. By the time many of us reached 30, the damage was done, and the bell couldn't be unrung. I know about some of the Caca, that went on in TWI, but I know there is more that went on, that I don't know about. Sometimes I think I know the worse that happened in TWI, but then someone will post something that I didn't know about. If I had known the truth about TWI forty years ago, when I first got involved, I would never have gotten involved with it. I walked away from TWI, with my sanity, and dignity, and back to my family. Some people have never recovered from their time in TWI, and perhaps never will. I think I am indeed most fortunate.

T-Bone, I think you might, or might not, be referring to a recent post of mine. I think I said something to the effect, that I had some really good leaders, and had some really good experiences, in TWI. OTOH, some of the leaders I had were not that good, and I had some terrible experiences in TWI. Some of us loved being in TWI, and some of us hated it with a passion. Both views, I think, are valaid.

Thomas, I am not familiar with most of the writers you mentioned. However, if other people read their books, and enjoy them, they probably are not "losers." I think Shakespeare said something about jealousy, being a "green-eyed monster." I think JAL might be a bit "green-eyed" with jealously regarding their work.

Twinky, bingo!! I took a Church Bible Class several years ago, in Bethesda Md. The class was free, people were allowed to ask questions, and give their opinions about the material presented. What a lovely class; I never wanted it to end. I thought the PFAL Class was boring, and couldn't wait for it to end.

Soc, yes! I remember reading that somewhere.

Soc,

Soc, excuse me!! Whoever tossed the student down the stairs, should not have done it. People are learning about God's Mercy, and Grace, and someone gets tossed down the stairs for being late?? How uncivilized!

Way, I have never been to Cleveland, but isn't the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame there? I think LCM used to be upset about having it in the Cleveland area.

Soc, this post bothers me greatly. How dare VPW throw anyone down the stairs for any reason?? I have been late a few times myself; sometimes things happen that we can't control. Personally, if anyone tried to throw me down the stairs, I would place charges. I have never understood why people allowed VPW to get away with such uncivilized behavior, but perhaps they were afraid of him.

Way, you really have some great posts!!

T-Bone, thanks!! To me, it is very basic; treat others well. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. I spent most of my life working with kids, and I figured if it worked with kids, it might work with Big People.

Way,

Soc,

Soc, great question! I learned Christian behavior, once I left TWI. A lot of non-Christians, I think are more Godly, than Christians. I learned Christian behavior by reading about Jesus Christ. I personally try to live the Golden Rule, everyday. I treat people the way, I would like to be treated.

T-Bone, great post! I know Grease Spot has opened my eyes to much of what really happened to many of us in TWI. Before coming here, I thought perhaps I was the one with poor thinking skills; I really didn't trust my own judgement regarding my involvement with TWI. Lord, I really didn't know how perverse, and evil TWI really was. The more time I spend here, the more I realize, that TWI was never really interested in God; they wanted to make money in His name. How did I not see this 40 years ago?

Chock,

Twinky, or pies in general!! I love pie!!

Chock, you are right in that LCM never faced criminal charges. True, TWI paid millions to avoid negative publicly. However, I think perhaps LCM is in a prison of his own making. He was forced out of the Presidency of TWI, he was forced to admit to an affair, his marriage ended, his reputation suffered. I personally have no sympathy for him; he hurt many people in TWI. Perhaps he got what he deserved, perhaps he didn't.

Chock, once I left TWI, I was pleasantly surprised at how much better, many non-Christans treated me, than people in TWI. I dealt with much less Hog Wash with non-Christians, than with Christians. To this day, I have far more problems interacting with "Christians", than non-Christians.