GarthP2000

I vote 'Learning experience and a time of making good friends'. I also throw away this stupid guilt trip/control that some people try to set up over others. Quite devious and malevolent of them too, no matter what you say your motivation is.

A lot of good answers here that do a good job of endeavoring to address the points I raised earlier, ... especially Socks. :dance:/> Thanks! :)/> And a ((( ))) to all here.

How'd the walk go, Raf? :)

Watch Faux Spews and see the defense they give the guy. It's like they were defending Martindale!

Hi folks, it me. :) "In other words, you don't know and don't care." ... but you do. :\ "... *The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader ..." (etc. ... listed in Yet Another Book :\ ) Waysider, the 'cult' field (Yeah, there I go again, ranting about 'cults' and 'mind control'; so deal with it.), how scientific and solid is it ... really? How NOT subjective has it been determined? Yeah, yeah, I know, we're not talking about chemistry or math here. But you'd think that the 'experts' would make it more logically consistent and less 'knee-jerk' compliant than it has been already? What you have is JUST opinion. ONLY opinion. So is mine. So are the 'experts' you may quote. You're dealing with, at best, a mixed bag of views from people (including the ones with 'degrees') who are trying to deal with those who are clearly abusive and manipulative. It's basically the way they go about it, or their 'science' they base it on that I take issue with. P.S., IMO, the 'cult' field sure as hell isn't science. ... Not by a long shot.

Yeppers! It's me again, the proverbial pain-in-the-arse regarding 'mind control'. "I was manipulated to believe that I had made my own decision." Errmm, you did make your own decision. ... Really. You were lied to, intimidated, even threatened with spiritual harm, ... but the final result was you made your decision to get involved, ... and it was your decision to get out. "... even threatened with spiritual harm." How many times has this occurred within churches which aren't regarded as having 'mind control', hmmm? As in if you don't accept Jesus Christ as you Savior leads you to hell? ... How 'cultic' is that? How much of a 'mind control tactic' is that? ... It isn't? ... Why? ... Because it is regarded as a common belief? Also, I wonder how many 'cult experts' are called upon as 'experts' since the Supreme Court made its Frye standard ruling back in 1993, tightening the scientific standards courts are to use regarding so-called 'experts' in their testimony? How would 'experts' like Dr. Margaret Singer fare with her 'mind control' theories?

Like I said on FB, it's a scam. <_<

Loading the language, I believe it's called. Where the definition of a word is changed to mean something different (in order to control the thought processes of the 'cult' devotees.) ... Hhmmm, mark of a 'cult'. ... ... kinda like the term 'cult' itself. A term which used to neutrally mean "A group of people who follow a person, idea, or thing." ... A _neutral_ term. ... Until the past few decades, that is. Now it's (largely) an emotional term. A hyped term. ... A loaded term. <_<

I just _love_ copout scams like that. <_<

Hehehe! ... This is like one of those 'saying-goodbye-without-really-leaving-but-always-coming-back' goodbyes, isn't it? ;)

Try this on for size. Truth doesn't need any defense, any declaration, ... only to be scrutinized and proven. ... Why I even have a scripture that supports that premise. "Prove (some versions say 'test') all things; hold fast to that which is true." Sounds like a winner to me. :)

Lock Up the Door, Throw Away the Key, ... there's someone in my head, but it's not me. Oh wait, wrong song.

Sooo NOW he learn what the nefarious plot is! They want us to get rid of our cookies!

Yeah, yeah. Likely story. ... You THE starter.

MarkOMalley, Like Sudo said, good to see your font around these parts. And frankly, I haven't seen anywhere where you've been abusive or any kind of 'jerk'. You're opinionated, as are many here; which considering our previous experience with TWI, is to be expected. Hey, it's not like we're to be all 'like-minded' or anything like that yanno? You and I have had our respective go rounds, but you've pretty much always been more or less civilized (definitely more than yours truly, no doubt ;) ), even when we disagreed re: our opinions. Frankly, you done good, and I don't really see what you have to apologize for, and voicing your opinion about issues and voicing your anger and disgust about the abuse you see is NOT verbal abuse, not in the least. ... That's part of the all-American freedom we all enjoy. Ask Abigail if you can join up with our GS's Facebook successor, GSC. I'm sure she'll let you right in. Gotta bring a kegger of Sam Adam's ale as admission fee tho. :)

Evidently Calvi--err Cynic kept it propped open with a brick. ROFLMAO!! Evidently some people just _cannot_ let some things go. Gee, Cynic, ya think that the Faith just _cannot_ remain strong without you being the White Knight riding to its defense? You are SUCH a blast of entertainment! ... I'm gonna miss you.

It's a corn-spiracy, I tell ya. A corn-spiracy! ... The real solution is for us all to take our Mak-Packs and head for the hills, cutting ourselves off from that devil-invested civilization. But seeriously, as regards email providers and internet providers that are in cahoots with such privacy invading varmints, the same common sense approach applies, set whatever settings you can to determine where your info goes, get whatever anti-spyware/anti-malware/anti-underwear utilities you can and set them up to how you want, and just watch whatever/wherever you go, and I think your privacy/safety will do a lot better than you might think. Wow! Kinda like in real life. Meanwhile, back I go to perusing my black-hat hacker site.

Me? I'd go, and with the following conditions: 1) I would go and ONLY converse (ie., fellowship, yanno?) with the relative. 2) have plenty to eat. Might as well get _something_ out of the deal. Make sure its well prepared food tho'. Familia sure as hell doesn't cut it in that department. 3) have a '666' tatooed on my forehead. ... J-U-S-T kidding on that last part. ... Well, maybe not. Depends on how much they would pi** me off. But seriously, the only connection/possible obligation you have is with your relative. Nobody else in that madhouse can make any social demands on you. ... At all.

There ya go Mike. Ya got your fist sign-up for your new Piffle class. One suggestion tho'. ... ... Don't go wearing any black skinny ties when you do your video class.

Great song, Ham. I too enjoy Yes music, and its soothing effects. :B)

NNNNNOOOOOOOOO wwwayyyyyy!!!

Farts and pounding sand huh? ... Ye gawds, no wonder this place went to hell!

(((clapclapclapclap))) :eusa_clap: Hooo-rahh!

Sure do. Thanks! :)