soul searcher

Thanks. I was wondering about that. Meanwhile, I have no idea if George posted a clue above or was just liking New York.

I think he's saying (correct me if I'm wrong, Jeff) that "I can't be perfect if I think I know what perfection is." edit Jeff beat me to the punch.

Thanks, Abigail. The reason I asked is that I've been having a discussion on another forum with some rather conservative Christians. Their position is clear: there's only one way to the moutaintop (guess which way that is?). So, implicit in their beliefs is that everyone who doesn't accept Christ as savior will spend eternity in gravedom or get tossed into the lake of fire. I will never believe that. I grew up in an area with a large Jewish population and I have Jewish relatives, and most of them are better persons tthan I am. To think that I have anymore "right" to enter God's kingdom than they based soley on my beliefs regarding Jesus Christ does not make sense.

Interesting. Thanks.

@ Abigail: Great post! :) What are your views on death and the afterlife, if you don't mind me asking? I've had that discussion countless times over the years with various believers. My position has always been the same as yours. But I have been trying recently to turn back to Christianity. My first step, which I'm in the middle of, is reading the bible from cover to cover, unguided and without any formal instruction. I'm going to let my own intellect figure out for me what the bible says, not what the priest at my local church or any other "man of God" thinks. And then I'll take it from there.

For whatever reason I can't edit the poll anymore. Anyone who lives in Mexico, South America, the rest of Europe or Asia is welcome post their info or PM me, and I will insert those data points into the results.

So...can I infer from your statement that you were a child of parents who were in the Way?

I pretty much agree with you. It seems to me that the world's major religions have common themes and that we all pray to the same God. But then, what do I know?

As I've said before, I wouldn't have lasted a week in TWI. :) You mean all children are "Children of the Corn"?

By all means -- I was asking whoever wanted to share their views. We (you and I) may not "really have an understanding", but others seem to be very certain: their answer would be no, no one who does not accept Jesus as their savior will be admited to God's kingdom.

How about Christmas trees, lights, decorations, etc.?

I recommend the Zondervan NIV Study Bible. I have the large-print version with red-leter text and thumb-index. There's hardly any margin for notes but then I don't write in my bible. :)

Interesting... Let me ask you: do you think that people who walk in the ways of God and Jesus, but know nothing and/or care not about God and Jesus, will find salvation in the afterlife? It's something I've always wondered about.

I'm curious, are you making a back-handed pitch for the "Idiom of Permission" doctrine (i.e., that God is NOT in control on this earth)?

Hmm...you're right. I didn't think the forumers here were so far-flung. Anyway, thanks. I'll see if I can edit it.

Sunshine of Your Love "Start spreading the news"

Okay, so I'm thinking this song was a little too obscure. So here it is...(hang in there for the Phil Woods sax solo): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShHc3NLI6fQ Free post!

He probably wasn't as charismatic as Robert Mitchum.

I find it very interesting that someone would leave their home to enter a bible ministry -- and even more interesting that they should leave. Until August 2009 I had no idea about the skeletons in the TWI's closet. So I'm interested in a) why you all went in and b) why you all left. I've read many individual stories on this forum but, being a researcher, I like to quantify things. Also, since I'm evolving in my spiritual beliefs I'm interested in how you all have evolved. I also find it interesting that all of the born-again Christians I know personally were Catholic at one time.

Maybe a second clue is in order... Line #2: I was halfway crucified

Thanks, Twinky. Those were very interesting polls. I'll be able to use some that information if I decide to put together a full questionnaire (which at this point I may end up not doing -- 170 views and 10 responses amounts to a 5.9% response rate..and we're only talking three questions!) :(

Thanks, Pen. I have read many of them. I was wondering about VPW's qualities as a person. I wonder why so many people seemed to love and respect him so much. My ex-Way friend still holds a great deal of respect for VPW's work. But then again, her judgement stinks. :)

Great story, Charlene. Thank you for posting that link. So...VPW, when confronted with obvious errors in his work would flat-out deny them? Me being me, I wouldn't have lasted very long in TWI. They probably would have kicked me out after a week.

It looks like you didn't enter your info in the poll. :) I would love to see that.

I don't know if this has ever been done before but I'm thinking about taking a survey of you forumers. Why? Primarily because I find you to be a very interesting bunch of folks and I'm interested in your thoughts on certain subjects. But the kind of poll I can administer on this thread doesn't allow me to obtain very precise data, nor does it allow me to do statistical analysis of the results. But for now, I'm really curious about the age distribution in this forum and where you all live. In the spirit of full disclosure: I'm 51 and live in NY.