A la prochaine

Oh, my...don't waste such precious music on them. I would suggest some Lawrence Welk or their own Singing Ladies of the Way.

Our branch leader was an arrogant b*stard, who took any opportunity to turn any minute situation into a teaching. EVERY STICKING LITTLE THING WAS A TEACHING! What a waste of time listening to him drivel on about how God really showed him something while he was sitting at his computer doing whatever he did, while his drones worked his business and he sat at home and did 'administrative' work. The man was the most selfish man I have ever met. My husband witnessed once (during one of those lovely PFAL set-ups) where someone was using a dustbuster to clean. The wife of this man came downstairs in a huff...looked around, spotted the dustbuster and in front of probably 8-10 people said to her husband with all the love in her cold and calloused heart, "If you're gonna use a dustbuster, use your own F**king dustbuster." and walked away. That's love. That's CORPS! -->

WWS, Yes, PLENTY of rude while in TWI!!! And of course all under the disguise of 'Speaking the truth with ALL BOLDNESS' It was more like, "I'll melt your face and you'll love it too 'cause I'm getting this right down the pipe!"

Mr. Ham, What you wrote here reminded me of something I posted a while back. The thread was called 'Anyone seen Loy Boy lately'...asking if anyone knew of LCM's wereabouts. In this thread, someone had posted a picture of his profile that is/was hanging on the wall with all the other trainers at Bally's where he worked at the time (I'm not sure if he's still there or not...I'm assuming he is). Anyhow, in the profile he writes of his resume and a little bit about himself. As well, in the thread, someone had posted saying that they had called Bally's and had asked to speak to LCM but he was out at the time. The employee spoke about LCM as being a 'funny' man and wonderful to work with (I think that's how it went). I was outraged!!! I realized at that moment that LCM really had very little remorse for what he had done. I personally believe if LCM had an ounce of conscience he would have to be severally medicated (therefore, making him unable to keep employment and he certainly would not be the jolly fellar he was described as by the employee), and/or he would have somehow found a way to apologize for his actions either on an open forum such as GS or individually. I personally feel sadness at times for him. His personal turmoil must be tormentuous if there is a conscience. And if not, then he is a very sad individual with an emptiness inside beyond belief. At least here on GS, we are trying to put the pieces back together again and see where things went wrong in our lives...where mistakes were made and try not to repeat those mistakes again. I think trying is much healthier than denying.

Catcup, What a beautiful quote. Made me think of Helen Keller's life. That is what made her life so remarkable...it's what she OVERCAME. Thank you. It brought tears.

Ham, I just wanted to pipe in and say ... I think this thread is wonderful. I've been here on GS for now almost 3 yrs. and at times I have eased off posting thinking, "Ok, I'm done with this. It's over. I'm moving on." But then someone like you starts up a thread and POW! it socks me right between the ears and I see how I'm not 'OVER IT' and the words I read here, help me heal and be a better person. So like Oenophile said... So, I personally want to thank you for your thread and your thoughts (as well as all the other posters). I appreciate the honesty. At times it may not be pretty but it's honest and that is a thing of beauty.

I forgot to mention... Earlier in my 1st post on page 1 of this thread before my daughter asked if anyone had tried to escape...she asked...again very innocently and interrogatively, " What was this? Was is like 'boot camp'?" That set us off to more laughter!! But there certainly was some truth to what she said.

Well, thank you Jonny! ;)--> :o--> :P-->

Catcup, I must tell you ... your thread here is very timely for me. Last night I was visiting with relatives who were in TWI up until a few years ago. My children and their children were present and we were talking about TWI and their beliefs. One thing led to another and I started talking about the Corps Training and what it was like for me (a living hell). Up until that point I had never talked to my daughters about what the Corps was or what I had experienced when I was in. We had been kicked out of TWI in 94 and my eldest daughter was only 7 at the time. I have two other daughters who have NEVER had any association with TWI or that doctrine (thank God!) So, last night I was recounting one of my most favourable experiences with one of the cult leaders' wives (oooooops corps leader :D-->)and the girls were asking all sorts of questions like: "Were you allowed to do this or that or this etc?" which most of the answers to their questions were 'NO'. Then my 14 year old pipes in very innocently but intently, after hearing all of these restrictions and asks, "Did anyone ever try to escape?" WE All SCREAMED WITH LAUGHTER AND COULD BARELY BREATHE!!! It made me realize the insanity of it all and what this looked like to an outsider. It made me also think about the 'escapees' of the way corps/wow program/staff and how those who did escape sometimes in the middle of the night were then labelled possessed and never to be associated with again. MY GOD! --> I feel like barfing again!

Outandabout said: The manipulation was unfathomable. I feel sick to my stomach

Hello all!!! I'm feeling so bad that I didn't see this 'til now. I've been away from the spot for sometime now and my good friend Oeno told me he had started this thread just the other day. Thank you everyone for such beautiful words (in both languages to boot)...it means alot to me. And all the beautiful, soulful music wishes that were sent my way...I couldn't ask for more...(talking about music...hubby and I are planning to attend the Montr? Jazz Festival in July for 10 days...I'm nearly half stupid over the thing ) As for the 'grammar lesson'...I'll pass. It's all beautiful and I would never want to change a thing. You have all meant so much to me since my arrival here on GS and I will always keep you near and dear to my heart. My life really did change once I arrived here on GS and for that I will always be thankful. By the way...my birthday was wonderful! It was celebrated by the arrival of a very fond friend that I met here on GS. I love you all much. xoxoxox

Mike K, I haven't had a chance to read all the above posts...but I thought of something that might help you with your guilt and shame. There is a book here on GS that is recommended reading...The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse. You might want to check into that. I'm sure there would be answers in it for you. Happy Journeying.

Scooby? Did someone say Scooby. I love Scooby

HCW, People have mentioned in the above posts that they knew VP as a monster. Others say he also had a good side to him. And your posts say that people's opinion's differ because of which side they experienced of VP. I never had any 'personal' 'friendly' relationship with VP. I was in TWI for over 20 yrs, was corps and I'm pretty sure he never knew I existed. So, my personal experience was, I saw VP as a bible preaching MOG who had the answers and I saw him as a monster as well because of his ability to reach out to people, take their hearts, by tearing it out of their chests and stomping all over it in public no less. So, now my evaluation of VP was this. I desperately wanted to do everything RIGHT and to the best of my ability BECAUSE...I had seen the monster side of him and never wanted to be on the receiving side of it. NEVER! That would have destroyed me. And by doing this, he was able to have a control over me I didn't even realize was happening at the time. So what kind of relationship is that??? A very twisted, manipulative one I think. And of course, nothing he would do or say would ever be questioned. Therefore, you were in a 'no win' battle. I believe that those whom were 'blessed' by his friendship, his person, his influence was because they felt they were somehow above his wrath. That somehow, they were special in VP's eyes and would never receive the treatment they may have witnessed was done to others. Otherwise, why would anyone want to subject themselves to a possible attack? What if you fell short? What if you weren't 'ON' and something terribly unspiritual happened due to your 'unbelief'? What would have happened then? HCW...maybe this was 'shut-up' money due to the extensive legal battles going on because of the accident? Just a thought. Disclaimer: I know I'll get eaten alive for posting this.. but I don't really care...it's how I feel.

Mike, Welcome to GS...stick around and read....there's lots of information to digest...you might just get some answers to your question here. I loved your story...very funny.. but I know it wasn't funny to experience at the time. TWI was a nightmare for most!

Think of you often my sweet Hope! :D--> My love to you on this special day of celebration!!!

If anyone truly believes that marriages were not abusive in TWI-1...they are as dilusional as the husbands who believed they were upholding "the standard" as they abused their wives and family. I remember in 1980 that a certain clergy was sent to our area. Previously him, his wife and step-daughter were on staff at HQ. One of the reasons that they were sent out on the field to look after us --> was because he had been having a relationship with the then 12 yr. old stepdaughter. After he arrived here, things did not stop. He continued his ways with my 18 yr. old wow sister and many other young and married women as well. Throughout all these ordeals, his wife sat by his side...sitting through countless meetings when things were unveiled and never saying a thing. She was 'supporting' him I guess. --> So, I can say as early as 1978 that these particular ways and behaviours were enforced and supported in TWI-1.

Very well put Music Man. :)-->

JL, Interesting ...

Cindy, How about some music lyrics??? That's poetry put to music. Maybe take some old stuff they wouldn't necessarily know...but classic stuff at the same time...just an idea. Sharon, wow...that's a pretty intense poem.

Very clever my commonwealth friend! :D-->

Groucho, still laughing...... :P-->

Jonny L and George... I'm still laughing!!! and gasping!!!! Thanks for the chuckles.

Trefor, Je n'ai pas compris tes mots mon ami... Explication nécessaire s.v.p. Merci :D-->

:D--> (((lindy))) is my friend now for sure :D--> we were scammed....check your private topics