Why is there an x-way site?

[Imagine]

I notice that x-Catholics don't have a site where they go frequently to talk about the old days in the Catholic church.

Or the x- Methodists don't get together to talk about the good and the bad times of their former lives as Methodists.

Or the x-Presbyterians, imagine them getting online to find other former Presbyterians to discuss how their world has changed since they left the Presbyterian church.

What about those x-Baptists, do they meet and party with other former Baptists?

I used to be a Calvinist, but I don't go online and try to bond with former Calvinists.

What draws me back here again and again?

Have we really left if our thoughts are tied up with our old group?

[Ham]

Well..

der vey was a rather small group to begin with.. without the internet, it might be a tad difficult to hook up with some of the old crowd.

I think a lot of associations people got from the group are important, not necessarily the group itself..

In a very very strange kind of way.. is this perhaps "the way" that we REALLY wanted to join?

We can even fight like cats and dogs if we want to, without being screamed at to renew our minds..

[Bolshevik]

Why do people study WWII?

I want to know what on earth happened.

Plus, since I can't trust my senses or my mind, twi can just tell me all the bad things that happened didn't happen. And all the good things that didn't happen, happened.

I need info. So I come here.

[Nottawayfer]

There were a lot of abuses and hurts caused to a lot of people. Coming here to have those who understand where you've been can be healing. It's a place to vent, and those who want to hear you can. Talking about hurts can help you get past them. It did for me.

[dmiller]

Well..

In a very very strange kind of way .. is this perhaps "the way" that we REALLY wanted to join?

We can even fight like cats and dogs if we want to, without being screamed at to renew our minds..

Good point. ;)

(PS -- JW's and UCC-er's have *ex* sites for discussion.

Presbyterians, etc., don't exert the minute mind control that the cult's did.

Presby's, etc, left an organization. We (cultists) left a lifestyle.)

[socks]

Oddly the x-way site idea was a mistake, initially. Little known but true fact - the original concept for the site was to be an "x-RAY" site, and intended as a service for dental technicians. Since it's like pulling teeth around here sometimes anyway, it was determined to go ahead with the x-way site concept.

Really.

[waysider]

Ah yes, Mr Miller

Membership in an organization vs. lifestyle.

Very good point.

I don't personally know any Catholics, Baptists, etc. who lived a communal lifestyle based on their religious beliefs.(except the Priesthood)

I suppose there could have been some, but not that has crossed my radar.

I work with someone who was in a cult similar to TWI.(but much smaller)

They do not have a web site. They do, however, email each other and get together for lunches, etc. I don't really view that as being any different, in essence, to having a web site like GSC. It's people with a common bond interacting with each other.In our case, though, the common bond included a very regimented lifestyle that you won't find on, let's say, a banjo pickers forum.

[VeganXTC]

I agree with DMiller. I am an x-Methodist, but my time with them is nothing like my time spent with TWI. I didn't suffer physical or sexual abuse from Methodist clergy. I was never a victim of a violent attack, nor did I witness any while I went to church. The church members never betrayed me. I don't need to find an x-Methodist group.

I came to Greasespot to find comfort and support, but I also found so much more. A few old faces, a lot of new information, and lots of smiles and laughs. That's why I'm drawn here.

[ChasUFarley]

Because no one else would believe us if we told our stories to them.

[GrouchoMarxJr]

I come here because the coffee is good...

[dmiller]

I came to Greasespot to find comfort and support, but I also found so much more.

A few old faces, a lot of new information, and lots of smiles and laughs.

That's why I'm drawn here.

You came here asking the question -- *WHERE'S THE BEEF!!!*

Woops !! I think I referenced the wrong poster!!

MEA CULPA!!!! :doh:

(Just kidding!!)

[Imagine]

Last night I thought about what I would answer...

The way for me was more

than a religion...

more than a church...

It was an addiction

I was addicted to the work of the ministry

Therefore, the x-way site is a support group for the abuse and pain and help to move forward

We DO need x-rays to examine what went wrong and so we don't repeat it again like WWII

(Good thing we have a dentist on this forum)

When I first came to this site, it was to vent.

Hey, writing therapy is a proven effective option.

Second, I came here to play. After I had released the anger, sadness and confusion, I enjoyed the strangeness of it all.

You're right, who else would believe our stories and who else could relate?

But now it bothers me that I return.

I come with a bit of embarrassment because I think I should be ready to let go.

I have let go of the past so many times.

I read a book titled The Bait of Satan which was helpful to move into forgiveness.

Now I do not harbor any anger toward the violators.

Yesterday I said to some preacher, "I miss my cult."

Maybe I come here to find what I miss.

???

[rascal]

Imagine, maybe there is more to our healing than just moving on. Maybe there are layers, levels that need to be examined each one at a time, only to be seen and presented as the previous layer has been examined and addressed.

It took decades to develope our thought processes and beliefs. Decades of suffering injustices and abuse silently. I think that it takes a lot of time and carefull examination to regain healthy thought processes.

I think that in the journey of coming to grips ...that together we can help one another.

[sprawled out]

Oddly the x-way site idea was a mistake, initially. Little known but true fact - the original concept for the site was to be an "x-RAY" site, and intended as a service for dental technicians.

ba-dum-bum

but seriously, i don't get no respect...

[Belle]

I came to find out what TWI wasn't telling us and to see why they were so adamant about keeping us from the internet - obviously there was stuff out here that they didn't want us to know about.

I stayed to stay informed since TWI wasn't telling us anything. Then, got help working things out in my pea brain - support for my impending divorce and oust from TWI. I had fun sharing what was going on inside the walls of TWI because I knew it p!ssed them off to no end.

Once I was out and divorced, I needed the cafe desperately for help with all that nasty carp we go through finally being on our own and discovering the brave, new world out there. By the time I felt strong enough to stand on my own two feet I had developed deep, lasting friendships with some of the patrons and couldn't imagine NOT staying in touch with many folks here.

Besides that, I've accumulated quite the gum collection under all the tables and booths..... don't want Paw scraping away any of my hard work. :P

[VeganXTC]

You came here asking the question -- *WHERE'S THE BEEF!!!

:D

[GarthP2000]

Besides that, I've accumulated quite the gum collection under all the tables and booths..... don't want Paw scraping away any of my hard work.

I don't think he could. Ever wonder how *hard* that gum winds up being after a few weeks? ... It's like granite, I tell ya.

:lol:

[excathedra]

i have an addictive personality

[Bolshevik]

I read a book titled The Bait of Satan which was helpful to move into forgiveness.

An innie recently handed me that book. Looks like a good book. But that a wayfer handed me that book made me a little, I dunno, bitter? :)

[Rocky]

i have an addictive personality

And YOU are NOT alone!

ba-dum-bum

but seriously, i don't get no respect...

So, are you telling us your real name is RODNEY D?

[WordWolf]

What draws me back here again and again?

I can answer why I return, but not why you return...

Have we really left if our thoughts are tied up with our old group?

In my case, my thoughts are LESS tied up with twi since posting and reading here.

Although I do not disagree categorically with EVERYTHING they taught and teach,

we've examined quite a few things, both in print and on tape and in classes

that twi covered, and shown that they don't reflect sound doctrine.

Sometimes they're major things -like the so-called "law" of believing.

Sometimes they're minor things-like "were Samson and Jesus molested".

Either way, the process of thinking and examining what they taught, each time,

makes me a little freer of the choices of blindly accept their docrtrine because they said so,

or blindly reject their doctrine because they said to accept it.

(Not that I began as wildly embracing every utterance, but every little bit counts.)

========

BTW,

on the internet,

there are interest groups for EVERYTHING,

including ex-members of religious organizations.

Here, we can learn what we didn't know, tell others what we do know,

discuss what we thought we knew or know,

or just socialize.

I like to do all of the above, in turns.

Some of us are still playing forum games in the Reading Room forum,

and I think those who think this place is cheerless really ought to join in a

game for a while.

[johniam]

quote: Imagine, maybe there is more to our healing than just moving on. Maybe there are layers, levels that need to be examined each one at a time, only to be seen and presented as the previous layer has been examined and addressed.

See the pain; be the pain. IMO pain is OK as long as it's used in moderation.

[rascal]

John you completely mischaracterized my point in attempt to belittle my statement.

You are a big boy and I am certain, capable of legitimately making your own comments without lying about someone elses pov.

It is rediculous to think that you understand why myself or anybody else returns here or even more silly, what is healthy or acceptible for anybody else.

Please try to answere for yourself, as that is the only one who`s perspective and motive you are qualified to comment on.

Edited June 14, 2007 by rascal

[socks]

Aw, I don' get no respect on these x-way sites. Like last week, my wife's going to bed just as I'm logging on so I tell her "You go on to bed honey, I'll be up in a minute". She says "Up in a minute? What's that site called - Viagra?!" Aw geez, I don't get no respect.

No respect, it's tough, tough I tell ya! I've killed more threads than a moth, I tell ya it's tough! Last year I did a thread - "What's your sign?" There was only one response - "Stop". So I responded, "Thanks!" and they answered "Can't you read???" Man, it's depressing, depressing!

I get no respect, no respect. I finally hit 10,000 posts, and the Moderator sent me a message, "is this all you have to do?" I mean, I get no respect! I looked at my profile last year and checked it again last week to see who's been in - it said "Last viewed by: socks". I mean, respect? I got none. It's tough I tell ya, tough!

Edited June 14, 2007 by socks

[Jeaniam]

John you completely mischaracterized my point in attempt to belittle my statement.

You are a big boy and I am certain, capable of legitimately making your own comments without lying about someone elses pov.

It is rediculous to think that you understand why myself or anybody else returns here or even more silly, what is healthy or acceptible for anybody else.

Please try to answere for yourself, as that is the only one who`s perspective and motive you are qualified to comment on.

Why don't you take your own advice? And BTW, why don't you learn how to spell or at least install a spelling program on your computer?