This might be a bit off-topic, but (to me) it still relates because it'salong the lines of changing wording to suit one's own perspective. It has to do with The Way's "literal translations, according to usage". This classic example of mine (which I hope you'll enjoy, along with me) is as follows:
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, [to determine]whether those things were so.” (Act 17:11 - KJV)
The word whether is very interesting here. When this verse is worked honestly, it really means: “by searching the scriptures daily, they could determine for themselves whether or not what they had been taught made sense to them (that is: whether those things were so).
For all they knew, there was potential for it not to line up with the scriptures they had at hand. And they could comprehend this merely by comparing it on their own, so they could plainly see for themselves if what they had heard was really the truth. Now—this is what God calls being noble.
[And this is very simple to see: The word whether is the Greek word “ei”. Of the 292 times it occurs in the NT, it’s translated “if” 242 times. So—we can read this verse “and searched the scriptures daily, [to determine] IFthose things were so.”.]
But TWI had a different slant on this verse! They teach it just as though the Greek word “ei” should be translated “that” instead of “if”. In other words: “You work exactly what we showed you, until you can see for yourselfthat those things are so." Let’s show that another way --- by using the scripture verse again:
[What TWI says is in red font --- and replaces what’s been crossed out.]
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the wordthe teachings of The Way with all readiness of mind, and searched the scripturesonly within those teachings (also including what was taught about them elsewhere, by looking up all the verses used --- via The Way International Publications Scripture Index...and reading all of those articles as well) daily, whether those things were so.proving to themselves that what was already taught to them was the absolute truth of the Word of God --- because they had made it their own!
Now—that’s not what I consider being noble --- it’s what I call being puppets on a string!
"not worth their salt" or, "socially shun this person to finish their Kool-Aid."
I've seen this one circulate in the phrases the Pharisees whisper to each other.
"Lost their salt" is now the common accusation against leaders who disagree with RFR in any circumstance. They are whispered about as such at the highest levels, and covered over with silence at levels below that so that lead Pharisees are protected and will never need to put their lilly white tushy on a seat in a courtroom deposition again.
Here's another one - "Biblical Research, Teaching, and Fellowship ministry"
where the practice is to cast out anyone who does Biblical research other than that originating from what Wierwille plagiarized.
one more - this one is a personal pet peeve.
"Would you be blessed to .... ?" where the only expected appropriate response is "of course. I always am blessed to serve."
That prepositional phrase needs Round-Up sprayed on it.
LOL. I remember that type of exchange. I always had an inner voice going on. Kind of like:
Them: "Sounds like you have an opportunity. You know we don't call them problems around here because that's negative believing. Instead, we call them opportunities to believe God".
Me: "Yes, that's true". Also Me (inner voice): "No, @$$h0l3, now I have 2 problems. One is my original problem. The other one is not punching you in your large bezookus right now."
"Walk by the spirit, not by sight", "God's Way or the World's", "be spiritually aware", "SIT until you don't recognize yourself" --> "Practice habitual lying until you reach a state delusional paranoia, learn to become comfortable in this altered consciousness by deciding it's everyone else who is in the wrong"
Do think they over-spiritualized a lot of it? Cause there's too much spiritual, too little spiritual, and spiritual that is just right. But if you go too far, just cite the spiritual anger. Cause that way everyone else can be responsible for how you're feeling. Not that you're feeling, cause that's senses realm, not spiritual.
Remember this one: "I have no friends when it comes to the word".
Also back in the 70s and 80s everybody greeted with a "Bless you" or "God Bless" but I wonder how many actually meant it. Is that still a prevalent expression in TWI now?
But TWI had a different slant on this verse! They teach it just as though the Greek word “ei” should be translated “that” instead of “if”. In other words: “You work exactly what we showed you, until you can see for yourselfthat those things are so."
Exactly! I have encountered a few honest way corps that actually said until I could understand it. But that is still a major twisting of the Word.
"would you be blessed to..." and then whatever it is they wanted you to do.
I never understood what the problem was with just asking, "Would you do such and such?" I'm sure hardly anyone would have said no, unless their schedule was too tight. But with the "blessed to" question, it seemed to have put more pressure on people.
"would you be blessed to..." and then whatever it is they wanted you to do.
I never understood what the problem was with just asking, "Would you do such and such?" I'm sure hardly anyone would have said no, unless their schedule was too tight. But with the "blessed to" question, it seemed to have put more pressure on people.
All of these "euphemisms" have become, as you (all or most GSC readers) know, cult jargon.
The jargon in cults has multiple effects.
The group members feel understood because they all use the same words and it generates a sense of camaraderie (and elitism - see below).
New people may feel left out and often want to learn what the words and phrases mean, drawing them deeper into the mindset of the cult.
Complex situations are often reduced to a few words, and this begins toshut down the critical thinkingof the members.
The words and phrases can dictate how the members should act in certain situations without having to make decisions. For example, one group had a phrase that meant that seniors in the hierarchy of the group were always right. So if there were any problems or disagreements, the phrase sorted everything out!
When the jargon is second nature, talking to outsiders may become tedious and awkward and this keeps group membersisolated from outside influences.
Elitist mentality
The group members feel understood because they all use the same words and it generates a sense of camaraderie (and elitism - see below).New people may feel left out and often want to learn what the words and phrases mean, drawing them deeper into the mindset of the cult.Complex situations are often reduced to a few words, and this begins toshut down the critical thinkingof the members.The words and phrases can dictate how the members should act in certain situations without having to make decisions. For example, one group had a phrase that meant that seniors in the hierarchy of the group were always right. So if there were any problems or disagreements, the phrase sorted everything out!When the jargon is second nature, talking to outsiders may become tedious and awkward and this keeps group membersisolated from outside influences.
The end justifies the means
Because they are doing very important things like god's work, or saving the earth, rescuing mankind, or simply doing 'The Work, members are led to believe thatlying, cheating, and deceiving outsiders for money or getting them to come along to the group is justified.
And remember that many group leaders are psychopaths. This means they have no empathy, guilt or remorse.Ever!
Add to this their inflated sense of self worth, grandiosity and sense of entitlement, and they believe they can do whatever they like, take what they want, abuse whoever they please etc. etc. without any consideration for others. For them the end always justifies the means.
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chockfull
"Stole material like a starving comedian with severe depression" ?
hmmm. were those dysphemisms?
we need more of those, and less of the other.
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waysider
"Opportunity"...
Them: "Sounds like you have an opportunity."
Me: "No, what I have is a big freakin' problem."
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Kevin Fallon
Exactly!!!
Edited by Kevin FallonFailed Quote
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Kevin Fallon
Exactly!!
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T-Bone
Them: how would you like to get blessed?
me: how much money do you need?
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Bolshevik
"not spiritually mature enough" - or, "still hasn't finished their first glass of Kool-Aid."
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Bolshevik
"not worth their salt" or, "socially shun this person to finish their Kool-Aid."
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spectrum49
This might be a bit off-topic, but (to me) it still relates because it's along the lines of changing wording to suit one's own perspective. It has to do with The Way's "literal translations, according to usage". This classic example of mine (which I hope you'll enjoy, along with me) is as follows:
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, [to determine] whether those things were so.” (Act 17:11 - KJV)
The word whether is very interesting here. When this verse is worked honestly, it really means: “by searching the scriptures daily, they could determine for themselves whether or not what they had been taught made sense to them (that is: whether those things were so).
For all they knew, there was potential for it not to line up with the scriptures they had at hand. And they could comprehend this merely by comparing it on their own, so they could plainly see for themselves if what they had heard was really the truth. Now—this is what God calls being noble.
[And this is very simple to see: The word whether is the Greek word “ei”. Of the 292 times it occurs in the NT, it’s translated “if” 242 times. So—we can read this verse “and searched the scriptures daily, [to determine] IF those things were so.”.]
But TWI had a different slant on this verse! They teach it just as though the Greek word “ei” should be translated “that” instead of “if”. In other words: “You work exactly what we showed you, until you can see for yourself that those things are so." Let’s show that another way --- by using the scripture verse again:
[What TWI says is in red font --- and replaces what’s been
crossed out.]"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the wordthe teachings of The Way with all readiness of mind, and searchedthe scripturesonly within those teachings (also including what was taught about them elsewhere, by looking up all the verses used --- via The Way International Publications Scripture Index...and reading all of those articles as well) daily,whether those things were so.proving to themselves that what was already taught to them was the absolute truth of the Word of God --- because they had made it their own!Now—that’s not what I consider being noble --- it’s what I call being puppets on a string!
Edited by spectrum49grammar
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WordWolf
You might be curious about a few threads that might have some of the expressions you want....
"Third Aid and other twi catchphrases"- http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4372-third-aid-and-other-twi-catchphrases/
twi ii terms http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4470-twi-ii-terms/
Phrases to manipulate us with http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4620-phrases-to-manipulate-us-with/
Wayspeak and Greasespot-speak.
http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4350-way-speak-and-greasespot-speak/
http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4734-way-speak-and-greasespot-speak/
Wayspeak- Greasespot Cafe Dictionary
http://www.greasespotcafe.com/ipb/topic/4735-wayspeak-greasespot-cafe-dictionary/
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chockfull
I've seen this one circulate in the phrases the Pharisees whisper to each other.
"Lost their salt" is now the common accusation against leaders who disagree with RFR in any circumstance. They are whispered about as such at the highest levels, and covered over with silence at levels below that so that lead Pharisees are protected and will never need to put their lilly white tushy on a seat in a courtroom deposition again.
Here's another one - "Biblical Research, Teaching, and Fellowship ministry"
where the practice is to cast out anyone who does Biblical research other than that originating from what Wierwille plagiarized.
one more - this one is a personal pet peeve.
"Would you be blessed to .... ?" where the only expected appropriate response is "of course. I always am blessed to serve."
That prepositional phrase needs Round-Up sprayed on it.
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Thomas Loy Bumgarner
There's no strangers at The Way, just a friend you haven't met
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chockfull
LOL. I remember that type of exchange. I always had an inner voice going on. Kind of like:
Them: "Sounds like you have an opportunity. You know we don't call them problems around here because that's negative believing. Instead, we call them opportunities to believe God".
Me: "Yes, that's true". Also Me (inner voice): "No, @$$h0l3, now I have 2 problems. One is my original problem. The other one is not punching you in your large bezookus right now."
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outandabout
"spiritual problems" - that guy's possessed.
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Bolshevik
"Walk by the spirit, not by sight", "God's Way or the World's", "be spiritually aware", "SIT until you don't recognize yourself" --> "Practice habitual lying until you reach a state delusional paranoia, learn to become comfortable in this altered consciousness by deciding it's everyone else who is in the wrong"
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Thomas Loy Bumgarner
Howard Allen back in the early 70's, I think he quoted Will Rogers(kind of)
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Bolshevik
"We've got to see things from God's perspective. It's a spiritual competition"
The goal post are wherever I need them to be.
You may applaud my efforts now.
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Thomas Loy Bumgarner
While that statement is true, it was abused, meaning you need to see things from my perspective(VPW, LCM, CG, RR) because we have God's ear.
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Bolshevik
Do think they over-spiritualized a lot of it? Cause there's too much spiritual, too little spiritual, and spiritual that is just right. But if you go too far, just cite the spiritual anger. Cause that way everyone else can be responsible for how you're feeling. Not that you're feeling, cause that's senses realm, not spiritual.
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Infoabsorption
Remember this one: "I have no friends when it comes to the word".
Also back in the 70s and 80s everybody greeted with a "Bless you" or "God Bless" but I wonder how many actually meant it. Is that still a prevalent expression in TWI now?
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Thomas Loy Bumgarner
Probably more like Grumpy Cat
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Taxidev
This isn't everybody, but it is still very present.
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Taxidev
Exactly! I have encountered a few honest way corps that actually said until I could understand it. But that is still a major twisting of the Word.
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Taxidev
"would you be blessed to..." and then whatever it is they wanted you to do.
I never understood what the problem was with just asking, "Would you do such and such?" I'm sure hardly anyone would have said no, unless their schedule was too tight. But with the "blessed to" question, it seemed to have put more pressure on people.
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Rocky
All of these "euphemisms" have become, as you (all or most GSC readers) know, cult jargon.
The jargon in cults has multiple effects.
Elitist mentality
The group members feel understood because they all use the same words and it generates a sense of camaraderie (and elitism - see below).New people may feel left out and often want to learn what the words and phrases mean, drawing them deeper into the mindset of the cult.Complex situations are often reduced to a few words, and this begins to shut down the critical thinking of the members.The words and phrases can dictate how the members should act in certain situations without having to make decisions. For example, one group had a phrase that meant that seniors in the hierarchy of the group were always right. So if there were any problems or disagreements, the phrase sorted everything out!When the jargon is second nature, talking to outsiders may become tedious and awkward and this keeps group members isolated from outside influences.The end justifies the means
Because they are doing very important things like god's work, or saving the earth, rescuing mankind, or simply doing 'The Work, members are led to believe that lying, cheating, and deceiving outsiders for money or getting them to come along to the group is justified.
And remember that many group leaders are psychopaths. This means they have no empathy, guilt or remorse. Ever!
Add to this their inflated sense of self worth, grandiosity and sense of entitlement, and they believe they can do whatever they like, take what they want, abuse whoever they please etc. etc. without any consideration for others. For them the end always justifies the means.
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