I should have left the first time I heard someone maligned and officially "marked and avoided" at a Twig Co-ordinator's meeting. They were not mentioned by name, but the details were explicit enough that we knew exactly to whom this referred. This person was a close friend, and, to my everlasting shame, I didn't jump up and say, "This is BULL$(-)!T"
I was just still too married to the idea that the leaders in the Way were operating "all nine all the time", and they must have been shown something by God that I either wasn't priveleged to know, or wasn't spiritually "sharp" enough to handle.
I should have left when the first interim corpse guy I ran into wanted to "jump in my pants" when I was teenager. He got quite disgusted when I said NO AND tried to use the Word to justify why it was ok.
I shoulda left when they told me I was in grave danger living with my little brother and our good friend because they were unbelievers and smoking pot. They were panicked about me living with them and one of the girls wanted me to move in with her until I could find a place.
I shoulda left when Weirwill was referred to as The Man Of God.
I shoulda left before I paid for the class.
I shoulda left before I took the class.
I shoulda left after lesson 1. 2. 3. 4., etc.
And my stupidity and blindness just kept snowballing. The thing is that I was trained to spot these cults in my psychiatric studies, yet fell prey like anyone else.
See I could come up with all sorts of negatives. But let's focus on the WHY we stayed in the Way. Honestly? I knew more people and had more friends back then than any other time in my life. We were never really alone. Sure there were the dinkuses, but there were alot of people you liked, got along with and had a good time. If you really needed someone you knew you can count on a believer to help you.
So yes we all went to hell in a bucket, but we all enjoyed the ride at some point.
Shoulda left back in '73 when my hand was on the doorknob and John N*ve yelled, "You'll never get your needs met anywhere else!" Instead, I turned around, walked back to the couch, sat down, and he resumed his tirade.
I got in in the early 70s, hung with it for about 4 years , and then came and went until around 83 or 84 when I hung it up for good.
I had lots of friends who were active so I think I got some slack when I would disappear for a few months and return later but then there were corps who didn't know me so they didn't approve of my "wavering committment" - I didn't approve of their attitude. It wasn't a problem for me to walk away from it. I had things I wanted to do and couldn't see how being in TWI could help me get there.
I will say this. there was a guy who was known for being a real hardass , (many here know him), and I was avoiding him since because I was leaving I thought he would be wanting to yell at me. But he didn't. He pulled me aside and told me that as long as I was doing what I *really* wanted then he was in full support. It was a mindblower because any other day of the week this guy was known for screaming at everyone. Make no mistake. I was going no matter what he said but it was a bizarre situation.
I should have left when they told to sell my house in order to please God. My wife threatened to divorce me Way Style if I did leave The Way so I made myself accept what they said and stayed.
What a fool I was! That house is worth 4 times what paid. Never again will I allow another man or organiztion to Lord over my life in the name of God.
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Kevlar2000
I should have left the first time I heard someone maligned and officially "marked and avoided" at a Twig Co-ordinator's meeting. They were not mentioned by name, but the details were explicit enough that we knew exactly to whom this referred. This person was a close friend, and, to my everlasting shame, I didn't jump up and say, "This is BULL$(-)!T"
I was just still too married to the idea that the leaders in the Way were operating "all nine all the time", and they must have been shown something by God that I either wasn't priveleged to know, or wasn't spiritually "sharp" enough to handle.
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smurfette
I should have left when the first interim corpse guy I ran into wanted to "jump in my pants" when I was teenager. He got quite disgusted when I said NO AND tried to use the Word to justify why it was ok.
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Belle
I shoulda left when they told me I was in grave danger living with my little brother and our good friend because they were unbelievers and smoking pot. They were panicked about me living with them and one of the girls wanted me to move in with her until I could find a place.
GAWD, I was so stupid!!!
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rascal
I shouldda left when.... I was declared posessed by a viscious tc`s wife...
I shouldda left when (almost did) ... I was told that God required the abortion of my unborn child....
I shouldda left when.... the tc snarled at my 3 yr old for squirming after an hour and a half of deadly dull teaching at fellowship....
I shouldda left before I ever arrived ...sigh
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signals
Signals' lesson(in 20/20 HINDSITE VISION)...
I shoulda never have gone to that first twig.
I shoulda never returned the second time.
I shoulda left when a class was emphasized.
I shoulda left when ABS was emphasized.
I shoulda left when Weirwill was referred to as The Man Of God.
I shoulda left before I paid for the class.
I shoulda left before I took the class.
I shoulda left after lesson 1. 2. 3. 4., etc.
And my stupidity and blindness just kept snowballing. The thing is that I was trained to spot these cults in my psychiatric studies, yet fell prey like anyone else.
See I could come up with all sorts of negatives. But let's focus on the WHY we stayed in the Way. Honestly? I knew more people and had more friends back then than any other time in my life. We were never really alone. Sure there were the dinkuses, but there were alot of people you liked, got along with and had a good time. If you really needed someone you knew you can count on a believer to help you.
So yes we all went to hell in a bucket, but we all enjoyed the ride at some point.
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WhiteDove
I shoulda left when....I did
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SafariVista
when that WOW Vet lived at my house and ripped me off~ taking ALL my good jewelry and pawned it for Hookers & Heroin
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Jim
I shoulda left after the first book-burning.
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wyteduv58
I shouda left when LCM was named pres. of the way.
I wanted either Walter or John Townsend to be pres.
LCM was brainless to be sure,,might as well have Peter Pan as pres. he had more of a brain than LCM had and has even now.
he's a brainless moron with no morals.
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Catcup
Shoulda left back in '73 when my hand was on the doorknob and John N*ve yelled, "You'll never get your needs met anywhere else!" Instead, I turned around, walked back to the couch, sat down, and he resumed his tirade.
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GrouchoMarxJr
I shoulda left the first time I was handed "Christians should be proposterous"...
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diazbro
I got in in the early 70s, hung with it for about 4 years , and then came and went until around 83 or 84 when I hung it up for good.
I had lots of friends who were active so I think I got some slack when I would disappear for a few months and return later but then there were corps who didn't know me so they didn't approve of my "wavering committment" - I didn't approve of their attitude. It wasn't a problem for me to walk away from it. I had things I wanted to do and couldn't see how being in TWI could help me get there.
I will say this. there was a guy who was known for being a real hardass , (many here know him), and I was avoiding him since because I was leaving I thought he would be wanting to yell at me. But he didn't. He pulled me aside and told me that as long as I was doing what I *really* wanted then he was in full support. It was a mindblower because any other day of the week this guy was known for screaming at everyone. Make no mistake. I was going no matter what he said but it was a bizarre situation.
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fortunateone
I should have left when they told to sell my house in order to please God. My wife threatened to divorce me Way Style if I did leave The Way so I made myself accept what they said and stayed.
What a fool I was! That house is worth 4 times what paid. Never again will I allow another man or organiztion to Lord over my life in the name of God.
Get some guts and Get out now.
While you still have your shirt and
some of own spiritual self left.
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