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Cult leader pleads guilty sex charges Many here have followed this story from before legal sexual assault charges were even filed. Several of our members have posted first-hand stories of their experiences with Victor Barnard. Today Barnard pled guilty to 2 of the 59 charges and will be sentenced on Oct 28th to 30 years in prison.

Yeah, they had him dead to rights. You might find it interesting to review this story from May 2015 when he had been captured by Brazilian police and somebody -- likely one or more of his followers -- hired a pair of defense attorneys who made it sound like VB actually could have a shot at being acquitted at trial. " Barnard's attorneys say their goal is to strip the case of its most sensational elements, essentially making it Barnard's word against the two women who were once devoted followers." Another possibility is that when VB's followers got an estimate on how much the legal fees actually would be, they thought better of it.

Hey, the man has a compassionate streak: " Barnard pleaded guilty to two of 52 counts and agreed to upward departure. In court, Barnard said he wanted to spare the victims a trial." Nah, he simply couldn't bear the thought of all the gory details about himself being exposed. 30 years doesn't seem enough for the misery he's caused, but it'll probably mean the rest of his life. Which may not be anything like 30 years.

From the newspaper article Rocky linked: "I want to see him get a fair trial based on what did or didn't happen, not what his beliefs are, that's really important to me," Risk [defense attorney] said. From SopUSA: "COMMENT: The age of consent, for sexual purposes, in Minnesota is 16-years-of-age. However, as is true in many states, if the actor (defendant) is in a “position of authority” over the person (minister, teacher, counselor, employer, etc.), the person must be 18. Criminal sexual conduct in the first degree is the most serious charge for such conduct in Minnesota. Multiple charges can be alleged for different acts at different times. Minnesota has “Sentencing Guidelines” in place which are intended to provide even justice for all offenders. The guideline sentence for criminal sexual conduct in the first degree is 144 months; however, in this case, there are at least two victims which would permit sentences for both. Moreover, a judge can sentence higher or lower than the recommended guidelines where there are compelling circumstances. The defendant is presumed to be innocent." What did happen is: Barnard engaged in sexual conduct with UNDER AGE FEMALES and furthermore he purports to be a MINISTER (person in position of authority). That's what "did or didn't happen" and his beliefs are totally irrelevant. So what was Risk's point again???

Hallelujah glory to ya! hearty congrats to Lindsay Tornambe! A true heroine for all women and girls who have suffered at the hands of malignant, paranoid narcissists in "Christian" clothing. He should be strung up by his mini-testicles and crapped on by hogs and nibbled by rats. Sorry, but that's how I feel! So should her "parents". [Moderator snip: Come on, DWBH!] May you receive all the "rewards" at the "bema" you deserve! Way to go Lindsay! Please forgive my heartfelt hyperbole. TY.

The song about the Trinity was called the Trinity Song. This is a song about 3 guys. *strum* Well, it's really a song about one guy. *strum* Well, I guess it's just a mystery-you'll have to take it on faith. *music begins* They started out in Babylon where superstition ruled They made their home in Greece and Rome and everyone was fooled Now nothing's changed except their names; today they're known by most As God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost (chorus) And if there's ever been a lie then this is one They'll tell you "Son of God" means "God the Son." Well we're God's sons and daughters, you and me. So if Jesus Christ is God then so are we. If Christ was God, then God must need some psychiatric help. 'cause he sure did spend a lot of time just praying to himself. If God was dead, who raised Him up? I just don't understand. And I sure would like to see him sitting on His own right hand. (chorus) My brother is my father and I don't know what to do. For Christmas they gave me a bike, and that's my father too. Now three-in-one's the oil I use when that bike needs to be greased. And if you can figure that one out, you'd make a damn good priest. And if there's ever been a lie then this is one They'll tell you "Son of God" means "God the Son." Well we're God's sons and daughters, you and me. So if Jesus Christ is God then so are we. (That's the missing verse, plus the opening.)

Hi Bapsy, Rocky, Waysider, and Krys have some good ideas. something I wondered about after I left TWI….it goes along the lines of learned helplessness and/or conditioning…I’m not going to elaborate on that here – you can check out the links below for that…I do like this one brief definition in an online dictionary (2nd link below) which states: learned helplessness in Medicine learned helplessness n. A laboratory model of depression in which exposure to a series of unforeseen adverse situations gives rise to a sense of helplessness or an inability to cope with or devise ways to escape such situations, even when escape is possible. Britannica on learned helplessness online dictionary - learned helplessness Britannica on conditioning VPW would say on occasion that the only choice you have outside of the way ministry is oblivion. Well, who wants that? If you’re not in the (imaginary) protective bubble of TWI’s belief system there’s no telling what could happen to you out there in the world ! So stay inside where it’s safe! That’s kind of a scary way to captivate people…but usually it’s something more positive ....When folks first get involved with TWI they get the idea they’ll learn about these keys they can apply in life to become a success at whatever they’re into. As time goes on they’ll learn that they must stay involved with TWI in an ever-increasing manner – in order to truly master those keys – in other words, you can’t do it alone - you NEED TWI ! Think pyramid scheme – your spiritual growth actually depends on how much you stay involved… and more importantly how much you financially support TWI….(there’s no need to concern yourself with the fact that they do not actually provide products or services of any real value – but they’ll gladly take your money anyway!) == == == == I don’t want to tell you what to do or recommend a certain course of action – but you may want to think about why you feel such a need to get involved with a church. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get involved with a church…but maybe take stock of your life – include your family as well….life’s journey is a very personal and unique matter….while in TWI many of us got so used to following people that we assumed were so much more spiritually mature than us; our “brain muscles” that we used to think for ourselves got atrophied. If you feel so inspired – pray – do you think God could help you design a curriculum just for you – think about topics you’d like to learn more about – look on Amazon or Christian Book Distributors (www.christianbook.com) – or hit the Library and see if anything interests you. It took me a long time to realize this – long after I left TWI I might add – that just being a good husband and good dad is a deeply spiritual and noble endeavor. When I was in it - besides having my priorities following TWI’s agenda I was also a workaholic – so when I left the Way I still had to re-evaluate what was important to me when it came to my career as well as spiritual matters….I humbly admit it took a long time for me to figure out that my wife and kids are more important to me than anything else - - maybe that sounds hokey and maybe that means that’s all I am capable of handling in life – but that’s ok by me.

I was the clergyman that officiated Jean-Yves's and Michelle's wedding. Kinda amazing that he never stepped back to connect the dots -- especially during the lcm-purges and promulgations of twi-doctrine throughout the '80s. The lies, the cover-ups, the damage control methods, and the character assassinations of any who dissented from mogville. I guess a man sees what he WANTS to see.....and disregards the rest. Someday......maybe I'll get around to posting more on GSC.

Several people have indicated to me the next person RR has chosen to oversee the last days of TWI is Jean-Yves De Lisle

This organization that calls itself The Way has no intrinsic value. It's not a grand effort to please God or work for the betterment of mankind or however else you want to spin it so it sounds noble. It's simply a religious cult, like thousands and thousands of similar organizations. We like to THINK it's special because it helps us to rationalize all the wasted time, effort and resources we devoted to it. But, in the grand scheme of things, it matters very little who takes over the reigns if the horse is already dead. For that matter, there probably was never any horse to begin with.

WTF? Where did you get the idea that GSC had any such purpose?

I guess my question MRAP is what do you mean by well constructed? John S@&oenh#it said he primarily chose the ASV of 1901 as text to develop the REV. One of my concerns is peer review of the REV. What scholars were/are involved? I'm paraphrasing some here, but he said the text was changed where necessary? Who determines what's necessary? If 20-30 scholars are involved like the NRSV or NIV, and others, that's one thing. If it's 1guy who decided he wanted his own translation, that's another thing. Academic credentials do carry some weight IMO when it comes to a project like a new version of scripture.

So.......how has twi fared under rosie's leadership (cough, cough) these past 17 years? As twi's "chief executive officer"......she slipped into the big chair after craig martindale's ouster to Toledo in the witching hour. The damage control message was sent out over the air-waves and the corps sychophants kept the allegiance flowing to the newly-installed hierarchy. As ceo, did rosie EARN her keep (and severance package)? 1) What are the total number of faithful followers in twi as opposed to when she took the reins? 2) Has the new-and-improved foundational class added to one's spiritual walk with God (or was it just another allegiance-to-twi buy-in? 3) Way Disciples and Corps: How pathetic have these programs become during her watch? 4) Why are they having trouble staffing hq with quality and competent followers? 5) Are staffers, who become weak and feable, still discarded without proper respect and retirement? I suppose rosie can boast of the $64 MILLION in twi's coffers.......but how did she handle the burdened, the broken-hearted, the afflicted?

Thanks, don't worry be happy, all is fabulous! I'm actually really retired and enjoying it. DogLover, that is what the branch coordinator said. I think by the mid-90's a lot of the creme de la creme were more interested in Word of LCM than Word of God anyway. I used to have nightmares about it all but now, in the words of that wise of philosopher, B. A. Barakas, "Ah pity the fool!"