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Jiminy Cricket symbolizes the conscience in the Pinocchio story. Jiminy and Pinocchio don't converse well and Pinocchio ends up lying and getting into all sorts of trouble. When you learn to stop lying to yourself things tend to go better for you. Jiminy Cricket also has the same initials as Jesus Christ. Still a better story than snow on the gas pumps.

Hey, theres windows to clean...

Fair enough, OldSkool. I won't beat the dead horse. We all know where I'm coming from.

Logical progression based on your choice of words. If it's Christ behind my Nikes and sport coat and I if I replace jesus Christ and if I am acting as though I am Christ then I am becoming a fake Jesus.

SOLA COLLATERALA! *thumps chest*

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Timothy 3%3A16-17&version=ESV Instead of perfect, complete is translated here. https://apologeticessay.wordpress.com/2022/05/02/does-2-timothy-316-17-teaches-sola-scriptura/ Verse 16 is talking about The Old Testament. Interesting also the article points out that inspiration includes prophecy, music and art. Ever seen the artwork from The Way? Bland. The music? zzzzzzzz The Word taking the place of the Absent Christ is kinda like saying "Art takes the place of the Absent Christ" "Literature takes the place of the Absent Christ" From the comments:

Yes like all the broken women who were “healed” by the power of the Christ in you micro peen. And all the Corps who questioned him and were labeled possessed. And all the other many many groups who split off due to doctrine, evil acts, and the management of the group. And his wife who after all the bad treatment and adultery said he was a mean man. And his kids who are not even with the same ministry. This “promise” was a mental dream of VPW. It has many stories similar to the Mormon story and just as far fetched and ridiculous.

Here are some of my thoughts on the topic. If they're of some use to you, great. lcm was big on using Christ's return as a bludgeon to get people to take more twi classes and serve twi more. (At the end of AotS, his exhortations stopped at Twig coordinator and Advanced Class grad, as if anyone who didn't at least qualify for one or the other didn't count.) He also focused on getting more rewards when Jesus returns- as if that's a healthy reason to look forward to it. I'm looking forward to it regardless of titles, rewards, etc. Partly, I want to get together with Christians I haven't seen in a long time, or ones I've always wanted to meet (especially George Mueller.) Inasmuch as it's possible, the 2nd Tuesday after, I'm interested in hosting a barbecue, wherever we are. This whole "focus on grades" thing just doesn't move me. Does it seem farfetched to me? I guess that's the best question. Yes, it seems farfetched to me. Should I believe it anyway? Well, as I see it, if I believe the Bible, then yes. Should I believe the Bible that includes some farfetched things? As I see it, yes. If it's farfetched, why should I? Well, some things I can't prove or disprove, and become matters of faith. Should I have faith that they are true? That goes to the things that I CAN prove or disprove. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. If I am to believe the Bible, then I'm going to need sufficient proof. (Long ago, when I was a Bible SCOFFER, it would have taken some exceptional proof to even get me to CONSIDER whether or not the Bible was correct. I did consider- which says more than a little. You don't see a guy for 2 months, and when you see him again, he's gone from Bible MOCKER to Bible QUOTER and holding it forth? What happened that Summer?) When it comes to believing the Bible, I think-to me- it comes down to getting incredibly specific answers to prayer- answers that could not POSSIBLY be due to coincidences, timing, involvement of other humans, etc. In twi, too many people lauded "Kojacking" (getting a great parking spot rapidly) as a big deal. If that's the standard, you won't convince me it could not be coincidences and timing. For that matter, it wouldn't be the performances of alleged "faith healers" that would convince me, either. I was interested in stage magic since I was small, and I'm well aware how most stunts of supposed "faith healing" works- like transferring evil to an egg, etc, all through sleight-of-hand and stage magic skills. So, for me, sufficient proof has been provided, beyond a reasonable doubt, on multiple occasions. So, I believe what I can "test" holds up- which means I believe the foundation for it. I've been aware for decades that a lot of Christians have a deep faith despite never seeing anything truly remarkable, incredible, etc. I'm sure they believe, I still don't know how they believe. I was taught like that as a kid, and as a teen I walked away from it because there was nothing to convince me any of it was true other than "because I say so." Had there been nothing to see, I wouldn't be a Christian now, because I stopped being a Christian then. So, part of me is amazed some people believe that deeply without something obvious at some point. How does it affect my life? I'm sure it doesn't affect it as much as it should. I do still mention it when discussing plans for the coming week and so on, and I look forward to it, whenever it happens. At one point, I was convinced it would probably happen within a few years- but I only told maybe 3 people and made it clear it was my opinion, what I thought. Obviously, I was wrong, but that happens. I certainly take some comfort that it WILL happen regardless of WHEN it will happen. In short, I am confident it will happen, and I don't doubt it will happen. It probably should affect my life more, but I try to serve God and I'm not going to pretend I do a fantastic job. God knew who He was calling when He did it, so I know He's not expecting the amazing out of me every 3rd Wednesday or something. I make a difference here and there, and freely acknowledge that it's not about me at all, but about God Almighty. If Jesus wants something specific from me otherwise, he knows where to find me, and how to convince me it's him or his messenger quickly. I'm not sure I answered your questions, but I hope I made a difference somewhere in there.

You believe you received "countless blessings" in twi, therefore you believe that that could ONLY be a consequence if vpw actually heard from God in 1942 with specifics that have been disproven. There's some rather obvious flaws in your "logic", but if you refuse to examine it, you won't improve.

That type of nonsense, yes. In that particular case, that was in lcm's time. So, I'd expect lcm had been in the office, listening to the hotline, before "coming up" with that one.

If that had been the main reason the book was in the twi bookstore, we all would have heard of that as the reason. We've all heard different accounts of some things due to official explanations being absent. In the case of anti-Semitism, that was pushed by the John Birch Society. vpw had a hotline actually installed at hq so he could get the latest up-to-the-moment drivel, and he often listened to it shortly before stepping to the podium to teach. So, no, Hal Lindsey wasn't the reason for the book, the JBS was.

You're referring to the John Birch Society. Not only did he get their newsletter, he actually had a hotline put in so he could always phone up and get their latest nonsense 24/7. (That was courtesy DWBH, who was on-grounds and knew about the line.)

Didn't victor tell a little boy that Jesus was in his chest? Was it at an ROA? Victor asked the little boy, "Where is Jesus?" The boy pointed toward the sky. Victor reproved and corrected him immediately by shoving his finger in that poor little boy's chest saying, "Jesus is in there!" That little boy is all grown up now. If you could meet that grown up boy at Starbucks today, you could have coffee with Jesus. Where is that little boy today? That's the REAL question!

Ugh. The lack of boundaries. Commitment until death?! And Ruth's special assignment was to get married and have a child.

You are literally telling people to be perfect. Demand for perfection is utopian thinking. This leads to demand for control. And control leads to whining about groupthink. This image you have to be a Jesus is dangerous.

I've thought long and hard about the unquestioned belief in the fundamental morality of TWI. IMO, this is a question for cultural anthropologists. Raised in a culture/society which was overwhelmingly oriented to the Christian church, for many people (specifically ME), is why it took 12 years to be able to perceive the evil of the very concept of a fundamentalist Christian cult and TWI in particular. I left twi when MANY PEOPLE left. That was one key for me. Popped the balloon of belonging to a biblical research, teaching and fellowship ministry. The other main issue for me was having my eyes opened to the depravity of the top dogs. Screw the lockbox, that concept itself IS evil.

Historicity need not get in the way of Truth. I don't accept the Bible as historically accurate in every word written. I don't think all of it is literally true. But it doesn't need to be. At least not for me. The Truth that is discoverable is not dependent on everything being perfectly accurate historically.

The eight symptoms of groupthink include an illusion of invulnerability or of the inability to be wrong, the collective rationalization of the group’s decisions, an unquestioned belief in the morality of the group and its choices, stereotyping of the relevant opponents or out-group members, and the presence of “mindguards” who act as barriers to alternative or negative information, as well as self-censorship and an illusion of unanimity. Decision making affected by groupthink neglects possible alternatives and focuses on a narrow number of goals, ignoring the risks involved in a particular decision. It fails to seek out alternative information and is biased in its consideration of that which is available. Once rejected, alternatives are forgotten, and little attention is paid to contingencyplans in case the preferred solution fails. https://www.britannica.com/science/groupthink The two entries directly following groupthink are persuasion and brainwashing. So, I mean to use the term in the context of cult. --------- I don't think it is always best to put one's self ahead of the group. I usually put others before myself, to a fault. This is not groupthink. It's selfless generosity guided by something greater than myself or the group. Ostracism is a real threat when one has given away EVERYTHING to join a cult. --------- When I was in the corporate world, I saw groupthink as a liability, not an asset. Though I expected my team to to be aligned with certain top line goals and values, I challenged them to be creative and think outside the box to find solutions. "We do it that way because we've always done it that way" is a bullshonta, lazy cop out that I strongly discouraged. (I was the black sheep in a good ol boy culture, but I delivered results that couldn't be denied.) --------- I understand the need for a sense of belonging, but if one must sacrifice one's individuality, independence and free thought for the group, then one should reconsider belonging to that group.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-know-creation-modern-israel/ https://www.rbth.com/history/327040-ussr-and-israel-from-friends-to-foes That sounds familiar right there. Telling people what they feel.

Could it be that twi initiates these little side-projects to keep the indentured servants busy? Maybe this has to do more with keeping them busy than some outreach effort? As the numbers crater in outreach and programs...AND....staffers quit to find better employment, what is there to do all day? Donna and Rosalie are boxed in a corner. They see the pathetic numbers. Twi has no life left in its bones, so staffers are assigned to projects much like an institutional setting.... a mental ward or retirement setting.

Twi is nothing but a one-trick pony. When I look at this postcard there are several things that jump out at me.... Why is it time to come home? Impersonal and presumptuous..... they have NO IDEA where my life is today. What is the benefit for me at this time? Once again, it reeks of a self-serving agenda to attract those who'd already had their minds grooved with cult-indoctrination rather than go out and find NEW PEOPLE. Plus, the non-subtle agenda of desperation attempts to increase revenue flow. Maybe they consider it "home"..... but I don't. That type of juvenile loaded-language has long lost its appeal. Wierwille used these types of deception when he referenced "Uncle Harry." Old man Harry was NOT my uncle.... nor was I one of wierwille's "corps kids." With attained critical thinking skills, these tricks of deception NO LONGER WORK. Is this picture of wierwille's burial site supposed to trigger nostalgic memories? Again, this is such juvenile marketing 101 that tells us more about them than they realize. Whether its been 10, 20 or 30 years since exiting that place.... most all have discarded memories and trashed those books from that abusive cult. In fact, I would wager that most have connected the dots to see how wierwille/twi conned them into years of indentured servitude. And further, doesn't every corporation have a burial site to showcase their product? Knowing what I know today about signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder ... wierwille was a prime example. Was he so consumed with this disorder that he perceived himself as some "Egyptian Pharoah" entombed *front-and-center* at the entrance of twi-property for ALL TO SEE? Was he expecting his legacy to pass from generation to generation? Yes. This postcard reeks of deception, manipulation and exploitation.... just like wierwille's tactics and policies. Donna and Rosalie are simply running on the railroad tracks that brought twi to this point in time. It's just the latest form of redux manipulation sent to those who might fall for it. P.S. This tactic is similar to wierwille's corps letters. .

Rocky, I read that book years ago, and I thought it was well-written, and very illuminating. I would highly recommend it, and his other books. I believe EW won the Nobel Peace Prize, back in 1988.