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What I see in this story is a real and true rebirth. It seems to me no "teaching," no doxy, no ritual, no book, no organization, no mantra can achieve this kind of liberation for anyone.

That was beautiful

I can certainly see and appreciate the parallells. The way you sound to me...the way Mike sounds to me...you guys both sound like me. Ive stumbled at wierwille's doctrines and was blinded from scripture by them. Ive been to the point that I didn't believe it anymore. I moved to Cincinnati, made an entire new set of friends and never told anyone I was involved in the way international, was way corps, I tried to hide it all and ditch it all. Ive cast all things aside having to do with scripture, cults, etc. Then I tried to drink myself to death and tried commiting suicide a dozen other ways during that time. When I was done destroying myself I turned to Christ. That I am sitting here typing to you is nothing short of a miracle. Do I expect you to change your position based on my experiences? No. Do I expect anyone to change their positions? No. Im simply sharing my life and what Im learning and if that's helpful to anyone then so be it, if not, so be it. Yes, I let mike push my buttons, what can I say Im a work in progress. But behind my profile is a guy who has been reassembled by the power of God to the extent that my uncle who has been in AA for 35 years has no frame of reference for what has occured with me and he has sponsored countless people over the years. I guess it's a bit different for me at this stage in my life after losing everything, literally, except my life. And then coming back from the brink better than I was ever in my life. Raf, my goal is not to change you or what you believe. Ive stated before that Im alright with people being where they are with things...no judgement here. Im the last to judge because I have been an absolutely horrible person, except I have ceased from all of that and am enjoying peace for the first time ever. Obviously, I want to share with others my relationship with God. But im over forcing it, or judging anyone down...all that mess. Id rather love and respect people and do whatever I can to better them and myself in the process. Myabe that means opening a door for someone at the corner store. Maybe that means carrying someone's groceries to the car. Perhaps it means giving money to homeless people...or trying to help other alcoholics. Im happy, finally happy.

I heard he left Chicago and is bound for New Orleans.

Cool perspective, thanks for sharing!

I’ve come to understand that something doesn’t have to be factually correct for it to be true. (A paradox?) Reading scripture with this understanding has been liberating for me. And profitable.

Who is it stumping?

Church Billboard: Come Visit Our Church We Meet Once a Month Our Motto: Live The Life You Know Honors God

IDK, Rocky.... it's like, freedom in Christ got them to come into the store [church or cult], but guilt and fear keeps them coming back. If people would just go out and live this creed, then church pastors and cult leaders might be out of a job. So, with each sermon there's a snippet of guilt/fear slipped in (just enough) that most people never notice it. But high-demand churches and/or cults keep adding another spoonful to the next sermon to ensure a steady flow of them return. .

Wikipedia takes the place of the absent evidence.

And.... so was the repetitive nature of Rock of Ages and all "Advanced Class Specials." As corps, we were required to be suited up and ready to go long before the meetings started. I always considered *dress protocol* of wearing a coat and tie for meetings at roa, in a hot, muddy cornfield, a cruel joke. It was so damn impractical and stupid. I remember wierwille's "reasoning" for this protocol was..... we wear our best, because God's Word is being represented. And, sure.... wierwille was dressed in a suit at the podium.... with a small air-conditioning unit installed in the podium to keep him nice and cool. To me, without the presence of God rocking the place.... every big meeting became a herd-fest. Even the "healing service at roa" became a fizzle when wierwille simply stood at the podium and called for advanced class and corps grads to come forward and minister to those in need. I was SO disappointed. Hypocrisy was at the highest levels of twi.... starting at the top of the pyramid. Which, of course, was no surprise to anyone who did a thorough reading of the four gospels. Jesus always stood against the leaders of the Pharisees, Sanhedrin and scribes. They were the impeders of true deliverance to the people. So, too, were the trustees and emeritus trustees. Setting forth meetings and forms of godliness, but denying the power thereof. These forms of godliness, attending all these stupid meetings, were the trappings of a cult. Instead of placing Jesus Christ in his rightful place, at the right-hand of the throne of all true power and deliverance... we were serving idols by attending these bloviating herd-fests. Even to this very day.... they blather on, unfazed by selling a product that doesn't deliver. No matter. They pat themselves on the back thinking that they are about the Lord's work.... when even a scant reading of the Book of John shows that Jesus was out and about amongst the people one-on-one. As I've stated before....imo, none of this cult stuff works without the guilt factor. If people would step back and apply simple discernment and logic, they'd see that after decades of this, it doesn't come near the praise and worship services of God-loving churches. Apparently, wierwille's derogatory proclamations of church denominations in pfal still holds power over their heads. Shouldn't everyone enjoy sitting in a stone-cold meeting to learn greek and aramaic words that you'll probably forget in a week.

oh kaaaaaayyyy