JustSayNO

It is almost as if we were apart of the same cult or something!

Dang, I shorted out my monitor. I laughed so hard, I spit soda all over it.

OH, BTW, HI, Nice to Meet You.

I come out of the shadows a couple times a year when my Way BS meter gets petho and I need to vent.

OH God, did I just say petho- bad boy bad. I meant when the BS meter gets to the boiling point.

ok, I feel better now.

We were both posting at the same time Lindy :D , I agree completely.

It really is sad to stand on the outside and look in and frustrating that they wanna stay in their lil prison. I guess it's like repeat offenders that keep returning to jail; they have been institutionalized to The Way and don't even realize it or are too scared to leave or in few cases, too tired to fight anymore.

So would you say that those who are still in TWI supported Martindale, or did they just tough it out while they knew he was wrong, and were waiting for a better leader? Kind of like what everyone is hoping will happen with president Bush and the current election? lol

Hmmm, how would I respond to this....

I left in late '05. I would have to say that there are a few different categories involved.

(probably many more than what I've listed below too.)

- The Martindale megalomaniacs who secretly hope for his return or someone to stand up and take his place so they don’t have to play nice guy anymore and can be the spiritual bullies they were before.

- There are those that were on the outskirts and may not have believed Martindale but followed along because they felt entrapped in the system of the Way. They secretly rejoiced at his departure and are probably still waiting for the glory of the old days to return. - ha- good luck

- There are those that honestly found a group that excepts them for who they are and feel that the requirements to rise in spirituality are better than being alone.

- There are those that have been in so long that they cant accept or believe that The Way could be wrong because that would make them feel shamed for going along with it, so they stay with what’s comfortable.

- There are a few that have been around since VPW, believe his teachings, laugh at the current system, but go with the flow and sit on the sidelines, watching because there families and friends are all involved.

- There are those that are too new and gullible to see what is really happening.

- and of course there are those that believe it hook, line and sinker, sit through the classes, go Way Disciple, staff, Way Corp, Fellowship Coordinators, etc... thinking that there works on earth and for The Way will earn them a box-seat when the Lord returns.(refer to my first description)

And of course they all have been spiritually abused and beaten down to believe that there is nothing except The Way(cough), I mean The Word.

/vent on

I said this a year or two ago that a comparison could be made with an analogy about prison.

You can take someone from a high security prison were the guards are constantly criticizing every step and move you make and tell you its for your own good.

Then take that same prisoner and remove them from the jailhouse and place them on house arrest.

This prisoner now has freedoms from the oppression of the guards and the rules of the jailhouse, but remember and, hopefully the prisoner will too, that no matter how nice things are now, they are still in a prison and under the rules placed down by the administration and still lack the freedoms granted to the rest of society.

My point being was that when they found out about Martindale they covered it up. Only once it became public did action get taken. They didn’t boot him, he resigned. They never openly condemned him or apologized for allowing this to happen. They housed him for at least a couple years in secret. They never corrected his teachings, except maybe on adultery, but it was only for political correctness.

So I asked my self what had changed? The rules were lessened through inaction, there was no correcting of doctrine taught and no apology for things done. So, The Way put a pretty dressing on there prison, fooled everyone that things had changed, when all they did was slide into the shadows for awhile waiting for the dust to settle. These people weren't freed, they are still spiritually abused, downtrodden and whipped, and now living in self-imposed "spiritual" house arrest.

Every time I think of this, I remember either VPW or LCM (cant remember who said it) that "the problem with humanity is that they love slavery and love to have laws placed upon them. Jesus came to set us free from the Law, so why place yourself under it anymore. Live by Grace"

OMG- I cringe and retch every time I think about it, knowing that they were two-faced liars saying to live by grace but expecting you to jump through the ministry hoops to gain spirituality in their eyes by taking this class or that program or having to sit through this 24hr prayer, SIT or Prophesying on demand of leadership. Making yourself available for their whimsical pleasures and needs regardless of your own, the list goes on...

OH - THE HYPOCRISY.

/vent off

Are you still in? :blink: You did that too well, by offering the most spiritual choices inspired by god and did away with the silly and foolish options. You could be the next MOGFODAT.

Watch out or you'll be recruited to join the Way Corp.

I've ripped it to .avi and .mov as well.

And to think I probably still have a copy of AOS packed in a box somewhere in storage. (gag...runs to the box office looking for that barf bag)

What did Victor Paul Willerwile not like about the bible?

Anything that didn't fill his pocket or keep control of people

Another one bites the dust...

I'm kinda curious. When it comes to Great M.O.G.s, do they come in any flavor other than "Charlatan"?

One wonders...

I'd have to say you might want to look for these flavors, but be careful they leave a bit of an after taste in your mouth:

actor,

bastard,

bluffer,

bum,

bunk,

bunko,

cheat,

counterfeit,

craig,

deception,

deke,

donna,

fabricator,

faker,

flimflam,

forgery,

four-flusher,

fraud,

gold brick,

gyp,

hoax,

imitation,

imposition,

imposture,

junque,

make-believe,

mountebank,

phony,

plant,

pretender,

pretense,

pseudo,

put on,

reproduction,

rosillie

scam,

sell,

sham,

sleight,

spoof,

swindle,

trick,

victor paul

QUOTE(nandon @ Nov 17 2007, 08:11 PM)

what group is he talking about?

JustSayNo suggested The Way.

Actually, he said he belonged to an unnamed splinter group. I don't know which one has a nine-hour seminar.

George

Just listened again, my bad, your right. I missed it but everything else sounded dead on with TWI.

I found this vlog interesting and wonder how recent his experience is.

I particularly noted and concurred with his stated of how loving they seem and if you disagree then you feel like a jackarse....or something along those lines.

It's like - we've done all this for you.....and you're greatful but at the same time you didn't really ask and it's as though you are pushed in a corner.

Anyone else had that experience?

I don't know when he was in but he made this video a few weeks ago.

As to your other question, absolutely.

For years I felt ashamed for questioning or disagreeing with what was being practiced or said. The common answer was that I wasn't spiritually mature enough to understand it yet and to place it on the back burner for awhile and just lean on others spiritually until I gained an understanding and revisit this thought at a later point and I would be amazed at how easy the answer would come to me.

Unfortunately as time went on I employed this same tactic I am embarassed to say when I was leading others. What I found out was that I "usually" said this when I had never gotten the question answered for myself in the first place and it was an easy "out". How screwed up they made us, to the point of not allowing any faults to be known to others because it made you weaker. How sad. How glad I am to be away from that and how sad for those still entwined in it.

what group is he talking about?

The Way, he made a few speculations on things he didn't participate in and kinda filled in the gaps I think, but he was pretty dead on with the heart behind it and his feelings about it as well as the the motives and manipulations they use.

As to Year2027's links, I'm not sure what group those are.

Laying at the leaders feet is definately not something TWI literally (cough) practiced.

Not saying they wouldn't if they could get away with it. But why bother when they have you do it spiritually.

A guy speaks out on his experience with The Way on YouTube

Edit: If for some reason you can't see the video in this post click on the YouTube link above and it will take you to the website.

I remember at one point Craigers told us to say we weren't Christian (lol- he wasn't). "Christian" is a term of derision - we were "Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ". I remember shortly after that being in a witnessing situation, and answering "yes" when asked if I was a Christian. Afterwards, my witnessing "buddy" rebuked me strongly. "Weren't you paying attention on Corps Night! We're not Christian - WE'RE DISCIPLES!" Oh, yeah. Slipped my mind.

Later they had to back off all that "we're not a religion" talk when it started to jeopardize their tax exeption as a religious non-profit.

It's funny how things progress over time and how corruption spreads.

According to The Way, at one time we were Christians, then Craig pointed out that as stated above that we were Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. What gets me is how Craig swayed us into into accepting and believing that we were Diciples of The Way not too long after.

So logic dictates that as Disciples of The Way, they look to the Ministry as there only rule for faith and practice and no longer look to the Word 1st.( I knew this but it feels good to say it out loud :) ) As mentioned before in numerous posts, it's amazing how he/they have pushed Jesus Christ outta the picture in all but name only

Personally, what I think would be funny, is if 'we' started a "anniversary greeting" campaign, congratulating them on 65 years

and for the announcement of Brian Moynihan (or Bob) as the new president in chief.

All those greetings have to go somewhere, and Rosie would find out about the false ones. Someone would have some splaining to do!

65 years, hmmmm

Isnt it about time for TWI to retire.

Maybe they should hold a retirement party instead of a gag-iversary

Just retire the whole bunch, let the next generation get a real life.

This was probably the greatest thing to ever have happened at the fountain. LOLOLOL!!! Now Jonny if only we could get you to go back and put in a couple of catfish and maybe a bass or two life would be complete.

Now why would you ruin "good" catfish. I was thinking more along the lines of 20 boxes of different color Jello would be nice, especially with all those purty lights they have.

OMG ROFLMAO,

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

I PRESENT OUR NEW FULL TIME SONG WRITER FOR

Way Productions

Pay abundantly given, up to 10% of your needs, but you dont need to ABS on it(just tithe your 10%), seeing as its the household's ABS that will be paying you.

Yup, it has. I cant remember which it was, ROA '93 or '94, I was working Burp Patrol and they doubled the Guard at night to make sure it didnt happen again. I pulled 4 all-nighters that week tucked between a tree and a bush. I had a veiw of the bridge, Mrs. W's house and the fountain. I was told t be "quieter than a mouse and more invisible than a debil spirit", seeing as godly people could always do one better than the Adversary,it had to be "available". The sad part is i was so eager to please at that time I didnt even see the idiocy of it. It was one of the worst weeks of my life, all because someone threw a bottle of Joy in the fountain and tossed a piece of cardboard on the ground near it that said: "Cleanliness is next to Godlines, thus saith the Lord"

There were about 7 people who were involved in watching out to be sure it didnt happen again and we were sworn to secrecy. I'll admit my mind was so screwed up I thought it was a horific thing to do(now i just laugh at myself for it), I was only involved with knowing because they needed someone to stand guard all night, I think i was the only non-corp involved in that diabolical attempt at keeping the fountain pure and undefiled. This was so all the godly believers( I always wondered about the ungodly ones, hmm) traveling in would not be distracted from hearing the impotant Word that the mog LCM had to share that week. What that Word was, I never knew, I was going blind in the night staring and jumping at shadows, or I was watching the insides of my eyelids during the day. AHHHHH the joys of ROA.

ps. Oh yeah that's the year my tent flooded the first night too. and they wouldnt let us use the dryers in founders hall till the next day, slept in a wet sleeping bag that night.

Edit: There was 1 other non-corp that I know involved, i forgot, he took my shift on the 2 nights I didnt work.

Actually, the last I heard, she was a branch coordinator in the Atlanta metro area and still very much involved with TWI. Rumor was that she went there due to health issues. But that last again is rumor.

OH MY,

This might have been funny if I didn't own a blue shirt and have a badge that tells me how important I once was.

This should be pinned at the top and titled:

"Thinking of Joining-All You Would Every Want to Know About The Way"

I never knew that JustSayNo. So they did something like that at one time? Interesting.

Trust me from what I do remember it was nothing as open as what you suggest doing and definately not interesting for sure, but they did ask some pointed questions. The only one I kinda remember was one asking if we agreed with the need for Craig's removal/resignation. Dont remember exact wording but that was the gist of it. Now since I was on the field I cant verify that this came from HQ but that was how it was presented, That the BoD wanted to measure the pulse of the ministry regarding Craig and the changes that followed.

Survey results: no heartbeat found, logical answer must be that it's dead.

Beam me up Scottie, there's no spiritual life down here.

I for one, appreciate Socks' sentiment...time and time again, Socks has graced us with his tempered views and heart towards those who have fallen into the "Way warp"...afterall, he once made a joyful noise that many of us were thrilled by...and he continues to do so today... :) ...and here at the GreaseSpot, it's a tough crowd to play to...

Thanks...

Make it two.

If they really want to get out of their slump(cough) they're going to have to make some "Real" changes. In order to do that they need to listen to what the people are saying and what they want in/from their organization. Suprisingly though, this is not a new concept, they tried something similar with a "tighter" version of a survey a few years back after the dust settled from Cra!g. Unfortunately it's been so long ago and very scripted that I just filled out what they wanted and dont even remember the questions they asked. It didnt go over to well because the survey was too shallow and although it was anonymous they were handed in to the TC or the BC(which meant they weren't really anonymous)

Again, although I don't think I would ever go back to them again, I do like Sock's questions and to take it one step further, they need to add a pre-sort return envelope to HQ with the survey to make people feel comfortable that there comments are truely anonymous which would finally get "some" honest opinions and answers. Of course, there will always be those that say what they think they want to here.

I doubt they will do this, but maybe....

Anyway, back on topic, I've been picturing this whole thing in my head and I can just imagine B. Jr being rushed to HQ, placed in a dark room on a wooden chair with a floodlight glaring in his face. The BOD and the cabinet members all around him taking turns, lovingly asking him about his involvement in what apparently is a mutinous take over of the ministry that Dr VPW started at the top of their lungs.

So much for a good (well, atleast, a different) thing

All good things must come to an end.....before they get started.... at The Way!

Ok, I got one quick question. You said B. Moneyhands, I'm going to asume you were refering to the son and not the aged father.

Unfortunately, I feel regardless of which is put in there, that it will not weed out the corrupted mind-set that has become so ingrained. Yeah they might rise a bit in the glory of a fresh face, but the truth shall come to pass when the dust settles.

Same Ole Way

Same Ole Cult

Same Ole Control

Thanks 1 john 3.1. Looks like there is more than (pardon the pun )way! Mabey these links should be sentd to the TWI. So they can sue them too! In that case they will spend so much money the the TWI will then be known as the NWI. The No way international! What do you think?

Actually if there is the remote chance that their trademarks could be called into question, they have to follow up on it legally or risk losing there right to sue organizations for using there name. If they let one slide and sue another, they lose.

So I would guess the easiest way to kill "The Way" is to flood them with all these organizations that could cause a trademark/copyright infringement and wait for them to go bankrupt in legal fees. But I would hate to put any organization under the microscope of The Way. Nobody or organization comes away unscathed when dealing with them unfortunatlly (except the IRS)

Can we switch analogies now? Sorry, but as a mother of two wonderful girls I cannot keep throwing out babies...

No more babies - thread killer!

Bath water = ok, I get it. Dirty, bad, get rid of it

Baby- Was he implying the Way was the baby - OMG - I trow not- dat was no baby then

or was the baby the Word and the bath water the Way, either way the Way is out.

either way your better off starting from scratch instead of being concerned with: was that True or was that a Wayism?

Can everybody breathe for a minute?

Look- there's a lot of pain here. A lot of hand holding and a lot of wanting to do the right thing.

Let's stop focusing on each other for a minute and see the real danger. If we bite and devour each other where do we stand?

I believe with all my heart that each person in this fight right now wants to see real genuine GODLY healing happen here. Let's get to it...

CLAP!! CLAP!!

This is why I dont get involved with the deep discusions here. I enjoy some of the posts and usually make some sort of humorous comment that only people that had been involved would/could enjoy. Over the last year or two I have mainly avoided these forums for the reason that I felt that most of the information had been given regarding the Way. And all that was left to read here was hate. I'll admitt I was embarassed to think that someone from the Way would come here looking/lurking for answers and find the over-riding hate and suspicion that has crept into many of the threads here.

Thank you for your post, because it now makes me see that most of it was derived from pain and not hate. I will pray that people will get healed and be able to move on. But unfortunately just a those that are still in are blind to how they act, so are some of those that are here as well.

I'm not discounting peoples feelings or personal experiences, but I still look at this site as place for people still in to come for information and unfortunately most of that is not even 1st or 2nd page news. I also understand the need for a place to heal,vent and rant. Maybe a sub-catagory to About the Way devoted to information and current news would help, At least it would give people an area to jump to to get there information instead of being confussed or put off by threads like this.

I'm sorry if this offends anyone, but this is how "I" feel and what "I" see at this point and time.

edit- for grammer