Ham

Welcome CC.. I've heard a nice African American lady (gotta be PC you know :)-->) use the same term on a racist, bigoted, lazy, drunk and clueless Anglo Saxon dude.. It was rather funny. She didn't attach any racial meaning to that word, either.

Allan, yes, sarcasm was intended. Yes, I can turn into a sarcastic SOB. And it may be despicable- but so is labelling my friend Rascal as some kind of blasphemer of God Almighty at every turn- because of some kind of religious knee-jerk reaction to an HONEST question. I find myself in Rascal's corner. The more evil I learn about that was just swept under the rug in that hell hole, I find I have to re-examine practically everything. "How could God support that joint" is a valid question, at least in my opinion. No wonder not much really happened, at least as far as the miraculous is concerned, after 1972 or so.. Maybe God really did pull out of that joint, after all..

Maybe I ought to set MY record straight here.. Actually, I know folks in CFF. I actually LIKE them. I enjoy talking with them, even about the BIBLE. I even find myself in agreement, with much of what they have to say. I even enjoy participating in some of the activities.. That said.. Here's my OPINION: I think the organization really needs to stand on its own, on its own merits. You can preach the message of PFAL to me all day long, or to other grads of the "old school". But you're just preaching to the choir. If it can't "bring new light" to the newer generation, to those who NEED what it has to offer, without applying inordinate amounts of pressure and motivation, well, its just going to die a slow death. And hopefully not the kind of death witnessed with TWI.. Personally, I "did my part" with the old ministry. I went out and beat the bushes all the live long day, trying to find somebody "seeking the truth". I did this to build up an organization once, I am not going to go out of my way to do it again. God's got me too busy with other stuff. I'm not going to go "WOW" again. No more programs, no more one class after another.. Personally, I feel that if you NEED that kind of involvement, so be it. Can't say its necessarily the wrong way to go..

One man's outhouse is another man's castle, I guess.. Should I hit the little "Post Now" or shouldn't I.. Awww, what the heck..

Thanks for that little "gem", Mr. Eliphaz.

Me too. Even after they are cold, dead and buried too.. or rather, screwed into the ground- someone has to come around and try to "spruce up" the joint.. make their memory a pleasant one.. It wasn't very pleasant for a lot of folks.

Married, married. Lesseee.. heh heh. Acually, at one time..

I thought you were supposed to "rant" first, heh heh.

I think He was there, always at least to some extent.. working despite what stupid, evil people were perpetuating.. that's almost the history of religion, to begin with- at least in my opinion. And with God's nature, He's gonna do something good- at least until they "put" HIM "outside of da camp".. Some of the worst gangsters had wives, families, girlfriends.. and they could exhibit a good side. I think that is what was portrayed to the majority of us. Those who saw different were harrassed, threatened, and run off. And THEY were the ones portrayed as the bad guys.. No wonder the "outside world" often questions the value of redemption. Gads. If that's what it turns you into, who in their right mind would want it?

I wouldn't give them any more ideas! :)--> They'd start all the "taste" wars again.. Health food stores (don't give me flack on this one. I do like health food stores, but there are a FEW disreputable products out there..) would sell their versions of the cola with stevia or something better to sweeten them with, and use oxygen that is only derived from "natural" sources.. The FDA would get involved, striking any "medical" claims about said beverage from all existing and future labels..

Yep. But I think in a lot of ways, it was a lot like any other scam.. except- If the SOB's could've just lied low, not bothered or hurt anybody- the scam would be perpeptuated, bigtime, still today. But noooo... The sad part of all of this is the hurt and destruction that is largely responsable for the "downsizing" of this second rate, two bit cult..

The despicable thing about all this.. The SOB sat up in his little chair at my advanced class, detailing how PRIVILEDGED we were to get his syllabus- how HE went through all the "shenanigans" to get "da accuracy of the holy spurt field".. how it was worth so far much MORE than we paid for it.. and he did not even blush once.

As if said person didn't give you a GOOD REASON to think that way.. Getting reamed for serving with the white coffee cup instead of the beige one.. or serving the diet coke with four ice cubes instead of three- just tells me that details are regarded more important than people. That kind of .... made me "think evil" too.

Yep. And all innies will be required to turn in requested pages of their copies, under the watchful eye of the mini-mog at a fellowship near you..

Scary, isn't it? heh heh.

But I'm kind of with rascal on this one.. I got involved with a radio club here when I left der vey. It was lots of fun, and I got to help out with some important stuff around here.

Well, I would say that doctrinally, they are similar to the older days of TWI, but seems to be run by a bunch of a LOT nicer folks. I think they instituted a few checks and balances so a madman couldn't get hold of the thing very easily.. W*yn* C*a* is on staff there, along with J*hn Sh*o*er. People may rightfully or not rightfully argue with them on a doctrinal level, but on a practical level they seem OK.. nice, loving folks. Personally, I've heard the PFAL "message" enough already. Repackage it, revamp it, or even correct its errors, and it still doesn't have much appeal for me. Seen it too many times..

Heck, I forget. Just wait a minute, and see if I can remember to walk back in the room.

Well, it must be: tithing. We all KNOW that tithing brings wings to tampons to life, or something like that..

Yep.. Of course, pouring over a hundred and some pages in a stinking sylabus somewhere could be considered learning revelation "the hard way". I thought revelation was SUPPOSED to be "phenomena". i.e., nowhere is it GUARANTEED. I think all the attempts to "streamline" the process was little more than nonsense. If its easy as "falling off a log backwards", what improvement is a grueling week of classes and hundreds of pages of crap to "master"?

Ah, now it makes sense. "Virtual" ABS, "virtual" hedge.. Of course if he decides to spend the cashola somewhere else, I guess the virtual hedge goes away, and he becomes a greasespot before he even knew it.

Naw, its the CATS that own the house. They let the wimmen stay there, the wimmen let the men..

There is another category- those who were in charge, and wrecked lives. Seems they would REALLY like us to just get over it. Yep. Perhaps most of us are just another inconvenience, just another kick in the side just when they just start to relax.. maybe that's why sometimes I see the admonition, "just take a chill pill". Maybe that's what THEY have to do. Can't be very pleasant to have to live on tranquilizers and anti-depressants, without any other valid reason, just to get through the day.

I wonder if this is all another coincidence.. I took der class in 1975 also, June I think... Would I do it all again? I'd have to. Even knowing where all this would lead. I'd have to take the da*n class, more than once, do all the twig stuff, go WOW in 77, meet my now ex, and have two of the greatest kids this side of the Mississippi. Wouldn't trade these two kids for anything I lost along the line..