Ham

Hey Johnny! I'll have to remember that the next time we exchange solicitations. "How you doing? And the wife? And "Ed" ?" Heh heh heh heh.

Well, I saw a few too. Prayed for several people, and the miraculous did occur. But as a whole, I think miracles, especially anything big enough to command anybody's attention, was highly over-rated at the least, to manufactured at the worst. And the measuring stick was greatly shortened. By the mid-90's, it seemed they were digging down to the bottom of the barrel to have any message of "victory" to proudly proclaim to the household.. I think those of us who were really humble and tried to glorify God saw some real stuff happen. But I would not attribute those results to "the greatness" of da vey. Then, and especially now. Slowly, over the years, I think the leadership evolved into something not much different than a witchdoctor. Always on guard, having to constantly "prove" that their "spells" were effective, and that they commanded the proper respect.

Just an added thought.. seems that this new "definition" for a miracle makes it a win-win situation for THEM. If it doesn't happen, it's because of their greatness. If something bad does happen to you, woe unto you! You must have been extra devilish or something, even though you obeyed the stupid mandate to the letter. And then you serve as one more example to the others of what happens to somebody who was "lazy", "recalcitrant", or some such nonsense. To me, at least anymore, these kind of explanations sound like a guy who failed to raise somebody from the dead because the dead guy just wasn't humble. Just another recalcitrant fool that refused to cooperate.

OK.. I know some real ones happened- I personally witnessed a few. But.. by far and wide, anything miraculous, at least in the last twenty years coming out of that place seems to me to at best "manufactured". Shortly before I left, the leadership was fishing rather heavily for anything supernatural. Somehow, you were a hero if you somehow ended up getting your favorite parking spot at K-mart. And miracles were rather vague, and questionable. Things like "things could have been a lot worse if WE did not have OUR people prepared for such and such..." While they demand higher standards from their followers, the measuring stick for what is or what is not a miracle seems to have relaxed, greatly. No longer do they need to actually produce anything. No healings, no wonders. It the followers will obey, the "miracle" seems to have evolved to a form of what did NOT happen. "See? You obeyed your leader, and your kid did NOT get run over by that car". And it seems the followers buy it. Of course, this makes their job much easier. "Da Bot says, devils from lower Slobovia are planning a mass attack upon god's pure household, even as we speak". A week later, nothing has happened. Some leader stands up all teary eyed, saying how "thankful" he is for da Bot, that had such forsight to avert such a disaster. And everybody just sits there.. glassy look in their eyes. But once is not enough. We have a history of "disaster after disaster" that apparently was averted by the MOG/WOG, somehow by "standing in da gap" with the strength of Samson, averting said disaster. Oh well, I guess they have to "earn" their keep somehow. I have been trying to put some of these events together on a timeline. Anybody out there know anything?

Belle- that does say a lot.. they may "appear" to have it good, and the universe unjustly being kind. Some folks I know have enough money and property to throw away. While I would like da money, I would NOT want their problems. Makes me glad to have what I've got..

Well, at least one good thing came out of this- contrary to some claims, lo and behold- they have NOT changed. And here is the evidence. Witness the cyber-snobbery and cyber-mark-and-avoid. "Uh, oh. "nice" to see you. hope family is OK, (door slams)" Yep. Didn't even say "goodbye". I remember the "instructions" we were given regarding a mark-and-avoid relative. "He is just working through a few problems. 1. Do NOT talk about the verd with the individual. 2. Do NOT talk about ministry activities, in any way, shape or form. 3. He has been "instructed" to not bother you with ANY questions. 4. If he has questions, refer him to me. 5. Oh, you can be "polite" when he runs accross your path." I don't know what the rest of you think, but I think that this is about as rude as you can get. Nothing has changed. Nothing at all. "They" have been told (threatened) to avoid confrontation with you at all costs. Don't wanna get "contaminated" you know. Afraid they'll get the cooties if you drink from "their" designated fountain.

"So, John B's experiment showed him that it was more difficult than anticipated to have even a cyber two-way communication situation." I bet it showed him a heck of a lot more. I bet he found that he has to kiss TWI's backsides in more ways than he thought possible even before..

"works EVERY time" heh heh.

Reading a lot of these posts remind me of an old Beverly Hillbillys episode- old granny had some kind of "miracle" cold cure. Made with molasses, sulphur, etc. etc.. the docs were really interested until Jed said something like, "sure a miracle cure. Why, you take this stuff, and within about six weeks you'll feel like a spring chicken".

"may the farce be with ya". heh heh..

Frigging bastards. I don't see how people believe it- "leave or disobey, and you'll die or worse".. Well, I believed it, once. Must be something about human nature- trusting people like "that". And they're STILL pulling the same kind of strings. Same stuff. No wonder they don't want anybody with a different "story" to contaminate their precious website. No debate allowed, of ANY kind. Now it is not only not "allowed", it is IMPOSSIBLE.

Seems to me that the BOD and minions are VERY skilled at "crisis intervention". Unfortunately (for them) they don't find very many real crisises to perform their "magic". Can't find one? Manufacture one. Somehow they have to be able to justify their lavish lifestyle.. I have no more respect for them than local hoodlums running from door to door selling "protection". "Walk away and yer dead", "their kid died because they left US", are all wonderful and fine.. but the real trick is to manufacture a "miraculous" rescue of one form or another. And MOST are naive or gullible enough to believe it. Personally, I think the 1976 takeover conspiracy story was conceived out of the highest form of .... people could find. I know computers, and at least a little about electronics. Most people with less knowledge than I did not seem to be very afraid. But here! Here we have a crisis! After all, this one was indeed in the news.. and who claims credit of "divine deliverence"? "Things COULDA been a lot worse, if we did not have OUR people prepared". And they bought it. "I'm soooooo thankful to have such a wonnnderful WOG and WOGGESS who protects me from "da wasting"" or some such nonsense. Crisis after crisis. "We are soooooo thanful for our Woggy to stand in the gap and chase off da homos". Well, that sure didn't fix anything, did it? And this makes their job so much easier. Imagine. They don't have to really PRODUCE anything. No demonstration of power, no miracles, nothing. Zip. Nada. Zero. They are instant heroes because of what did NOT happen. This explains why those who have a few serious problems kind of disappear in the night. They are bad advertising. What happened to all the promises of deliverence? "Well, we knows da people, and they be messed up. That's why". "They died because of their believing". To quote a line from one of my favorite stories: "what do you DO for the people, besides from saving them from gluttony?" That's all they can do. Beat them down mentally, physically, spiritually, financially. Still going strong.. God, I hate religion. And this may be one piddly insignificant cult, but it is one piddling insignificant cult that I happened to be involved in. Don't get me wrong.. I think the Bible and God are wonderful. Just what people do with it.. and they won't stop the nonsense, won't give up. Kind of like trying to convince a seventeen year old crack dealer to quit selling. He's not gonna- the money is WAY too easy. Jesus called them snakes. Hypocrites. Blind leaders of the blind. Thieves. Robbers. No wonder they put the gospels in the old testament "for our learning". Well, we don't wanna read that, dats negative.. we wanna read about being "blessed" all the time.. They should have a new greeting on the "wonderful for da believers" website- "enter at your own risk".

Bob, that's funny.. now my car, I have this little thing with about five or six antennas on it. One is about six feet long.. when I first installed them, I would drive down one local road here that is notorious for fast, unsafe drivers. I could see them coming up behind me, going about 75 or 80 in a 50 MPH zone. When they got about twenty car lengths behind me, they would slow down, and stay about twenty car lengths back. I had more fun than I had for a long time.. been thinking of painting it a flat black- that would scare them!

No Galen, no aspersions to the FCC. The discussion just kind of reminded me of one of the Radio WKRP in Cincinatti episodes- one of the few I saw. The D.J. that was really paranoid was on the lookout for "the radio cops". The transmitter site blew up- he said something like, "those radio cops, they can really play hard-ball".

"Our witchdoctor (sorry, WOG) must have some heapin' powerful spirits"

Kind of interesting.. you know, they have been in a constant "crisis" for decades. When I first got in, the big crises was big brother coming and taking over all our lives. Better have some guns, supplies squirreled away. Whew! Thank the MOG that it didn't happen. HIS believing did it all.. On and on. Through the POOP years. Through the crisis of being taken over by "homos". Through the crisis of being taken over by "nice people". Through the financial crisis. Through the "Y2K" crisis. Da world's gonna end ya know. Whew! We made it through that one. Obvious it didn't happen because "da household" was prepared- Now through "da internet" crisis. One "crisis" after another. And to what effect? "God's people" aren't given a moment of rest. Not a moment to regain their composure or balance. Be assured, there was more than one "emergency" meeting over this last deal. For them, it's a "crisis" if we are in the unfortunate circumstance of having to coach their kids on the local softball team. It's a "crisis" if they HAVE to make an unscheduled trip to the store on their own. And it's been like this- for DECADES. What a perfect recipe for control. Apparently, it works. Why stop now? Just when you think its safe- another "crisis". "WE have the inside skinny- debbils from lower Slobovia are planning a coordinated attack on da household.." "Whew. Thank da WOG that we got through THAT one".

Or could it be? They PAY them to "proudly" display his mug on the wall? At least that would give him some visible source of income.

Sex is not supposed to be a pole vaulting contest, for crying out loud..

Well well. Now pretty soon they'll be going around ripping hotel rooms apart. Just give the accountants something to do..

I think I see it Galen- the spell checking police. A lot like the "radio cops". They can play hard ball too.

"It is really sad, not to be able to express yourself. You have to stuff all of the feelings inside...one could go insane." And we know where that leads to- the Great Egress.

Nope. One of the guys was originally from Pa. A real idiot. The head honcho was like, 3rd or 4th corps- don't think he was 2nd. The event was long long ago in a state far far away.. but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Heh heh. But you know, it is inevitable. One day, she won't be able to remember where it all is. All those alleged Swiss and offshore accounts, and for the life of her, she just can't remember where she keeps all of those numbers. Can't be all bad though, the Swiss have to eat somehow. Reminds me of some of the stories a friend tells me about his mother. He is a very good son, but had to put her in a home, she just had health issues he could not handle. This guy wouldn't take advantage of anybody, for any reason. He was never part of der vey. They would have to go through the poor lady's closet, dresser, everything.. she was stashing- food. Anything- jello, bread, vegetables.. I guess the month old chicken was not too hard to find.

Darn squirrels.. heh heh.. good possibility though- lawsuits and such withstanding. Somehow, I don't think the money will save her. Who's gonna take care of her when she's REALLY old? Her kid that she marked and avoided? Donna? Maybe ole Harve will be up to the task.. She'll get stripped bare like there's no tomorrow. Reminds me of the squirrels around here in the fall- they are so busy burying stuff- I think they forget where most of it is buried in the winter. And the poor things look like they're starving.. heh heh. Oh well- I feed them a little. All of that frenetic activity seemingly doesn't do them a whole lot of good.

I actually still care. For those in, especially for those thinking about joining.. But it's like trying to love a mad dog. No matter what you do you'll get bit. One way or another.. guaranteed.