Twinky

Time for this thread to disappear to Soap Opera or some such place. Maybe the first page or two might have value. The rest - hahhah

All they research is OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK. Still banging on about "faith" and "believing." They might want to pay attention to the book of James, specifically at ch.2. Unfortunately we know all too well what are TWI's deeds and works. And the only physical needs that are provided for are the adulterous needs of leaders. Let's see some of their faith/believing/call it what you will, by them first apologising for past behaviour, seeking out their victims with genuine remorse, and now getting on with genuinely helping their local community without any expectation of reward or recognition. Without doubt there will be homeless, impoverished or hungry people within a very short radius of HQ; families who are in "heat or eat" mode or have other financial difficulties; those who can't afford medical bills, etc.

On your next visit, try asking who might have visited any recognised church within, say, 5 or 10 miles (choose your distance - even 100 miles), in the last 12 months to attend a regular service Or what would happen if someone from within 5 or 10 miles decided to come into the auditorium, or the BRC, or wherever TWI hold its services now. How welcome would they be? Or if a homeless person dressed in poor clothing decided to enter any part of the grounds (not just the auditorium). How welcome would they be? Ask who is welcome at the Rock. Open to anyone, open to Christians across the board, or only open to Wayfers?

It's taken me about 25-30 years to heal from the TWI experience too. But happily not that long to buy my house. I messed around for a decade, afraid to make any decisions of any kind. Finding this place helped me heal a lot. But nothing disappeared instantly. I bought my house with much trepidation in 2007. I made overpayments every year when I could. I think my 25 year mortgage ran originally till I was 74, but it has been repaid (YIPPEE) for several years now, thanks to very diligent efforts on my part. It was either pay off the house, or pay into a pension scheme, not enough for both. I am entitled to get state pension (not a lot) but the thought of a mortgage as a pensioner was horrible. I have deferred claiming my pension because for every 9 weeks that I defer, I get a small uplift in the amount received. And, praise the Lord, he had a plan for me to get a pension anyway. I am getting married soon and my husband has a big pension and on his decease I will get half his amount, which, together with my state pension, will be more than I have ever earned in my life! As WordWolf mentioned earlier, we have a variety of beliefs here. I'm in the "God is good" category. I go to a great church which is very involved with the community around it. I do not subscribe to the standard beliefs of my church (am still non-trini) and I would go elsewhere if I felt the church was "off" in its treatment of parishioners. Well, no, first I would have a "what's going on?" session with any leadership that seemed off, and would escalate that if necessary. The days of being beaten down by nasties like TWI leadership are long gone. But so far, nothing has raised any red flags, nor seems likely to.

Welcome, Lulu. Whatever happened to you, we probably understand. Yah. LCM's screaming sessions at "Corps Nights." The foulness of his mouth. The hatred that was in his words. The wanton slander of those he didn't like, or who had offended him in some way. And he was "a man of God" ?????????????

I do my video chats via WhatsApp. Much more stable than Zoom, no time limit on call length. Haven't used Skype in a hundred years.

It seems to me that many are attacking JoyfulSoul without any reason so to do. JS called by at HQ and found it a reasonably pleasant place. It seems to me that JS is no newbie and has been around a bit, and won't be easily sucked into the cult again. JS won't be going in to make waves, just to observe. The difficult questions to ask of TWI can come later. Why can't some here just be quiet and listen to what JS has to say? No good saying "we don't know what's going on there" and then shooting any messenger who happens by. We know that no casual visitor is going to see, much less get to the bottom of, TWI's wickedness. But if TWI are even remotely friendly, it'll be a change from passers-by being strong-armed off the premises by "bless patrol."

Very funny, Waysider. No Kool-Aid here. Lots of red wine, though.

My shiny new fiance is a very kind man, a devout Christian since his too-long-ago youth, strong supporter of his church and many worthy activities to help under-privileged and needy folk, generous with his time, money, and his heart, soul, mind and strength. He was the Safeguarding officer at his church - that is, the person responsible to whom abuses of any kind within the church community are reported; and then he independently ensures that allegations are investigated and appropriate action taken. So no surprises at abuse by "spiritual overseers" in church settings, and learning of church ministers and leaders who've done wrong in this respect. It would be some 11 years or so ago, when I felt safe talking to him about the abuses (many) that had happened to me, and he's been wonderfully patient and understanding over the time since then in helping me move to a very good place in my life now. And I have helped him in overcoming his grief and loneliness by my "just being there" when his wife of nearly 50 years together (not all married), died of a nasty disease, before we met. A good friendship has grown into = well, we get married on 6 September!

I was engaged, got engaged during my last year in rez. Was immediately sent to another campus, away from the beloved. Then on graduation we went to another country. There was so much interference from the Area Coord and the Country Coord and nothing I did (or didn't do) was right in their eyes (whether I had actually done alleged thing or not; I was condemned repeatedly for a lot of things beloved did), and beloved was also under suspicion for not having me cowed and under his thumb, basically. When finally they flung me out most ignominiously, he went back to HQ and was received by Dorothy O with open arms. And I was M&A. For why? I followed an example set by my beloved!

I'm getting married! This is still something of a surprise and a wonder to me. Am I excited, or terrified? Happily expectant, or scared of the future? Thinking it's just the best, or just the weirdest thing, that I'm in process of? Deliriously joyful, or just plain delirious? All of these things, from time to time, and sometimes simultaneously. It's a month since it was agreed, and I'm still sort of getting my head around it. I can tell you one thing. NO, that's NO, bloody church leader, or anyone else for that matter, is going to interfere.

Not so sure about that. As an "International," the way I use a knife and fork are very different from the way Americans use these utensils. Dorothy always said that we should keep our own "national" table manners, and eat appropriately - but neatly! We Internationals weren't encouraged to eat American-style.

A good newspaper article. Off topic, but sort of relevant.

That's funny, George. But the type of people who might owe >$100m are also the sort who have trusts, corporations, "charitable foundations," etc and various other tax dodges so that they pay little tax. I know everyone hates paying tax. But I spent a bit of time on the dole/claiming social security/unemployment allowance (a pathetic amount) and then set up a small business as self-employed. I was quite happy when I first had to start paying tax. It meant that I'd managed to acquire a liveable amount of income!

Great to see you, Belle. It's been a long time.

They only just realise this????? Though I'm wondering what "just how much we could do for our community" really means. Seems to me more like, they've just realised they can make more $$$ hiring out this asset that is otherwise sitting vacant. It could be a wonderful restful space for those in physical difficulty - recovering after a long illness, cancer treatment, etc, for example. Or for FREE holidays for people in the area with little money. Can't see that happening, though.

Charlene, maybe you should go - with a stack of Undertow books. Your appearance has changed since you left. Wear a big hat and sunglasses. You could get away with it for a few hours. How funny would that be!!!!! Oh and some earplugs too. You don't want to listen to the BS and the repetitive songs.

More like, MISadventure with us. Don't stay too long, folks.

Hi Ex member. Glad you escaped, sounds like "more of the same." This sounds like some group you are well away from (I know nothing of it personally). Do feel free to read and post here about any issues you've encountered, or any hurt that you may have. We've all "been there" (in the parent cult). We understand...sadly.

Some interesting ideas, there, Raf. Good cause to exercise critical thinking skills.

????????

That's cool, Charity. There's a fair few St Andrews churches around. That's about 100 miles away. The rapture? I dunno. I have known people who are really rapturous about it. Thesssalonians talks about a gathering together in the sky (I think that's "the rapture"). I think some of that could be figurative language. I live in hope and expectation of the return of Jesus, which could be in my lifetime or some time after that. As a new young (adult) Christian, I was so excited and hoped that every day would be The Day. It's a bit more of a deep, slower burn now. But as it is beyond me to affect when any "gathering together" may (or may not) occur, in the meantime, I'm getting on with loving God and loving my fellow humans as best I can. Some days I'm better at that than others. Theologian-types can get really hung up on minutiae. And there are all sorts of fancy names for religious theories, rituals, bells, smells, garments, items used in church services. I care for absolutely none of that. I keep things as simple as I can. Live decently.

Are you on the right church's website, Charity? This is StACC/Holy Trinity Combe Down (HTCD) (two of the four churches in the benefice). St Andrew's Community Church, Foxhill | HTCD

I'm so glad that if I ever heard this cr@p [resurrection/rising], I've forgotten it. But likely, I never heard of it. TWI had found some other atom to try splitting, with nonsensical purpose. If there's a resurrection/rising, or rapture, or whatever, then it's beyond my puny capabilities to affect it. Therefore, I will expend my energies on something more useful in the here and now... ... helping the disadvantaged, the homeless, those with little in this life. Those with too much trouble in this life. Those with no hope and nothing to look forward to.

Nobody I know would agree with you, Allan. Starmer isn't very popular, Badenoch (other main party leader) even less so, Farage (fancies himself as orangeman's best buddy) is an extremist far right fool and not at all well thought of - but the orangeman is nationally hated.