waysider

The key word here is "compulsory". Giving/sharing of one's own volition is a good thing. We learned that all the way back in kindergarten. But, in PFAL, we were taught that it's a "mandatory requirement" for anyone desiring abundance in their life. And, we were taught that this "requirement" is set forth in the Bible. Yes, the Bible does talk about giving. It talks about the tithe. It provides examples of people who tithed and gave out of thankfulness. What it doesn't do, though, is tell us that it's a "compulsory requirement." Wierwille (and lots of other religious sorts) have twisted this thing to make it say something contrary to what it really says. The important thing to remember, in my opinion, is that Wierwille had a plan. His plan was to use the PFAL series to recruit as many people as he could, locked into a system whereby they consistently and routinely gave part of their income to The Way. And, it worked. I still remember, after leaving The Way, wondering where I was going to send my tithe. "I have to send it somewhere or I'll be outside God's hedge of protection.".... That's how much this idea of compulsory giving had become part of my thinking.

Etymology "Glossolalia" is constructed from the Greek word γλωσσολαλία, itself a compound of the words γλῶσσα (glossa), meaning "tongue" or "language"[2] and λαλέω (laleō), "To speak, talk, chat, prattle, or to make a sound".[3] The Greek expression (in various forms) appears in the New Testament in the books of Acts and 1 Corinthians. SOURCE So, you see, some might argue that the term "glossolalia" is actually more "Biblical" than the phrase "speaking in tongues". (Both are English translations of the same Greek word so neither is truly Biblical.)

I apologize for running it off the track. The intent of my last post was to illustrate that I too tried to use it like an all-in-one tool. Why? Because that's how it was promoted in The Way. Did I say promoted? I meant to say lauded......Get a clear picture, S.I.T. and "believe" and anything can come to pass.....Well, life doesn't work that way.....Too many of us discovered that little truth too late....It reminds me of how, when I was a little whippersnapper, I wanted to stay up late to steal a glimpse of Santa Claus. My parents told me he wouldn't come to our house unless I was asleep.....Same thing, ya know?.....S.I.T. won't work unless you get a clear picture, make sure your request is available, get your needs and wants parallel, walk in love, get your administrations correct, properly translate the word "IF",....and the list goes on ad infinitum. I still do it when I need to clear my head or take the focus off some ache or pain....like a kind of meditation... The difference, now, is that I don't see it as having any spiritual significance and I don't expect any benefit beyond what I just stated..

Speaking in tongues, in and of itself, can't hurt you. In fact, according to scientific studies, it causes no adverse effects for the practitioner. Where the problems arise is in the application and expectations associated with it. I can personally think of many, many instances when I put my occupational safety and personal health in jeopardy, thinking that S.I.T. and the so-called "law" of believing (It was called the "magic" of believing in the original collaterals.) would cover me. It was foolish behavior. I still regret (in a very physical sense) some of the misfortunes I encountered as a result. Did I do it out of love? Yeah, I would say I did. I was trying to put food on the table for my family and trying to keep a roof over our heads. If that doesn't fit the bill, what does? I guess I should consider myself lucky in comparison to some others who were permanently, severely scarred or lost their lives trying to prove it all worked. THIS thread, I believe, is relevant to any discussion regarding speaking in tongues, believing, or the revelation manifestations in general..

Not much different than the playground bully who says "You owe me your lunch money".

Non-Christian practice Other religious groups been observed to practice some form of theopneustic glossolalia. It is perhaps most commonly in Paganism, Shamanism, and other mediumistic religious practices.[57] In Japan, the God Light Association used to practice glossolalia to cause adherents to recall past lives.[58] Glossolalia has even been postulated as an explanation for the Voynich manuscript.[59] Certain Gnostic magical texts from the Roman period have written on them unintelligible syllables such as "t t t t n n n n d d d d d..." etc. It is conjectured that these may be transliterations of the sorts of sounds made during glossolalia. The Coptic Gospel of the Egyptians also features a hymn of (mostly) unintelligible syllables which is thought to be an early example of Christian glossolalia.[citation needed] In the 19th century, Spiritism was developed by the work of Allan Kardec, and the phenomenon was seen as one of the self-evident manifestations of spirits. Spiritists argued that some cases were actually cases of xenoglossia. Glossolalia has also been observed in the Voodoo religion of Haiti,[60] as well as in the Hindu Gurus and Fakirs of India.[61][62]" SOURCE

If speaking in tongues builds up the inner man (spirit), what purpose does it serve for the non-Christian cultures that have practised it since before the time of Christ?

Yea, verily, my little ones. As sure as night marks the end of day, we were hosed.

Hi, Roy I thought you might enjoy version, too.

Remember that old song called ?"Nick, Nick, Bo Bick, banana fanna foe fick..." I suddenly realized that Shirley Ellis must have been running one of the very first excellor sessions.

Yes, familiar names. I hope it's not too far off topic but it reminds me of song.

What?????? Oh, that can't possibly be so. Surely God would have told us they were faking it. I think you need to speak in tongues more so the baby spirit inside you can grow up and reach an understanding of this stuff. And, "Travel light." (Not sure what that has to do with it. It's just something God told me to say.)

The whole "9 pack" seems so contrived, in retrospect. Check out these little gems from page 10 of the Advanced Class Silly-Bus... "Speaking in tongues daily is prerequisite to revelation." Really?? I guess that must be why Wierwille knew stuff that hadn't been known for 2,000 years. 'Cause, ya know, he could sometimes go for days without any sleep, on account of how much he spoke in tongues in his private prayer life and all, so God musta been bombarding him with revelation. You would think, though, that a guy who spoke in tongues that much would have gotten beyond "Lo Shanta La Maka See Tay"..Someday I'll figger that one out. And how about this one? "To receive revelation, you must first become meek." Now, I'm guessing, based on VP's example, that the key word here must be "first". After that, (your "first" encounter with meekness) you can pretty much "do what you like as long as you like what you do". Dat's Riiiiiiight! Oh, almost missed this one... "Revelation once given may change (God changes the revelation after the circumstances change.)" Now, that's a relief. That way, God never has to change, just the revelation (which is supposed to be God's Word, which is unchangeable) changes. .........am not...are too....am not...are too...am not...are too.... Of course, after it's been given twice, it can't change anymore. Says so right in the Silly-Bus.... "Revelation given twice is established." So, remember, keeds..... "Watch and be ready. Revelation may come at the most likely or unlikely places and times." And ...."Pick yourself up, because God will not tell you a second time until you obey the first." But that could change, you know? ....Sooooo.... "get meek, speak the speak and don't let the adversary make you freak.".

I'm sure you probably don't mean it this way, but, that really sounds like another version of "shifting the blame". Didn't get results?....Must not have been believing....didn't have your needs and wants parallel....didn't have a clear enough picture....must not have been available....etc. Who knows what "love" means, anyhow? In my early days in TWI, I would say I saw lots of people acting out of what most of us would call "love". Maybe we didn't get results because what we were taught was "speaking in tongues" was really glossolalia. Food for thought.

Building costs can vary wildly, but, I think it's fair to say that probably about 50% of what it cost to build that house would fall under the category of labor....labor that was supposedly being expended for the benefit of the organization, not an individual.. In the corporate world, that's called misappropriation of funds. Another word that is commonly used for it is "theft". Unless, of course, she had some sort of subcontracting arrangement with Way Builders and she paid for that cost herself.

Maybe....but, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would tell you they did it "in love" and still saw no results.

I must be a prophet....I foresee a contentious discussion coming on.....LOL!

Welcome to GSC!

VP was a schemer, that much we know for sure. I feel confident in surmising he anticipated some sort of outcome that might not fit with what we would logically or innocently expect. We know he wasn't some sort of spiritual guru, as he had led to us believe. Therefore, I think there was probably a nefarious twist to his plan. Maybe G33r was privy to some of the details and used them, like a card counter, to play his own hand. Ultimately, I don't think anyone really knew what cards Wierwille was holding in his hand. I think Rosalie may have had an educated guess, though.

Wierwille was not a person of benevolent nature. (and that's a kind assessment) It's my opinion that he never gave anything away without an obligatory string or two attached. What strings were attached to Rosalie's ordination? Maybe she'll take that secret to the grave. Or, maybe someone will stumble upon it and expose the whole charade for all to see, once and for all. Even then, though, I suspect there will be those who simply won't accept it.

Spirituality aside, what secular qualifications does she have that would enable her to run an organization of that size and worth?

I just threw that one in there because the lyrics sound so....ya know? when they're taken out of context. It's Chestnut Mare..... by The Byrds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUYkL8l6VLk FREE POST!!!!!

Even worse, you may discover that some of them don't even realize you're gone. "We sure do love you."