waysider

I don't mean to sound as though I have no compassion for these kids because I do-------as individuals. But, from the perspective of the organization, do we really hope they achieve any level of success?

"Whoowee!" said my grandson Cletus (that's his name.), "One peek at Ol' Sparky (the electric chair) is pert near 'nuff to scare the Devil out of even the meanest old cooter." My other grandson, Cleophus, (who is ordinarily the ornery one.) just shook his head in agreement.

I know there were long term Way followers in N.E. Ohio and Central Ohio as early as the 1950s. Florida, I don't know about. Sorry.

It was like an 8th grade science experiment gone horribly wrong.

Rivers always had an uncanny knack for doing covers and making them his own. This is, happily, no exception.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/

Socks said: "It sounds like we're generally agreeing that unless the religious beliefs effect behavior in such a way that the individual is harmed it's not a reasonable means of defining what is or isn't a "cult"." Agreed.

I'm not sure I understand. But, here is part of another song that addresses that "oneness". For deep within we two are one Yet can not understand We've not been born We're centuries old We're buried 'neath the land

Daylight takes me far away To you it does the same Moving through the noisy streets Like pawns in someones' game Time goes by so slowly

In the 1970s, there were FellowLaborer programs in multiple locations. If I understand correctly, there were programs in Ohio, Kentucky, California and Florida. Perhaps there were others. I really don't know. Curiously, there was no uniformity. The California program was 6 months. The Kentucky program was one year. The Ohio program was 2 years. Some people lived on-site. Some people lived off-site, etc. Oh, I understand the logic of needing people to maintain limb facilities and coordinate statewide activities, but, was it really necessary to have programs that were specifically dedicated to that purpose? My personal theory (and I think this accounts for the diversity.) is that Wierwille was experimenting with franchise models. The Corps was growing at an exponential rate. I think VPW saw it as an opportunity to expand that type of product model into multiple markets via franchise-like programs. Any thoughts?

Oh, heck, you don't have to look any farther than the GSC political forum to get the skinny on that.

Cool to the max!

Meet Sonny B.

"Don't date your students" Good advise. Probably not advisable to "study your dates", either----at least, not too closely. Might not like everything you find.

I'm not sure where they stand on the Trinity issue, but, it's my opinion THESE GUYS fit the profile of a "cult".

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day

SPOOKY

I think the whole world is fightin' about The Same Thing.

I think the Trinity and other Biblical related beliefs may actually be the red herring in this discourse. A group does not necessarily have to have a religious bent to fit the criteria of a cult Is the group leader self appointed, charismatic and domineering? It may be a cult. Does the group have special, privileged knowledge that drives it to fulfill a special mission? It may be a cult. Does the group dictate intricate details of how the members must speak, dress, think, and behave? It may be a cult. Is the group inordinately focused on recruiting new members for the purpose of generating revenue? It may be a cult. Does the group limit and/or discourage interaction outside the group unless said action benefits the group? It may be a cult. Does the group have its own language, encourage members to think within a narrow set of parameters and reinforce a black/white, either/or mentality? It may be a cult. http://www.caic.org.au/general/cultcrit.htm

Check out version!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JWAmF-Z4r4&feature=related I saw Claudette do this song once. (piano and voice) Of course, she changed the words to make it "right on" but it was an amazing performance, nonetheless.

Like father, like son. Here's a fresh take on an old Larry Davis tune.