waysider

Interesting you should mention this. This very concept was promoted for adults as well as children. The idea was that when God said jump, you were to jump without question. And since the idea of leaders speaking by "revelation" was a staple of the TWI mental diet, when a 'leader" gave you an order, you were to follow it without question because that "leader" might have some life or death insight on the situation. I remember this happening in the mid 1970's, when a guy in the Corps left HQ grounds despite being told not to. If I remember correctly, he went into town with another guy. He was in a terrible auto accident and died as a result. Wierwille used the incident to condemn people for disobedience and really played up the obedience angle. This was a far-reaching lesson that went out into the areas that weren't directly connected to HQ. For the sake of illustrating that this was an official stance of "WayWorld" and not isolated by any means , I offer this from page 10 of the Advanced Class syllabus. Keys To Walking By The Spirit 10. Inspired action and inspired utterance may be essential. 11. Do not be deceived by the five senses. 12. Do not argue with God. 15. Watch and be ready. Revelation may come at the most likely or unlikely places and times. Of course, each of these directives has accompanying scripture that supposedly validates it as "The Word of God". So, you see, this subject of child abuse is really an extension of a large scale problem that was deeply woven into the mindset of the typical Way "believer".

Maybe a part of understanding why people saw this and didn't do something is that TWI "taught" that it was not abuse. By "taught", I am referring to a scope that goes beyond SNS tapes, and formal settings. In fact, I think it is fairly clear from the various threads here that it was considered vital and necessary. People were expected to treat their kids this way or else be thought of as spiritual weaklings. And this was done so that some two bit, narcissistic cult leader could get a new Harley or other "toy" any time his heart desired. "Yeah, beat your kids. What do I care?---- as long as I can fill my stable with classic cars and motorcycles, ill gotten at your expense".

---(the Blue Swede version)

I'm not sure what to say except that I am so sorry you kids were subjected to this.

So then if you get "tagged", you're **it?

He's 8 years old. HERE is what happens when he gets the"Room Cleanin' Blues".

I think ear hair might be caused by a debuhl spurt. Don't tell it to come out, though, 'cause then your ears will be even hairier. (On account of it "comin' out".) :blink:

The Blob!!

For what it's worth, I feel like I have benefited from your input, John. Thanks

Check out the harp player at center stage. HERE :)

Wang Dang Doodle

If you think about it as being a pyramid scheme (because it was), does it make any more sense?

Maybe these excepts from Witnessing and Undershepharding will add some perspective: Page 2 "The basic reason we witness is to help people into the classes on Power for Abundant Living." OR page 4 "You are to witness- now go witnessing to move the Word. Go and tell." OR page 5 "The reason believers won't or don't witness is always because of fear" OR page 6 "We live abundantly and then give Power for Abundant Living." ************************************************* So, when you boil the cabbage down, what you are left with is the reality of what actually took place. TWI and the PFAL series was a cleverly crafted multi-level-marketing scheme. We were, perhaps, the worst paid sales force in the history of mankind. (exaggeration intentional) We actually paid them for the privilege of hawking their product and were made to feel less than adequate if we didn't participate or succeed. And, the the concept of "Well, at least we moved The Word" doesn't fly either. The product we were pushing was a flawed rendering of scripture, tainted by the "private interpretation" of a guy who was quite adept at privately interpreting it to suit his own desires. We weren't "moving the Word". We were selling a class and establishing a base of followers who would willingly and systematically divert a high percentage of their material gains to further "the cause".

"----and you get all this and more for the low, low price of $100 $85 $200 $65." (pssst, Louie------ how much are we charging this week??)

Bullwinkle Eenie, meenie, chili beenie---the spirits are about to speak. Rocky Are they friendly spirits? (Now watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.)

I'm goin' where the Sun keeps shinin' through the pourin' rain. (*Not the first line*)

When I stumbled into the cafe, I hadn't "fellowshipped" for 15 years! Some of this stuff becomes so ingrained, it seems impervious to time tables.

Koko Taylor--- RIP

Honestly? I don't think it was anything quite as logical as that. It's sort of an exercise in futility to look for a logical explanation for illogical lunacy. It's like when you see some news report of someone doing something particularly heinous and you ask yourself, "Why"? Some things in TWI simply can't be explained other than to say that they were a bunch of wackos who made decisions based on delusion and fantasy.

You could try putting a religious statue out in a conspicuous location. It's my understanding they like to sneak behind them to take a little smoke break from time to time.

I'm not so sure that's the same thing. "Good times" are when somebody gushes over the "swell" time he had hanging out with VPW for a week 30 years ago or how "blessed" they got at those infamous "nite-owls" when all the young ladies sat around in their pj's singing Kumbaya while VP perused the attendees with a lustful eye. Why was this woman in a position to have to drive a car that was in such a state of disrepair, scrape for change and subject her children to less than healthful conditions? I'm not faulting the woman, herself. What I'm doing is bringing into question the type of system that fostered and propagated these kinds of situations. What you are remembering is a good person, not a good time.

It's been reported that some of them are known to chain smoke little menthol cigarettes with fake filters. I hope that helps.

Maybe it's all a matter of perception and definition. When someone makes the focus of their posting activity an avenue to promote a personal agenda, I see that as "speaking from the pulpit". Maybe prosylatizing would be a better word. It could be about anything, really, but typically it's been about an inordinate promotion of such things as: PFAL equaling The Word of God, insisting that every incident be proven, looking for any opportunity to bash Obama, repeated invitations to join a "church" and so forth. Just my opinion but those are things that I would consider to be encompassed in this pulpit idea. I don't let it bother me, though, as long as the "preacher" is open to honest and open discourse regarding whatever their agenda might be.

Gonna miss ya, Short Stuff. Just remember to keep that Swiss Chard weeded.