Kevlar2000

It's believing in reverse. -->

You two are a good lookin' couple, for sure.

Georgio, did he actually write "gift of discerning of spirits"?! For all of the Way's hyperbole, this is the best they can accomplish - either wishing for the things of God's spirit, or genuine spiritual suspicion. Georgio, I admire you for keeping up contact with these folks. They're on their way out - they just don't know it yet! :)-->

As long as you are not posting this in a public right-of-way, you have every right to do so on your property. Mr. X's status as a convicted sexual predator is a matter of public record; your opinion that people should keep their kids away from him is your constitutionally-protected opinion (at least for the moment --> )

As if twi is the sole arbiter of what that IS and is NOT. But that is so much of The Way's problem; they really do believe they are the sole arbiter and interpreter of God's word and will. And they inculcate this belief in their "disciples". That's why I'm not surprised at the responses Georgio got from the Way teens - because it's a heady thing to be plugged into the source for "all truth", to have a ready pat answer for all of life's ills and gray areas, to have access to the inner sanctum secrets. I simply hope they won't get hurt too badly before they decide God and the world are bigger than the Way International.

As long as the Way's governing body elects itself and is accountable only to itself, there will never be meaningful, positive change. And, really, the Way International was never set up with oversight in mind. It was meant to function with a strong, dynamic Wierwille-like leader in charge and with yes-men supporting him. For all his lecturing on Word in Culture and the continuance of the Way International after him, I don't think Mr. Wierwille really believed the Way would continue without him or his family. If he had, maybe he would have considered the possibility or the need for independent review and oversight of the organization. Or, maybe he just didn’t want an independent body reviewing him or his actions.

Or maybe it's like the Bachelorette... Who will get "The Rose"? yeeesh :P-->

I agree...and I'm happy to have voluntarily reduced their "membership" by one 18 years ago. I can almost guarantee it wasn't a man who thought that one up.

I think I'd have to see verifiable statistical information before I would believe that. That's debatable, but if you think so...

May I make a suggestion? Make a list (written or mental) of behaviors you find troubling or won't tolerate in a religious fellowship or organization. Maintain it as a checklist. When you attend a meeting or service, run the things that happened there against your checklist. If they get a lot of checkmarks, it's probably time to leave. But don't be afraid to try new fellowships. Some people have had positive experiences with CFF, and some have not. I think things like that tend to vary between individual groups. Whatever you decide to do, make sure your individual, personal boundaries are not crossed. Nobody has the right to do that. And...ask God. Maybe he has a solution that will cut through the crap. He's weird that way. :)-->

Came to Baltimore as a WOW Ambassador 30 years ago this month. I still can't believe it's been that long. Let me see, that would make me...... Never mind. -->

Which demonstrates once again the Way's wonderful ability to slap frosting on a dog turd and call it a wedding cake. (thanks to Stephen King for that one :D--> )

Tow-tally Awesome!

...Although, I did hear a snippet of Stephen Foster's Beautiful Dreamer in there. :D-->

With Martindale's amazing disrespect towards his former master, I'm surprised he didn't refer to Wierwille's teachings as "old wineskins from the Old Foreskin". He couldn't hold a candle to Wierwille. In anything. And that's not saying much.

Sure it is - it's the one Adam and Eve had a problem with. ;)-->

Hmmm, Lorna, could division also be caused by...differences of opinion?

Man, be careful what you wish for! :D--> Seriously, have loads of fun! When those BLEADers were reproving you for your arrogance and lack of humility, was it because you were doing it better then they were?

((((Excathedra)))) I'm so sorry for your pain. My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family. :(-->

why, thank you Linda Z. I try to post only if I can post my opinion intelligently, and usually by that time, the thread's deader than disco.

I think mine shrank. But then, I just got out of the pool. :D-->

Well, there goes another bunch of lifetime beliefs out the window! :)-->

Patriot, I also welcome you to these forums! I imagine your questions are rhetorical, as it seems you already know or suspect the answers to them. The Way's version of The Word is simply that...their version. The Word isn't over the World, inasmuch as the Way's version is not known to be available in every community on the planet. Honestly, The Way International is barely known in the communities where they are. TWI folks are not sharp - at least, the ones who continue to embrace the organization's doctrine of "like-minded" unquestioning adherance to their "teachings". They reject the day-by-day lordship of Jesus Christ and substitute arrogant, head-puffing Word-knowledge in its place. IMHO, this is the result of decades-long careful indoctrination, which results in the "black-is-white, up-is-down, we're-right-and-everybody-else-is wrong" mentality which many of us are endeavoring to discard.

Congratulations, Belle! You really have come a long way in just one year! It's unfortunate that The Way's unholy reach extended into forbidding relationships with family members incurring their religious disapproval. It's another area of life that should have fallen squarely into the category of "None of their damn business!" Have fun celebrating your family and your freedom!

Says who? I don't remember that from The Word ©. In fact, I don't remember God or Jesus talking much about America at all! Hmmmmmm... I really shouldn't even comment on this, because their convoluted position on the subject is idiotic. At best. The most I could or would say about this is, What you have or don't have is absolutely none of their business. Ever. Even if they're paying your salary. Once you're paid, it belongs to you. Not them. The whole "stick-my-nose-where-it-doesn't-belong" thing really chaps my bell bottoms. It's just really designed to put "disciples" into a permanent state of dependent adolescence. "Mommy and Daddy, can I please spend MY money on something I need, pretty please?" Unbelievabull!