Kevlar2000

Yeah, I'm eagerly awaiting the new Harry Potter book, too. For some light summer reading, you might try "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal" by Christopher Moore. It's a well-written fictionalized account of Joshua's (aka Jesus') young life, speculating on those years in which the Bible is mostly silent. For fun, you might count the number of times you catch yourself going, "That's off (the Word)" while reading it. :)--> Then read it again just for the fun of it. (I was going to suggest you make a drinking game out of it, but that's so off...Whoops! *chug* ) You might also try some of his other books, which are listed on his web site HERE

I agree; it would appear the WayGB sharks watching this site smelled chum in the water with this group and went in for the kill. And if anyone doesn't think the Way International â„¢ is very protective of its exclusive use of the words "The Way" should talk to pjroberge about his legal battles with them. Nice one, you guys. Makes me think of the phrase, "seeking whom they may devour". You're certainly making a name for yourselves in the Christian community. Word over the World â„¢ indeed!

Hope you're enjoying your day, wingnut!

Aw, why don't you Way Int'l sharks leave these folks alone? 'Cuz they're just so cute and adorable, you just wanna pinch their cheeks and give them some home-baked cookies and milk! :)--> Although, I gotta say... "Jesus is the rizzle for the sizzle"? Oy vey!

And, since they don't know who will be leaving (or M & A) from day to day, they wouldn't want to have anyone in their permanent photo collection who might be considered "possessed" or an "old wineskin". Or simply, a future embarrassment to "the ministry". Or, maybe this is just a weird foretelling of the future population at HQ - None!

They should probably stop right there. ;)-->

The only thing that really scares me about my kid is she might "discover" the Way International and decide to hook up with them. Now that's truly a frightening thought. God, I hope she has more sense than her old man did.

Much happiness to you on your birthday, Excathedra! Big birthday grins! :D-->

We went to a baseball game yesterday, and while watching the game, my daughter told me,"When I was at a sleepover, we discussed who had the weirdest dad. We all agreed you were the weirdest!" Kinda brought a tear to my eye. It's nice to be number one at something important like that. :D-->

"Seems even the SATW songs became boring and unexciting. What a lame bunch." Lindy, I remember singing that song (with the "hallelujahs" and "YEE-HAs") back in the dark, dim days of the early '70s. But of course, that was back when we didn't care what anybody thought of our singing. Just goes to show: The Way International, stifling initiative wherever it goes. "M@tthew H@rmon did go on a rampage for a while having us tell the people in our fellowships who couldn't sing well to either sing very quietly or to lip sync to the songs." Belle, that is horrible! They really went overboard with the control thing. One of my WOW brothers was "tone-challenged" :)-->, but I loved hearing him sing. Besides his obvious enthusiasm, he had a way of creating an accidental dissonant harmony very much in keeping with 20th century composers. Not your typical "Thank you, Dorothy, Thank you Rhoooooda" renditions. Man, they oughta be glad anyone shows up for their boring meetings, without criticizing their singing. They just don't get it!

Did Craig ever come right out and say, "I am the MOGFODAT?" In public? In private? Or was it more alluded to?

GMIR was an attempt by the Way Magazine to publish actual research articles (as opposed to just presenting doctrine and dogma disguised as "teachings"). The title came "from Aramaic gmr– 'to perfect', presenting the necessary documentation to get back the original, God-inspired Word, by believing on 2 Tim. 2:15 (The Way Magazine, May-June 1982)." The Forgery of Matthew

Nah, don't know, don't care - just wanna be rid of the Way stink in this state once and for all. I would be surprised if anybody new would really commit to the Way from this effort... Yeah, I fell for this stuff once upon a time, but it really was a different organization way back when.

I should have left the first time I heard someone maligned and officially "marked and avoided" at a Twig Co-ordinator's meeting. They were not mentioned by name, but the details were explicit enough that we knew exactly to whom this referred. This person was a close friend, and, to my everlasting shame, I didn't jump up and say, "This is BULL$(-)!T" I was just still too married to the idea that the leaders in the Way were operating "all nine all the time", and they must have been shown something by God that I either wasn't priveleged to know, or wasn't spiritually "sharp" enough to handle.

We'll be happy to send the one(s) from Maryland to you, if you'd like. ;)-->

I don't remember hearing anything about Wierwille's illness, and was rather shocked and surprised when he died. And, of course, we were not told he had cancer. I didn't even know he had lost an eye to it. But The Way had a habit of "not preaching negatives" - even when it was the truth.

Many who leave do so because they are tired of being manipulated and micromananged, not because they have any serious problems with the doctrine. I think many who leave will still want to "re-create" their early Way fellowship experience with like-minded people who cared (or at least seemed to care) about you, and who won't be a pain-in-the-@$$. This is what they're "going back" to, and as far as I'm concerned, it's "whatever floats your boat". Myself, I like the diversity of opinions you get here at Greasespot, and the attempts to "think outside the Waybox." It makes you think about why you believe the way you do, and is more satisfying to me then having doctrine and dogma handed down from someone in the middle of a former cornfield.

I wonder what mannerisms are being copied from the current president? -->

You may be thinking of the hospital, and I would have to agree with you. But the university campus is very nice and situated in a rather tony upper-class neighborhood. It's always a good idea to be watchful and alert, and I would recommend he go with friends if he goes off campus, but I don't think you should have any undue concerns for his well-being. Having said that, I know you must be very proud of him, and wish him well on this wonderful opportunity!

Bitter, chyeah right! After I left, I was told the "spiritual heavies" had proclaimed I had a "spirit of bitterness". More like a "spirit of p!$$ed-off'dness"! We're not bitter...just far better informed. And reacting appropriately

Tools - unless it's broken, why get rid of it? You never know if you'll need even the most obscure and under-used ones. Clothing - most of us guys are'nt fashionistas; Khaki really is forever. Plus, if you can still fit into clothes you wore 20 years ago, what an ego boost that is! Other miscellanious items - I have memorabilia from high school (30+ years ago), and certain items will bring back a good memory or two. And at an age where memories are starting to fade, it helps to have something like that. Way books and materials - can't really answer that one. Other that Memory Lane things, I keep thinking one day I'll trot all that stuff out and compare what I used to believe with how I believe now. It might be a hoot! (although that signed copy of Jesus Christ Our Passover might be worth a lot more on eBay someday)

Raf, I believe according to Trek canon (and the Trek experts can correct me if I'm wrong) Saavik is half-Romulan and spent some of her childhood in a rather harsh non-Vulcan setting, so she might not feel completely bound to the emotion-suppressing disciplines. And neither of her two incarnations had a British accent (had to re-rail this somehow! :)--> )

God bless you, ma'am! That is no mean feat!

For tax purposes, perhaps? So as to retain their non-profit tax status?

If I may offer some simplistic advise, she should: Enjoy her theatre experiences. Enjoy her friends, gay and straight. Don't have sex, gay or straight - wait 'til you're an adult (preferably married). As Jack Handey says, "I believe in making the world safe for children, but not our children's children, because I don't think children should be having sex." :)--> Ah yes - Didn't we all feel the weight of the world at that age? I know I did, (or at least the weight of the future) and was looking earnestly for some sort of answers that made sense. I thought I might have found some in a class I took given by a Midwestern preacher. --> In the end, she will get her cues and clues from you, not only your answers, but how you view and treat people. And I think it's wonderful she comes to you with these kinds of questions. It indicates the lines of communication are open, regardless of the conclusions to which you both come. What a wonderful treasure that is!