Rocky

According to his FB profile (because FB notified me), today would be (would have been) Garth's 67th birthday. I miss him.

Sam?

It is also important to recognize that what's on the thread that T-Bone linked to is not necessarily a complete or exhaustive list.

THEY got it from the bible, probably not as narrowly defined as yours.

Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate the biblical concept of a slave. Where do you think the European concept of slavery came from? How was it practiced? The movie 12 Years a Slave illustrates it well. https://www.amazon.com/12-Years-Slave-Benedict-Cumberbatch/dp/B00ICSVLPA

THAT is a juicy nugget. Thanks. I wonder if any of us have known a subculture built on "puffing ourselves up with knowledge?" Isn't that what TWI has been all about from its inception... other than Wierwille's malignant narcissism, that is.

My first thought (TM) was those words are complete and total bulls*it. Considering it more fully, two things occur to me. 1) That's undeniably magical thinking; and 2) worded so that if the "minister" encounters real life, i.e. obstacles, sickness, lack of funding, or any other real life trial/tribulation (John 16:33) the NOT TRANSFORMED into no longer being a cult TWI doesn't have to take responsibility for the minister lacking requisite believing to keep from experiencing those problems. I bet skyrider could eloquently answer those two questions.

The characters in Stepford Wives were pretty much always smiling too.

So did I. That's why I don't remember much about the situation or the person.

Was that a clarification of the post in question? If so, yes, this is much more clear.

This doesn't clarify it (for me anyway). It's as if you know what you're talking about but not really using words that make it at all clear to readers here. This is what you said that didn't seem to have words to connect your thought(s) to anything readers might be able to pick up on. One problem seems to be syntax. (not sin tax). For example, "Certainly being in TWI and the out one experiences a change in reality..." what the heck does that mean?

NOW we're getting somewhere.

Huh? Please clarify that.

Hi Rejoice, In case you hadn't seen it, there's a thread in the About the Way forum on this very same issue/person.

Maybe there's some insight to answer that question in this recently released book.

I too am confident such is the case.

I wouldn't bet on that having happened yet.

Humans are social animals. It's MUCH easier for people to leave if their friends are leaving too... and/or if they have alternative social support systems in place.

Write that story!

Being alluded to by whom? (Sorry, I took a news writing course in the early aughts and the instructor detested the use of passive voice. He made an impression on me)

Yes, Lonnel was a very well educated person. He probably could have helped mitigate some of the cult tendencies if he had been allowed to. And thanks for correcting my spelling of his first name.

Does anyone remember Lonnel Johnson?

It seems only because he has/had a keen sense of self-awareness... not for his academic pursuits. [Narcissists] live in a fantasy land all their own in which they are the center of the universe, admired, feared, held in awe, and respected for their omnipotence and omniscience. . . . Narcissists are prone to magical thinking. They hold themselves immune to the consequences of their actions (or inaction) and, therefore, beyond punishment and the laws of Man. Narcissists are easily persuaded to assume unreasonable risks and expect miracles to happen. They often find themselves on the receiving end of investment scams, for instance. . . . The narcissist believes that he is destined to greatness—or at least the easy life. He wakes up every morning fully ready for a fortuitous stroke of luck. That explains the narcissist's reckless behaviors and his lazed lack of self-discipline. It also explains why he is so easily duped.

Indeed, one would expect such a declaration on an organization's website to include "Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology..." from xyz university and a citation of her published research.