Rocky

But what does all that say about humanity in general and humans (people) in particular?

it's classically known as gaslighting. It's psychological abuse, plain and simple. A form of intimidation or psychological abuse, sometimes called Ambient Abuse where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity. The classic example of gaslighting is to switch something around on someone that you know they're sure to notice, but then deny knowing anything about it, and to explain that they "must be imagining things" when they challenge these changes. A more psychological definition of gaslighting is "an increasing frequency of systematically withholding factual information from, and/or providing false information to, the victim - having the gradual effect of making them anxious, confused, and less able to trust their own memory and perception. Your spouse begins telling you things that never really happened. For instance, he says that last week he told you he was going to go to the bar with his buddies this Monday night, but you never remember him telling you that.

That's the general consensus from threads here on the subject. There was one or two people who initially gave them the benefit of the doubt, but for the most part, it was viewed as pretty much ssdd as twi.

Great job articulating the problem, Twinky. It's never been more clear that this has been the problem from the very beginning. Wierwille was always about himself, NOT about God.

How? They can obviously still pay the bills by doing things the old way. What motivation might they have to change when they don't have to?

Yet, we know that the twi grapevine isn't necessarily reliable.

Does it matter? Is the culture of the organization going to change? I doubt it.

As I understand it, the same happens with seedless watermelons.

I just read Vernon's message. Sounds like the same old same old. It is dated six weeks ago. Are we actually expecting any change in the corporate culture? It would surprise me.

Well, wasn't you know who sometimes referred to as werewolf? Or was that mainly at GSC?

That right there, had I known at the time, could have sent me running for the hills away from twi. It's barbaric to cook/serve food without garlic or onions. Absolutely barbaric.

One item I remember from way back when/then... Wayfers passing around information about microwave ovens killing food. Of course, when something is overcooked in a m/w, that goes without saying. But this was a matter of just telling people not to use m/w ovens.

That's a great description of the credulity I encountered, and likely engaged in myself during my time in twi, and probably for an undetermined time thereafter. noun willingness to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullibility.

Yeah, I lost weight that year. I didn't despise the borscht. I also remember the homemade bread was very good. But I don't remember thinking about coffee one way or the other. I DO remember being sleep deprived, and having a hard time staying awake in classes. No doubt you have stories to tell (to your children, perhaps). What I had left over from way corpse training wasn't necessarily the stuff of stories I would want to tell my child. Thankfully, she (my daughter) is a successful adult now... but I'm rambling. Sorry.

And the 9th corpse. The food was good. Not everyone appreciated the borscht, but it was good quality food.

Further, the publisher... American Christian Press. I'd love to get people who were around HQ in those days to share any potential insight on the Organic Gardening Department.

Not sure that's the correct spelling of the gentleman's last name. It might be Hearne or Herne.

Really? How is it that you can see into the heart or depths of mind of any person. Can you even do that with yourself? (i.e. self-awareness) Btw, I started addressing you as Gabe intending it to indicate respect. I will cease doing so.

That could be more aspirational than anything else. I mean what the heck, there's so much ambiguity and paradox, not to mention the variety of versions/translations. I wish you well in that endeavor.

I'm guessing that our good friend Gabe does NOT see how judgmental it sounds.

I stood in line to pay for groceries earlier this afternoon.

Didn't I read someplace/time that you were tired of answering questions about that subject? Really? Bloody is a swear word? Come on Gabe. People have been trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise TL;DR

I recognize that.

I think you did a good job of trying to do so also.

Perhaps some of it applies to trying to communicate in print too.