Rocky

Da-Nile ain't just a river in Egypt.

That would be a great thing to inquire about at Way HQ.

A youtube video with the "You've cheated me again" song, in Spanish. https://youtu.be/FszGkbwvJ1Y

Enjoy!

Living free!

I don't spend much time searching the scriptures these days... but in 1986, 32 years ago this month, I graduated from college with a degree in Accounting. During my senior year, still involved in twi, I thought a lot about accountability as practiced in that cult. It very much occurred to me that twi was doing it bass-ackwards from how they did it in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. While Twinky has a good point about everybody being accountable, at that time it was like a neon sign flashing all alone on an otherwise dark street at midnight for me that neither Wierwille nor Martindale nor anyone else making any policy in the group was being accountable to the people who supported them. Servant leaders emulate Jesus Christ by (at least in attitude) washing the feet of those to whom they minister. Wierwille and Martindale expected the leaves on the tree to kiss their asses, buy them gifts and do them sexual favors. Do the leaders of the R & R RR conduct themselves like servant leaders?

Consider the meaning of the words with which they responded to you. Were those words of remorse or were they words of defensive posturing and deflection? I think TLC nailed it here. It may indeed take time for them to unlearn anything they've held dear from their life in twi. But are "leaders" who claim to have seen the light about the four and five decades in the cult demonstrating ANY kind of change of heart? Surely you've heard the word, "epiphany" before, haven't you? 3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into reality or the essential meaning of something, often initiated by some simple, commonplace occurrence. Did Moneyhands or Horney or Fort do or say anything that would lead you to believe they've had a genuine epiphany?

And dare I say, quite adventurous too. No doubt you take measures to minimize risks, but there certainly still are risks. "An adventure is an exciting experience that is typically a bold, sometimes risky, undertaking. Adventures may be activities with some potential for physical danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting or participating in extreme sports. The term also broadly refers to any enterprise that is potentially fraught with physical, financial or psychological risk, such as a business venture, or other major life undertakings." The rewards are likely far more emotionally satisfying too. Twinky, thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Yeah, what Twinky said! BAM! Nailed it.

There is a great deal of truth to that. It takes us humans a long time to unlearn. Factors that can mitigate that time frame can include how diligently they challenge the dogma they've allowed to dominate their world view over the decades.

Oh, I don't doubt that you found some of his sources and found that they may have matched up. That alone doesn't mean he or his sources necessarily properly divined the actual will of God. I do believe, however, that God is far bigger than the box Wierwille (and we) put him in.

Not necessarily a valid supposition. I personally wouldn't give the benefit of the doubt.

Wierwille declared it in PFLAP. Of course he didn't admit to plagiarizing and he didn't use the word "enlightenment." But he did make the big fat claim that people should put away their reading material for three months and read only twi books and pflap collaterals.

Now THAT's funny.

Thinking outside the box indeed. That appears to be the bottom line.

All of these "euphemisms" have become, as you (all or most GSC readers) know, cult jargon. The jargon in cults has multiple effects. The group members feel understood because they all use the same words and it generates a sense of camaraderie (and elitism - see below). New people may feel left out and often want to learn what the words and phrases mean, drawing them deeper into the mindset of the cult. Complex situations are often reduced to a few words, and this begins to shut down the critical thinking of the members. The words and phrases can dictate how the members should act in certain situations without having to make decisions. For example, one group had a phrase that meant that seniors in the hierarchy of the group were always right. So if there were any problems or disagreements, the phrase sorted everything out! When the jargon is second nature, talking to outsiders may become tedious and awkward and this keeps group members isolated from outside influences. Elitist mentality The group members feel understood because they all use the same words and it generates a sense of camaraderie (and elitism - see below).New people may feel left out and often want to learn what the words and phrases mean, drawing them deeper into the mindset of the cult.Complex situations are often reduced to a few words, and this begins to shut down the critical thinking of the members.The words and phrases can dictate how the members should act in certain situations without having to make decisions. For example, one group had a phrase that meant that seniors in the hierarchy of the group were always right. So if there were any problems or disagreements, the phrase sorted everything out!When the jargon is second nature, talking to outsiders may become tedious and awkward and this keeps group members isolated from outside influences. The end justifies the means Because they are doing very important things like god's work, or saving the earth, rescuing mankind, or simply doing 'The Work, members are led to believe that lying, cheating, and deceiving outsiders for money or getting them to come along to the group is justified. And remember that many group leaders are psychopaths. This means they have no empathy, guilt or remorse. Ever! Add to this their inflated sense of self worth, grandiosity and sense of entitlement, and they believe they can do whatever they like, take what they want, abuse whoever they please etc. etc. without any consideration for others. For them the end always justifies the means.

Btw, Socks, I appreciate your update with the secret subliminal message. :) Might this be a trailer for the movie you were describing?

Which links? The ones posted in 2005 by WhiteDove don't have anything on them anymore. The ones linking to cortright's website provide a non-working telephone number, even though people can take their phone numbers with them to different telecom carriers. And it doesn't provide an email address for Burke.

I don't think the moderators pre-approve posts (or moderate prior to posting). What a drag if you lost your post. :(

Fret not brother Jimbo. There were plenty of others (of us) who went through one year in residence but didn't return for the second one. Yes, twi was big on the guilt but I got over it and have been thankful for a long time that I didn't go back to graduate from the corpse.

The song, and a comment made by our new friend Pianoman, both have political overtones. I hope this is the end of it.

Fair enough. However, it does have political overtones. I hope you're right about your last point.

Honestly, this thread was started before the GSC ban on political topics/discussion. The topic IS distasteful AND political.

I received an email last night saying they were having a prayer time for John tonight instead.

Hi Grace, Since words matter, I just want to say that it wasn't a matter of how smart you were or are. Looking back, a lot of smart people didn't leave as soon as they think they should have.