br'erziska

You could say that...TWI's teachings on charity/(not)giving to the poor, homosexuality, and other politically conservative crap bugged me long before i found out about the sexual abuse and other evils that ran rampant in "The Ministry". A lot of what I believe now is the opposite of what I learned growing up. If that makes me liberal...than I guess that is ok. However, I find liberalism to have a lot more faith in the capitalist system and the status quo than I want to have in it and be to fond of privilege to effect deep change. I may very well fit the liberal description now, but I have much more respect for radical movements than the liberal/democratic agenda more toward the former than the latter. I hope that makes sense. What are your views on the subject?

I don't miss the flattery. Or people at teen camp acting all spiritually aware about where I was at, and telling me how I should "control/renew my goddamn mind" Or the shallow catch-phrases I have a headache, but I am sure that I'll think of more...

This is an interesting post that not only strikes at a core TWI doctrine but also a fundamental evangelical doctrine. I was one of those "blessed" souls to be "raised in the Word" and have, over the past few years deconstructed many of my old TWI beliefs including the doctrine that the bible is inerrant, interprets itself, is the Word of God, is our only rule for faith and practice, and other such jibberish. I currently lean towards liberation theology and other readings/interpretations of scripture that take into account the social and political aspects of the gospel and provide and basis for social justice, environmental, and other work that actively fights against forces that destroy life. I have departed far from TWI's and Envagelicalism's hermeneutic. O well, as a friend of mine said once, "I like to be a heretic for a hobby".

Krys, I am not quite sure I know what you're getting at, but i will try to answer your questions the best I can. I currently reside with a university chaplain and his wife. They offered to put me up when I dropped out of college. i volunteer at a store-front ministry of the local methodist church that includes a thrift store, emergency food for folks in crises situations, a weekly community meal, a sunday worship service, and various other services to the community. That is kind of my job; i also teach a little bit of piano. I worked in a community garden last summer that was tied to the store-front ministry. I have decent transportation. So, in a way, I have some breathing room to figure stuff out. I might move to an anabaptist community here in the near future and would eventually like to get into permaculture. Hope that answers your questions. What are you offering to help with? What? Hello, Thank you all for the warm welcome to the cafe. In the next few weeks i will probably share more of my story and ask some questions.

Thanks for the welcome:) It is a huge relief to finally find folks who will actually listen without reprimanding me for being bitter and unforgiving and who can actually relate to what I've been through. As for my screen name, br'er is afro-american slang for brother. I first heard the term in "Br'er Rabbit" which is a collection of children's tales of african origin. As for ziska, my family's name is zika and one of my reletives thought that we could trace our lineage back to Jan Ziska who was a reformer in the bohemian church in the 13th or 14th century. He was Jan Hus's right hand man. Hope that makes sense. Shalom.

Thank you:)

Hey all, I am new to greasespot and am very thankful to have found it. I was born in '90 and my parents left twi in '89 after lcm's demand for allegiance. However, i grew up going to splinter group events, had a control freak for a fc, struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts, took a bunch of splinter group classes including cgeer's crap, had a bit of what might be called a conversion experience, read a lot of vpw's stuff and liked it for a little while; then I started questioning things, got labeled as possessed, and that began my exodus that continues to this day. i finally went on greasespot in oct of 09 and it opened my eyes to the fact that twi was/is a culture of lies and abuse. Well, i guess that's the cliff-notes version of my life. Just looking for acceptance and support as i try to find my path out of the way. br'erziska