WaywardWayfer

How is housing, feeding and giving a tour of the grounds at TWI going to answer their questions? Sounds like they wanted to get their emotions all whipped up like they are trying to do to the WC who they've "strongly suggested" come to HQ and the poor souls who have to go on those bus trips.

Wonderful, Happy Birthday, Kit! You are definitely shining brightly!

WayferNot! I wonder if you would get in trouble for providing that itinerary with the comments on it such as: "Per your instructions attached is a detailed itinerary...." "According to TWI policy...." and put at the bottom CC: Personal Files That would get someone into all kinds of trouble, wouldn't it? Freedom abounds at TWI - not!

The Witch Board - Tawny Kitaen was in it. About a Ouija board. I didn't sleep for weeks.

You will, Lindy, you will. I think there are a lot of people "in" who desparately want out. They don't think they have a good enough reason to leave. They are afraid of alienating family members. They are afraid that TWI was right and that they'll be a GSpot by Midnight or that they'll lose all the rewards they worked so hard to get. Basically, it's fear. But they will grow more and more uncomfortable as they see you living the life they were promised they would life if they signed up for PFAL. They will grow more confident in talking to you and running their thoughts by you as they see you are less judgemental and more willing and able to look at things from various perspectives. Then, God willing, they will grow a pair and take the same bold steps you've taken. I'm stuck in and praying that's what happens, anyway. I can tell you that a lot of people run things by me these days. There is a lot of internal dissension and rumbling amongst the leaves. They are waking up and they aren't as stupid as TWI seems to think they are.

They still have those, Rottie. At Christmas, I think, with the baby Clydesdale watching the adult Clydesdales prance by. I got choked up looking at it.

Abigail, thank you. These things were very helpful to me when I first found WayDale. I'm sure they will be helpful to more people who haven't seen them before. It really helps put things in perspective.

Eaglehouse, I LOVE that idea. Since we have a website now I COULD say something like, "Check us out on the Internet. www.theway.org or just do a Google search for The Way International" wink wink wink .... the would get the idea and my partner would be none the wiser. I've heard a rumor that there are door to door days planned too and I AM NOT going to go to those unless my spouse drags my a$$. They bit** about the Jehovah's Witnesses coming to their door, but they want us going to theirs? Come on!! Even TWI knows it's annoying as he**. Oak, I'd gladly tell them I've corresponded with you and have a few questions based on the research you and I have shared, but I'm afraid they'd treat me like they are Hopper and keep me around anyway, too. I DO still do quite a bit for them and they probably aren't too sure about my spouse and other family members' choice if they were to push the divorce and M&A route. Honestly, I do look forward to the day we can all get out of that horrible organization. Good points about the "by their works". How DO you combat that with a TWI-brain? Any ideas?

"Six months ago, while all at TWI HQ are undergoing extreme austerity measures with the "emergency financial cutbacks," Rosalie saw fit to spend over $20,000 on a sailing boat." Lesbians living in her basement? Cats despite the "no serious pet" policy? Owning lots of property despite the demands to live on a "need basis"? Did she personally draw up and approve the 2+ million dollar expansion to the corps chalet, too?

LOL, Rottie! Maybe I should try those lines....when you put it that way, isn't that kind of like "seeking after signs and wonders?" I mean, isn't a planned witnessing night like that telling God what to do?

WG, I don't think anyone considers your question malicious or out of line in any way. No one is telling you to shut up. Many women did come forward and they were quickly hushed or escorted out of the organization. Some women committed suicide rather than deal with the pain and embarrassment of coming forward. Many people here have attempted to share with you what they know about why people didn't come forward: - fear (of many things) - belief that the behavior wasn't wrong - belief that they wouldn't be believed (proven that they were right) - no desire to face the accusations and name calling that would have happened - the culture/societal norms of the time - belief that they were the only one it had happened to - etc. I tend to think you have an answer you are expecting to hear and since you haven't heard it you think you haven't gotten the answer. OR because those are good enough reasons in your mind. OR it's a very personal and complex mind that reasons why to do and not to do some things.....none of us may truly know the answers to why someone does or doesn't do something. Your response, IMHO, that no one has answered your question, seems a little harsh.

They're starting these things again. We are going to have to tell who we spoke to and start having "witnessing buddies" again. Next will be Branch Outreach Days where we hang out at the mall or go door to door while the "coordinator" stays at the designated "meeting place" successfully dodging any "open door". I've already used the headache and sick kid excuses. Anyone got some others I can use?

Happy Birthday, Oakmom! I hope it was wonderful just like you must be to have such a great son!

TroubledWine, There are a bunch of people who have left, especially the upper crust of the rotten root. If you aren't aware of who else is gone don't know if we can post these names now, but many are mentioned on the home page. If we can list them I'm sure someone will start the list so we can add to it. These people most likely had a cold hard wake-up call when the lawsuits hit and they had to start defending what they had to face is a cruel, ungodly, manipulative organization. Others possibly left to save their butts should any more lawsuits get filed.

I miss your posts so much! I hope someone made you a litter box cake for your birthday. (I still love that recipe you posted on WayDale way back when)

I LOVE that song!!! I doubt if anyone with TWI could write something that wonderful and comforting and melodic and....... With all due respect to P-Mosh, I think that his/hers is a very telling example of the mindset that people who have been with TWI too long exhibit. "Without natural affection" comes to mind. It is definitely someone lacking the fruit of the spirit. TWI people have been taught to be jaded, cold, calloused and hard and to succeed and not get kicked out we had to "change our mind" to decide to hate the egg-sucking world, emotions, our "earthly families" who reject TWI (not THE WORD, but TWI's version of it), friends, co-workers, Roman Catholics, Fags, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Jews...(need I go on?) So, thanks to P-mosh for the superb example of the cold-hearted, uncompassionate point of view from which you are experiencing this day. There are many impressions of the day available...the commercialism, the over-emotionalism, the joy of the freedoms that we have, the joy of being a survivor, the impending doom on the terrorists, the thankfulness for our military and police and firemen....so many things available to feel and think and experience today. What we choose says a lot about us. I feel so sad for the people who have experienced losses. I feel so sad for the people who had to experience these horrible things first hand. I feel so sad for the people who are having a really hard time with the events of 9-11. I feel angry at the people who are taking advantage of these people and the horrible acts. I feel thankful for the people who are and have given time and resources to help people affected by it. I wouldn't feel, just like P-Mosh doesn't, if I hadn't found WayDale and GSpot to help re-tenderize my heart and open my eyes.

I'm so shocked that they would go to such great lengths to justify their devilishness. I guess I shouldn't be. I know of not a few people dropped from WC trainin because of accusations by "upper mgmt" that they were homos - men AND women. I'm so sorry that you and your son had to go through such he** at the place where you should have gotten truth and love and anything else you needed.