waterbuffalo

Shell, So good to hear from you! It's so good to hear you're having a wonderful time especially that part about "I have wept, I have laughed, I have eaten meals with a spectacular view of the ocean, I've met people that I have looked for my whole life." Wow. That's so wonderful. Praise the Lord for beautiful weather for you also. Take care and we will pray for that family. Thanks again for checking in. WB

You know, truthfully, I was so GLAD it was over and was praying, the few days before graduation, that I could serve God without all of the manipulation going on over my head. Seriously, that was my prayer, and I was in a pickle. Because I thought THE WAY had THE TRUTH and where would I go because I couldn't stand what it had become. But, that voice deep down inside KNEW I couldn't keep on like that for the rest of my life. THANK GOD FOR POP! Ha. As screwed up as it was, it released so many from so much. So, with that, good morning everyone. WB

Radar, check your PT.

Radar, Thanks for the reminder. I would have never remembered the date of our graduation. Boy, and many miles before we sleep or something like that. Ditto to all of your comments. It has been a LONG time since I've thought like that! We'll never miss losing a little of that arrogance, will we? If I could just get a little more humility. That's my goal. Sorry, I'm tired and that's all I could think of to say about that. WB

makes sense to me. ex-way groups offer one the option of getting OUT but still being IN (mentally). Same lemonade stand, just another sign. oh, the ties that bind.

I heard $85, but was just checking.

Do you mean so the Elders would get suited and not the JW organization? Also, do the ex-jw groups still practice shunning as a means of control the way that the ex-way groups continue to do? Seems strange, doesn't it? Leave the group, but still practice the same things?????

How much could I get for one of those crystal glasses for the "40th" anniversary, do ya think?

searcher, I study Christian groups also. For example, I've studied other cult-like groups such as the Amish and the Shakers and have gone to a couple of their tour sites in IN and KY and have bought books about them, etc. My studies are a hobby for me also and only because I find them interesting. I've found that the Amish have some very similar traits to the ex-way groups. For example, they shun people as a way to preserve the group from any dissenting behavior. Ex-way groups do the same thing but they don't necessarily admit that they do it. I find that fascinating because the Amish not only admit that they do it, but admit the reason why. They are not secretive about group control. They want to keep separate and different and expect members to defer to higher powers within their group. For example, the women serve the men, I've heard, and then they sit down and eat when the men leave the table. I HOPE this isn't true, but people who know Amish folks say this is true. In any event, religion is fascinating, if only to witness what Solomon said proved true once again that there is no new thing under the sun. Error seems to repeat itself, strangely enough. Just curious, but do the ex-jw groups operate the same way? WB

searcher, Since you're staying a while would you mind clarifying something that I've wondered about? What did you mean when you said, "I find this site fascinating and the study if TWI so interesting." My question is why are you studying TWI and/or us? Just curious. WB

Exxie, Please **** your pts. Thanks, WB

Happy Birthdy, BRO!!!!! --> And how many years is it?????? Inquiring minds want to know :)-->. LOL!! Have a good one!!!! Your friend, WB

Even though you're no longer dating the same guy you were asking about, my advice for the next time round is this: There is no formula. Don't be in a hurry (time takes care of 90% of the ifs) and Go by your gut :)--> because you can't fool yourself and if he's not the right guy, you will not be peaceful about it. Love, WB

And, how many times has she had her nose (and rest of her face) DONE? Must hurt terribly.

Ted, I found myself really enjoying the new tunes at the end even more than the old ones. Thank you so very much. You are a wonderful person!!!!!!!!!! I also sent you a pt. ;)-->

Ok, then. I respect your decision to leave it alone except for posting here. Too bad we can't post names so people would at least know who the sorry b****** is. But just for the record, I believe you and I think you'd be surprised how many others would also. Please **** your pts. Wb

Dot, Just for clarification, I was talking about the limb coord. creep that you spoke about on that other site. Is he dead, too? WB

Dot, Thanks for your perspective and for making the TWO WAY MINISTRIES now so clear. So, the "something more" we thought we were seeing--thinking the closer one got to vp, the closer one would be to God--was really just what it appeared to be on the surface--secrecy, not spirituality. So the "higher" one climbed, the lower one actually GOT. I had trouble sleeping two nights ago after reading your story on the other site because of the injustice of the whole thing. I was so angry that I couldn't think of any comforting words to say to you. I just hurt for you. I know you've thought about this before and probably decided not to do it, but it is my understanding that the statue of limitations do not run out on a rape case. The reason I bring this up is because a 50 something year old woman who lived in my hometown for a while is now pressing charges against her father. He was a Methodist minister and forced himself on her twice when she was a teenager and she has lived with this ever since. Well, now he is going to have to live with it for a while, in fact, for the rest of his non-repentant life and face up to what he has done before he dies. Don't get me wrong, I am very much for forgiving people who ask for it and even if they don't but do not support non-repentant people getting away with assault crimes. Personally, I have a tremendous amount of respect for her for bringing it out into the open as I do for you. If you ever decide to put the heat on him and prosecute the pervert (I'm sure you weren't the only one assalted), please know, at least I believe, that you will have a huge camp on your side... and a lot of people, too :-) (((((((THANK YOU DOT))))))) WB

Dot, thank you sweetie. I agree with all of your points and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. How did you ever get over that kind of abuse? And, yes, we did get fed even if it was through a polluted source. Thanks for pointing that out. Rascal, I'm not saying there were no good churches out there. So, I'll modify what I said to say that there were none reaching out to me and all of the ones I visited looking for the answers, weren't teaching or showing me the love of Jesus. Yes, the way people did at first. Refiner, how can you say all these groups are from the devil if you don't recognize the Bible? PLease explain. I'm not disagreeing with what you said because the fruit that many of us are still dealing with was BAD FRUIT. And the Bible does say that's how you know them. Paw, forgive me for being dense, but I didn't catch your meaning. Could you please elaborate? Thanks all, WB

DMiller, Please see your private messages. WB

Ok, Refiner, let's explore this a bit further. The people witnessing out there are praying ALSO--to be able to share God as they know Him with someone else. They sincerely have hearts to help people. Now, since the Bible says when two or more agree, God answers, could it be that God answers prayers (the witnesser and the witnessee agree) and not groups? WB

Well, folks, let's admit it, the churches then just weren't cutting it! Maybe God just uses whoever He can and He had His reasons for wanting us in the way. I sure did learn more there than I ever had at my hometown church. BlueSunday, thank you. Please check your private messages. WB

Socks, How profound. I'm pondering your response. Makes sense to me. I'm just exploring this right now, but could it be that the way was the best God had at that moment? This is something I've pondered for a while because the same thing happened to me. I cried out one day and the next day ran into someone who told me about the class which was REALLY the REAL reason I took it...because I really believed it was my answer from God. And, then, the person "God" used spoke EXACTLY the only words that could have induced me to take it, which were, "I'm not saying you should take it, but it (the class) sure answered all of MY questions." I'm not sure, at that point, if there was anything anyone could have said to have talked me OUT of it. Can't wait to read other responses from those much wiser than myself on this subject. WB

Just checking, Refiner. It's a free country and if you are writing something, it would make sense what with all the ex-cult people you've researched. Smarter than the ave-e-rich bears? We think so. Thanks for the compliment! Yes, I cried out to God one night and the next DAY, I ran into someone who had taken THE CLASS and spoke just the right words to get me to take it: "I'm not telling you you should take it, but it sure answered all of my questions." Well, he was serious and NOT even involved and even had dropped out before finishing the class, but no, I helped even helped GET MY CLASS TOGETHER by inviting others to take it with me and the rest is history, or at least WAS for the next 15 years. WB

Refiner, You're writing a book about us, aren't you? WB