CircleGame

He makes it a policy to not be alone in a room with a woman?? Sounds like he thinks all women are temptresses? They might try something?? They might lie?? If a women is quiet and modestly dressed he could still be tempted?? Doesn't sound right to me - he sounds like a very old fashioned Christian man who thinks wommin are different - all they want to do is tempt somebody, all they think about is sex. Yes, some women are like that and also some men.

I think the definition of a "cult" would have to include: They either discourage or forbid you to associate with outsiders - in varying degrees - subtle putdowns, to actual physical bondage and isolation. People who were in Corps and who worked at HQ were in physical isolation - how many people in those locales were friends with "townies"? or worked with "townies"?? After that - led by one man, much control over daily lives, lots of money and work asked for.

When talking about TWI policy on drinking - quite often I'd have a slip of the tongue and say "TWI believes in a two drink minimum"

"Living at a needs level" never heard of that phrase - but that's what most people did - "believeing" day to day. Humbug!! Welfare recipients have more $ than some believers!! I was on welfare for awhile and going back to college for a much needed BA and I was criticised by quite a few believers. Then my son started acting up and I got superstitious (losing my hedge of protection?) and so I quit school and went back to work at boring jobs. Since then I've had better jobs - but still haven't earned my BA (I still have the phrase = "believe God for a good job" running through my head - and sometimes I find them......I would be better off with a BA (sorry to derail....)

"Living at a needs level" never heard of that phrase - but that's what most people did - "believeing" day to day. Humbug!! Welfare recipients have more $ than some believers!! I was on welfare for awhile and going back to college for a much needed BA and I was criticised by quite a few believers. Then my son started acting up and I got superstitious (losing my hedge of protection?) and so I quit school and went back to work at boring jobs. Since then I've had better jobs - but still haven't earned my BA (I still have the phrase = "believe God for a good job" running through my head - and sometimes I find them......I would be better off with a BA (sorry to derail....)

Hi Refiner and welcome I like hearing about other ex cult members and other cults. I usually close the doors to JW's, but one time I listened and invited them in and liked their personalities and what they had to say. I also like reading their magasines from time to time. I also went once to their Kingdom Hall - okay, but I didn't believe, I was just curious. I also had a work-friend who was a JW - a very intelligent man, and non-pushy. Key beliefs of TWI: Studying the Word daily, Speaking In tongues, praying with understanding daily, fellowshipping with other believers whenever they have fellowship (about 4-5 times a week), witnessing and undershepherding others, teaching at fellowship, and abundantly sharing (tithing plus about 2%-5% more) will help you "grow with God". Just sitting around and going to fellowship is discouraged. You're also encouraged to live with other TWI believers, go on a one year witnessing program (WOW) and eventually become small fellowship leaders (twig leaders), and that is supposed to help you develop and be blessed, bless others and also earn eternal rewards. Lawd, what a mouthful!!!!Most people thought it was fun at first, felt blessed, felt they were growing and helping others.....then either people would fade out or get abused (which posts are on other threads here) Oh, Refiner - if you are interested in many religions - you might want to check out Beliefnet.com. Though it doesn't have TWI and I don't think it has JW

Hope, Your pee story was something else!! I started smelling pee!! Do I need to clean around here?? No - you are a very descriptive writer.

Trefor- (this is a late reply to you) The song went "God's Blessings on you-splash From...when people sang Happy Birthday to people at HQ - they threw them in the Jordan River. So on the field in the USA people would sing "splash". Just another weird thing from Weirdwille land

Hi Paw, I've been here awhile and I would like to change my handle - I don't have an alternate email addie - also I don't know how to email you - how do I do that??

I haven't read this whole thread but it seems some ex way believers are criticizing other ex way believers for believing too much and THEN getting burned!!! --> Hello????Didn't we all used to call ourselves believers?? I was not THAT committed - I was a bit of a fence sitter - you get blessed the more you get committed doncha know?? But... I felt fearful- it seemed the more you shut the world out (the good normal people of the world - those you work with your natural family - old friends etc) the more vulnerable you were to leadership and their ........ so.... what is the point of arguing and dissing the former more committed ones for "believing" too much and then getting burned?? (oh but they werent' sharp - too bad - that is what some of the posters say)(I call myself "imablvr?" because I felt somewhat soft and sentimental about formerly being a believer when I signed on, but now actually I'm tired of my handle . I think I will ask Paw if I can change it)...but....we were all urged to be "believers" and be committed - shut off from the rest of the world ....work on staff...go Corps....go WOW (I did do that) so this smugness towards believers believing and getting burned in the process?? It's ridiculous!! and I'm not gonna mention names who is doing that.

when you are told to pick someone up in a severe snowstorm driving about an hour and a half - because "they are family" and you cannot argue with that .....you might be in a cult when you are told to drive people to a meeting and you say - my car is not working very well, and they say "believe God" and you do it nervously SIT (and not enjoying yourself or the meeting.....you might be in a cult

I also think "America's Funniest Home Videos" is sick - it looks like the kids' injuries are set up!! It's just to get money!! It must be embarrassing and hurtful to the kids!! What would I think if my parents did that to me!! I do like the funny animal videos - that is what caught my eye as I was channel surfing one evening.

yes, wwjesus - I have thought "splash" for a long time after TWI - really silly - especially since the first time I heard it I thought it was silly (wow - I thought something in TWI)

I remember 5/20/85- that year it was Victoria Day (a Canadian holiday) pretty funny - eh?? My BC had a memorial service for him at his house and he cried - but I didn't - all I did was meet him and shake his hand a coupla times. I remember I wished I had known him better - which is a usual thing I think when someone dies. But after reading accounts here - I am glad I didn't know him better.

If you don't think health insurance - going to the doctor is important you might be in a cult if you go to church three times a week and that is not enough - the pastor scolds you, you feel guilty you might be in a cult

The GREATEST SECRET in the world today is that DER VERD OF GODT IS DER VILL OF GODT

I heard that some members of Billy Joel's band took PFAL. I also heard that someone in Earth, Wind & Fire took PFAL. People used to say that Disco music was connected with homosexual devil spirits. John Lynn also referred to that in one of his articles. Yet, several of my twig leaders enjoyed disco music and some even went to discos I have gone to discos and I have never observed any homosexuals there (not that I usually look for them)So...discos influence homosexual behavior - have something to do with homosexuality - I don't think so!!

An old high school boyfriend is president of a local bank and he is in the papers from time to time - he looks shockingly OLD!! (but he has money) An old love found me through the internet - he sends me poems - he wants recent pictures of me - my computer only takes digital - i am lazy about copying pictures and sending them to him!! he will probably think I look shockingly old?? Not as much as my former bank pres. - the guy who found me is a lawyer - though he doesn't practice - he works in research - he is also a musician - (not famous) he sent me a cassette that he did. He would also like to publish a novel - he has written two of them - I am "in" one (sorta) It's pretty funny him finding me

Happy Birthday AHAT - havent seen you around lately!?!

Happy Easter everyone! Beautiful song Mark. I like the song - Jesus Christ has risen today - allelulia - great tune.

I got to see four planets (I think) on March 28. The Moon was in quarter phase and directly overhead (at about 7pm) To the right and a good distance from the horizon was a very bright light - I'm fairly sure that was Venus. Way to the left of the Moon was Jupiter - another bright light. Slightly to the right of the Moon was a dim light - it did look yellowish and I believe it was Saturn. Another dim light was just to the left of Venus - Mars perhaps. It was cool seeing all of them. Unfortunately it was the only night I saw them (Mar 28) as it is very cloudy in my area of USA. Glad I saw it anyway.

Hi Oakspear - I sent you a PT. I hope it worked.

Oakspear, I am reading that book "Celtic Christianity", by a monk who's last name is Joyce?? Interesting book. I am 1/4 Irish and figure, why not get into my Irish roots? I am reading Irish myths also. Really interesting. To EWB, I haven't really found a church "home", but I have attended Unity Churches, Interdenominational churches (called "The Chapel" usually, Lutheran churches, and lately Episcopal church (the church of my childhood.) For different reasons, I like the different churches, doctrine of Unity (positive believing and meditation)but they believe also "anything goes", sermons at the Episcopal church I currently go to and the architecture and music of the Church (it's a beautiful cathedral). Mostly I like to read - I have diverse interests.

Vickles, I've never heard of that - getting pinched if you don't wear green I have plenty of green things to wear - green is my favorite color - the color of life. Part of the attraction of TWI for me was the green color scheme (yes scheme...) I love Guiness Beer, I tried some for the first time this past weekend. It's thick and tasty and takes a long time to drink, which is a good thing!!! I'm 1/4 Irish and I try not to drink too much, I remember the old 2 drink max from TWI (yeah, I remember it) Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone, I'm going out soon, have a beer and listen to some Irish music.

I've learned a lot about the serious abuse issues since I've been at GreaseSpot cafe, and also answers about why it was a good ministry and why it wasn't. I never knew that so much was plagerized!! Which answers questions about confusing issues, how could it be good and bad at the same time. However, I wouldn't want to talk about abuse and plagerism all the time. I like the variety here, it is very healing.