Would you *seriously* go back..

[johniam]

I wouldn't be afraid to go to a fellowship or 2. I had a funny experience in 1987. I lived in MI but I vacationed in LA for 4 days. The trip was in Sept. so at the ROA 1 month before I went to the Way of the USA tent and asked them if there was a twig I could go to while in LA. No problem, but the funny part was that ... OK, the twig was run by a couple, and I called them and talked to the man and he gave me directions, but he didn't tell his wife I was coming. So I get there and I happened to walk in the door right behind a trinitarian who had been at the twig off and on for a month or so. The wife assumed I was "with" the trinitarian because she'd never seen me before.

She thought to herself, whew, it's going to be a spiritually rough night I guess. Then, during manifestations, she said would "someone" SIT and interpret, didn't name anybody, so I did it. Then she's like...WTF! Wait a minute! Who IS this guy? She told me after the fellowship was over and we had a good laugh.

But THAT'S how I would like to go to a TWI fellowship. Incognito. I'd just sit there and act like a new person, just taking everything in. They'd ask me well, what do you think and so forth. I'd probably be tempted to say something like, "I believe that Jesus is Bhudda; you people are of the devil!" Something like that. But doing that might be fun at this point; I've been out for almost 13 years.

[Bramble]

Even if i felt they had the "truest" doctrine, I wouldn't go back, because they have instituted habits of how they can treat people that I don't agree with--even if they can highlight some Bible verse or other. I have children I won't expose to that.

[Ham]

hmm. looks like four out of thirty-six would go back of their own volition..

but three of them would go just to throw old rotten tomatos.

one out of thirty six would actually be willing go back..

the results so far are not exactly suprising.

[J0nny Ling0]

I would like to go back, walk around, check out the grounds, take in a SNS, walk The Way Woods again, see VP's grave, etc. But not to be a part of them again. I could never do that. The problem is, if I went back for those reasons, I think I would probably be treated like crap because I am a "copped out clergyman". I wouldn't like the scrutiny at all. And so, I'll probably never go back for a visit.

[Out There]

I thought the blue pill was Viagra? are we talking about starting the way III?

Gee Jonny, What would be so bad about be treated like a copped out clergyman? It's not like you have the clap or anything. It would give you an opportunity to do some bird flipping.

Edited July 7, 2007 by Out There

[Ham]

Viagra? Happy Pill?

It's the old blue pill from "the Matrix".. you know.. swallow the red one, you get reality.. swallow the blue one, and you wake up in twig in 1973 or so..

[waysider]

Will there be refreshments? :blink:

[Ham]

As many as you can dream up, I'm sure..

we could even have "stretched" coffee in used styrofoam cups if we wanted..

[waysider]

YUUUUM!

But just remember, at the first sight of Swiss chard, I'm down the road!

[J0nny Ling0]

Gee Jonny, What would be so bad about be treated like a copped out clergyman? It's not like you have the clap or anything. It would give you an opportunity to do some bird flipping.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I "copped out", and that they think of me that way. But, since I was clergy and am no longer with The Way, I would tend to think that they would think that I was there as a "spy" or something, and what I would want to do there as a visitor would be hampered by WayGB, etc. I just wouldn't be allowed to walk around and reflect in a peaceful manner, but rather would probably be harassed or whatever...

Last time I was there, I was treated royally. They sent a female "attendant" to my unit who offered me "anything that I wanted", full body massage, whatever. I've told that story already though. It was so corrupt it was sickening. I was gone from The Way within four months after that...

[exwaycorps]

I live in Ohio. I'm about an hour away from HQ. Thought of making the drive. Not to "seriously" go back, just to see the PLACE again. Some memories of that PLACE are quite good ones for me. Sure was beautiful. Put in lots and lots of labor there. Sort of feel like it's mine to visit if I choose. Ya know ? LOVE to take a walk in the way woods.Alone.

Is there a bit of scrutiny or can you really just visit? I have no idea. I've heard you cant just stroll onto the grounds but you can visit for sunday night service. THAT'S open to the public, I believe. Anyone know for sure. If I made the drive and was turned away I think I'd be ....ed.

Would I need a nametag? I still have mine from the corps. Hmmm, probably not a good idea to wear that huh? lol Nah, I would not tell them who I was. Doubt I'd see anyone there who would know me

[Ham]

Probably have to recite the Secret Squirrel security code to get in I'd imagine..

[act2]

No, no, a thousand times no!!!

[Eagle]

No way. It's too far gone and I am settled and happy in another church with my wife which she enjoys as well. Besides, the doctrine...well...if they changed it or corrected it...well...I still don't think I would go back but I think they could do far better recruiting if they just gave up the legalism.

[Ham]

That would be a good start..

but if they gave up the legalism, it wouldn't be THE way, would it?

:)

[skyrider]

Seriously go back?.......

To attend a SNS where they READ the pre-aprroved script?

To shake Howard Allen's "there are no strangers at the Way" hand? <_<

To visit veepee's gravesite and reflect on his mog-status?

To walk thru the way woods and see the "corps" chalet?

To observe the hypocrisy and backbiting tactics once again?

To be reminded of my years of devoted labor to a pathetic cult?

The only possible reason to visit twi's hq would be to again see

THE BEAUTY AND BLESSINGS OF BEING OUT OF THIS VIPER NEST.

[Twinky]

Noticeable that there is no button saying

"If they acknowledged their past wrongdoings and said (and meant) "Sorry" "

nor one that says

"If they offer genuine help with sorting out the problems that have been caused"

[Ham]

Well, you could put that under "begged and fixed a LOT of things".

[JavaJane]

Noticeable that there is no button saying

"If they acknowledged their past wrongdoings and said (and meant) "Sorry" "

nor one that says

"If they offer genuine help with sorting out the problems that have been caused"

I was just going to post the exact same thing, Twinky. You took the words right out of my mouth. I think an APOLOGY and an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of wrongdoing plus some safeguuards put into place to make sure it never happened again would be a good start.

And then they should scrap the Way Corps program completely.

[Ham]

Like I said.. put it under "fix LOTSA things.."

:)

limited to ten options here.. so many things they should fix.. apologies (sincere), grovelling before those they slandered, fund different therapeutic treatments for the poor women they turned into stepford women.. take care of the poor staffers who slaved for them night and day, give them a really really nice financial package and health benefits.. fire anybody who was raised with or under loy, who wreaked havoc anyway... give proper credit to the sources of materials they lifted.. open the grounds, turn it into an amusement park.. or find some way to give it back to the family..

the list could be almost endless..

so be nice to the Squirrel. Just vote on "fix LOTSA things"

[Thomas Loy Bumgarner]

Probably have to recite the Secret Squirrel security code to get in I'd imagine..

Then I'm Morocco Mole."Yes Chief"

[Ham]

All righty! Maybe we can go kick Yellow Pinkie's rear end..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morocco_Mole

[minicorpse]

i voted for the tomatoes! yay!

but in (scary) reality, my parents still go to SNS quite often and would be more than happy to take me.

or any of you, probably, if you're interested.

[lindyhopper]

I might, in fact, be going to the Camp Gunni for a family vacation with the rest of my still twi affliated family in the next year or two.

We can camp in a luxurious log cabin, ride the rapids, go horseback riding, hike, and tons of other things that we could have done plenty of other times at one of thousands of other places over the years, but never considered it until TWI officially brought up the idea recently as a way to save their CO real estate. <_< What a BLESSING! I can hardly contain my blessiness. I'm blessed beyond blessidy bless blessed.

I might go to one of my family's fellowships if I were in town visiting and staying with them. I wouldn't make a habit of it though and I wouldn't be a party line conversationalist afterwards.

[minicorpse]

SHOCK! HORROR!

lindyhopper, i am afraid for you...