L.B. said, "I’ve also heard of similar (perhaps the same) groups of people who think TLW started out fine with John and then was later corrupted.
I used to be in that group, but after a time I realized it never really passed the most basic of tests. E.g. for a group to be a religious organization, it must of necessity, focus the aspirations of the adherents on a higher power, whether internal or external, for the purpose of cultivating spirituality among the members. The cult, (TLW is a great example) focuses the energies of its congregants on a single personality (JRS, Marilyn, Gary et al) for the purpose of elevating that person to deity status, with the hope of attaining some exclusive level of spiritual insight. Although to be fair, I never witnessed JRS insisting on that status. His error was that he didn't vociferously reject the people's insistence that he become God in the flesh.
jan w. lane, I'm in the same category as paleface. I have loved ones who are the progeny of second generationers in the Walk, TLW, CHK, whatever moniker. They may come to their senses one day, and I want there to be a lifeline that can soften the transition, should they decide to make a change. It can be a really rough transition at first. Most common is the embedded belief that one is in danger of losing one's salvation. That can be a scary proposition until one is able to see that notion for the poppycock it is. If they knew who I was on this forum, they might be less inclined to seek out my company and comfort.
I used to be in that group, but after a time I realized it never really passed the most basic of tests. E.g. for a group to be a religious organization, it must of necessity, focus the aspirations of the adherents on a higher power, whether internal or external, for the purpose of cultivating spirituality among the members. The cult, (TLW is a great example) focuses the energies of its congregants on a single personality (JRS, Marilyn, Gary et al) for the purpose of elevating that person to deity status, with the hope of attaining some exclusive level of spiritual insight. Although to be fair, I never witnessed JRS insisting on that status. His error was that he didn't vociferously reject the people's insistence that he become God in the flesh.
jan w. lane, I'm in the same category as paleface. I have loved ones who are the progeny of second generationers in the Walk, TLW, CHK, whatever moniker. They may come to their senses one day, and I want there to be a lifeline that can soften the transition, should they decide to make a change. It can be a really rough transition at first. Most common is the embedded belief that one is in danger of losing one's salvation. That can be a scary proposition until one is able to see that notion for the poppycock it is. If they knew who I was on this forum, they might be less inclined to seek out my company and comfort.