Being outside of So. Cal. we weren't totally immune.
In 1979-80, JRS had our senior ministry staff deliver the word that many of "the best" of our local folks should move to Shiloh. Local senior ministry hand picked individuals that would relocate. Those who were young, unmarried or only recently married were candidates.
That was the power of the cult: quit your job, drop out of school, move to Iowa to pick corn.
Who needed a confirmation or a revelation (or a rocket scientist or an astronaut per Lily Rose :> ). It was an honor of the highest degree to be asked. Who could doubt it? How could you refuse? It was just an extension of the wild and and crazy adventure called the TLWF. I was devastated when I wasn't asked to go. God! I so wanted to be picked to go to Shiloh.
For all who went it proved to be the worst choice of their lives. Those who were able to get out only lost 2 - 5 years in what should have been the most productive years of their lives.
Others (some were my very best friends) are in the walk still... they've given up their whole of their lives.
They were all wonderful, amazing talented young people with so much potential.
Most are now broke. Many are divorced and estranged from their families. All of them are now old and their lives are almost over.
That "word of wisdom" so long ago cost them everything...
As for the woo-woo communicating; Hey John! hey Marilyn! and oh yeah, HEY GOD! Thanks for NOT picking me!
PS: To anyone reading this who's still in TLWF.
Everyone who posts here, to varying degrees, really do understand where you're coming from.
But consider this: how much have you already given up - what is Gary & Co. going to require of you in the future? Will you also be old, broke and alone? Don't look for a confirmation or a revelation. Let your rational brain have a go at it for a while. Consider what others have suggested; take a break make some space between you and TLWF for a time.
PSS: I pray God let's you off the hook and gives you some of the mercy he spared me...
In 1979-80, JRS had our senior ministry staff deliver the word that many of "the best" of our local folks should move to Shiloh. Local senior ministry hand picked individuals that would relocate. Those who were young, unmarried or only recently married were candidates.
That was the power of the cult: quit your job, drop out of school, move to Iowa to pick corn.
Who needed a confirmation or a revelation (or a rocket scientist or an astronaut per Lily Rose :> ). It was an honor of the highest degree to be asked. Who could doubt it? How could you refuse? It was just an extension of the wild and and crazy adventure called the TLWF. I was devastated when I wasn't asked to go. God! I so wanted to be picked to go to Shiloh.
For all who went it proved to be the worst choice of their lives. Those who were able to get out only lost 2 - 5 years in what should have been the most productive years of their lives.
Others (some were my very best friends) are in the walk still... they've given up their whole of their lives.
They were all wonderful, amazing talented young people with so much potential.
Most are now broke. Many are divorced and estranged from their families. All of them are now old and their lives are almost over.
That "word of wisdom" so long ago cost them everything...
As for the woo-woo communicating; Hey John! hey Marilyn! and oh yeah, HEY GOD! Thanks for NOT picking me!
PS: To anyone reading this who's still in TLWF.
Everyone who posts here, to varying degrees, really do understand where you're coming from.
But consider this: how much have you already given up - what is Gary & Co. going to require of you in the future? Will you also be old, broke and alone? Don't look for a confirmation or a revelation. Let your rational brain have a go at it for a while. Consider what others have suggested; take a break make some space between you and TLWF for a time.
PSS: I pray God let's you off the hook and gives you some of the mercy he spared me...
