howmidoing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LampShmamp Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Howmidoing, I enjoy your enthusiasm and quest
> to
> > galvanize the troops for change. I imagine we
> have
> > all dreamed about bringing down that
> organization
> > once and for all. Go for it. Have you thought
> > further than the theoretical? Optimally, to
> whom
> > do you see a letter or letters going, and what
> > reaction are you hoping for? Would we all send
> > approximately the same letter? Considering
> those
> > here who collectively agree that there has
> never
> > existed a religion that did NOT twist scripture
> > for its own gain, and since the walk never
> > pretended to care about bringing souls to Jesus
> in
> > the first place (indeed, many here thoughtfully
> > maintain the whole Jesus thing is overrated),
> that
> > leaves for subject matter the harm they have
> done,
> > something we do agree on. No need to dispute
> > religious dogma differences, which are legion;
> > there is plenty of good old-fashioned
> immorality
> > they should answer for. I would love to read
> more
> > of your thoughts on this, and a first draft.
>
>
> I doubt that it would bring them down. But I
> imagine a well executed letter campaign would stir
> up something. Possibly get some rumors going
> around, at least the word "cult" should circulate
> to get people searching; maybe get some of the
> members to question what it is that they truly
> believe in. And start a trend of people possibly
> beginning to think for themselves. I mean we have
> all done it at one time or another and all of us
> were involved for years or born into. So it is
> possible. Especially if the letters are addressed
> to different people and the main churches. So it's
> not just going to one person that can hide them.
>
> I just know for me, it wasn't until someone
> confronted me with the word cult, showed me
> evidence that LW is a known as such by other
> Christian & secular organizations, did even start
> to suspect anything. It was a seed planted, and I
> was angry and defending LW even though I hadn't
> been part of it in 3 years at the time.
>
> I would hope to at least get the main pastors &
> some individuals to realize that the hurts they
> have caused, the people they have tossed aside are
> not gone or insignificant. That we exist in
> numbers.
>
> I would hope that everyone here would contact
> their friends that are former members as well and
> ask if they would like to join the letter writing.
> I can think of 5 people off the top of my head
> that no longer attend but I doubt are aware of
> this website or the numbers of people viewing this
> particular forum.
>
> I do think, even if some here do not ascribe to
> Jesus, there is validity in pointing this out to
> LW, because they advertise themselves as
> Christian, but wholly do not follow scripturally
> legitimate procedures. Such as the very clear
> tenants in Timothy of being a deacon/pastor in a
> Christian church (husband of one wife, sober, not
> given to anger, etc).
>
>
> I think letters (plural) would have greater
> impact. I don't imagine this to be an instant
> fire, but a slow burn.
>
> Does that make sense?
I don't think it would work, but not sure. I think most of us are not members for different reason. Some on here liked some people but others have bad memories of those same people and vis versa.
I would say most ex-members unless you were booted out or had a broken up marriage would ever say anything bad about John. Especially the leadership at the time. JMHO
-------------------------------------------------------
> LampShmamp Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Howmidoing, I enjoy your enthusiasm and quest
> to
> > galvanize the troops for change. I imagine we
> have
> > all dreamed about bringing down that
> organization
> > once and for all. Go for it. Have you thought
> > further than the theoretical? Optimally, to
> whom
> > do you see a letter or letters going, and what
> > reaction are you hoping for? Would we all send
> > approximately the same letter? Considering
> those
> > here who collectively agree that there has
> never
> > existed a religion that did NOT twist scripture
> > for its own gain, and since the walk never
> > pretended to care about bringing souls to Jesus
> in
> > the first place (indeed, many here thoughtfully
> > maintain the whole Jesus thing is overrated),
> that
> > leaves for subject matter the harm they have
> done,
> > something we do agree on. No need to dispute
> > religious dogma differences, which are legion;
> > there is plenty of good old-fashioned
> immorality
> > they should answer for. I would love to read
> more
> > of your thoughts on this, and a first draft.
>
>
> I doubt that it would bring them down. But I
> imagine a well executed letter campaign would stir
> up something. Possibly get some rumors going
> around, at least the word "cult" should circulate
> to get people searching; maybe get some of the
> members to question what it is that they truly
> believe in. And start a trend of people possibly
> beginning to think for themselves. I mean we have
> all done it at one time or another and all of us
> were involved for years or born into. So it is
> possible. Especially if the letters are addressed
> to different people and the main churches. So it's
> not just going to one person that can hide them.
>
> I just know for me, it wasn't until someone
> confronted me with the word cult, showed me
> evidence that LW is a known as such by other
> Christian & secular organizations, did even start
> to suspect anything. It was a seed planted, and I
> was angry and defending LW even though I hadn't
> been part of it in 3 years at the time.
>
> I would hope to at least get the main pastors &
> some individuals to realize that the hurts they
> have caused, the people they have tossed aside are
> not gone or insignificant. That we exist in
> numbers.
>
> I would hope that everyone here would contact
> their friends that are former members as well and
> ask if they would like to join the letter writing.
> I can think of 5 people off the top of my head
> that no longer attend but I doubt are aware of
> this website or the numbers of people viewing this
> particular forum.
>
> I do think, even if some here do not ascribe to
> Jesus, there is validity in pointing this out to
> LW, because they advertise themselves as
> Christian, but wholly do not follow scripturally
> legitimate procedures. Such as the very clear
> tenants in Timothy of being a deacon/pastor in a
> Christian church (husband of one wife, sober, not
> given to anger, etc).
>
>
> I think letters (plural) would have greater
> impact. I don't imagine this to be an instant
> fire, but a slow burn.
>
> Does that make sense?
I don't think it would work, but not sure. I think most of us are not members for different reason. Some on here liked some people but others have bad memories of those same people and vis versa.
I would say most ex-members unless you were booted out or had a broken up marriage would ever say anything bad about John. Especially the leadership at the time. JMHO