I want to apologize to everyone for extolling the virtues of deceased Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias on this thread in May, and for holding him up as a counterpoint to John Stevens. Apparently he, like John, was a charismatic sexual predator, and also like John, was protected in that role by those closest to him. Maybe before I die I will quit trusting that any man or ministry is incorruptibl
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Ravi Zacharias, an evangelist/apologist recently passed away. After I left the Walk, I listened to his messages to help sort out the toxic theology absorbed under JRS. Ravi Zacharias certainly could have cashed in on his popularity, but he made a conscious effort not to. It's so interesting to listen (link here) to the eulogies given by those who worked with him over the decades: that he liv
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteChanged Again But it has taken a very long time to realize it is morally acceptable to question those who claim to be speaking for God, and overcome the fear of the inevitable vicious backlash. So true! And there will be vicious backlash only from those who are not speaking for God. Transparency, humility, a servant's heart, and working out their own salvation with fear and trembling
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteReepicheep It is small wonder that those of us who spent many years in this cult often have great difficulty with believing in anything after leaving. The trust is so obliterated that resurrection of belief is unlikely. On this day, of all days, perhaps there is hope. I wish us all hope. <3 Godspeed, Reepicheep.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

>Neo: "Many people in these generations of people still have twisted views of God, and submission, and the path to 'sonship'. Many of them want to be free. But true freedom has to come from confronting the false teaching first. That's the only hope to finding a true relationship to God that isn't tainted by the lies of JRS, and G&M." I wonder if many of the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sorry: *Bobo*
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Larry Bono wrote: > I know they have all been sacred cows within the fellowship that have been carefully guarded - but they are hiding behind an illusion. John’s word is also an illusion that does not bear good fruit, but produces bondage.< Yes.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Cloud watcher wrote: >You mean the very same "Word" that entrapped every single one of us and created the condition for abuse to take place? The "word" that created the false hierarchy? The "Word" that created a cult? John Stevens is the one responsible for Gary and Marilyn and their tyrannical rule. Things went totally crazy once Marilyn announced that Martha
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion, thank you for shining light into very dark corners. My husband and I began to think about leaving when Gary left Donna and baby, and married Marilyn. We thought it was so wrong, but reading the posts, things were worse than we imagined. We were such suckers. We finally left after attending a service in Honolulu where a kamikaze-committed worker from LA stood and spent many minutes pledging
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

TheycalledmeJonah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ...Is the desperate need to have a purpose in life a quality > that other people feel who are in, or who have left TLWF? > > Why can't I be happy with just exist and love > those around me and have fun, go to work, vote, > and obey the law? After my husband and I left TLW we drifte
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

puddington Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Wow. Welcome new posters. I am so happy to hear > from you. So many are getting out of the birdcage > now. So great to hear the news of the exodus. Yes, yes, yes.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (Jn 1:5) Good on Onion for reporting, and the rest of you for calling out NickelandDimed. Exposure, which this public forum is all about, helps keeps everyone honest. Viva transparency.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reepicheep Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "Husband's Name, > > I keep track of posts on the Rick Ross Forum. Last > month your wife began posting and published her > name in the profile section. Her name is not there > now. I made a copy of her profile when her name > was visible. My job is to give it to Kevin when >
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

larry bobo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I’ve mentioned it before, but I think it bears > repeating. For some strange reason, JRS seems to > be a sacred cow that nobody wants to objectively > look at. A lot of us are like abused children who still love and are attached to the abuser. We loved John, but the fruit of his life and the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I'm a sometime reader who wants to thank you all for the years of great posts. I binge read the FactNet site about ten years ago and now here I am again binge reading this site. Don't know what that means other than you can take people out of the Walk, but it sure is hard to get the Walk out of people. I was a John follower for twelve years in the '70s and '80s. I was sad w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families