NickleandDimed said, "rond, the Catholic infatuation is just another G-man opportunist self promotion. Many Catholics are getting on the charismatic bandwagon. Especially in Brazil. G-man saw an opportunity to make a name for himself as a charasmatic "unity" broker and he moved right in with G-man ambition." When I asked if anyone knew, I was looking to see if anyone had be
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Does anyone on this forum know at any level of certainty the reason for the infatuation with the Catholic church? Asking members of TLW only precipitates answers one might expect from a politician. The non-answer answer ploy. It's as if the relationship with the Catholic church is appealing, but those not inside TLW are "Philistines", thus not worthy of a substantive response.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This, from the rules page, "Each thread of discussion is a place for every participant to freely express his or her ideas, feelings and opinions." Slandjt, I don't know if I'm who you think I am, but I'm Ron Deming. Hi. When I registered on this forum, I tried twice to register as rondeming, but the site engine kicked me out as "hacking attempt". Humm... I
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

NickelandDimed said, "rond, How good for you, you lost your faith". To the contrary, my faith is richer, deeper, and more profound than it ever was in TLW. I never became an atheist. I just abandoned the idea that there is only one single path to spirituality. I never had the intent to minimize anyone's suffering. I'm very sorry if I came across that way. Last thing I want
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It is so interesting reading these posts. It evokes a pondering of what sort of thoughts must have been experienced by those who witnessed the arrest and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus. A few years passed and nothing happened. No apocalypse. Then, a couple of decades passed and everyone noticed that everything was still the same. Still being kicked around by the Romans, still paying taxes, p
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Invisible wrote: I may be misreading the content of what you wrote... Hi Invisible. Above was my clumsy attempt at self deprecation. Truth be known; I've been married to my best friend for 38 years, and we still adore one another. If she were to leave me I'd be shattered. What I was getting at is that Christianity views marriage through a lens that sets the bar unreasonably high.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sometimes divorce is the very best solution to a bad situation. People change and become dissatisfied with their partners, leading to bad choices and a lot of pain in some cases; a lot of joy and release in others. I am so fortunate to have been in love with, and tolerated by the same woman for 38 years, but if she decided to leave me I would want her to be happy with someone else, not waste a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

gosh, that's too bad. poor people.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What happens if the "designee" objects to the edicts of the "designor"?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

These several posts are in large part, my experience as well. I didn't view TLW as being cultish until I moved to Yakima under John Miller, who was fairly militant in his views on JRS. Many, many all nighters praying for the Nephilim to die (we all knew that meant Martha, but it wasn't said out loud). That was from '75 to '78. Many of those I knew in Yakima are no longer pa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose said, "Rond-I don't think Gary is mentally ill. He has absolute power and the people wrapped around his finger. I don't think he is always truthful." Yes. I agree. He's just taking that tack in order to keep fleecing those who are willing to continue giving. Sad. We have a Muslim (lampshmamp) on the forum? Cool!!! Bruised reeds unite!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

slandjt said, I'm sorry Larry, but I don't appreciate being preached at. I would like to respectfully echo S's sentiment to the extent that I think it is not necessarily about replacing a religion with a different, or sharper focus on the same religion, but more about finding spirituality. (In Larry's case, that is Jesus and I strongly respect that). I have traveled the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

When Jesus walked the Earth, those in the Jewish faith were waiting for the Messiah. Christians believe that the Jews missed the whole movement and that Jesus took up the mantle of the new age and passed it along to the Christian faith. That faith would eventually begin about 90+ years after his death. (someone correct me on that timeline please) Those in the early Christian church believed th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I ran into Donna in Ramona (CA) in 1990. She was living there after re-marrying. She was the same lovely, sweet woman I remembered. She told me it took her a number of years to drop the belief that she was going to roast in hell because of what Gary told her during their divorce. Wouldn't it have been better just to divorce honestly? Part of the reason I left TLW was to escape all the twi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My name is Ron Deming. I was in what was then called The Walk from about 1971 until a year or so after JRS died in 1983 when TLW went through a mass reorganization that most certainly did not resonate with me (Hargrave dumping his perfectly faithful wife to be with Marilyn), so my wife and I stopped attending. It has been interesting reading all these posts. I still have family (in-laws and their
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families