What is Holy Jim Canyon? In the Cleveland National forest, north of San Diego and the place that JRS had a cabin which he used as a weekend getaway. It was here that he had several pivotal meetings with God that influenced the course of his ministry.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep, Apology accepted, and I understand why folks on this forum are wary are about imposters inserting themselves into the discussion. Feeling safe is essential for the forum to bring the healing that's needed. To be attacked on the internet was a new experience for me and it showed my extreme defensiveness - something I need to work on. So I thank you for that. If there is in fact
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Onion, Thanks. I PMed you back.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion, Maybe it's my training > from law school to look at every issue from every > direction, not just two opposing views. > I suspected who you were but now I’m quite sure given you’re statement about the law degree (first name begins with M - not that it matters). As previously stated I see things through kind of a legal, evidentiary framework and believe in innocen
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

> Or try chanting. Well, as you all suspect I say 100 bless Johns and 200 Hail Marilyns every chance I get. It seems to take the edge off.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Nonsense. I’m not asking to be trusted, just not falsely accused. No rational person should TRUST people who live in the internet ether. TRUST is reserved for people that you hear, see and love. I hope you have such people in your life.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep, Of course I did that. Apparently, you didn’t took at it closely. The posts you refer to as mine are using a different name, not Aardvark. The user name is associated with an email address. The email address associated with Aardvark was created 24 hours prior to me signing up for this site, so cannot be associated with the ancient posts you are referring to. I realize you can’t know th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

So you’re apparently justifying the false accusation by claiming I haven’t proved my legitimacy. I didn’t realize you guys have a litmus test to determine who is “one of you.” I hope you see the irony in your statements, since this is classic paranoid cultic thinking. You are postulating that I have nothing better to do than create a false persona for what purpose? To try to win you guys bac
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reep, That’s absolutely false, your link to Aardvark’s history verifies this falsehood (references a different person). I’ve never been on this site before, and I have no interest in Buddhism for GOD’s sake! I don’t like be falsely accused, and it makes me wonder if perhaps the paranoia and group think is on your end. The fact that you felt the need to investigate a person with “controversia
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Dang, I’m on my way to Alaska
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

There’s no pressure being exerted since I have no direct communication. And have no intention of returning. I personally trust the new leadership since I know the folks well. But it’s irrelevant since outa there. Just hoping for the best for everyone.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Although leaving CLW has been a positive experience, I still find myself unable to make the full transition out. I seem to have at least one spiritual toe in LWF since I’ve not found a replacement - a place where people have the same kind of hunger for God and Scripture. So, I don’t yet see it as a cult as do the folks here since I’ve not had the same negative experiences. Rather I would charact
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

KBoy, Thanks for the good insights. The reality is I’m not where you all are at this point. I continue to believe that I received something real from God in LWF, albeit from some very flawed vessels. I still read that word and find tremendous life and blessing in it. I realize that’s not something you can relate to, but true nevertheless. I came into LWF almost 50 years ago, not to join a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hey Onion, I owe you an apology. My intent was not to question your credibility as a person, but was addressing the problem of trying to find convincing truth from people you can’t see and don’t know. Hopefully, you can forgive my insensitivity.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Touché. That must have felt good! Well deserved on my part, I’m sure.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I seem to be failing miserably at this rehabilitation thing, huh? :). I’m too stubborn to go quietly.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Puddington, Well said, but I stand by my previous statements. This issue is complex because it is largely theological and would require a long winded biblical debate. The first question here is whether one believes as the charismatics do, for example, that God can and still does many of the same things that He did in the Bible. If you don’t believe that than any claim to a present supernatura
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion, I’m at a disadvantage here since I apparently don’t know the things that you know about JRS. But at this point I have less reason to believe you about these issues than I do to believe Gary Hargrave, for example, or anyone else who might refute your statements. I don’t know you - you may be an axe murderer or some disembodied spirit (joke). So, from my perspective you are not a credible
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Puddington, Thanks. I read it. Don't take this personally but IMO this article presents a distorted view of the LW teaching. It's not clear whether this is intentional on the author's part or he simply misunderstood what he was reading. For example, JRS did not promote occult practices - he adamantly preached against the occult. Anyone who says otherwise has no first hand
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks for the excellent insightful comments. I believe I’m a seeker of truth, and as painful as it is to face the truth about something I gave my whole life to, I’m determined to do it. The JRS metaphor was to “eat the fish and spit out the bones.” I’m sure there’s some good fish to be consumed and savored from the LWF experience, and unfortunately many bones to choke on. Performing a spi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Yes, CLW in North Hills. I don’t think my experience was unusual. All those I hung with were also having very positive experiences. And as you probably know CLW continues with about half the number that were there before the implosion (I haven’t been there in almost a year). And obviously those who continue don’t feel they were abused. I think the situation is that LWF could be heaven or hell
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The fellowship you describe is not the same one I experienced (at least in the one church I was associated with). The shepherds and sheep were loving, not demanding or abusive. Or maybe God protected me- I don’t know. I’m sorry that you, and apparently many others had a different experience. My current struggle is to reconcile these two viewpoints - cognitive dissonance. I’ve spoken to many
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Having said all that, I have to admit I'm astonished at the accusations against Gary and Marilyn Hargrave. Perhaps this proves my naivete. I'm looking for the truth, but I'm not convinced by the stories I'm reading. I I'm not gullible enough to assume that objective, verifiable truth can be found in a forum such this one. Everyone has an agenda, and is prone to misin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks for the gracious response! I’m actually not trying to refute a particular viewpoint- call LWF a cult if you like. I agree that huge mistakes were made and lots of people were deeply hurt. I’ve read the stories here and on the “survivors” site, many of which are horrendous. I want every perpetrator to be held accountable. But here’s my problem with the broad brush. I consistently fo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Understood that I won’t be warmly received. The only reason I’m posting is that I’m trying to work through this stuff like everyone else. I’m looking for the truth about LWF which I believe requires balance and objectivity, along with honesty. I’m assuming the folks on this site have a similar desire. I was at CLW (LA church) since 1972, worked with JRS and Hargrave for Word work, so probab
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was part of LWF for 47 years and left after the 2018 implosion. I have a very different view than the ones expressed on this blog, one that is mostly positive. Is anyone interested?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quoterrmoderatorgillslicer: See Read the rules you agreed to before posting here. Nothing will be taken down per your dictates. End of discussion on this, I suggest that you move on. The thing is, I was brought into this without my consent and I am not okay with it. I joined the forum in order to get the link removed. I did not put the link here nor am I okay with it being used. I
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoterrmoderatorgillslicer: Nothing will be taken down. Can I ask why? I've been very polite and nice about it and I don't see why it would be such a problem to simply remove the link.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoterrmoderatorgillslicer: Nothing will be removed or edited per your dictates. People may quote you if they wish within the context of free speech. Maybe you should not have posted comments accessible through the Internet/Worldwide Web if you did not want to be quoted. All I'd like is for the link to be taken down. I am okay with being quoted, go ahead and copy and paste everyth
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotedariusbI am not too sure what is this all about but looks like someone is looking for help. I am the owner of the blog that has been linked, lachrymoserecluse, and I would greatly appreciate it if any comments concerning me were to be deleted. I have made the post on my blog private because it was not made to be used against Diamond Way and it is unfair you are treating it as such. I am n
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"