Such beautiful posts, all of you. My heart cries for you Tknc. Your family was so toxic from the living word teachings. I highly recommend seeing a professional for help. I did and it helped a lot. You belong to the family of man now. Try to find the love and connection in a new place maybe. And a new way. I never gave it much thought back then, but corboy is right. Christmas would
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Oh boy, it’s Christmas truck season again. If you want to get on the sh#t list in the valley, just skip participating with the truck project. That’ll put you in the non-in-crowd quicker than anything. I always wondered how many of Rick’s security group are packing heat while they walk alongside the truck. (permitted, of course). I bet most of them are.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

We all paid a price to leave, I suspect. Now our joy is in the freedom we have.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks kbyrne for your post. That statement from Wendy C saying "you needed a revelation" got me to thinking. I heard that line alot the whole time I was in the LW. First it was "you gotta get a revelation of The Apostle", then it was "you gotta get a revelation of John and Marilyn", then it was Marilyn, and then Gary & Marilyn. And no matter how hard I trie
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It is quite apparent to me that the leadership of the Living Word (JRS, G&M) had significant delusions of grandeur.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The lie I was told was that it was impossible to understand the Bible without the interpretation of it from JRS (then later, G&M). YASP kids were encouraged to skip reading the Bible and just listen to tapes.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Push-pull behavior. Boy, that describes Marilyn perfectly.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

“Roller coaster from hell” Sounds like an AC/DC song.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Wow, interesting YouTube clip. And though the LW will deny it, JRS was heavily influenced by William Branham.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I remember the prayer to raise JRS from the dead. Very well. Speaking of bait-and -switch, I remember that guys bringing a word at a service always had two sermons prepared. The regular one for the congregation and another “softened” word, just in case a visitor showed up at the service.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Another scripture they throw at you is Psalm 105:15 “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.“ Which implies that church leaders can not be busted for doing wrong stuff. I recall the LW leadership using this scripture regarding certain sexual abuses that were occurring to sheep by an elder. G didn’t want it exposed to the whole congregation. The leadership’s reputation wa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

BTW, this thread is extremely interesting and applicable to the LW.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

N&D, for me it was many things. But a major factor in my deciding to leave was a deep unhappiness I felt. I had a great disappointment in what I had believed in, how it did not come to pass. And also the realization that many people were receiving deep emotional damage by this cult. I could no longer participate in this community.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

spelling correction: denial
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Like you suggest, maybe people don’t like posters here criticizing JRS or G & M because of denile. Perhaps they can’t face the fact that they invested the best years of their lives in something so false. It is very shattering when you realize what a fairy tale you gave yourself to. But when you move past that, it is pure freedom.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I used to have a “standing order” for LW tapes. But eventually I realized it was actually a “squatting order”, so I cancelled it.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Great posts, all of you. This one paragraph jumped out at me. This is very accurate of the current LW leadership: “Loyal older members who donated hours even years of time are shoved aside in favor of new recruits with glamour and money. Or, new recruits who are cute, beautiful and more entertaining than old timers who know the leader's human quirks and flaws.”
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

While TLW is just a little cult, and Scientology is a massive cult. There are striking similarities in how the people are controlled. And the leadership behavior is similar. L Ron Hubbard = John Robert Stevens David Miscavige = Gary Hargrave
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Yes. They say the books are open for inspection. But don't you dare ask to look at them. You will be labeled "a gourd".
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Does anyone know the details about the end of Coniah Chapel? When RD changed the locks on the doors and kicked everyone out? The remnant of the congregation met somewhere else and eventually suied RD to get the property back. Is that how CoHK was born?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

RD was quite the showman wasn't he? Especially in his wildcat pentecostal days.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Apparently, the LW church in San Diego has undergone another name change. So, I think it has had four names now. Is this the work of a PR group trying to "rebrand" the church and fool visitors into thinking it is no longer a cult church? Here are the 4 names for that church, as far as I can remember: 1. Orange Ave Fellowship: (RD's early church, not associated with JR
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Seems like the whole world's gone mad in the last 3 months. Gosh, if I was still in the cult, I could just relax and be assured that G & M were in control and everything was ok. Now it ain't so easy. But it's reality, ain't it?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I also think that the whole emphasis on travail, intense intercession and screaming at God certainly doesn't help. You get so focused on the unfulfilled promises and prophecies that it just sets you up for a lifetime of torment and depression. So much for inner peace.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Do you think there are an unusual number of TLW members with mental problems? Depression. Schizophrenia. Etc. Do you think the LW environment attracts them? And exasperates their problems? One thing is apparent to me. The LW doesn't help them. I can remember certain members being directed to not get help. And when they got worse with their problems, they were told to stop attending
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Is COHK pronounced "cock"?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

LR, thank you for that link. Very interesting. I find it also interesting that JRS brought a bunch of words in Chico in the early 70's at the Chico Camp. It was a whole series of messages including "Good Bye Yesterday". Probably just a coincidence, but still interesting.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Once again. G-man dumps a load of guilt on the sheep for holding JRS back from entering in. I've heard this a hundred times from G&M. Sorry, Homey don't play that.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Wow. Excellent posts, everyone. Cloudwatcher, I can totally relate to your testimony. I too carry guilt and ask that question of "why was I so stupid for so long". The Sagan quote hits the nail on the head and I'll add this thought. Most LW people don't want to "go there". I didn't for the longest time. They choose to not be honest with themselves. Th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

So, what do you suppose the gifts were that they gave to the Pope?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families