To you young adults still in the Living Word. Please be aware that the Living Word is a sinking ship. There is no future in this religious group. Get out and get free. While you still can.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

...and I concluded that Gary and Marilyn do not control the weather.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was a LW member for years. I tried to ignore that small voice of reason inside me that questioned so many things I heard come across the Living Word pulpit. There were several dark years when that inner voice was nearly silenced. But thankfully it came back. I encourage all of you reading this forum. Pay attention to that inner voice. It wants you to be free.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Wow N&D. First you reference Scientology for this mission you are on. Now you reference another kooky cult, the Jesus People USA. Of course these cult sites will try to say that religious brainwashing doesn’t exist. Sorry N&D, but I’m not buying it.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Well said, Brushes. Welcome to the RR forum.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

After an indiscretion, not only do they reinstate Rick. But they allow him to continue to have a young female personal assistant. WTF is wrong with these people ??!! That’s insane !!! And now we have a leadership council of 11 people over TLWF. And one of them is Rick. This won’t work. Rick has to be king. He can’t work with others (unless he can be the boss). Strange days are ahead f
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Maybe the LW will join the #ChurchToo movement
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Onion - Is there a legal difference between a regular man sexually harassing a female and say a church authority (elder, pastor) harrasing a congregant? Where the church leader abuses his power to influence a woman church member? Does this constitute a special legal situation? Much more severe than if regular people were involved? Is the church liable as well?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Does anyone remember JRS talking negatively about Hammond organs used in church. Is this why most major churches had a custom Wayne Barton rotating speaker rigged up. Didn’t JRS say the Hammonds sounded too “theatrical” for worship and singing in the spirit?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Oh yes! Shiloh University! That great midwest institution where the chancellor has an honorary PhD and is also listed in the book of Who’s Who !!!!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One other thing I discovered: I’m not special. I’m just a regular human being. But the LW had pumped me up into a false image. Marilyn was really good at this. She would make a big effort to tell you how special you were and how you had a unique annointing. Etc, etc, etc. She would get you addicted to this feeling. Then use that against you. It made you try so hard to stay off her sh*t list
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I’ve gone thru something similar. I think this is very normal and healthy as you change course to your life. For me, it was almost like a mental breakdown when i realized what a fairly tale it all was. This idea of how important our LW destiny was. But I came back to one thing: love. It’s the core teaching of Jesus. I figured if I could just work on loving my fellow man better, I’d be doing
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

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.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

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.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What is this documentary film you speak of? Comparing Jonestown to Shiloh? I’d love to see it.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

True confessions here. I too, felt absolutely no emotions when Marilyn passed away. I felt a little sad for those that still worshipped her, because I knew their whole world had been turned upside down. But I felt nothing. No sadness or joy. Maybe it was a sign to me of the distance I have gained between the LW and myself. One thing I remember was how Marilyn used to say “Insecurity is the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

When I watched the mini-series “The Tudors”, all I could think was “gosh, that’s Rick Holbrook”.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

GR, I think it is your last reason listed. Abusers are hidden. Victims are silenced. And the abuse is swept under the rug. Because they don’t want the church to look bad.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

changedagain Wrote: ------------------------------------ > > The ways of the Lord are so strange. I wouldn’t know. According to LW folks, apparently I never knew the Lord. I was told that if He showed up at a service and sat in the back with a hat on, I wouldn’t recognize him. And I was told recently that I never was a son. Or part of the kingdom. Even after 30+ years, while
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Maybe Gary will build a lavish mansion in Brasil. On this secluded island:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

LW worker #1: “Say, are you going to Rick’s wedding this weekend?” LW worker #2: “No, I can’t make it. I’ll catch the next one.”
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If you were married when you left the LW, you might have had some rather interesting talks with your spouse. Especially if the spouse didn’t want to leave the cult. Here is an interesting talk about that situation:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Here’s a basic question. Does anyone know what the total membership headcount was at the peak of the Living Word’s heyday? Was is 5000 members?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Note: The above referenced link is from a Scientology organization (STAND). No wonder they want to “debunk the myth of religious brainwashing”.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Regarding the Bob McClane music clip: that’s all pre-recorded. Everyone is slip syncing and fake playing. Just another magic trick by Rick H.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I suspect you’re correct. Gary wouldn’t want to kill off his cash cow.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

In this recent message about obedience, Gary sounds an awful lot like Jim Jones. Which begs the question, do you think Gary is capable of enacting a Jonestown style event in the LWF?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Or maybe the “Producer” figured out that the money saved would eventually end up in his IRA account.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Looks like the Shiloh fireworks show this year will be small and private. Not open to the public.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Did you find the posts from Gary’s daughter, Dawn? They will break your heart. What a poor example of a father. It says a lot about the “apostolic fathering ministry”.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families