Quote:
Originally Posted by alwayslearning
LSM was a continuation of Stream Publishers. The only connections I can see with Daystar are:
1. At some point during or after the debacle it dawned on Witness Lee that religion in and of itself is big business. Why make mobile homes when you can start charging for things you are already doing and market your ministry in multiple money-making formats? Of course he still dabbled in other pursuits because he realized with the LC he had a captured audience i.e. selling chairs to churches from one of his son's enterprises in Taiwan, real estate, etc.
After all when you pull aside the "spiritual" MOTA etc. Oz curtain what was Witness Lee? An immigrant enterpreneur who worked very hard trying different things and was ultimately successful in the religion business.
2. To my knowledge he used funds from LSM to pay back those who lent Daystar money and wouldn't forgive their loans.
But IMHO perhaps another and maybe more important question would be:
What if Daystar was a success? What if investors had a high ROI and lenders were paid back at substantial rates of interest? Would we consider that the "Lord's blessing"?
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Perhaps others know more, but my understanding is that the sales of suits, tennis rackets, and MOTAhomes were Timothy's gig. Witness was left cleaning up a string of failed businesses. It was Philip that stepped into the picture with a plan to jump start the ministry.
Things started happening then. The move to Anaheim, Max persuading investors to forgive the debts, SP became LSM, and the days of
free ministry were over. After that everything was for sale. Standing orders begun. Trainings cost money. Real estate was purchased.
Hey ... let's even sell them "god-man" socks and LSM ties and jackets.