"Against the Tide" by Angus Kinnear

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

We have Ohio's accounts of TC bullying the GLA saints.

Just a little clarification.

Most (many?) of the saints in the GLA would actually consider TC to be "grandfatherly." He was rarely overbearing in public, and often was quite charming. It was with the gifted ones, the elders and the workers, that TC could really put to shame, without provocation, notification, or justification.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

TC was rarely overbearing in public... It was with the gifted ones, the elders and the workers, that TC could really put to shame, without provocation, notification, or justification.

Your comment adds a layer to the shaming/dominating-based pattern of "discipling" or "training" relationships.

MEB to WN: check.

WN to WL: ??

WL to TC: check.

TC to his more gifted subordinates: check.

TC's underlings to the GLA rank-and-file: check.

TC didn't bully you directly. Instead he did it through an elder. I suppose you (Ohio) were meant to "disciple" someone else underneath you, as well. As I said, we are looking at a behavioral pattern here; a clear behavioral pattern manifesting itself institutionally through the construction of a worldly, fear- and shame-based hierarchical organization.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

TC didn't bully you directly. Instead he did it through an elder. I suppose you (Ohio) were meant to "disciple" someone else underneath you, as well. As I said, we are looking at a behavioral pattern here; a clear behavioral pattern manifesting itself institutionally through the construction of a worldly, fear- and shame-based hierarchical organization.

The Recovery is definitely a "shame-based hierarchical organization."

I remember the shock Don Rutledge received while visiting Anaheim for a leaders' gathering. He had known "Early-Lee" in the late-60's early-70's, and enjoyed a "brotherly" relationship with Witness Lee, as a younger brother with an older brother. While staying with Ned Nossaman, Don was publicly shamed by Lee. On the way home, Ned started laughing at Don's dismay, and welcomed him to the "weekly ice-cold shower," courtesy of WL.

Recently I spent some time with an old LC friend of mine, being reunited after both of us had been out of the Recovery for some time. We shared a few stories of abuse at the hands of TC and his lieutenants. That time together dispelled any doubts I might have had, that the Recovery was just a breeding ground for bullies.

And they wonder why so many marriages have failed, and why so many of the 2nd generation want nothing to do with them. Many of the American families who survived were because the wife refused to tolerate that nonsense.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I remember the shock Don Rutledge ... was publicly shamed by Lee. On the way home, Ned started laughing at Don's dismay, and welcomed him to the "weekly ice-cold shower," courtesy of WL.

Local church M.O. - first you "brotherly love" them to get them in, and then once they are invested in your scheme, you let them know their place.