shepherdingwords.com

[aron]

Originally Posted by Freedom

The LC tells members not to read anything on the internet.... Everything since then, the LC has been obsessed with trying to refute all the things that people supposedly never read in the first place.

To rephrase my earlier point, who exactly are they trying to fool here, except people who are already fooled and want to stay that way? Do they really think that the mass of people who read Don Rutledge's account, John Ingalls account, Steve Isitt's account, to name three, and then read the half-dozen "facts" (assertions really) on their essay will then say, "There, that's settled. LSM surely produced the last word on this!"

The fact that they don't even mention Timothy Lee shows me how little they really want to cover this subject. They just wave the three or four items that might possibly exonerate WL's ministry, then skedaddle.

But like I said, the simple point that Timothy Lee was instrumental in its inception, and benefitted personally from its enactment, over-rides all their "facts". And it doesn't matter if it did actually generate 35% profit and fund 16 meeting halls. You still have the appearance of a clear conflict of interest.

The fact that they won't address says that they're not interested in the slightest in actual resolution.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

But like I said, the simple point that Timothy Lee was instrumental in its inception, and benefited personally from its enactment, over-rides all their "facts".

Since the first day I linked up with the Recovery, I was taught to hate the Catholic Church for what they had done back in the Dark Ages.

And now the Blendeds expect the reader to forget about what happened back in the 1970's?

Perhaps "the reader" might be interested to know why the "glory days" of the Recovery ended so quickly.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by aron

To rephrase my earlier point, who exactly are they trying to fool here, except people who are already fooled and want to stay that way? Do they really think that the mass of people who read Don Rutledge's account, John Ingalls account, Steve Isitt's account, to name three, and then read the half-dozen "facts" (assertions really) on their essay will then say, "There, that's settled. LSM surely produced the last word on this!"

We have no way of knowing how many people have read these various writings, but just here on this forum, the Speaking the Truth in Love book post shows 28,000 views. Even if half those views were bots, where is the other 14,000 coming from? It might be reasonable to assume that many in the LC have read these writings.

Interestingly enough, it doesn't mean they became 'negative' immediately upon reading it. Quite to the contrary, everyone makes their own decisions. Some read these things and don't assign any particular meaning to them. Others read it and feel that it's not an important enough issue to worry about. Then there are all those who have left who felt the issues were too important to ignore.

In other words, people still in the LC who have already read these writings have already made their own decisions about it (at least for now). The DCP comes in after the fact, telling people not to read what they've already read or trying to explain away issues that people have perhaps already dismissed. I guess the LC wouldn't be the LC without being the echo chamber that it is, but my point is that LC members really should see the way that leadership reacts to these things as suspect.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Freedom

Interestingly enough, it doesn't mean they became 'negative' immediately upon reading it. Quite to the contrary, everyone makes their own decisions. Some read these things and don't assign any particular meaning to them. Others read it and feel that it's not an important enough issue to worry about. Then there are all those who have left who felt the issues were too important to ignore.

In other words, people still in the LC who have already read these writings have already made their own decisions about it (at least for now).

Very true, Freedom. Each of us responds differently to the same info.

I read John Ingalls' account STTIL and I immediately lost respect for WL. That was 2005, I found it on the old Bereans forum. Prior to that, TC had slowly eroded away my respect for most of the Blendeds. I remember my own conclusions after reading STTIL. I could forgive Daystar. I could not accept the coverups of Philip Lee's abuse and debauchery. But what really upset me was the wholesale smear campaign of all those like JI who attempted to protect the saints from this abuse.

But one brother, who helped my departure, later went back to the LC on the LSM side. I was somewhat surprised by this move since he also had read JI's account. His justification for returning: he said that the workers at LSM had always treated him well. Well of course! They just stole one of TC's most gifted co-workers.

[Freedom]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Very true, Freedom. Each of us responds differently to the same info.

I read John Ingalls' account STTIL and I immediately lost respect for WL. That was 2005, I found it on the old Bereans forum. Prior to that, TC had slowly eroded away my respect for most of the Blendeds. I remember my own conclusions after reading STTIL. I could forgive Daystar. I could not accept the coverups of Philip Lee's abuse and debauchery. But what really upset me was the wholesale smear campaign of all those like JI who attempted to protect the saints from this abuse.

But one brother, who helped my departure, later went back to the LC on the LSM side. I was somewhat surprised by this move since he also had read JI's account. His justification for returning: he said that the workers at LSM had always treated him well. Well of course! They just stole one of TC's most gifted co-workers.

I think that in the minds of the blendeds, what they perceive to be the greatest threat is not so much what people can read online, but the possibility of people reading things and then being able to relate to them.

A lot of past LC events are now just part of history. Different people will interpret it in different ways. But within that history, there are a lot of reoccurring issues and common patterns - abuse of authority, coverups, smear campaigns, etc. When there are all the sudden more and more LC members who can relate to such things or speak to their own experiences, suddenly the blendeds have a problem on their hands and go into damage control mode.

[aron]

Originally Posted by Freedom

But within [LC] history, there are a lot of reoccurring issues and common patterns - abuse of authority, coverups, smear campaigns, etc. When there are all the sudden more and more LC members who can relate to such things or speak to their own experiences, suddenly the blendeds have a problem on their hands and go into damage control mode.

DCP does have a problem if members begin to see these recurring issues and common patterns. Imagine if a 30-something young mother, grew up in the LC, went to the FTTA, gave her life to the LC "church life", suddenly found that 45 years ago WL started a motor home business with church members' 'investments', put his son in charge and then the $ was gone and the son was on the lam and WL was stone-walling a lender, Sal Benoit, on the phone? "None of your business", said WL. It was Sal's loan but WL's business.

Now, imagine if that woman publicised her findings on FB? Others might begin to search out info, as well. Patterns might emerge from the information. Then, they might publish their findings! Who knows where things might go?

Because if people do begin to read the Steve Isitt or Don Rutledge or John Ingalls accounts they might see other things as well, which corroborate with Daystar and their own experiences. I think of Ray Graver telling DR about WL, "You have to read between the lines. He doesn't tell you what he wants." Then, 40 years later, RG is firmly in LSM leadership, with family on the payroll as well. Or, James Barber telling DR, "Don't touch WL, or question his ideas or plans. He has the special anointing. God will blessed him, and us, even if he's wrong."

Slowly, the reader starts to connect the bits of information and see patterns emerge. He starts seeing Chinese culture, lurking behind such un-Biblical statements and practices. He begins to appreciate more fully what Jesus prayed on the cross, "Forgive them Father, for they don't know what they're doing." He begins to suspect that these are just ignorant and superstitious people doing the best they can in the midst of their lacks, that "Fermentation of the Present Rebellion" and "ShepherdingWords.com" are just fig leaves trying to hide the nakedness and shame of the fall.

That's what happened to me - I kept reading. The ShepherdingWords website looks like a firewall, an attempt to get people to stop reading. "Here are the facts. (Actually, here are some facts. We don't want you to see all the facts.)"

Of course, I'm also an ignorant and superstitious person. But I'm not opening training centres world-wide, inculcating others with my ignorant suppositions. And I note James 3:1, here: "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (NIV)

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by aron

Others might begin to search out info, as well...

Patterns might emerge from the information...

Because if people begin to read ...

Slowly, the reader starts to connect the bits of information and see patterns emerge...

That's what happened to me - I kept reading.

Same thing happened to all of us.

I can never forget the realization I had one day. I had experienced abuse on the local level. Read Thread of Gold. Read about WL cold showers and public shaming. Remembered endless stories of brothers leaving the Midwest .. had a problem with TC.

The lights went on: This program changes beloved brothers into bullies.

OK let's go back and compare this to the facts. Check. Check. Check again.

This is the mental process known in the Recovery as being "poisoned."

I never understood how it could happen to anyone ... until it happened to me!

[Indiana]

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