Comments

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  lois gueli March 8, 2011 at 5:53pm

  Hi Karl,  I finished your book and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed re-visiting my time in the way via your book "The Cult that Snapped" and reading your personal journey.  I was also surprised and pleased to see my dad's name mentioned not once but twice! 

   
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  lois gueli January 31, 2011 at 2:31pm

  Hi Karl,  My dad made a contribution to your book.  P. 90  Bibliography.   Herbert Diamond, "A Degree From Pike's Peak",  Christianity Today, November 21, 1975. 

   
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  John Richeson January 10, 2011 at 5:02am

  May they (and any ministry) continue to strive to seek changes that are good for the committed followers rather than the organization itself. It's a formula for success but sadly it is not that way in a lot of groups.

  Religion (Christianity is a religion) can be so dang cruel or it can be life changing and extremely helpful. I experienced both in my time. But for me the good parts overshadowed the hurtful experiences. My experiences in the Catholic religion were far more harmful to my life.

  Interestingly, there are numerous reports of hurt and harm coming from "anti-xxx religion" sites. The abused sometimes become abusive. It inspired me to write this article in 2008.      
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  Rhys Miller January 9, 2011 at 10:25pm

  Karl, I found your book a very worthwhile read.  I loved it, it clarified many things.  Many of my experiences were mirrored by your experiences.  I found your depiction of life in the ministry to ring true with the ministry and leadership style I knew from 22 years in The Way.  So it's a valuable book on my shelf, and I'm happy to see it linked from this site.
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  Ted Ferrell January 9, 2011 at 1:50pm

    Karl I apologize for saying anything about your book The Cult That Snapped. As for me I was never a member of a cult. While I was with The Way I learned  the Word Of God that still is embedded in my heart.and for that I'm a thankful believer.   

     I will not  bring up the past by naming those that  contributed to your book. I see no profit in doing so..On that issue you will hear no more from me.

     i hope you get a lot of orders.

   
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  John Richeson January 9, 2011 at 12:12pm

  I took the WAP class, foundational and Advanced. Got the nametags and syllabus to prove it. Put it this way.....they might have been better off leaving PFAL as it was. That's about all I have to say about it.
  
  I should be too old to like Eminem but I do. I like some of his stuff and want to see him in concert. And may I confess I like some of Lady Gaga's material too. What's wrong with me? I don't even want to try and figure me out. Gave up on that a while back. Or maybe it's just her I like.
  
  
  Hope said to say hi.
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  John Richeson January 9, 2011 at 10:47am

  No I am not belittling you or your book Karl. And I have not read it in a long time. I do not mind if folks promote stuff here. And I am by no means censoring you. Nobody should tell you to go away. No apology needed for your book. I am just saying it probably won't be discussed and debated in the forums here and such. That's all.

   

  I an not sure people are "ensnared" as you put it today in TWI or spinoffs. There may be isolated incidents. But from what I know it has changed greatly. You can find members of TWI on FaceBook and other places expressing their opinions and socializing with ex members without consequence. That is a far cry from 2000! My goodness. Night and day. I believe your book helped expose a side of TWI that seems to no longer exist in its current form. If serious abuses and scandals again occur in TWI trust me....due to the nature of todays technological tools...it will be all over the Internet instantly. But probably not so much here. Thanks for your input.  

   

   

   
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  John Richeson January 9, 2011 at 9:42am

  PS - it is my understanding that Greasespot is closing as a social forum and will only leave its content up in read only format. Mike Duffy (the owner) is a member her and on FaceBook. You can ask him more about it if you would like.
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  John Richeson January 9, 2011 at 9:39am

  Karl, we purchased and read your book well over 10 years ago when it came out. It's a story about your life experiences at that time combined with some history of TWI, some of which is accurate. (Some not as Ted stated.) A lot has changed since then, TWI included. Thank God for change. Kristen Skedgell has her book on her home page here as well. As I see it, people have a right to tell their story of their lives. I am not threatened by these publications at all. But I probably wouldn't allow a discussion of these topics here. One Greasespot is enough. Sorry folks. It's my site and that's just the way I want it. Too many arguments, too many hurt feelings, very few viable answers or solutions. Facebook is more appropriate for heated religious and political discussions.

  Am I in denial? No. We were very active, well known members of Waydale then Greasespot for 9 years before starting this site. From those years I learned what NOT to allow here to keep the peace. I have heard it all and discussed it all in detail. You name it! In my opinion Greasespot had it place and was invaluable for a while but is no longer relevant as a forum. I disabled my membership at Greasespot long ago. TWI changed and the Internet has changed. Social networking sites did not exist at the time, for example. The Forum concept has faded. My personal opinion is that, in spite of undeniable harm that occurred, more good was produced than bad. You can find just as great or even greater harm that has occurred in almost any religion, along with stories of comraderie, fellowship and fun times among the members.
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  Ted Ferrell January 8, 2011 at 7:56pm

     Karl

    Read your book and found there were way to many she said he said errors.  I knew many of the people you  got your info from and  they did not tell the whole truth by a long shot.

  Your book is not my cup of tea. Like Emil Rock stated "advertise where it belongs on Grease Spot Cafe.

    I wish you well..