In Reply to: AntiChrist Systems posted by Jesse H on May 03, 2004 at 16:25:24:
I think he used tools to draw in disciples, whatever would be useful. After all, in truth he had many predjudices, and most stemmed from how people served him, or did not. Or how a country served him or did not.
Whereas many of us learned about "personal witnessing" which was not always laced with fear and was often either gentle or "sold out" presentations by strong personalities, there was always screening to filter out anyone that would be a liability unless there were assets enough to allow for them.
Of course, he preached that America was Babylon the whore, while putting on a front of ultra patriotism at times. Sometimes it was hard to know what he believed. He used a Marxist byline as that was popular thought with many youth in that day, while at the same time he was very reactionary and conservative. He taught us to be chameleons to get whatever we could for the "Lord" which actually was ultimately him.
People that got critically ill or had many children and not enough support were often discarded or hung out to dry. He preached "love" and "revolution". I believe that many of us that joined experienced some profound moments of feeling love and loving before his doctrine turned to sex. What he was behind the scenes all along, was not what most followers were at all.
In the beginning there was a lot of playing of bible tapes. I remember hearing the chapter about false prophets. A red flag went up that said something was wrong with the picture, but of course, I thought the red flag was a big warning that I was out of it spiritually, and weak. Such was the programming. Perhaps you can tell us some about your experience with the Yates pastor/nut. How did you get involved, how did u get out, and where are you now in your life? I would really like to know if you wouldn't mind writing about that. :)