toss & ripple: Beyond The Way International: Information & Connections

Below are links which may be helpful to anyone researching The Way International (TWI), an authoritarian, Bible-based, fundamentalist organization that many consider a cult. I left The Way in October 2005, after 28 years of loyalty.

I chose these links because of their overall content and, some of them, because of their impact on me when I was grappling with my own Way involvement. The list is not exhaustive; additional information can be found with internet searches.

I have separated the links below into two groups: "Information" and "Connections."

The "Information" links provide access to a glossary, The Way's current webpage, history, analysis, critique, people's personal stories, former Way believer blogs, and doctrinal teachings. Most links are critical. Some links provide information that is reasonably neutral. Some are supportive. Of the supportive sites, some are not supportive of The Way of today but rather of the founder, Victor Paul Wierwille.

I provide the "Connections" links to help any Way believers who may be taking the huge step to test the waters beyond "the Household of The Way" and/or who want to connect with some of the groups that have splintered from TWI. There are probably dozens of these offshoots, ranging in size from a few people to 1000s. Some of the offshoots affiliate with one another.

Would I recommend leaving TWI via one of its offshoots?

Maybe, depending on circumstances. I strongly suggest to go slowly in committing to another organization of any kind. Yet, I understand the huge void that is left in a person's life when they leave an organization that has dictated so much of their life and to which they have given so much of their soul and resources. Leaving such an all-consuming group can create a gaping hole hungering to be filled. It is a very vulnerable time.

I also strongly suggest educating oneself about cults, group dynamics, and various perspectives and interpretations of the Bible. I've listed some of those links here: After the Cult: Restoring the Soul.

As stated above, I provide the "Connections" links to help anyone who may be taking the huge step to test the waters beyond "the Household of The Way." I doubt I could have left The Way without support from a few of the offshoots, especially Christian Family Fellowship (CFF). At that crucial crossroad, CFF provided a vital steppingstone for which I will always be grateful. However, I no longer support any offshoots or hold to their doctrines.

When I was contemplating whether or not to leave The Way, I thought I had only two options: stay with The Way International or go with one of the splinter groups. At the time, it didn't dawn on me that I had more choices.

How could that be? How could I not see more than two options? Because my beliefs would not allow me to veer far from Way doctrine. Doing so would mean spiritual death with calamities. My perceived reality blinded me. That is one example of successful 'brainwashing.'

There is life, freedom, peace, and discovery beyond The Way...

~*~*~

Information

The Way International (official homepage)

Dr. John Juedes: About The Way International: Provides some history and collated information about sex scandals

Glossary of Way Terms: Definitions by me
About The Way: My short overview of some of The Way's non-conventional Biblical beliefs

GreaseSpot Cafe: Discussion forum and information
Waydale (archived): Discussion forum that was the precursor to GreaseSpot Cafe

The following topics link to a few GreaseSpot Cafe discussions about Way history, sex scandals, and splits: