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<DIV>Dougs' Hero writes:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"Pastor Wilson sure took a beating last week after the
PCA General Assembly adopted a committee report condemning Federal Vision. In
case you forgot, the vote was something like 1400 in favor of the report and
about 30 against it. Man, talk about a landslide. Someone should call a search
and rescue team to dig Wilson out. The poor gumbo never saw it
coming."<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Such a resounding repudiation from the group which, if any, ought
be closest to the Cultmaster's views again illustrates the point about his
theological rantings that the following cite makes about his historical
ones:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"Wilson's claims about the nature of antebellum slavery
give further clear evidence that he is on the crackpot fringe of the crackpot
fringe."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"...His claims in these <FONT
color=#000000>[theological]</FONT> matters are like the claims of those
insisting that unicorns exist.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No
one can prove that they don't.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
is the so-called beauty of fantasy -- religious or otherwise.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City> can blather on and on about what the
Bible means and what God demands without fear of falsification, save
inconsistency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Any crackpot can;
any crackpot can even partially convince him/herself that their blather is the
"real truth."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Street corners in the
tenderloins of large cities teem with such eccentrics, each shouting their own
particular religious fantasies, some harmless, others toxic."</FONT><FONT
color=#000000><STRONG>*</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>It is very interesting and encouraging to see that the PCA General
Assembly solidly rejects and renounces the crackpot theological writings of
<STRONG>Wilson whose deeds, words, and life do<FONT color=#ff0000
size=5> not</FONT> even superficially resemble that of Christ's.</STRONG>
And whose writings are not different in quality and believability than the many
different rants of the numerous sky pilots found on the street corners of
big city tenderloins.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow, ID
83843</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(208) 882-7975<BR><A
href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>_________________________________________________</DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">*Fantasy versus Reality<?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">It is one thing</B> for Cultmaster Douglas
Wilson to write about what he interprets his alleged God has allegedly said or
what his alleged God demands.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In these cases there is no way to
verify or empirically falsify his claims.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They can be falsified by finding internal contradictions and
contradictions with his other writings.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">His claims in these matters are
like the claims of those insisting that unicorns exist.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No one can prove that they don't.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is the so-called beauty of fantasy
-- religious or otherwise.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>
can blather on and on about what the Bible means and what God demands without
fear of falsification, save inconsistency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Any crackpot can; any crackpot can even partially convince him/herself
that their blather is the "real truth."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Street corners in the tenderloins of large cities teem with such
eccentrics, each shouting their own particular religious fantasies, some
harmless, others toxic.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">However, it is quite another thing</B> for
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place> to make
claims about ordinary reality, especially where there is massive, clear, cogent
evidence that makes his claims highly improbable, if not delusional.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Such is the case with <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s writings on
antebellum slavery.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The latest post from Juanita
Flores aptly demonstrates that when the Cultmaster ventures into the realm where
professional scholarship, knowledge, acumen, and methodology matter, his extreme
egomaniacal arrogance and his abysmal ignorance really shine for all to
see.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City>'s views on antebellum slavery put him irretrievably
into that "special" class that includes the Holocaust deniers and those that
think flying saucers are going to land to rescue the "<st1:place
w:st="on">Chosen</st1:place>" at end times.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Not unsurprisingly, there are
some that accept <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s highly unlikely views on antebellum
slavery and his other equally or even more dubious claims and
pronouncements.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That this belief in
the wildly improbable has occurred in our community and other places despite
Wilson's transpicuous egomania and megalomania is, among other things, a tribute
to Wilson's personal charisma, which causes those enthralled to suspend the use
of their critical judgment, his appalling but highly effective manipulative and
planning skills, and his singular personal persistence in the face of
consistently being shown up as a charlatan.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Whatever the case, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s claims about the
nature of antebellum slavery give further clear evidence that he is on the
crackpot fringe of the crackpot fringe.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">But why does the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Cult Flourish?<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">When evaluating the actions,
utterances, and writings of Christ Church Cultmaster Douglas Wilson and its
appeal to some, perhaps it might do well to consider the carefully and
professionally referenced research and writings found in <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Feet of Clay:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A Study of Gurus</I> [spiritual leaders]
by Anthony Storr.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">"Confidence tricksters </SPAN>[who are spiritual
leaders]<SPAN style="COLOR: blue"> are successful at deception because they are
more than halfway to believing in their own fictions." ... "</SPAN>[and]<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"> who have no hesitation in deceiving other people and
extracting money from them..."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[With such individuals]<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">… "We hover on the borderline between confidence trickery
and psychosis."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">"A
contemporary described him </SPAN>[the Bhagwan]<SPAN style="COLOR: blue"> as
being very bright, but also being a habitual liar."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Many people ask:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If <st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City> is really so far off, why does he have a following,
especially in a community like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>,
where the intelligence and educational level of the populace is likely much
higher than that of the average community?"</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Information from <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Feet of Clay</I> offers more than just a
hint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the chapter on the
Bhagwan, we read:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In 1985 the Bhagwan's
north-central <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State> settlement had 2,500 permanent
residents and another 2,000 long term visitors.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The educational profile of this
group:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">83%
were college educated,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">64% had
college degrees,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">36% had
advanced degrees, and<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">12% had
doctorates.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Storr refers to research into the
people in the Bhagwan's commune that describes them as being "very
needful."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their strong needs seemed
to be strivings for discovering some deeper "truth" of the universe and/or a way
to escape the contingencies of worldly life, a life which they found
insufficiently rewarding.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
believed that the Bhagwan could deliver them to the "truth" and the way to a
"higher state of being."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thus these
needful people overlooked or forced themselves not to see the Bhagwan's many
obvious failings and dishonesty, nor did they critically question the truth of
his teachings, but swallowed them whole. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, they were induced to plan
acts like poisoning the municipal water supply of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">The Dalles</st1:place></st1:City>, the residents of which city the
Bhagwan had declared their enemies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They even ran a successful test poisoning in one small area of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">The Dalles</st1:place></st1:City> by infecting
several salad bars with salmonella.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Clearly then, <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">being intelligent or educated is not an
effective prophylactic against being deceived and taken on an expensive ride
into a toxic fantasy by a predatory, power and wealth-hungry confidence
person.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>[It is useful to
realize that the Bhagwan at one point had accumulated 83 Rolls Royces.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State> settlement was described as being run
like a concentration camp.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It
abounded with intrusive spying devices and agents to root out possible
dissenters and doubters, alleged dissenters and doubters who were subsequently
treated to very harsh measures should they not repent of their dissent and
doubt.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The structure and operation
of the Christ Church Cult ward system comes to mind in this regard.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In his assessment of successful,
but manipulative spiritual leaders Storr is in sync with a large body of
research by psychologists and mental health professionals:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Short term, limited in scope
fantasies are generally normal and mostly healthy coping mechanisms people use
to deal with immediate problems of various kinds.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">However, long term, large in
scope fantasies, raise the question of pathology.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is especially so of long term,
large in scope fantasies which are not subject to verification or to
falsification.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The question of pathology depends
on the effects a particular long term, large in scope fantasy has on its
believers' ability to function and on the effects that the believers' actions
have on society.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Long term, large in scope
fantasies which are merely palliative and/or inspirational and which inspire no
or little harm, or which might even promote generally accepted secular good for
society are <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">not</B> generally considered
pathological by many professionals in the field.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">However, other such fantasies
which advocate or bring unjustifiable harm or depletion of assets to the
believers, advocate or bring harm to selected targets of the believers, or
advocate or bring harm, sometimes massive harm, to society, are rightly
considered <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">pathological</B>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Current newsworthy examples of believers
in long term, large in scope <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">pathological </B>fantasies would include
members of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">For the sake of saving words,
henceforth such<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> pathological</B>, long
term, large in scope fantasies will simply be called<B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> toxic fantasies</B> for the purposes
hereinafter.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The fantasy promulgated by
Cultmaster Douglas Wilson includes plans for a instituting a theocracy to govern
all of the world's inhabitants, and which theocracy would result in the
execution of most of such inhabitants.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A
href="http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-11.htm">http://www.credenda.org//old/issues/vol3/magi3-11.htm</A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><A
href="http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-9.htm"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-9.htm</SPAN></A></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s long term, large in scale fantasy is
certainly pathological as defined above, and thus is a toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is toxic in other well known
ways.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, its toxicity
shows in the justification of his and other cult members' otherwise
unjustifiable, dishonest, sometimes illegal actions by the Doctrine of
Covenantal Dishonesty.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Those falling prey to toxic
fantasies promulgated by a manipulative leader suspend their critical evaluation
tools with respect to these fantasies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They do this because they are in situations where such toxic fantasies
may offer escape from pain and distress, were something deeply implanted into
them in childhood, appeal to other deeply felt needs, may give satisfaction not
easily found in other ways, and/or seem to offer the promise of realizing
something "far better" than is afforded by ordinary, worldly life.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The needs of those captured by
toxic fantasies are so strong that they make such needful, many times naïve,
uncritical, and/or submissive people, easy prey for unscrupulous, exploiting
flimflamers, some of whom may even partially believe their own hooks and lines
of deception.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It is important to remember this
about these toxic fantasies:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
are neither verifiable nor falsifiable, save for logical inconsistency.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If any were so, there would not be
nearly so much room for disagreement, and hence, there would not be the great
variety of such incompatible, competing toxic fantasies.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">There are a minimum of tens of thousands of
these toxic fantasies, each different from and inconsistent with the others,
each with followers who "know" they have found the "truth," and who have made
the "leap of faith" to one particular toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This disconcerting, but telling fact
apparently neither occurs to, bothers, nor mildly stirs the critical faculties
of those committed to one of these particular toxic fantasies.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B>Such is the power of strong needs
and the usefulness of knowing how to exploit these strong needs for gains of
personal wealth and power by egocentric, megalomaniacal, sociopathic, and/or
psychopathic spiritual leaders.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Occasionally, one of the
followers of a particular toxic fantasy promulgated by an unscrupulous exploiter
awakens from their acritical, submissive state and realizes the ignominy of the
situation they find themselves in.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>When this happens, they become pariahs from the point of view of the
remaining believers of that particular toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The remaining believers often go to
great lengths to discredit and to harm the apostate, often dishonestly with
little or nor remorse, and whether such vengeful tactics are prohibited by
beliefs found in their particular fantasy or not.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sometimes, however, the escapees
from a particular toxic fantasy are successful at opening the eyes of some of
the still committed and still exploited, and thus an exodus occurs despite the
security and control measures of the organization promulgating the toxic
fantasy.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Will this happen in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>?</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Stay tuned.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=news.of.christ.cult@gmail.com
href="mailto:news.of.christ.cult@gmail.com">News of Christ Cult</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=Vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com">Vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, February 19, 2007 5:20 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Fantasy vs, Reality Second
Installment</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><SPAN><FONT size=4><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fantasy:</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B></FONT><B
style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<BR><BR><BR></SPAN>SOUTHERN SLAVERY, AS IT WAS</B><BR>Douglas J.
Wilson<BR><BR>Here are some excerpts from the booklet:<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>* "To say the least, it is strange that the thing the Bible
condemns (slave-trading) brings very little opprobrium upon the North, yet
that which the Bible allows (slave-ownership) has brought down all manner of
condemnation upon the South." (page 22)<BR><BR>* "As we have already
mentioned, the 'peculiar institution' of slavery was not perfect or sinless,
but the reality was a far cry from the horrific descriptions given to us in
modern histories." (page 22)<BR><BR>* "Slavery as it existed in the South was
not an adversarial relationship with pervasive racial animosity. Because of
its dominantly patriarchal character, it was a relationship based upon mutual
affection and confidence." (page 24)<BR><BR>* "There has never been a
multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony
in the history of the world." (page 24)<BR><BR>* "Slave life was to them a
life of plenty, of simple pleasures, of food, clothes, and good medical care."
(page 25)<BR><BR>* "But many Southern blacks supported the South because of
long established bonds of affection and trust that had been forged over
generations with their white masters and friends." (page 27)<BR><BR>* "Nearly
every slave in the South enjoyed a higher standard of living than the poor
whites of the South -- and had a much easier existence." (page
30)</BLOCKQUOTE></SPAN><BR><BR><BR><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Reality:<BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Bullwhip Days: The Slaves
Remember: An Oral History
</SPAN></FONT><BR><SPAN></SPAN><SPAN>Creator:</SPAN> <SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&k=James+Mellon&t=Creator&s=sr&p=1"
target=_blank> James Mellon</A></SPAN><BR><SPAN>Publisher:</SPAN> <SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&k=Grove+Press&t=Publisher&s=sr&p=1"
target=_blank> Grove Press</A> </SPAN><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><BR></SPAN>Synopsis: </B>In an unflinching oral
history, former slaves eloquently describe their experiences in captivity and
portray the harsh conditions they faced in everyday life as slaves.<BR><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><BR></SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&i=0802138683&x=Bullwhip_Days_The_Slaves_Remember_An_Oral_History"
target=_blank><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">URL</SPAN></A><BR></SPAN></FONT><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Customer Reviews:</SPAN>
<SPAN><BR><BR></SPAN><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>The Bad, The Sad,
And The Extremely Ugly</SPAN> <SPAN>June 12,
2006</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This is the real deal. Ex-slaves telling their own
experiences; a few not-so-bad, many extremely heartbreaking. This is one of the
best insights into what slavery was really like during the 19th Century. This is
the story, in there own words, of how a people were totally dehumanized during
America's most shameful period. A country claiming "liberty and justice for all"
while denying that freedom to millions of fellow human beings. And many still
ask the question, "why do African-Americans still lag behind in so many areas,
while other ethnic groups had to struggle as immigrants also?" This book is a
reminder that blacks were forcibly brought here, and denied-for-years even the
simplest education. Maybe the reading of this book, will help some realize the
continual uphill struggle, blacks have tried to achieve in a few short decades
since the Civil Rights Movement. Trying to makeup for Centuries of bondage, and
inequality. Just as we can never forget the evils of the Holocaust, so it should
be equaly true with the era of slavery.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>The Slaves Own Words</SPAN> <SPAN>January 31,
2006</SPAN><BR> <SPAN> 1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN><BR>I have used this book as part of my Black
history classes for 5 years now. It would be impossible to make up the stories
that actually happened to a people held against their will and it is riveting to
read about the memories and nightmares. This book gives a name to slaves,
personalizes it and makes the suffering immortal. These recollections, though
they belonged to individuals, makes the suffering universal. The experience of
one is the experience of all. But yet, these people on occasion find some humor
in various memories and you can share there collective joy over 150 years later.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, not just students and
historians.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>"The Real
Deal"</SPAN> <SPAN> October 19, 2005</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1
out of 1 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>I first read this book
back in 1991. Even today, I will occasionally reread it. It is very informative
and very much real. I can truly say that I love this book and this is a must
have. You will truly enjoy it. My people have come a long
way.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Powerful &
Moving</SPAN> <SPAN>February 7, 2005 </SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1
out of 1 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>Wow...That's all I can
say. This is a wonderful book and a must read for everyone. I read this as part
of a book club discussion for Black History Month. What a way to open my eyes to
a part of American history. Very moving.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>Telling it like it was</SPAN> <SPAN>December 26,
2002</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>3 out of 3 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>Forget Tara, forget Falconhurst... this was the real
deal. Based on the results of a U.S. Government project in the 1930's to capture
the memories of living former slaves on tape, this awesome book is the history
of slavery in the United States by those most qualified to tell it -- the blacks
who actually lived it. And by telling their stories, we live through it with
them; we feel what it must have been like to have your family members sold away
from you, to be forced into cohabitation with a fellow slave you despised for
the sole purpose of breeding new slaves, to be treated like a beast of burden,
and the crushing indignity of being a piece of property to be treated however
your master's whim takes him. The former slaves remembered it all, and their
reminiscences aren't pretty: "For miles around you could hear those dreadful
whuppins. They were a turrible part of livin'." We hear their voices through the
dark years of Reconstruction, which for many former slaves was escaping out of
one hell and landing into the next, and we hear the stark statement of one old
man who sums up the results of all his labor, paid and unpaid, over the decades:
"Ain't got nothin, ain't got nothin, ain't got nothin." And finally, we can only
wonder at the strength and resilience of so many who claimed their humanity
after so many years of being treated as something less than human, and who
managed to not only survive, but to keep on keepin' on.</SPAN><BR
clear=all><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>WHAT A
BOOK</SPAN> <SPAN>April 26, 2002</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>5 out
of 6 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>FOR SO LONG, I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT SLAVERY WAS LIKE. I'VE READ ABOUT IT IN BOOKS BUT THERE REALLY WAS NO
DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ACTUAL SLAVES. THIS BOOK REALLY HELPED ME TO FEEL
THE DEVASTATION AND HUMILIATION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE. IT HAS ALSO GIVEN ME A
DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON WHO I AM AND WHERE MY PEOPLE HAVE COME FROM. LONG BEFORE
THIS BOOK I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT BEING AFRICAN. I DON'T MEAN AFRICAN AMERICAN.
AFRICAN! FROM THE TRAUMATIC STRUGGLE MY PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED HAS MADE ME REALIZE
THAT I WOULD BE SO IGNORANT TO CHANGE WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME. I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK FOR NOT CHANGING EVEN THE DIALECT OF THE
EX-SLAVES. IT REMINDS ME HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND HOW FAR WE HAVEN'T. THERE IS
SO MUCH HEALING THAT HAS TO COME TO THE SO CALLED AFRICAN AMERICANS. READING
THIS BOOK, I REALIZE THAT I HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL IN THE
SAME STATE OF MIND. -MENTALLY ENSLAVED-</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>A MUST READ for EVERYBODY!!!</SPAN> <SPAN>February 27,
2002 </SPAN><BR> <SPAN>2 out of 2 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This is a fat book which you don't have to read
cover to cover. You can skip around and read what real slaves said about raising
children, their white masters, their work, what they ate, how they celebrated,
how they worshiped, etc. This really tells what life was really like on
plantations. If you like this book I recommend I WAS BORN A SLAVE which is
similar. Two novels I recommend are THE DIARY OF A SLAVE GIRL, RUBY JO which
tells about pirates and how runaways sometimes joined pirate ships where they
were treated equally. Also, THE JOURNAL OF LEROY JONES, A FUGITIVE
SLAVE.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="4 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-4-0.gif"> <SPAN>As a teaching
aid</SPAN> <SPAN>May 10, 2000</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 4
found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book would make a wonderful
teaching aid. Its first hand accounts and lessons in perspective will draw in
the reader while reminding them that these are memories that should not soon be
forgotten. I have returned to this book several times and have recommended it (
with limited sucess ) to educators around the south and midwest. This book
should be in every high school library.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>From a White Woman's Perspective</SPAN> <SPAN> April 8,
2000</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 6 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>As a wife of a black man (married 14 years), I am
constantly learning of the plight of african-americans and their culture in
order to better understand and share it with our four children. This book has
taught me more and moved me more than ANY OTHER book I have ever read on the
subject. The accounts are moving, the pictures are unforgettable, and the book
flows easily from one interview to the next. Every household in America with an
interest in the "slave days" of the U.S. should read this book and keep it to
pass on to their children.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Wonderful
book</SPAN> <SPAN> October 1, 1999</SPAN><BR><SPAN>Great book
with a couple of really interesting pictures that make you do a lot of thinking
about that time in our nation's history.<BR><BR></SPAN><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>I agree with the reviews below</SPAN> <SPAN> September
17, 1999</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>6 out of 7 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>I was astounded by this book. The interviews draw a
clear, persuasive picture that no dry history book ever could, no matter how
learned the author. I now feel as though I have an accurate view of what the
lives of slaves were like.
<P>I am pleased to see that not every slave owner was a monster and that not
every slave lived a life of continuous misery. The institution was terrible, of
course, and its continued existence so late in this country was a disgrace. Many
slave owners were brutes. However, this book illustrates the terrific capacity
of human beings to rise above their circumstances, especially of the oppressed,
but also of the oppressors.</P>
<P>I agree with every statement in all of the previous reviews, and I recommend
the book wholeheartedly.</P></SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Excellent, People
come alive again through their experiences</SPAN> <SPAN>August
12, 1999</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book is really superb. It puts a human face
with each story on an ugly period of American history. The good and the bad, the
funny and the quirky experiences are explained sincerely and realistically. The
best way to learn about history is through the voices of those who lived through
it so I consider this book a valuable document and a tribute to the human
spirit</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>The Most Neglected
Period in U.S. History Comes Alive</SPAN> <SPAN> September 21,
1998</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 5 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>You wouldn't believe my excitement upon discovering
this book at the local library. These are the voices of real slaves, their
histories recorded in the 1930's through a government project to collect this
data. What a true American gem. All the voices are transcribed in the "native"
language - Black English as spoken by ex-slaves, many of them at the time of
their stories being recorded nearly a hundred years old. The accounts are
fascinating, and non-biased. Some slaves speak frankly of wishing once again for
slavery, and they recount the generosity and attention of the "Old Marse".
Others tell horrific and moving stories of truly brutal and savage masters and
wouldn't want to return to "slave times" under any circumstance. Most of the
stories include first-hand accounts of their experiences through the Civil War
and Reconstruction, although the primary goal was to record their experiences
while slaves. Reconstruction of this country had enormous impact, and what the
slaves did to build the nation during it's early years has been such a neglected
historical topic. This is by far one of the most important books in my
collection. As a white 31-year old middle-class woman, this is a must-read for
anyone who might call themselves an American, regardless of
race.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Experiences
described here will stay with you a long time.
</SPAN> <SPAN>September 14, 1998</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>3 out of
3 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book will expand your mind
by exposing you to a set of emotions that are (presumably) no longer
experienced: how it feels to be owned. Your own emotions will run the gamut from
anger to sadness and back again, but it is worth it to hear about slavery from
people who experienced it. You will never again think about it in abstract terms
.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR>****************************************************************<BR><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/Unchained-Memories-Readings-Slave-Narratives/dp/0821228420"
target=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/Unchained-Memories-Readings-Slave-Narratives/dp/0821228420</A><BR><FONT
size=4><BR style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></FONT><B style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><FONT
size=4>Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives </FONT>(Hardcover)
</B><BR>by <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Spencer%20Crew"
target=_blank>Spencer Crew</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Cynthia%20Goodman"
target=_blank>Cynthia Goodman</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Henry%20Louis%20Gates"
target=_blank>Henry Louis Gates</A> (Author) <SPAN>"Nothing symbolizes the
fragility and inequities of slave life better than the slave
auction..."<BR><BR></SPAN><B>Customer Reviews</B>
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<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
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width=64 border=0> <B>Slavery As Experienced By Slaves</B>, January 9,
2007<BR>
<TABLE>
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<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1WZ9BKCXFZ2SS/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">N. J. Weaver
"lnw567"</SPAN> </A>(Wichita, Kansas United States) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
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target=_blank>See all my reviews</A><BR><A
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Amazing book. I've never read one like it. Quite
interesting. Honest experiences. An eye-opener. Anyone interested in
history will enjoy this. I am.<BR><BR> <SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&type=pipeline&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1.id=A1WZ9BKCXFZ2SS&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&response=report&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2=1&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&label=Inappropriate&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1=1&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>) </SPAN><BR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><A
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<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>A wonderful historical collection</B>, July 1,
2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The RAWSISTAZ
Reviewers</SPAN></A> (RAWSISTAZ.com ) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews </A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>In this
beautiful, historical collection of slave narratives and photographs, we
are given a look inside the lives of actual slaves being interviewed as
part of a project conducted by the Works Progress Administration. With
more than forty interviews, UNCHAINED MEMORIES is a work of art that
provides a well-rounded look at the lives of slaves. It includes insight
into their living conditions, thoughts about slavery, their families and
even the details of actual slave auctions. It is a sometimes sad
collection, but much needed to help us understand the progress our
ancestors have made in the world.
<P>Through their accounts, we are able to see the pain and suffering as
well as the spirit and pride of those born into slavery, learn from it,
and pass it along to our children. This is a wonderful resource for not
only African American families, but for anyone interested in history and
the period of slavery and its impact upon the African American race. It is
compiled with the grace and dignity deserving of a people who have been
through so much!</P>
<P>Reviewed by Tee C. Royal<BR>of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers<BR><BR><SPAN>a
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<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-3-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>Sickening true stories of depravity</B>, June 29,
2003<BR>
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<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1U6B2LDK3BUVU/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">LF "Keep your feedback
to yourself, these are my opinions, not yours" </SPAN></A>(USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1U6B2LDK3BUVU/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews</A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>This book is
hard to read. It is hard to wade through the cruelty.
<P>There are stories here of families being split apart by an uncaring
master class. Children were callously sold and permanently separated from
their parents. Husbands and wives were similarly split up.</P>
<P>Frankly, it makes you sick.</P>
<P>Then there are the stories of brutality. Again it makes you sick. How
could the slave owners have sunk so low?</P>
<P>If you are looking for well written stories that bring the institution
of slavery to life for you, this is not the book. What you get here are
very short and very simple reports by individuals. There's nothing here
that you didn't know already. This is not a great work of literature.</P>
<P>This is just a punch right in the nose to make you wonder how slave
owners could have been so cruel.<BR><SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2=1&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&template=inappropriate&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1=1&response=report&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN&label=Inappropriate&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1.id=A1U6B2LDK3BUVU&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>) </SPAN><BR><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><A
name=110d57bd7700f7a1_R1C3VC399635XW></A>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><BR></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>A Beautiful Book</B>, February 26, 2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AF6EOCHEKMZZC/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">S. Hudson "Avid
Reader"</SPAN> </A>(Tucker, GA USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AF6EOCHEKMZZC/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews</A><BR><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#RN"
target=_blank><IMG height=15 alt="(REAL NAME)"
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reputation/c7y_badge_rn_1.gif"
width=70 align=absMiddle border=0></A>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"...Oh freedom, Oh freedom, Oh freedom over me.
And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave and go home to my
Lord and be free"<BR>__Old Negro Spiritual
<P>The words of the spiritual above must not have been uttered to these
beautiful human beings who have graciously allowed interviewers from the
1930's Governments Works Progress Administration to chronicle their life
stories. For if the words above had been uttered, the slave experience,
from an intimate and painful point of view, would never have received the
credence they due. Tales of slavery are still passed down from generation
to generation, and traditions still are followed but to see a book like
Unchained Memories is special. Quite simply, this is a beautiful book. I'm
so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to read it and experience
it and learn from it. I can treat the book as a textbook, a factual
accounting of the lives of former slaves who have wonderful stories that
they don't mind sharing with the world. For that reason alone, this book
has earned a permanent place on my coffee table, for all who enter into my
house to experience. Something about the actual words of former slaves
bound in book form validates an agonizing time in American History.</P>
<P>Unchained Memories is well researched and magnificently laid out. At
the beginning of every chapter is an introductory text that accounts for
the tenure of the time, followed by a poignant quote and then brief
narratives begin. My one regret is that the narratives are so short, when
biographers obviously spent a great deal of time with these people. I am
grateful that there is an extensive bibliography at the back so that I
can, at some point, go and read the entire account by the former slave. Oh
where will I find the time? If you read this book, I would highly suggest
that you get a copy of the HBO documentary of the same name and watch it
as well. There is nothing like "hearing" the words spoken by African
American actors of today in the vernacular of the time.</P>
<P>I'm glad that Unchained Memories was published, and quite fittingly
made its debut during Black History Month. These former slaves are the
reason why Black History Month is perpetuated now and a fitting tribute
for remembering from whence we as a nation have come.<BR><BR><SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1=1&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1.id=AF6EOCHEKMZZC&response=report&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW&label=Inappropriate&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2=1&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>)
</SPAN><BR><BR><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><IMG height=1
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/nav2/images/transp.gif"
width=15 border=0> </TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left>
<P><BR></P><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>Exceptional bridging of history and experience</B>,
February 16, 2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1ME759823RW2H/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ann</SPAN></A> (Dix
Hills, New York USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1ME759823RW2H/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews </A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>An
exquisite pictorial and narrative exploration of the institution of
American slavery, this book provides readers with the opportunity to
experience from personal recollections what it was like to live under
conditions of slavery. The text format, an artistic balance of photographs
and primary sources, is composed of interviews with former slaves
conducted in the 1930s by the Federal Writers' Project. Each chapter
focuses on a particular aspect of slave life - auctions, work, family,
special occasions, providing a deeply etched portrait of hardships and
abuses as well as examples of strength of character and quiet dignity. A
worthy addition to one's
library!<BR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><SPAN><BR></SPAN>by <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Spencer%20Crew"
target=_blank>Spencer Crew</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Cynthia%20Goodman"
target=_blank>Cynthia Goodman</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Henry%20Louis%20Gates"
target=_blank>Henry Louis Gates</A> (Author) <SPAN>"Nothing symbolizes the
fragility and inequities of slave life better than the slave
auction..."</SPAN><BR>-- <BR><BR><BR>Juanita Flores<BR>Advocate for the Truth
from Jesus
<P>
<HR>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=bherodotus@yahoo.com href="mailto:bherodotus@yahoo.com">Dougsʼ Hero</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:50 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] A Sabbath contemplation for Mr.
Schwaller</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV>Dear Mr. Schwaller,<BR><BR>Pastor Wilson sure took a beating last week
after the PCA General Assembly adopted a committee report condemning Federal
Vision. In case you forgot, the vote was something like 1400 in favor of the
report and about 30 against it. Man, talk about a landslide. Someone should call
a search and rescue team to dig Wilson out. The poor gumbo never saw it
coming.<BR><BR>There was something else he didn’t see either: this time the good
guys took a page from Pastor Wilson’s playbook and had their blogs ready so that
they could CONTROL THE CONVERSATION, rather than concede it to him.<BR><BR>For
example, <A href="http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/">Green Baggins</A> is
systematically nailing Wilson, point for point, on his blog, and Wilson, who
must always have the last word, is responding. This probably explains why you
only posted five times last week and Ms. Tanaka ran interference for you. Too
busy getting Bagged.<BR><BR>Dr. R. Scott Clark of <A
href="http://dannyhyde.squarespace.com/the-heidelblog/2007/6/23/of-wolves-wildfires-and-combat-what-members-can-do-to-encour.html">The
Heidelblog</A> (excellent name) wasted no time making a general application of
the “W” word — <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">“wolf”</SPAN> — to the heretics
who propagate Federal Vision. Dr. Clark also noted their favorite rhetorical
device: “their tactic has been to criticize my person and my conduct of the
discussion in order to deflect the discussion away from the issue at hand.”
Welcome to the party, Dr. Clark; that’s their only argument. (Note to Ms.
Tanaka: the sophists gave birth to the <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">ad
hominem.</SPAN>)<BR><BR>And Bob Mattes has made the most brilliant point yet on
his blog, <A
href="http://reformedmusings.wordpress.com/2007/06/22/my-only-wilson-post/">Reformed
Musings</A>. In fact, I believe his simple comparison will help everyone get
their heads around the Federal Vision. You see, Mr. Schwaller, Federal Vision
confuses the average Joe because it is so difficult to explain. But Mr. Mattes
bypassed a convoluted explanation that would only make matters worse and drew a
simple comparison between Pastor Wilson’s Federal Vision and his magnum opus <A
href="http://reformed-theology.org/html/books/slavery/southern_slavery_as_it_was.htm"><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Southern Slavery As It Was</SPAN></A>:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Together Doug Wilson and Steve Wilkins did for
Christianity and US history what the Federal Vision is doing for the Reformed
faith. This is theonomic theology at its absolute best. Here’s a quote from page
18 under the section heading of “Unexpected Blessings”:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Slavery produced in the South a genuine affection
between the races that we believe we can say has never existed in any nation
before the War or since. Whatever its failures, slavery produced in the South a
degree of mutual affection between the races which will never be achieved
through any federally-mandated efforts.<BR></DIV></DIV><BR>Ouch; that’s gotta
hurt. And you will note that Mr. Mattes served on the committee that wrote the
report condemning Federal Vision. He sure did his homework. Just wait until he
learns that Wilson and Wilkins plagiarized the whole thing!<BR><BR>So there it
is, Mr. Schwaller. Something for your consideration before you join the fossils
of Pompeii, a mere hole in the ash heap of history.<BR><BR>Dougs’
Hero</DIV></DIV><BR>
<HR SIZE=1>
TV dinner still cooling?<BR><A
href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49979/*http://tv.yahoo.com/">Check out
"Tonight's Picks"</A> on Yahoo! TV.
<P>
<HR>
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services made available by First Step Internet, <BR> serving the
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<P></P>
<STYLE type=text/css>DIV {
MARGIN: 0px
}
</STYLE>
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16481" name=GENERATOR>
<DIV>Dougs' Hero writes:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"Pastor Wilson sure took a beating last week after the
PCA General Assembly adopted a committee report condemning Federal Vision. In
case you forgot, the vote was something like 1400 in favor of the report and
about 30 against it. Man, talk about a landslide. Someone should call a search
and rescue team to dig Wilson out. The poor gumbo never saw it
coming."<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Such a reception from the group which, if any, ought be closest to the
Cultmaster's views again illustrates the point about his theological
rantings that the following cite made about his historical ones:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"Wilson's claims about the nature of antebellum slavery
give further clear evidence that he is on the crackpot fringe of the crackpot
fringe."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff>"...His claims in these <FONT
color=#000000>[theological]</FONT> matters are like the claims of those
insisting that unicorns exist.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No
one can prove that they don't.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
is the so-called beauty of fantasy -- religious or otherwise.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City> can blather on and on about what the
Bible means and what God demands without fear of falsification, save
inconsistency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Any crackpot can;
any crackpot can even partially convince him/herself that their blather is the
"real truth."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Street corners in the
tenderloins of large cities teem with such eccentrics, each shouting their own
particular religious fantasies, some harmless, others toxic."</FONT><FONT
color=#000000><STRONG>*</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>It is very interesting and encouraging to see that the PCA General Assembly
resoundingly rejects and repudiates the crackpot theological writings of Wilson
whose life and deeds do not even superficially resemble that of Christ's.
And whose writings are not different in quality and believability than the rants
of the sky pilots found on the street corners of big city tenderloins.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">*Fantasy versus Reality<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">It is one thing</B> for Cultmaster Douglas
Wilson to write about what he interprets his alleged God has allegedly said or
what his alleged God demands.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In these cases there is no way to
verify or empirically falsify his claims.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They can be falsified by finding internal contradictions and
contradictions with his other writings.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">His claims in these matters are
like the claims of those insisting that unicorns exist.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No one can prove that they don't.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is the so-called beauty of fantasy
-- religious or otherwise.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>
can blather on and on about what the Bible means and what God demands without
fear of falsification, save inconsistency.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Any crackpot can; any crackpot can even partially convince him/herself
that their blather is the "real truth."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Street corners in the tenderloins of large cities teem with such
eccentrics, each shouting their own particular religious fantasies, some
harmless, others toxic.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">However, it is quite another thing</B> for
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place> to make
claims about ordinary reality, especially where there is massive, clear, cogent
evidence that makes his claims highly improbable, if not delusional.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Such is the case with <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s writings on
antebellum slavery.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The latest post from Juanita
Flores aptly demonstrates that when the Cultmaster ventures into the realm where
professional scholarship, knowledge, acumen, and methodology matter, his extreme
egomaniacal arrogance and his abysmal ignorance really shine for all to
see.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City>'s views on antebellum slavery put him irretrievably
into that "special" class that includes the Holocaust deniers and those that
think flying saucers are going to land to rescue the "<st1:place
w:st="on">Chosen</st1:place>" at end times.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Not unsurprisingly, there are
some that accept <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s highly unlikely views on antebellum
slavery and his other equally or even more dubious claims and
pronouncements.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That this belief in
the wildly improbable has occurred in our community and other places despite
Wilson's transpicuous egomania and megalomania is, among other things, a tribute
to Wilson's personal charisma, which causes those enthralled to suspend the use
of their critical judgment, his appalling but highly effective manipulative and
planning skills, and his singular personal persistence in the face of
consistently being shown up as a charlatan.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Whatever the case, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s claims about the
nature of antebellum slavery give further clear evidence that he is on the
crackpot fringe of the crackpot fringe.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">But why does the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Cult Flourish?<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">When evaluating the actions,
utterances, and writings of Christ Church Cultmaster Douglas Wilson and its
appeal to some, perhaps it might do well to consider the carefully and
professionally referenced research and writings found in <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Feet of Clay:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A Study of Gurus</I> [spiritual leaders]
by Anthony Storr.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">"Confidence tricksters </SPAN>[who are spiritual
leaders]<SPAN style="COLOR: blue"> are successful at deception because they are
more than halfway to believing in their own fictions." ... "</SPAN>[and]<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"> who have no hesitation in deceiving other people and
extracting money from them..."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">[With such individuals]<SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">… "We hover on the borderline between confidence trickery
and psychosis."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">"A
contemporary described him </SPAN>[the Bhagwan]<SPAN style="COLOR: blue"> as
being very bright, but also being a habitual liar."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Many people ask:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If <st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City> is really so far off, why does he have a following,
especially in a community like <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>,
where the intelligence and educational level of the populace is likely much
higher than that of the average community?"</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Information from <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Feet of Clay</I> offers more than just a
hint.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the chapter on the
Bhagwan, we read:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In 1985 the Bhagwan's
north-central <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State> settlement had 2,500 permanent
residents and another 2,000 long term visitors.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The educational profile of this
group:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">83%
were college educated,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">64% had
college degrees,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">36% had
advanced degrees, and<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: blue">12% had
doctorates.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Storr refers to research into the
people in the Bhagwan's commune that describes them as being "very
needful."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their strong needs seemed
to be strivings for discovering some deeper "truth" of the universe and/or a way
to escape the contingencies of worldly life, a life which they found
insufficiently rewarding.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
believed that the Bhagwan could deliver them to the "truth" and the way to a
"higher state of being."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thus these
needful people overlooked or forced themselves not to see the Bhagwan's many
obvious failings and dishonesty, nor did they critically question the truth of
his teachings, but swallowed them whole. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, they were induced to plan
acts like poisoning the municipal water supply of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">The Dalles</st1:place></st1:City>, the residents of which city the
Bhagwan had declared their enemies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They even ran a successful test poisoning in one small area of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">The Dalles</st1:place></st1:City> by infecting
several salad bars with salmonella.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Clearly then, <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">being intelligent or educated is not an
effective prophylactic against being deceived and taken on an expensive ride
into a toxic fantasy by a predatory, power and wealth-hungry confidence
person.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>[It is useful to
realize that the Bhagwan at one point had accumulated 83 Rolls Royces.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:State> settlement was described as being run
like a concentration camp.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It
abounded with intrusive spying devices and agents to root out possible
dissenters and doubters, alleged dissenters and doubters who were subsequently
treated to very harsh measures should they not repent of their dissent and
doubt.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The structure and operation
of the Christ Church Cult ward system comes to mind in this regard.]</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In his assessment of successful,
but manipulative spiritual leaders Storr is in sync with a large body of
research by psychologists and mental health professionals:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Short term, limited in scope
fantasies are generally normal and mostly healthy coping mechanisms people use
to deal with immediate problems of various kinds.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">However, long term, large in
scope fantasies, raise the question of pathology.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is especially so of long term,
large in scope fantasies which are not subject to verification or to
falsification.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The question of pathology depends
on the effects a particular long term, large in scope fantasy has on its
believers' ability to function and on the effects that the believers' actions
have on society.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Long term, large in scope
fantasies which are merely palliative and/or inspirational and which inspire no
or little harm, or which might even promote generally accepted secular good for
society are <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">not</B> generally considered
pathological by many professionals in the field.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">However, other such fantasies
which advocate or bring unjustifiable harm or depletion of assets to the
believers, advocate or bring harm to selected targets of the believers, or
advocate or bring harm, sometimes massive harm, to society, are rightly
considered <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">pathological</B>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Current newsworthy examples of believers
in long term, large in scope <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">pathological </B>fantasies would include
members of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">For the sake of saving words,
henceforth such<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> pathological</B>, long
term, large in scope fantasies will simply be called<B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> toxic fantasies</B> for the purposes
hereinafter.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The fantasy promulgated by
Cultmaster Douglas Wilson includes plans for a instituting a theocracy to govern
all of the world's inhabitants, and which theocracy would result in the
execution of most of such inhabitants.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A
href="http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-11.htm">http://www.credenda.org//old/issues/vol3/magi3-11.htm</A></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I><A
href="http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-9.htm"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">http://www.credenda.org/old/issues/vol3/magi3-9.htm</SPAN></A></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City>'s long term, large in scale fantasy is
certainly pathological as defined above, and thus is a toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is toxic in other well known
ways.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, its toxicity
shows in the justification of his and other cult members' otherwise
unjustifiable, dishonest, sometimes illegal actions by the Doctrine of
Covenantal Dishonesty.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Those falling prey to toxic
fantasies promulgated by a manipulative leader suspend their critical evaluation
tools with respect to these fantasies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>They do this because they are in situations where such toxic fantasies
may offer escape from pain and distress, were something deeply implanted into
them in childhood, appeal to other deeply felt needs, may give satisfaction not
easily found in other ways, and/or seem to offer the promise of realizing
something "far better" than is afforded by ordinary, worldly life.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The needs of those captured by
toxic fantasies are so strong that they make such needful, many times naïve,
uncritical, and/or submissive people, easy prey for unscrupulous, exploiting
flimflamers, some of whom may even partially believe their own hooks and lines
of deception.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It is important to remember this
about these toxic fantasies:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
are neither verifiable nor falsifiable, save for logical inconsistency.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If any were so, there would not be
nearly so much room for disagreement, and hence, there would not be the great
variety of such incompatible, competing toxic fantasies.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">There are a minimum of tens of thousands of
these toxic fantasies, each different from and inconsistent with the others,
each with followers who "know" they have found the "truth," and who have made
the "leap of faith" to one particular toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This disconcerting, but telling fact
apparently neither occurs to, bothers, nor mildly stirs the critical faculties
of those committed to one of these particular toxic fantasies.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></B>Such is the power of strong needs
and the usefulness of knowing how to exploit these strong needs for gains of
personal wealth and power by egocentric, megalomaniacal, sociopathic, and/or
psychopathic spiritual leaders.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Occasionally, one of the
followers of a particular toxic fantasy promulgated by an unscrupulous exploiter
awakens from their acritical, submissive state and realizes the ignominy of the
situation they find themselves in.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>When this happens, they become pariahs from the point of view of the
remaining believers of that particular toxic fantasy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The remaining believers often go to
great lengths to discredit and to harm the apostate, often dishonestly with
little or nor remorse, and whether such vengeful tactics are prohibited by
beliefs found in their particular fantasy or not.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sometimes, however, the escapees
from a particular toxic fantasy are successful at opening the eyes of some of
the still committed and still exploited, and thus an exodus occurs despite the
security and control measures of the organization promulgating the toxic
fantasy.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Will this happen in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>?</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Stay tuned.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=news.of.christ.cult@gmail.com
href="mailto:news.of.christ.cult@gmail.com">News of Christ Cult</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=Vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com">Vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Monday, February 19, 2007 5:20 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Fantasy vs, Reality Second
Installment</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><SPAN><FONT size=4><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fantasy:</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></B></FONT><B
style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<BR><BR><BR></SPAN>SOUTHERN SLAVERY, AS IT WAS</B><BR>Douglas J.
Wilson<BR><BR>Here are some excerpts from the booklet:<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>* "To say the least, it is strange that the thing the Bible
condemns (slave-trading) brings very little opprobrium upon the North, yet
that which the Bible allows (slave-ownership) has brought down all manner of
condemnation upon the South." (page 22)<BR><BR>* "As we have already
mentioned, the 'peculiar institution' of slavery was not perfect or sinless,
but the reality was a far cry from the horrific descriptions given to us in
modern histories." (page 22)<BR><BR>* "Slavery as it existed in the South was
not an adversarial relationship with pervasive racial animosity. Because of
its dominantly patriarchal character, it was a relationship based upon mutual
affection and confidence." (page 24)<BR><BR>* "There has never been a
multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony
in the history of the world." (page 24)<BR><BR>* "Slave life was to them a
life of plenty, of simple pleasures, of food, clothes, and good medical care."
(page 25)<BR><BR>* "But many Southern blacks supported the South because of
long established bonds of affection and trust that had been forged over
generations with their white masters and friends." (page 27)<BR><BR>* "Nearly
every slave in the South enjoyed a higher standard of living than the poor
whites of the South -- and had a much easier existence." (page
30)</BLOCKQUOTE></SPAN><BR><BR><BR><FONT size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Reality:<BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Bullwhip Days: The Slaves
Remember: An Oral History
</SPAN></FONT><BR><SPAN></SPAN><SPAN>Creator:</SPAN> <SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&k=James+Mellon&t=Creator&s=sr&p=1"
target=_blank> James Mellon</A></SPAN><BR><SPAN>Publisher:</SPAN> <SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&k=Grove+Press&t=Publisher&s=sr&p=1"
target=_blank> Grove Press</A> </SPAN><BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><BR></SPAN>Synopsis: </B>In an unflinching oral
history, former slaves eloquently describe their experiences in captivity and
portray the harsh conditions they faced in everyday life as slaves.<BR><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><BR></SPAN><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://thezeroboss.com/store/shop.php?c=3&n=15812121&i=0802138683&x=Bullwhip_Days_The_Slaves_Remember_An_Oral_History"
target=_blank><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">URL</SPAN></A><BR></SPAN></FONT><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Customer Reviews:</SPAN>
<SPAN><BR><BR></SPAN><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>The Bad, The Sad,
And The Extremely Ugly</SPAN> <SPAN>June 12,
2006</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This is the real deal. Ex-slaves telling their own
experiences; a few not-so-bad, many extremely heartbreaking. This is one of the
best insights into what slavery was really like during the 19th Century. This is
the story, in there own words, of how a people were totally dehumanized during
America's most shameful period. A country claiming "liberty and justice for all"
while denying that freedom to millions of fellow human beings. And many still
ask the question, "why do African-Americans still lag behind in so many areas,
while other ethnic groups had to struggle as immigrants also?" This book is a
reminder that blacks were forcibly brought here, and denied-for-years even the
simplest education. Maybe the reading of this book, will help some realize the
continual uphill struggle, blacks have tried to achieve in a few short decades
since the Civil Rights Movement. Trying to makeup for Centuries of bondage, and
inequality. Just as we can never forget the evils of the Holocaust, so it should
be equaly true with the era of slavery.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>The Slaves Own Words</SPAN> <SPAN>January 31,
2006</SPAN><BR> <SPAN> 1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN><BR>I have used this book as part of my Black
history classes for 5 years now. It would be impossible to make up the stories
that actually happened to a people held against their will and it is riveting to
read about the memories and nightmares. This book gives a name to slaves,
personalizes it and makes the suffering immortal. These recollections, though
they belonged to individuals, makes the suffering universal. The experience of
one is the experience of all. But yet, these people on occasion find some humor
in various memories and you can share there collective joy over 150 years later.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, not just students and
historians.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>"The Real
Deal"</SPAN> <SPAN> October 19, 2005</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1
out of 1 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>I first read this book
back in 1991. Even today, I will occasionally reread it. It is very informative
and very much real. I can truly say that I love this book and this is a must
have. You will truly enjoy it. My people have come a long
way.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Powerful &
Moving</SPAN> <SPAN>February 7, 2005 </SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1
out of 1 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>Wow...That's all I can
say. This is a wonderful book and a must read for everyone. I read this as part
of a book club discussion for Black History Month. What a way to open my eyes to
a part of American history. Very moving.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>Telling it like it was</SPAN> <SPAN>December 26,
2002</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>3 out of 3 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>Forget Tara, forget Falconhurst... this was the real
deal. Based on the results of a U.S. Government project in the 1930's to capture
the memories of living former slaves on tape, this awesome book is the history
of slavery in the United States by those most qualified to tell it -- the blacks
who actually lived it. And by telling their stories, we live through it with
them; we feel what it must have been like to have your family members sold away
from you, to be forced into cohabitation with a fellow slave you despised for
the sole purpose of breeding new slaves, to be treated like a beast of burden,
and the crushing indignity of being a piece of property to be treated however
your master's whim takes him. The former slaves remembered it all, and their
reminiscences aren't pretty: "For miles around you could hear those dreadful
whuppins. They were a turrible part of livin'." We hear their voices through the
dark years of Reconstruction, which for many former slaves was escaping out of
one hell and landing into the next, and we hear the stark statement of one old
man who sums up the results of all his labor, paid and unpaid, over the decades:
"Ain't got nothin, ain't got nothin, ain't got nothin." And finally, we can only
wonder at the strength and resilience of so many who claimed their humanity
after so many years of being treated as something less than human, and who
managed to not only survive, but to keep on keepin' on.</SPAN><BR
clear=all><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>WHAT A
BOOK</SPAN> <SPAN>April 26, 2002</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>5 out
of 6 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>FOR SO LONG, I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT SLAVERY WAS LIKE. I'VE READ ABOUT IT IN BOOKS BUT THERE REALLY WAS NO
DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE ACTUAL SLAVES. THIS BOOK REALLY HELPED ME TO FEEL
THE DEVASTATION AND HUMILIATION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE. IT HAS ALSO GIVEN ME A
DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON WHO I AM AND WHERE MY PEOPLE HAVE COME FROM. LONG BEFORE
THIS BOOK I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT BEING AFRICAN. I DON'T MEAN AFRICAN AMERICAN.
AFRICAN! FROM THE TRAUMATIC STRUGGLE MY PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED HAS MADE ME REALIZE
THAT I WOULD BE SO IGNORANT TO CHANGE WHAT THEY HAVE GIVEN ME. I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK THE AUTHOR OF THIS BOOK FOR NOT CHANGING EVEN THE DIALECT OF THE
EX-SLAVES. IT REMINDS ME HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND HOW FAR WE HAVEN'T. THERE IS
SO MUCH HEALING THAT HAS TO COME TO THE SO CALLED AFRICAN AMERICANS. READING
THIS BOOK, I REALIZE THAT I HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL IN THE
SAME STATE OF MIND. -MENTALLY ENSLAVED-</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>A MUST READ for EVERYBODY!!!</SPAN> <SPAN>February 27,
2002 </SPAN><BR> <SPAN>2 out of 2 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This is a fat book which you don't have to read
cover to cover. You can skip around and read what real slaves said about raising
children, their white masters, their work, what they ate, how they celebrated,
how they worshiped, etc. This really tells what life was really like on
plantations. If you like this book I recommend I WAS BORN A SLAVE which is
similar. Two novels I recommend are THE DIARY OF A SLAVE GIRL, RUBY JO which
tells about pirates and how runaways sometimes joined pirate ships where they
were treated equally. Also, THE JOURNAL OF LEROY JONES, A FUGITIVE
SLAVE.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="4 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-4-0.gif"> <SPAN>As a teaching
aid</SPAN> <SPAN>May 10, 2000</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 4
found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book would make a wonderful
teaching aid. Its first hand accounts and lessons in perspective will draw in
the reader while reminding them that these are memories that should not soon be
forgotten. I have returned to this book several times and have recommended it (
with limited sucess ) to educators around the south and midwest. This book
should be in every high school library.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>From a White Woman's Perspective</SPAN> <SPAN> April 8,
2000</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 6 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>As a wife of a black man (married 14 years), I am
constantly learning of the plight of african-americans and their culture in
order to better understand and share it with our four children. This book has
taught me more and moved me more than ANY OTHER book I have ever read on the
subject. The accounts are moving, the pictures are unforgettable, and the book
flows easily from one interview to the next. Every household in America with an
interest in the "slave days" of the U.S. should read this book and keep it to
pass on to their children.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Wonderful
book</SPAN> <SPAN> October 1, 1999</SPAN><BR><SPAN>Great book
with a couple of really interesting pictures that make you do a lot of thinking
about that time in our nation's history.<BR><BR></SPAN><IMG
alt="5 out of 5 stars" src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif">
<SPAN>I agree with the reviews below</SPAN> <SPAN> September
17, 1999</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>6 out of 7 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>I was astounded by this book. The interviews draw a
clear, persuasive picture that no dry history book ever could, no matter how
learned the author. I now feel as though I have an accurate view of what the
lives of slaves were like.
<P>I am pleased to see that not every slave owner was a monster and that not
every slave lived a life of continuous misery. The institution was terrible, of
course, and its continued existence so late in this country was a disgrace. Many
slave owners were brutes. However, this book illustrates the terrific capacity
of human beings to rise above their circumstances, especially of the oppressed,
but also of the oppressors.</P>
<P>I agree with every statement in all of the previous reviews, and I recommend
the book wholeheartedly.</P></SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Excellent, People
come alive again through their experiences</SPAN> <SPAN>August
12, 1999</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>1 out of 1 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book is really superb. It puts a human face
with each story on an ugly period of American history. The good and the bad, the
funny and the quirky experiences are explained sincerely and realistically. The
best way to learn about history is through the voices of those who lived through
it so I consider this book a valuable document and a tribute to the human
spirit</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>The Most Neglected
Period in U.S. History Comes Alive</SPAN> <SPAN> September 21,
1998</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>4 out of 5 found this review
helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>You wouldn't believe my excitement upon discovering
this book at the local library. These are the voices of real slaves, their
histories recorded in the 1930's through a government project to collect this
data. What a true American gem. All the voices are transcribed in the "native"
language - Black English as spoken by ex-slaves, many of them at the time of
their stories being recorded nearly a hundred years old. The accounts are
fascinating, and non-biased. Some slaves speak frankly of wishing once again for
slavery, and they recount the generosity and attention of the "Old Marse".
Others tell horrific and moving stories of truly brutal and savage masters and
wouldn't want to return to "slave times" under any circumstance. Most of the
stories include first-hand accounts of their experiences through the Civil War
and Reconstruction, although the primary goal was to record their experiences
while slaves. Reconstruction of this country had enormous impact, and what the
slaves did to build the nation during it's early years has been such a neglected
historical topic. This is by far one of the most important books in my
collection. As a white 31-year old middle-class woman, this is a must-read for
anyone who might call themselves an American, regardless of
race.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR><IMG alt="5 out of 5 stars"
src="http://thezeroboss.com/store/aom/stars-5-0.gif"> <SPAN>Experiences
described here will stay with you a long time.
</SPAN> <SPAN>September 14, 1998</SPAN><BR> <SPAN>3 out of
3 found this review helpful</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN>This book will expand your mind
by exposing you to a set of emotions that are (presumably) no longer
experienced: how it feels to be owned. Your own emotions will run the gamut from
anger to sadness and back again, but it is worth it to hear about slavery from
people who experienced it. You will never again think about it in abstract terms
.</SPAN><BR><BR><BR>****************************************************************<BR><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/Unchained-Memories-Readings-Slave-Narratives/dp/0821228420"
target=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/Unchained-Memories-Readings-Slave-Narratives/dp/0821228420</A><BR><FONT
size=4><BR style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></FONT><B style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><FONT
size=4>Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives </FONT>(Hardcover)
</B><BR>by <A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Spencer%20Crew"
target=_blank>Spencer Crew</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Cynthia%20Goodman"
target=_blank>Cynthia Goodman</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Henry%20Louis%20Gates"
target=_blank>Henry Louis Gates</A> (Author) <SPAN>"Nothing symbolizes the
fragility and inequities of slave life better than the slave
auction..."<BR><BR></SPAN><B>Customer Reviews</B>
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name=110d57bd7700f7a1_R168OGGQV1VI4R></A><BR>
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<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>Slavery As Experienced By Slaves</B>, January 9,
2007<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
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<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1WZ9BKCXFZ2SS/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">N. J. Weaver
"lnw567"</SPAN> </A>(Wichita, Kansas United States) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1WZ9BKCXFZ2SS/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews</A><BR><A
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Amazing book. I've never read one like it. Quite
interesting. Honest experiences. An eye-opener. Anyone interested in
history will enjoy this. I am.<BR><BR> <SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&type=pipeline&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1.id=A1WZ9BKCXFZ2SS&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&response=report&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2=1&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&label=Inappropriate&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR168OGGQV1VI4R.contentAssoc.1=1&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>) </SPAN><BR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><A
name=110d57bd7700f7a1_R26QM4VPVWPR95></A>
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<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><BR></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>A wonderful historical collection</B>, July 1,
2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The RAWSISTAZ
Reviewers</SPAN></A> (RAWSISTAZ.com ) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews </A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>In this
beautiful, historical collection of slave narratives and photographs, we
are given a look inside the lives of actual slaves being interviewed as
part of a project conducted by the Works Progress Administration. With
more than forty interviews, UNCHAINED MEMORIES is a work of art that
provides a well-rounded look at the lives of slaves. It includes insight
into their living conditions, thoughts about slavery, their families and
even the details of actual slave auctions. It is a sometimes sad
collection, but much needed to help us understand the progress our
ancestors have made in the world.
<P>Through their accounts, we are able to see the pain and suffering as
well as the spirit and pride of those born into slavery, learn from it,
and pass it along to our children. This is a wonderful resource for not
only African American families, but for anyone interested in history and
the period of slavery and its impact upon the African American race. It is
compiled with the grace and dignity deserving of a people who have been
through so much!</P>
<P>Reviewed by Tee C. Royal<BR>of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers<BR><BR><SPAN>a
href="<A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1.id=A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&response=report&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95&label=Inappropriate&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1=1&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2=1&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&context=Reviews"
target=_blank>
http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1.id=A2VKWLCNZF4ZVB&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&response=report&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95&label=Inappropriate&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.1=1&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2=1&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&2115%7CR26QM4VPVWPR95.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&context=Reviews
</A>">Report this)</SPAN><BR><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><A
name=110d57bd7700f7a1_R8UY9PLUR6AJN></A>
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<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><BR></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-3-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>Sickening true stories of depravity</B>, June 29,
2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1U6B2LDK3BUVU/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">LF "Keep your feedback
to yourself, these are my opinions, not yours" </SPAN></A>(USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1U6B2LDK3BUVU/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews</A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>This book is
hard to read. It is hard to wade through the cruelty.
<P>There are stories here of families being split apart by an uncaring
master class. Children were callously sold and permanently separated from
their parents. Husbands and wives were similarly split up.</P>
<P>Frankly, it makes you sick.</P>
<P>Then there are the stories of brutality. Again it makes you sick. How
could the slave owners have sunk so low?</P>
<P>If you are looking for well written stories that bring the institution
of slavery to life for you, this is not the book. What you get here are
very short and very simple reports by individuals. There's nothing here
that you didn't know already. This is not a great work of literature.</P>
<P>This is just a punch right in the nose to make you wonder how slave
owners could have been so cruel.<BR><SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2=1&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&template=inappropriate&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1=1&response=report&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN&label=Inappropriate&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR8UY9PLUR6AJN.contentAssoc.1.id=A1U6B2LDK3BUVU&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>) </SPAN><BR><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><A
name=110d57bd7700f7a1_R1C3VC399635XW></A>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0>
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<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><BR></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>A Beautiful Book</B>, February 26, 2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/AF6EOCHEKMZZC/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">S. Hudson "Avid
Reader"</SPAN> </A>(Tucker, GA USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AF6EOCHEKMZZC/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews</A><BR><A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#RN"
target=_blank><IMG height=15 alt="(REAL NAME)"
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reputation/c7y_badge_rn_1.gif"
width=70 align=absMiddle border=0></A>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"...Oh freedom, Oh freedom, Oh freedom over me.
And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave and go home to my
Lord and be free"<BR>__Old Negro Spiritual
<P>The words of the spiritual above must not have been uttered to these
beautiful human beings who have graciously allowed interviewers from the
1930's Governments Works Progress Administration to chronicle their life
stories. For if the words above had been uttered, the slave experience,
from an intimate and painful point of view, would never have received the
credence they due. Tales of slavery are still passed down from generation
to generation, and traditions still are followed but to see a book like
Unchained Memories is special. Quite simply, this is a beautiful book. I'm
so thrilled to have been given the opportunity to read it and experience
it and learn from it. I can treat the book as a textbook, a factual
accounting of the lives of former slaves who have wonderful stories that
they don't mind sharing with the world. For that reason alone, this book
has earned a permanent place on my coffee table, for all who enter into my
house to experience. Something about the actual words of former slaves
bound in book form validates an agonizing time in American History.</P>
<P>Unchained Memories is well researched and magnificently laid out. At
the beginning of every chapter is an introductory text that accounts for
the tenure of the time, followed by a poignant quote and then brief
narratives begin. My one regret is that the narratives are so short, when
biographers obviously spent a great deal of time with these people. I am
grateful that there is an extensive bibliography at the back so that I
can, at some point, go and read the entire account by the former slave. Oh
where will I find the time? If you read this book, I would highly suggest
that you get a copy of the HBO documentary of the same name and watch it
as well. There is nothing like "hearing" the words spoken by African
American actors of today in the vernacular of the time.</P>
<P>I'm glad that Unchained Memories was published, and quite fittingly
made its debut during Black History Month. These former slaves are the
reason why Black History Month is perpetuated now and a fitting tribute
for remembering from whence we as a nation have come.<BR><BR><SPAN>(<A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/vote/ref=cm_r8n_inapp_confirm/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1=1&type=pipeline&uri=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F0821228420&template=inappropriate&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1.id=AF6EOCHEKMZZC&response=report&qv=1&voteValue=1&contentId=2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW&label=Inappropriate&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2.id=1977787&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2.type=ProductSet&qk=%2AVersion%2A&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.1.type=AmazonCustomer&2115%7CR1C3VC399635XW.contentAssoc.2=1&context=Reviews"
target=_blank> Report this</A>)
</SPAN><BR><BR><BR></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=right width=15><IMG height=1
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/nav2/images/transp.gif"
width=15 border=0> </TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left>
<P><BR></P><IMG height=12
src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0.gif"
width=64 border=0> <B>Exceptional bridging of history and experience</B>,
February 16, 2003<BR>
<TABLE>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Reviewer:</TD>
<TD><A onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1ME759823RW2H/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564"
target=_blank><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Ann</SPAN></A> (Dix
Hills, New York USA) - <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1ME759823RW2H/ref=cm_cr_auth/102-9379998-3930564?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview"
target=_blank>See all my reviews </A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>An
exquisite pictorial and narrative exploration of the institution of
American slavery, this book provides readers with the opportunity to
experience from personal recollections what it was like to live under
conditions of slavery. The text format, an artistic balance of photographs
and primary sources, is composed of interviews with former slaves
conducted in the 1930s by the Federal Writers' Project. Each chapter
focuses on a particular aspect of slave life - auctions, work, family,
special occasions, providing a deeply etched portrait of hardships and
abuses as well as examples of strength of character and quiet dignity. A
worthy addition to one's
library!<BR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><SPAN><BR></SPAN>by <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Spencer%20Crew"
target=_blank>Spencer Crew</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Cynthia%20Goodman"
target=_blank>Cynthia Goodman</A> (Author), <A
onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"
href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/102-9379998-3930564?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Henry%20Louis%20Gates"
target=_blank>Henry Louis Gates</A> (Author) <SPAN>"Nothing symbolizes the
fragility and inequities of slave life better than the slave
auction..."</SPAN><BR>-- <BR><BR><BR>Juanita Flores<BR>Advocate for the Truth
from Jesus
<P>
<HR>
<P> </P></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=bherodotus@yahoo.com href="mailto:bherodotus@yahoo.com">Dougsʼ Hero</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:50 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] A Sabbath contemplation for Mr.
Schwaller</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV>Dear Mr. Schwaller,<BR><BR>Pastor Wilson sure took a beating last week
after the PCA General Assembly adopted a committee report condemning Federal
Vision. In case you forgot, the vote was something like 1400 in favor of the
report and about 30 against it. Man, talk about a landslide. Someone should call
a search and rescue team to dig Wilson out. The poor gumbo never saw it
coming.<BR><BR>There was something else he didn’t see either: this time the good
guys took a page from Pastor Wilson’s playbook and had their blogs ready so that
they could CONTROL THE CONVERSATION, rather than concede it to him.<BR><BR>For
example, <A href="http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/">Green Baggins</A> is
systematically nailing Wilson, point for point, on his blog, and Wilson, who
must always have the last word, is responding. This probably explains why you
only posted five times last week and Ms. Tanaka ran interference for you. Too
busy getting Bagged.<BR><BR>Dr. R. Scott Clark of <A
href="http://dannyhyde.squarespace.com/the-heidelblog/2007/6/23/of-wolves-wildfires-and-combat-what-members-can-do-to-encour.html">The
Heidelblog</A> (excellent name) wasted no time making a general application of
the “W” word — <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">“wolf”</SPAN> — to the heretics
who propagate Federal Vision. Dr. Clark also noted their favorite rhetorical
device: “their tactic has been to criticize my person and my conduct of the
discussion in order to deflect the discussion away from the issue at hand.”
Welcome to the party, Dr. Clark; that’s their only argument. (Note to Ms.
Tanaka: the sophists gave birth to the <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">ad
hominem.</SPAN>)<BR><BR>And Bob Mattes has made the most brilliant point yet on
his blog, <A
href="http://reformedmusings.wordpress.com/2007/06/22/my-only-wilson-post/">Reformed
Musings</A>. In fact, I believe his simple comparison will help everyone get
their heads around the Federal Vision. You see, Mr. Schwaller, Federal Vision
confuses the average Joe because it is so difficult to explain. But Mr. Mattes
bypassed a convoluted explanation that would only make matters worse and drew a
simple comparison between Pastor Wilson’s Federal Vision and his magnum opus <A
href="http://reformed-theology.org/html/books/slavery/southern_slavery_as_it_was.htm"><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Southern Slavery As It Was</SPAN></A>:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Together Doug Wilson and Steve Wilkins did for
Christianity and US history what the Federal Vision is doing for the Reformed
faith. This is theonomic theology at its absolute best. Here’s a quote from page
18 under the section heading of “Unexpected Blessings”:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Slavery produced in the South a genuine affection
between the races that we believe we can say has never existed in any nation
before the War or since. Whatever its failures, slavery produced in the South a
degree of mutual affection between the races which will never be achieved
through any federally-mandated efforts.<BR></DIV></DIV><BR>Ouch; that’s gotta
hurt. And you will note that Mr. Mattes served on the committee that wrote the
report condemning Federal Vision. He sure did his homework. Just wait until he
learns that Wilson and Wilkins plagiarized the whole thing!<BR><BR>So there it
is, Mr. Schwaller. Something for your consideration before you join the fossils
of Pompeii, a mere hole in the ash heap of history.<BR><BR>Dougs’
Hero</DIV></DIV><BR>
<HR SIZE=1>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message -----
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=bherodotus@yahoo.com href="mailto:bherodotus@yahoo.com">Dougsʼ Hero</A>
</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:50 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] A Sabbath contemplation for Mr.
Schwaller</DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">
<DIV>Dear Mr. Schwaller,<BR><BR>Pastor Wilson sure took a beating last week
after the PCA General Assembly adopted a committee report condemning Federal
Vision. In case you forgot, the vote was something like 1400 in favor of the
report and about 30 against it. Man, talk about a landslide. Someone should call
a search and rescue team to dig Wilson out. The poor gumbo never saw it
coming.<BR><BR>There was something else he didn’t see either: this time the good
guys took a page from Pastor Wilson’s playbook and had their blogs ready so that
they could CONTROL THE CONVERSATION, rather than concede it to him.<BR><BR>For
example, <A href="http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/">Green Baggins</A> is
systematically nailing Wilson, point for point, on his blog, and Wilson, who
must always have the last word, is responding. This probably explains why you
only posted five times last week and Ms. Tanaka ran interference for you. Too
busy getting Bagged.<BR><BR>Dr. R. Scott Clark of <A
href="http://dannyhyde.squarespace.com/the-heidelblog/2007/6/23/of-wolves-wildfires-and-combat-what-members-can-do-to-encour.html">The
Heidelblog</A> (excellent name) wasted no time making a general application of
the “W” word — <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">“wolf”</SPAN> — to the heretics
who propagate Federal Vision. Dr. Clark also noted their favorite rhetorical
device: “their tactic has been to criticize my person and my conduct of the
discussion in order to deflect the discussion away from the issue at hand.”
Welcome to the party, Dr. Clark; that’s their only argument. (Note to Ms.
Tanaka: the sophists gave birth to the <SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">ad
hominem.</SPAN>)<BR><BR>And Bob Mattes has made the most brilliant point yet on
his blog, <A
href="http://reformedmusings.wordpress.com/2007/06/22/my-only-wilson-post/">Reformed
Musings</A>. In fact, I believe his simple comparison will help everyone get
their heads around the Federal Vision. You see, Mr. Schwaller, Federal Vision
confuses the average Joe because it is so difficult to explain. But Mr. Mattes
bypassed a convoluted explanation that would only make matters worse and drew a
simple comparison between Pastor Wilson’s Federal Vision and his magnum opus <A
href="http://reformed-theology.org/html/books/slavery/southern_slavery_as_it_was.htm"><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">Southern Slavery As It Was</SPAN></A>:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Together Doug Wilson and Steve Wilkins did for
Christianity and US history what the Federal Vision is doing for the Reformed
faith. This is theonomic theology at its absolute best. Here’s a quote from page
18 under the section heading of “Unexpected Blessings”:<BR><BR>
<DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px">Slavery produced in the South a genuine affection
between the races that we believe we can say has never existed in any nation
before the War or since. Whatever its failures, slavery produced in the South a
degree of mutual affection between the races which will never be achieved
through any federally-mandated efforts.<BR></DIV></DIV><BR>Ouch; that’s gotta
hurt. And you will note that Mr. Mattes served on the committee that wrote the
report condemning Federal Vision. He sure did his homework. Just wait until he
learns that Wilson and Wilkins plagiarized the whole thing!<BR><BR>So there it
is, Mr. Schwaller. Something for your consideration before you join the fossils
of Pompeii, a mere hole in the ash heap of history.<BR><BR>Dougs’
Hero</DIV></DIV><BR>
<HR SIZE=1>
TV dinner still cooling?<BR><A
href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=49979/*http://tv.yahoo.com/">Check out
"Tonight's Picks"</A> on Yahoo! TV.
<P>
<HR>
<P></P>=======================================================<BR> List
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communities of the Palouse since 1994.
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