Piece of crap... so Jamie and I decide to ditch the GWA's reception today. I guess we weren't really feeling too into it, getting all dressed up and driving to LA to go to something that no one really cares if we are there or not. Well I just got a text from Liz saying that my Grandie is there. Yah, Miss Jennie Wenzel. I love this girl and it's a really long story of our relationship.
I was a state officer and she basically was the one right before me that took care of me and all that stuff. After Grand Assembly when I was appointed, I saw her once and didn't talk to the girl until like November. There were huge rumors going throughout the state about her. Anyway, long story short she came to my reception and I was totally enamored by her. (Yes, your hero has a hero too). I think GA my year my favorite moment was when we entered the arena floor and I looked over, still unsure if she was going to even be there, and saw her standing on top of a chair in a full body wave yelling my name.
So this was 1999, I don't know when the last time I saw her... but every RB event I go to I try to find someone in San Diego area to ask about her. There have been Jennie Wenzel sightings and dammit, I always seem to miss them! I'm totally kicking myself at the moment.
Posted by tricia at February 15, 2004 03:09 PMIs rainbow a cult? It's a cult isn't it? I KNEW IT!
Posted by: Alex at February 16, 2004 12:24 PMshut up alex! i met your wife through it, hence meeting you... meaning you would have no me and those interesting thoughts about... well lets not go into that on here!
Posted by: tricia at February 16, 2004 11:10 PMInteresting thoughts about how you guys were both in a cult?
Yeah....I get those a lot.
Though I have to say, I was verbally beaten down by Mindy and Deanne for calling Rainbow a cult.
Posted by: Alex at February 17, 2004 09:19 AMyah I think that's the worst thing you can say, well that and something about the "Rainbow" connotation...
it's not a cult dammit! back me up here girs!
Posted by: tricia at February 17, 2004 11:19 AMhttp://www.ankerberg.com/Articles/apologetics/AP0401W4.htm
Posted by: Alex at February 17, 2004 02:04 PMOh man... the can of whoop ass is coming out...
Consider the more outlandish characteristics of a cult such as: (1) a more or less complete withdrawal from all non-cultic social and family contact;
*Rainbow is open to the member's partents, legal guardians, and ever their grandparents, and hello, obeying your father and mother is one of the commandments for pete's sake.*
(2) the physical or spiritual mistreating or abuse of cult members;
*RB... well once fell in a dumpster at a paper drive, but I seriously doubt we have scares on our souls from our grand deputy telling us to walk pretty and spit out our gum.
(3) the inhibition of independent thinking and deliberate cultivation of dependency upon an authoritarian leader;
*Haha.. I think RB taught me HOW to speak up and fight for what I want.
(4) indoctrination reinforced through intimidation such as threats of reprisal by physical violence or severe spiritual consequence.
*Isn't this the same as number two? I was threatened I would have to ride a greased pig when I joined... but that's nothing compared to the DeMolay and their goat...
http://www.freemason.org/youth/rnbow.htm
http://www.freemason.org/site/faq.htm
Posted by: tricia at February 17, 2004 06:03 PMDon't get me wrong, I have strong ties to the various masonic organizations through my family. In fact, my great grandfather reached the highest position (don't know the title) within the Scottish and then Bahamian orders. My dad's side of the family was always involved in it.
I just think there's some nefarious elements to the whole thing. Don't you? I mean, the amount of times I've heard about people being "promoted" within Rainbow for all the wrong reasons, is ridiculous!
Ultimately, I think Rainbow is a good thing. It gives the same social and educational opportunities that the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other "extra curricular" organizations offer. You can't fault them for that. I just think the "modern" Rainbow, although founded on "ancient" thought, needs to reconsider the message it's trying to convey.
Posted by: Alex at February 17, 2004 06:49 PM....come to think of it, comparing Rainbow to traditional Masonic organizations is not fair. They maybe loosely based on the same teachings but their goals as organizations are totally different.
Oh and the article I referenced also considered Mormonism, Scientology and Christian Science to be "cults. I think the great Doctor was taking the established definition of a cult and comparing each of the aforementioned organizations to see if they fit. They all do with a bit of creative interpretation but so would a lot of other things.
Regardless, it's an interesting topic that has evidently piqued the interest of a lot of people.
Posted by: Alex at February 17, 2004 06:56 PMWow Alex... Deanne must be super busy, because you have put a ton of thought into this! :o) I'm not going to debate anymore about this one... I know what it is and the members know what it is and what it means to us and that's all that matters... heh heh... that sound cultish... MUAHAHAHA!
Posted by: tricia at February 20, 2004 10:50 AM