Come now. One might say that there are well-informed, active people on both sides who do not believe that they are on a righteouls crusade.
Even if one did this, surely one would still say that there are many on each side who are on a righteours crusade to protect the integrity of God's work and His church.
NOTE: On a personal basis, I am willing to acknowledge that all involved people beleive that they are on a righteous crusade.
Strange, isn't it...it begins in an effort to discern and publish the truth...to exonerate the downtrodden and put a spotlight on the miscreants who violated Linda's due process rights those four years ago, to level the playing field for those who were alleged victims of Tommy Ray Shelton and to give opportunity for those who were victims of the "Trust Services Massacre" to recover their dues and tell their stories.
The information battle raged for months and turned into a firestorm when christian broadcasters, best known as "televangelists", felt the sting of documented evidence eroding their support and turned to the civil courts in an effort to stop the flow of information. Ironically, the battle simply raged on at a new fever pitch and the information portals opened wide open, much to the chagrin of the litigators. In the conflagration that ensued few would stand tall and be counted on either side for fear of being sued. Others waivered in the wind trying to get a feel for the way the wind would blow. But small bands here, there and everywhere continued the unabated battles on both sides, sometimes behind psuedonyms and
firewalls. Through it all, there was to be no banner to be found. No flag to follow and no "army" on any side of this strangely multi-parous war.
Then, out of the blue, a request for assistance with the return of service for a subpeona to an individual outside the Walla Walla area suddenly explodes right in our hands and we find one with whom we
were of united purpose clarifying that it was the purpose of their new circle to rescue the central figure in this saga from the "clutches" of those misguided and to help her to put distance between herself and Pickle and Joy. A new dimension indeed!!! Intrigue of the finest kind!!! And clarity quickly came out of the fog...Pickle and Joy had leprosy...yes, leprosy was the culprit...stay away at all costs!!!
Yes, suddenly, we were the problem. We had become the oppressors. We were the reason her career would not recover. We were the source of the problem that kept directors and officers of 3ABN working overtime to prevent her public speaking is the SDA churches. Our defense was just too strong an offense for the easily offended and we were clearly destined to loose the defamation lawsuit!!!
Indeed, a re-alignment of attorneys became neccasary as the conflict became grossly apparent. And there is no question that sources are no longer reliable witnesses so they can move on with their lives and avoid leprosy...and documentation is now the key.
The purported Tommy victims once again have elected to simply move on without tackling the ghost of times past that haunts them.
And the victims of the "Trust Services Massacre" are now retired or working for the denomination and fear the repercussions of civil litigation against the brethren...and just want to move on with their lives.
In summary, Mr Gregory, these are not "crusaders"...on the contrary, they elect to avoid conflict at every turn; they do not challenge evil, but would rather elect by default to co-exist with it in some form of peaceful detante. LAODICEA is alive and well and the Aachans that Grandma Nettie refers to run unchallenged and brazenly unfettered throughout christendom under the guise of "crusaders" for Christ while picking the pockets of the saints and the not so saintly in
their crusading campaigns.
No, Mr Gregory, there is no "righteous crusade' but simply a war; an insidious un-civil war where there are no "loyalties". Their is no army and one cannot count on the truth, support or ethics of "christians" and their morally challenged "compass".
The paths on every front are littered with the bodies of the less battle hardened and the weak. And the strong plunder on without regard to the broken and bleeding bodies on all sides of the many battlefields.
Ironically, one can only document their way to victory and trust the truth will be revealed and that those who see it, recognize it. The remainder will remain ignorant unto death. So be it!!!
But, the lesson learned once, again and forever,
It was Joy and Pickle that troubleth Israel!!!
Here, in the twists and turns of this LITTLE saga, has been played out all the intrique, backstabbing and bitter engagements that illuminate the Great Controversy of which we are all a part. Will there be any winners or are we all in some important way loosers???
Maybe, just maybe, the missing element in the entire process has been CHRISTIANITY!!! In other words, maybe we
ALL are on the outside looking in!!!
Gailon Arthur Joy