Copied with permission from
"A Search for "The Truth"
(Link to "RIS" for purchase of: A Search for "the Truth"
)
The Workers' Words Exposed by Lloyd Fortt.
Check Out Even "MORE" Terminology at this LINK:
"Language of Truth" - The Way of the Workers and Friends
Here is the link below to a GOOGLE scan that allows you to browse through around 30% of the pages of "A Search for the Truth" by Lloyd Fortt. To all RESEARCHERS, this scan of Mr. Fortt's book affords you the ease of quoting from the book in context without having to buy it or find a library that has a copy.
Click On Each Letter To Open Page:
(There are no (Q) words)
(There are no (X) words)
(There are no (Y) words)
The Two-by-Twos publish no officially acknowledged written materials, keep no records, and print no statement of faith - even for their own use, much less for examination by those outside their group.
There are, however, internally distributed "Lists" of two types: one listing the workers' names and host addresses, the other a list of members' names and addresses. To these may be added Convention lists, Bible study lists, and a hymnal entitled Hymns Old & New and lists of "Special Meetings." These are the only printed matter put out by the sect, and are distributed for the exclusive use of members.
A copy of a Convention List in my possession bears this advice at its bottom, ÒWE TRUST YOU WILL USE THIS LIST IN A CONFIDENTIAL WAY. DESTROY FORMER LISTS. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE COPIES."
Why all the secrecy?
One understandable reason is the privacy of the individuals listed - for the addresses contained are often private homes. They also desire to keep their existence, activities, and beliefs secret from outsiders. The motive for this secrecy is that should the real beliefs (unBiblical as they are), the role of the few known as "workers, " and the unconscionable misery caused by their oppressive legalistic views become widely known, no one would join the cult, and its present innocent victims might turn to other churches. Only the old English King James Version of the Scriptures is used, (the one that Paul the Apostle used. On occasion the workers will recommend Strong's Exhaustive Concordance for study purposes, but only for reference. Bible Dictionaries are disparaged and not commonly used.
The fact that no statement of faith exists in written form makes it very difficult to pin down terminology or doctrine, or indeed the body of their teachings.
Changes of meanings become thus fluid and largely unnoticed, so that outsiders and ex-members can be accused of not clearly understanding in the first place. This tactic has protected the group from exposure for many years because the ex-member usually is so humiliated by his or her lack of understanding, that few will talk to others about the group. (This is changing in recent years, Praise God!)
The lack of documentation also leads to differences in Biblical interpretation and doctrine within the group largely regional variations, spawned by the ruling local head workers' opinions. If differences become so pronounced as to cause arguments, and they have, excommunication of offending preachers or members who are too stubborn or convicted to "submit" has taken place in the past, even whole churches have been "put out" at times. The questions that occasionally come up, are not usually pursued past the first frown on the worker's face.
These things are important for you to understand, for in exposing the general terminology used by the group, I will be accused of lacking understanding by its members and workers.
The reader may wish to note in my defense that, in addition to my own studies, I was born into a Cooneyite family, and only left that church after about 14 years of struggle. Later I returned for a few years more of the same, before finally leaving it again at about 28 or 29 years of age.
I can therefore present the following as being a reliable reflection of the terminology as used within this group, based upon my own personal experiences, statements by the Two-by-Twos themselves, and research done by many others.
COMMENT regarding Two-by-Two Speak!
Lynn Writes:
In my experience, when a 2X2 (especially a worker) refers to "the kingdom" he/she is referring directly to the 2X2 system. Is that not correct?
Lynn
Yes, Lynn, that has been my experience too, all my life. That is called 2x2 speak and 2x2 thinking in the 2x2 system.
And here is a similar phrase the workers use in their convention preaching "the future of the kingdom lies in the children of God's people." So when the workers used the words "kingdom and/or Gods people," our mind automatically knew that meant the 2x2 system, and for the people in it, and not our worldly relatives or neighbors.
I think the future of the workers "bed & breakfast and bank accounts" are dependent on the 10 year old kids professing and when that dwindles out, the workers will have to go find a job and make an honest living.
A professing mother said recently that parents are loosing control of their teenagers. Yes, they profess at 10 and when they get to be 18 they know something is wrong with the 2x2 system.
Times are changing. Maybe the workers will have to dilute their system and go along with the young teenagers and let them do the leading. :)
Tom
