Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Straight, Inc. and Derivatives => Topic started by: Powerful Attitude on March 27, 2003, 07:35:00 PM

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: Powerful Attitude on March 27, 2003, 07:35:00 PM

Does anybody remember the white robes & candles during the love (friendship) raps? What the hell was that all about because I remember?

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: Powerful Attitude on March 28, 2003, 01:36:00 AM

When I first found these sites, I started having memories of certain staff people who were wearing robes.  I want to say that they were white, they might have been another color.  I remember one name, but I can't put a nmae to the other face.

It was at St. Pete, we would have these love "friendship" raps, where all the dividing walls were separated and we all sat in a very large circle.  These raps were done usually after an intense day at the "games".  I remember this particular rap being done four or five times.  They would dim the lights and staff would stand center circle with lit candles in their hands.  This certain time, after the lights were dimmed, after a 10 or 15 minute pause, two staff members entered with full body robes and stood at the center.  The hardest to motivate would begin the ceremony, they would get the first candle to light off the staff members.  He would then ask someone he loved or supported or wanted to become friends with to stand and light his candle.  Then basically, so on and so on and so on.  And so on.

This is what I remembered.  I wondered if anyone else remembered the "love rap", and I am even more curious if anyone remembers the robes?

PA

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: 85 Day Jerk on March 28, 2003, 05:21:00 AM

It only takes a spark........
to get a fire going,
and soon all those around,
can warm up to it's glowing.

That's how it is with Straight's love,
once you've experienced it.
The love of Straight will come to you,
you'll want to pass it on.........

This demented rip-off of a popular "New Age"
church song was on the top of the charts at Morgan Yacht all through 1979.  Some of those raps were so full of it!  There were times when we would all hold hands and sometimes even a girls hand once on 4th and 5th phase, I would imagine the whole damn building engulfed in flames
as I sung that damn song, face beaming as if I had just sprung up from a river after being baptised.............

_________________
In the line of fire, you know what to say
They gave us no choices, just one shade of grey
Back at that hellhole, behind Tyrone Mall
We walked in darkness, kept hitting the walls
I took the time to feel for the door
I had been treated, but what the hell for?

[ This Message was edited by: 85 Day Jerk on 2003-03-28 02:22 ]

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: ClayL on March 28, 2003, 08:51:00 AM

On 2003-03-28 02:21:00, 85 Day Jerk wrote: "It only takes a spark........ to get a fire going, and soon all those around, can warm up to it's glowing. That's how it is with Straight's love, once you've experienced it. The love of Straight will come to you, you'll want to pass it on.........

Now that was a full color memory I could have done without! It's scary, I still remember the tune and everything. Bob, you frighten me sometimes.

CL

PS I don't remember robes though.

[ This Message was edited by: ClayL on 2003-03-28 07:44 ]

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: Froderik on March 28, 2003, 09:25:00 AM

I had forgotten about this song until now. I kind of remember the tune. (I was in VA str8 82-85) I don't remember any robes, though I can't swear that there weren't any. Pretty creepy anyway. Clay - 85DJ is Bob not Scott (if that's who you were referring to)

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: Don Smith on March 28, 2003, 09:56:00 AM

To my knowledge Love Raps weren't done in Cincinnati. At least not on my 5 phases.

When I was a 7th Step Officer I led two "Love Raps" which I came up with from an experience I had in Youth Group at my church several years prior to my coming into the program. :idea:   It was called a Love Feast.  Basically we'd sit in a darkened room in a circle and one by one someone would stand up and walk around outside the circle until they reached someone they loved.  From there they would talk about why they loved the person. It was a highly emotional time and tons of tears were shed.  I even met a "druggie friend" as a result of that experience.

I added the element of playing a song from Michael W. Smith, Friends just before the rap started.

After the first Love Rap, I was approched by Suzanne Gore who was a Junior Staffer and asked if she could do something like it in Group.
 
When I did the rap again several months later people started crying as soon as the music started and they knew what rap I was doing.

The thing with the Staffers coming in dressed in robes and carrying candles sounds oddly cultish.  :???:

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: ehm on March 28, 2003, 01:29:00 PM

That song sends shivers down my spine. That is so creepy. I never sung the songs after I left, or tried to remember. It is so weird to have that memory wash over me. It makes me sick.I sang those frikkin' songs...gleefully. :scared:

That's so gay! (no offence to homosexuals)
Oh well, I was brainwashed. How often can I get away with that one!
Morli

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: ehm on March 28, 2003, 01:44:00 PM

It's horrible how starved for love we actually were, those wraps were how everyone was kept in cultish union. Mind control is so evil and twisted. Good times and bad.. Those who break you, take you. Our live's importance was centered around the group. And it was all a lie. Looking back is not far enough yet, I wonder if it ever will be. Will I always feel the emptiness of being stolen from? I hope not.

Morli

Title: White robes and candles.
Post by: 85 Day Jerk on March 31, 2003, 02:20:00 AM

Thanks Clay, I have managed to frighten alot of
therapists as well.  I also have my lighter side
and used to make one therapist laugh so hard her
"highbeams" would come on as she struggled in vain to compose herself.