Customer Reviews

A Search for the Truth: The Workers Words Exposed

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I find it amazing that anyone is "coming out" with regards to this religion. In my family it is referred to as "The Testimony". The Testimony was started by a Scottish Coal Miner named William Irvine. I was raised in an offshoot of this called the "Message" William Irvine started after being excommunicated by the Testimony. It is great to see that people who have been involved in these sects have the strength to come out. I have read "The Secret Sect" (we were also told not to read this) and found it extremely enlightening. Although I haven't read this book it is definitely going into my shopping basket. I can be contacted at chattycathymarie@yahoo.com to anyone who wants anymore information.

I would like very much to be in contact with the author. Perhaps he will read this review and contact me. I would also like to mention that since I was raised in "Walkerite" territory, that there were some differences from the "Carrollites" in the area where Fortt was raised. I think many did know of Grace, atonement, etc.etc. I also think most of them were very sincere. However, as years went by, I began to see more stress being put on the importance of the workers. I even read a letter where a worker refered to workers as "a homeless Jesus." Altho I don't think there is any larger percentage, maybe not as much even, in sexual misconduct, homosexuality, as in any other religion. The main problem for me was how brain washed the people became. If the workers told most of them to stand on their head and whistle "Dixie," they probably would. The spiritizing the author spoke of is also frightening as they had began to give scripture an entirely different thought that what it actually says. And, the concealment of the orgins of that way is really bad. God does not lie. And, they will to protect "that way." The author is correct about this group, altho some of them are truly sincere and being so misled.

It isn't easy finding out what the mysterious no-name church preaches and teaches. In fact, you have to find out from inside. They just won't tell you straight out. There are no authorized books or pamphlets, because they don't believe in publishing their beliefs-- casting their pearls before swine. You must hear the gospel through one of their "workers," as they term the unordained clergy who call the shots and go about in pairs seeking converts. Fortt is an escapee from this sect, which has such a low profile it is practically underground. Like hundreds of others who have spent part of their lives in this exclusivist, repressive cult, he is highly critical of its core teachings and practices. For former Two-by-Twos (as outsiders term them) and for those brave enough among the still "professing," this book can be an enlightening God-send.

Although this book is valuable because it exposes some true facts (and some untrue assumptions) regarding the religion, the author's bitterness and vindictive attitude bleeds through on every page. If his desired result was to help the people already in the religion, he failed 100%. If he wanted to warn those outside the religion, he did present his personal theology as backup. For religious scholars, though, the book may give the impression that the religion is a cult-like atmosphere, which it is not. This might cause religious scholars to minimize its power, rather than take the sect's outreach throughout the entire world seriously. (Actually, the "facts" of this sect can be stated in one sentence: THE RELIGION IS ONLY 100 YEARS OLD--started by one man; it does not go back to the 12 and 70 or the ones who preached in Acts. Backup for this fact: George Walker did not state which worker he heard the gospel from because he heard it from Irving, and Irving was excommuniced after "The Truth" got started--see a photograph in "The Secret Sect," by Doug Parker.) Having been in the religion for 42 years, my opinions are as valid as the author's (he was in 14 years) and there is no reason to condem or hurt anyone in the religion as he did. The only reason one needs to leave the religion is the misrepresentation of its history, which makes its core belief of "all other religions are wrong," rather invalid. Conclusion: the book is partially true, but not as valid as Parker's scholarly work which was well documented and without negative emotions.

When I was in the first grade, my Mother, three Aunts and Grandmother joined this group. I was always told the first workers came over on the Mayflower and that this group started with Jesus. I left the group when I left home. Like Lloyd Fortt, I returned when I was in my mid thirties and stayed ten years. During that time I began to see that they seemed to be preaching different things. And ignoring parts of the Bible. And spiritualzing until they were giving the scripture a different meaning than what they actually said. So, the author is right on target. I don't think they have any more problems with sex outside of marriage or homosexuality than any other religion. But he is 100% correct when he states they lie about the orgin of this group. When I began to realize it was started by man and began to ask guestions, those sweet kind people lied to me. The fact they lied about it was like a kick in the teeth. But, they do lie about its orgin. I don't know why. Seems the truth would be better. I can't see how they can call it the "truth" when they lie about it. There are many good people in this way who have been deceived into beliving it will get them to heaven. This is the saddest thing to me as Jesus is the only way. I was in "Walker County" and not "Carrolite Territory" as Fortt was and altho there were some difference, they are basicly alike. He is also very correct when he states how much importance is put on these workers. One even referred to himself as "A homeless Jesus." That's pretty frightening. Fortt is also correct about them saying they don't have a name when they do have a name registered with the Government. I wish his book had been available years ago and it might of saved me from having to learn these things the hard way....from inside the group. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about this group and to anyone inside the group.

Lloyd Fortt makes many unsubtantiated statements and innuendos, making reference for example to letters he has on file or information given to him by others without clearly stating the context or content of his sources. It would appear that he has an axe to grind. It was unclear what point he was making about this religious group to which he once belonged. His style is similar to those found in tabloid newpapers, sensational and built upon partial truths.