What kind of cult is this????? How can I save my daughter??
Date: October 05, 2006 02:11PM
Sounds like a 'mind-control' cult.
It is unfortunate that the Bible is being quoted (or rather misquoted) out of context. Cults very often do quote Bible verses out of context and make subliminal suggestions to the 'victims' resulting in disastrous consequences.
It appears that your daughter has been persuaded to take Matthew 10:34-40 literally. To understand the true nature and purpose of Jesus's teachings, one needs to pray and turn to the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, very few does - resulting in the Bible being the most misquoted book in the whole world - mostly by cults and anti-Christians.
In India, radical fundamentalists are known to misquote the Bible greatly (quoting Jesus eg. Luke 12:49, Matthew 10:34-40) and persuade gullible people to believe that Christianity is all about destruction, violence and betrayal. Very unfortunate indeed.
A few suggestions -
[1] Find out which order this cult belongs to. Hire a private detective if necessary. Plant a spy in their midst to find out the cult's teachings (including doomsday prophecies, if any), about their leaders, their origin, etc. Before entering the ring, one should know one's opponent thoroughly, especially the weaknesses.
[2] Write a letter to your daughter, using "I message." Let her know how much you miss her and love her and would like to meet her some day. include in your letter details of those timeless and precious moments both of you have spent together and how much you cherish those moments. Your daughter is now under the cult's control and unfortunately she is not aware of it. Any wrong move on your part (showing temper at her, forcing her to come back to you, calling the religious order that she has joined a 'cult' and insulting the 'cult', etc.) may result in disastrous consequences and may force her to defend her decision, defend the cult and force her to withdraw away further away from you.
[3] Keep continuously in touch with her through letters, picture postcards, etc. if she does not want to answer your call, do not force her to. From time to time send photos of yourself (alone, with your daughter, or other family members) and on the back, you may scribble "Wish you were here", "Missing You", "Lots of love and hugs" etc. People are usually drawn to cults because of mainly two reasons - [1] they get to know and learn something new and exciting and perhaps dangerous (it makes them
feel that they belong to an exclusive group, a super-secret group) [2] they are seeking love.
The first reason wears off soon and cult members become bored if the cult's leader fails to churn out new philosophies/revelations regularly. However, the second reason is stronger for cult members to continue staying in the cult if they feel that they are "wanted" "needed" and "feel accepted" more in their peer group (in this case, the cult).
Look back, reflect - though you say that your daughter loved you a lot and vice versa, yet, was there something that always held her back, something regarding which she could never open up to you? Did you and your daughter disagree or fight or quarrel regarding anything under the sun prior to her joining the cult? Retrospect, reflect and the answer may be very well be staring before your eyes.
And, finally, meditate on the parable of the prodigal son. Your daughter is the prodigal son who wishes to be away from the father. The prodigal son who wants an independent life, seperate from father. But can anyone be without father (spiritual or biological)? Do not worry. Your daughter will not be away for long. Pray to Father so that the Holy Spirit prevails on her and open her eyes to the truth, so that she can truly see and know the cult as it is. Like the prodigal son, your daughter is displaying deviant behavior. She will come to her senses soon and be back.
Till then, keep praying to God to give you wisdom and strength and continue expressing your love for her thru letters, picture postcards, e-mails, etc (and yes, do keep on leaving "I love you" messages in her blogsite regularly. Perhaps she is not checking out her blog now, but someday she will and she will realize your deep love.) And, last but not the least, be prepared to embrace her when she comes running back to you, forgive her without judging her, and celebrate for you will have got back your daughter who was "dead' and has come "alive" again.
I will remember you and your daughter in my prayers. God bless.