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drivingthecar
I want to remind folks here that not everyone here is a Christian. Yes, criticize these groups for using manipulative mind control techniques. But to make fun at them for having non-traditional religious beliefs is beside the point.
He could believe a pie of Jello represents God. That's his right to say that.
1) I am not discussing individual rights to believe or not believe one set of ideas over another, nor am I advocating a belittling attitude of their beliefs. I was not ignorantly assuming that every visitor of this forum is Christian (though it may considered to be ignorant to accuse me of doing so); rather I am addressing the definite Christian-themed manipulative techniques employed by the training. Impact Trainings explicitly states that they are not a religion, and I assert, as a former ACTIVE member of that organization, that they are a religious cult as the term is defined.
The concerns you state at the end of your post are my concerns as well. And I am sure if I were to share my true theological beliefs with you, they would be considered non-traditional. In the case of the Impact Trainings however, the non-traditional religious beliefs they champion ARE the foundation of their mental conditioning techniques, and this is the primary manipulative tool that they use (among many, many others) to keep people in the program. In fact, the Trainers In Training master level trainings are the most expensive, and are exclusively religious in content.
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drivingthecar
My concern is whether the training is MANIPULATIVE and uses brainwashing techniques and other cult methods to keep people in the program and spending lots of
money.
2) It is manipulative as you state, and they use a modified LDS theology to manipulate and exploit their predominantly LDS client base. For a member of the LDS faith in particular, the issues presented in the training can be of GREAT concern. However, it is MY concern that many religious people, non-LDS included, don't realize what Impact is forcing them into, until it is too late, and it is the inclusive nature of Impacts theology that has deceived and ensnared men and women of many faiths (or lack thereof). I am giving an account with the intention of spreading awareness. This is all information graduates of the core trainings have sworn to not disclose, and the TIT graduates have committed an oath of silence concerning the sacred mastery processes/rituals. Neither oath nor disclosure is legally binding however, but one of Impacts greatest controlling methods is to make breaking ones word a sin akin to murder. It is immoral to mentally condition and brainwash people by manipulating the goodness in their hearts to pay you money so that they participate in a religion that they aren't aware they are in.
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formerimpactgrad
Drivingthecar made a great point. The reason that so much space has been spent on theology is because there have been a number of questions asked by people of local Christian faiths. As a result, the discussion has tended to flow that way. In answer to your concern, yes the training is very manipulative…
Again, formerimpactgrad is accurate to the detail. However the religious motivations behind these Landmarkian mental conditioning techniques cannot be understated as the true motivation behind this insidious business.
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exImpact
I have been reading the many topics and replies associated with Landmark and was blown away by how exactly the experiences expressed in them are precisely analogous with experiences dissenting graduates of Impact could express.
One of the individuals that I know who did Impact, and still claims it as his 'salvation' after all these years, also did Landmark... talk about your double dosage. What I found interesting is that he briefly said people at Impact did not seem pleased that he also did Landmark. Do you have any insight/opinions on how the die-hard Impact crowd views Landmark or other LGATs?
What amazed me is listening to replies posted by Landmark graduates, and they literally sound like they could be Impact graduates!
The mere mention of Landmark, The Harmony Institute etc. or the term “LGAT” is taboo. You will get stares and roundabout answers the likes of which would astound your mind if you still have it when they do it to you. A typical answer might be, “Oh yes, they have existed for years, but we have had graduates of their program come to ours and say they are nothing alike, so much so that they have enrolled buddies over to Impact from the other program!” They also disparage LGAT as being a term that can apply to any group of people who gather anywhere to increase their awareness for any reason. According to them, Impact is the Golden Egg/the One True Training.