Quote
solea13
I haven't been doing my practices. I just don't feel like it ... which is of course a huge no-no. I can't really say my group is a 'cult' right now. But I am scared to leave for many reason. The main thing being that we are doing 'God's work' of helping people' to survive the upcoming collapse of society.
Of course, not wanting to do 'God's work' is considered totally selfish.
Thats just whole lot of nonsense. The group is trying to make you feel guilty and obligated.
Form what you have discribe this group has many of the critierias for a cult.
Cults use fear tactics and guilt complexes to manipulate members. They attack you on a
Emotional leval and then they attack you using
Logic.
Honestly I would leave the group. YOU DONT HAVE TO
JUSTIFY ANYTHING WITH THEM. Just leave.
Change your phone number if you have to.
Quote
solea13
I/family will get sick and die
boyfriend will leave me
People will hate me
I/family will die in a natural disaster (there so many of 'em these days.)
When the global socio-economic crash happens I will not be protected by the group and I'll die.
I understand the concept of phobia indoctrination theoretically (read Steve Hassan's book 'Releaseing the bonds'), but in practice it is very scary. Sometiems I feel like I'm having a panic attack all day! I'm working but I'm thinking about leaving, then I'll read the news headlines on the Internet and I'll start obsessing over all the things that could possibly go wrong in my life if I quit.
Every time I read a headline about a natural disaster or you know, the price of oil going up, the dow going down, the jobless rate, I just feel like I have more reasons to stay safely ensconced, being 'protected', even if I feel bored, stifled and unfulfilled ... and poor, very poor! Apparently, God will reward me a thousand times for what I'm doing, but according to the group that means in health and happiness, not 'material' things.
I am seeing a counselor, but as good as she is, she doesn't really understand what I'm going through. She says 'focus on what's better', but I haven't gotten over these fears enough to do that yet.
Yep the group is using feeding off common
fears and using them agaisnt you.
Its quite normal for people to worry about survival because thats ingrain within us by nature.
But its cults that take advantage of this fears to manipulate people.
Instead of being with the group why dont you connect with homestead (back to country living) forums or homestead friends. They believe in living off the country. But they (or you) are not forced into any weird organizations.
There are many people who are preparing for natural disasters who are not in any such groups you discribe. Theres no reason why you cant start your own survival things without this group. You dont need this group.
As for your therapist I dont think your counsoler knows your situation well enough. Keep her as support but continue to look out for someone who undersatnds your situation. I can sympathize with you.
If you feel you are going to have a panic attack. This is a warning sign. Most cults will exploit this opportuniy for a total conversion to make "a True Believer" zombie out of you.
Do you not have any friends or family members you can find support when you leave this group?
Watch this video:
[
www.youtube.com]
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2008 09:28AM by Keir.