Not sure if this is related, but I came across this [
www.icsahome.com].
A fascinating read. I instinctively fought back against many of the things discussed in the article:
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Cultic groups foster unhealthy forms of dependency by focusing on submission and obedience to those in authority." - After I reached a plateau phase during my time in I began to feign piety and slowly push back whenever the opportunity presented itself in the cult. Erecting such a wall shielded me from a lot of the more severe manipulation (I would only go along with things up to a certain point. If that point was reached, I would be adamant in my refusals).
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Such a state maximizes the leadership’s capacity to control members in a variety of ways. The leadership’s subtle manipulations and/or forceful demands are reinforced by a system of rewards or punishments that always are changing, sometimes with different reactions to the same “offense.” This constant need to serve the leadership in the face of changing doctrine prevents members from becoming complacent and fosters a sense of anxious dependency. Hence, they are always trying to please while never feeling that they measure up." - I started to realize very early on that no matter how much you did or how much effort you gave, it would ultimately, somehow, never be quite enough. I started to see thru the hypocrisy and manipulation.
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Children are raised in an environment in which dire threats (for example: the “devil”), and regular criticism of their failings make them feel insecure, self-hating, and dependent upon leadership for whatever intermittent reinforcement leadership provides." - I've heard all the threats and variations thereof. I slowly immunized myself against them by self-education, skepticism and critical thinking.
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A second detrimental consequence of such psychologically abusive environments results from the tendency for leadership to treat parents as “middle management” with regard to their own children. Parents are seduced and/or pressured into relinquishing primary responsibility for making decisions that impinge upon their children’s welfare." - I can relate to some "lite" versions of this happening during my time in and this point also relates back to the first one mentioned above about the severe manipulation episodes. I also remember being a bit confused as to how my parent(s) would sometimes let "leaders" get away with things (behavior/treatment) that they would never allow any other non-member adults to do. I eventually realized that they were not in their right mind and this eventually resulted in a very nasty blow-up between a top leader and myself, with me having to stand my ground all alone and unsupported. Ironically, this episode went a long way in building my courage and bolstering my confidence against the cultic mindset and tactics - it was very liberating and empowering.
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Cult parents are made to feel that they are being “selfish” when they have a normal desire for a special, loving, or exclusive relationship with their children, and their belief in the leader’s worldview leaves them unable to nurture and protect their own offspring. Thus, educational decisions, disciplinary measures, medical decisions, etc., will frequently issue from the group’s leader, directly or indirectly." - I have on more than one occasion, secretly laughed inside when "leaders" would pretend to be oracles and render pronouncements about what was best under certain circumstances, especially in situations where they had absolutely zero genuine knowledge or background about. One time, even George M. Williams caused me to want to roll my eyes during his delivery of one of his delusionally arrogant uninformed "opinions." I've think I've also mentioned before, that I never really understood how people would feel the need to go get "guidance" about things that the leadership knew absolutely nothing about in real life. I've always found this aspect of the practice to be bizarre and utterly absurd.
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Children raised in such environments cannot develop confidence in themselves, or their immediate environment, because they can be criticized even when they obey; for they are obeying irrational belief systems that often have negative consequences in the real world. But because the belief system by definition is unassailable, the child will always be “wrong.”" - I could see with my own eyes that they were the ones who were foolish and wrong.
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It is almost self-evident that groups that are isolationist, subjectivist, and logically closed will hinder children’s attempts to learn the interpersonal, intellectual, and practical skills that mainstream society puts so much effort into teaching children. If reason is denigrated because reason threatens the irrational beliefs of leadership, a child’s capacity to reason will be stunted. If the outside world is viewed as evil, a child’s opportunity to interact with a variety of people and to learn practical skills in the world will be restricted." - This explains some of the bizarre hostility and resentment that I experienced from certain insecure "leaders" when I was a college student obtaining an education. At the time it confused me, but I was eventually able to see it for what it was --> a threat to their control and worldview.
With the exception of the Jesus quote at the end of the article, I liked it a lot and found much truthful insight within.