I've always been embarrassed that I was so profoundly and permanently damaged after being in a cult for 3-1/2 weeks. This was over 40 years ago and I still think about it every day. The fact that just a few days in your cult had such a terrible impact makes me feel better. I read somewhere the most of the damage a cult does occurs in the first 30 days. After that, the person somewhat adjusts
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Yes....i took my daughter to cradle roll at a SDA church in my neighborhood. I really liked the church but balked at joining, did not trust God enough to hand my life over to him after my cult experience. It wasn't until 17 years later that I tried again with God and asked Him if He would give me another chance. I was baptized into the Adventist church and have been a member for 10 years. I
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was actually asking lisanneissweet about being an Adventist, but are you one also, Jonathan? Or have you eschewed organized religion altogether(can't blame you if you have!) Do you keep the 7th Day Sabbath? It is a beautiful gift from God. Think of it- the Sabbath and marriage were both instituted by God at creation, before the fall of man. your insights are beautiful.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I often space out- partly from trauma and partly because I have ADD. The guys I work with say they can tell when my Ritalin wears off around 3 PM because I get that "thousand yard stare." But if I stay busy at work I'm fine....its when I have a lot of down time that I tend to zone out. I talk to myself a lot but I don't do it when there are people around. I cuss at myself al
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Yes, if I had my druthers I would opt out of an afterlife altogether. 60 years on this earth has left me exhausted.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I googled this group- was it the cult in New Mexico? Yours is an interesting story and I love some of your insights. I like the idea that each of us can find the voice of God without needing leaders or intermediaries.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

You're an Adventist, aren't you? I am too, and no one at my church knows of my doubts and struggles. It's a beautiful religion and I love their teachings on the justice and character of God. I tried so hard to believe all of it. I felt like God had given me another chance and I failed yet again. I am not ready to end my membership, because I love the people there and I love the ide
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My mom was Lutheran and my dad was agnostic, so I definitely can't blame them for what happened to me. I got progressively more involved with Fundy Christianity until I finally went too far and got into a full- blown cult. It started when I was 8 and started going to a Christian scouting group at a little evangelical church. I went every week and to their summer camp too. That was when the i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

That's pretty common if you look around the site....sometimes the conversations taper off and stop, only to be revived a few years later.
Forum: Destructive Churches

I think your concerns are warranted. Admittedly, I have not been involved with Campus Crusade for decades, but from what I read about them not much has changed. When I was involved, at first it was really a good experience. The meetings were mostly student- led and the area evangelical churches were involved. But gradually the leadership( adults sent in by Crusade) began to.pressure us to get mor
Forum: Destructive Churches