A Berachah Church MySpace group:- I have just been reading through some of the forum topics/posts. There seems to be a group member Smitten Kitten (posting in the "When someone recommends a christian book" forum) who is still thinking for herself in regards to checking with scripture with what the pastor teaches. (One of the Thieme system's effects is to get you to trus
Forum: Destructive Churches

Greetings, The book, “R.B. Thieme Jr. - His Life, His Ancestry.” by C.G. Hunt, published within the last couple of years (available from Amazon) is an interesting read. It is written as a pro-Thieme book, and having read it through, I would say that it is written to continue the promotion of the aura of Thieme Jr. and his teachings, now that he is no longer pastor at Berachah. The book g
Forum: Destructive Churches

Much has been said about Berachah and it’s military flavour. Below is a link to the thoughts and reasoning of an ex-military follower of Thieme Jr’s ideas.... Scroll down one third of the page to the article, “Word of Truth”, by Rev. G.J. Rako, LTC (Ret) USAR.
Forum: Destructive Churches

kcjones, You have been sent a private mail message.
Forum: Destructive Churches

A pastor in 1976 giving a talk about Thieme Jr's influence on church members. Split into 3 audio tracks; streaming or download. Link below. (Note: there are a couple of silent gaps for a few seconds on track 2? where the speaker turns over the tape recorder and then continues.)
Forum: Destructive Churches

At one extreme end of the rebound system, you find that "worrying is a sin". To give an example:- A long term Thieme student caught in the non-stop rebounding mechanics, may read critical material on Thieme (which is logical and rational). They may worry i.e. the lights may go on, that Thieme may have been wrong about rebound or some other teaching. However, as worrying is a sin,
Forum: Destructive Churches

A compilation of former group member accounts (1960-2004) and other articles can be downloaded from:- Whilst examinations of various teachings are included, please note that it is a group’s structure and thought reform methods (articles re these subjects are available on the Rick Ross site) that are the determining factors as to a groups potential for undue harm upon its members. The actua
Forum: Destructive Churches

Ephesians, Thankyou for your comment again. All of my observations re the social and learning environment have come from not being a member of this group. I am an outsider, and as such, if I have posted any comments which are far-streched, I apologize and welcome correction. Over the past year or so, I have corresponded with a good number of former members, from young adults to those ar
Forum: Destructive Churches

Here is a comment from a few years ago, on the high-demand nature of belonging to this group. I have put this up, for those who may be considering taking up someone's offer to "listen to a tape"... I think that an apt statement concerning coming under this group's influence, which I read, is, "When you enter the web of the narcissist, you lose yourself." ------
Forum: Destructive Churches

Would anyone be aware of any articles/books discussing narcissistic injury and specificially the phenomena of cult group members adopting and expressing similar injury, when someone critical of the leader expresses their dissaproval, in front of a group member. I have come across this, occasionally when hearing/reading discussions between a cult member and someone outside the group, who expres
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Mike, I have sent you a p.m.
Forum: Destructive Churches

riosilk, What is the group stance on those who did leave, if Bob was their 'right pastor'. Will God chastise them for leaving? will God even perhaps kill them for leaving? and do you keep in touch with any persons who have left? thankyou.
Forum: Destructive Churches

If only this was a site where one could discuss doctrinal issues! Then I might be able to give you some answers regarding the Law. Though you already seem to understand clearly enough what the others you refer to can't see.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Steve, the following site:- goes through -step by step- claims of the founder's background etc., and the verifiable facts. it may help.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Iamwondering, thankyou for your detailed and thoughtful account. Frightening and very disturbing.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

nutrino, your last paragraph above fits the narcissism 'supply and demand' web, spot on.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

That's okay. I don't mind even if someone is flaming. I read a couple of articles on Ayn Rand and narcissism. Quite interesting. Some similarities with LGAT/scientology ways.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Try this contact person:- info_fpps@ukr.net <info_fpps@ukr.net> from the above site is in Russian? contact person is Vladimir Petukhov
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

from what I know about these 2 groups, the technology does not allow for one to be physically and psychologically 'alone'. If this were to occur, the mileu would be broken; not good for the purveyors of the tech; not good for the bank account.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

estie, I think you just killed off the industry in 23 points!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

n, sorry to hear about the trauma from your past involvement. There are good references on this site discussing common group methods of bringing individuals into such states, and effects of. If, at some time you would be able to describe the class teaching/environment method, along with further thoughts about the class leader, I would be interested.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

For those who wish to read further concerning the Thieme group history:- There is an 800 page pdf (mainly text) document available which is a collection of former group members accounts and published articles, indexed according to coercive themes, with contents page. Note that the document is 2 x 9meg files, which can be joined together in Acrobat (I will have to send it one part at a time)
Forum: Destructive Churches

thanks for that. I wish that this form could be sent in to a 'letters to the editor' page of the sunday times newspaper (unfortunately it's too long). How does this work? are the children supposed to read this form (and understand it!) and sign on the dotted line, or are the parent/s supposed to sign this after reading this? Which got me wanting to know more....is the chil
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I read this in the Sunday Times on the weekend. I was thinking about making a comment here on this article myself. Unfortunately the children attending these things are enrolled by their parents who already are part of the Landmark system. What a load of rubbish, those quotes from the Landmark person about what the course brings; more loaded language making no sense at all. I would call it,
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

kolob, Do have a good read of Lifton and Margaret Singer's writings concerning what constitutes a contemporary cult definition. There are a lot of articles out there, however they tend to sum things up in a few common points or more. There of course will always be varying degrees of effect on individuals, both whilst in the group, and after moving on.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Is he still in hospital? How is his brother helping with this? Maybe try to find a licensed professional counsellor who knows about thought reform in abusive relationships, for him to see later on. A couple of books I could recommend for your own reading; "Captive Hearts/Captive Minds" Lalich & ??? "Recovery from Cults" edited by M. Langone
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

I have read that it is rather hard trying to find a counsellor who knows about the effects of being in such groups and how the environment works on people. That statement of Bobby's, when you think about it, is loaded with red flags. Linda, I have sent you a pm.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thanks Linda. Do you think that your friend was distraught on hearing that you weren't listening any longer, because of the 'divine discipline' thing? i.e. stopping listening and discipline from God?
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hi Linda, Thankyou for replying. I have sent you a pm.
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuotenutrinoFWIW, I did attend a LIVE Tony Robbins event within the last 6 months... it appeared to be one long, GREULING hypnotic induction.... and it was massively overstimulating, as well as massively weird... ear splitting PA, freezing cold room to accomodate Tony's metabolism.... smoke machines ! Some offstage guy mumbling sort-of subliminal commentary along with Tony's spiel... lo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"