Hi Splash90, I'm certain many self professed Christians would eagerly jump all over you for having beliefs concerning a spiritual realm, but still not professing to know the God of the bible. I personally just wish they'd realize that early Christians, especially Paul would be able to say of themselves that they had not even blasphemed the pagan gods as Paul did say of himself. Nor d
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

That new link represents more good reading for me, thank you RRmod. My particular point of view includes knowing people who went through involuntary deprogramming, but the two deprogrammings were unsuccessful. It was all too easy for the cult leaders involved to portray them as heroic followers, and IMO since these particular deprogrammings were unsuccessful it seems likely that they are for a
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

So, as far as the field of exit counseling goes ( remember, I am a proponent) how is the acceptance among professional circles for this field? Is there an effective authoritative oversight board such as the Bar Assoc. is for lawyers? Is there an accredited licensing bureau? Does the field have general acceptance in spite of it's many and obvious critics?
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Thank you the link RRmod. As a Christian I found it odd to support folks who left Christianity after leaving the bible based cult I used to be involved with at first. But upon consideration it seemed obvious to me that most often they were both better people and happier than they ever could have been in my former cult. Sometimes in the course of conversation I have had to back off my overzealo
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I have become a proponent of exit counseling in order to help cult victims recover. I like the place arrived at where voluntary exit counseling is the only type undertaken by some if for no other reason that I know back in the day I would not have been taken without being hurt badly. But what I want to know, is since exit counseling is a straightforward attempt do bash down cultish thought pat
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

This is definitely not a place where I think it would be wise to assume that I've considered all the factors that are necessary. That being said and with Akita777 seeming to understand that any kind of objectification of any us can be unhealthy I still would like to find out where some of the things that he (assuming that most people with a wife are still men) has believed have come from
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteStoicAkita777, What will help you is to sit down in front of a real person, will the skills and knowledge to help you work through this--a counsellor or other professional that you can trust. The help that you can get from anonymous people on the internet or over the phone, however well intentioned, is limited. You need a real live person who can listen to you, in depth, and help you mak
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Akita 777 and Pegasus, I have been at another online site for a while and I will give a couple of links if you wish to read more. This is the thread where I put together things I had shared on other threads and they can be traced back to the original thread for more context. I think it shows the change in my attitude as time passed by nicely, but it may be a bit disjointed of a read for
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

akita 777 "There is now this small voice inside that stay with me. It only bothers me when I pay attention to it. I guess I really don;t have any way to silence the voice permanently. I do get scared that somehow it is a spiritual connection that cannot be broken. The experience I has with him was so powerful I was convinced that I turned anti-christ. Of course this is that last thing I wan
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi akita 777, I have no idea if I have ever met this man, but I can tell you honestly from even the very little bit of information you have shared that I have considered the possibility that this terrible man might be very much like my particular sociopath/former cult leader. I think you might be surprised how many people can relate to what you have been through. My own experience is that for
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Dear akita777, I assure you that you are not the only one to be terribly worked over by a cult leader and pushed to your limit. But I am glad you expressed a desire to keep plugging away and hope you do exactly that. I am guessing that you will need to do something new that you haven't done before. I also hope you find qualified and talented people to help you recovery from your cul
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Dear rrmoderator, Those posts have a lot of information and IMO are certainly worth looking over, which I will do, thank you. Even a brief overview of the links seems very interesting. The comparison between "Education, Advertising, Propaganda, Indoctrination, & Thought Reform" seem to be a very useful comparison, especially if I can find my Thesaurus,hehehehe. And as far as l
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

QuoteStoicAs a further thought, I have never been able to fathom how much my seemingly True-Believing family actually buys whole-heartedly into the cult belief systems and how much is purely fear-driven cowardice. I have not been able to fathom that because although intelligent, my family members are scrupulous about not examining the issue, the denial is absolute. This is obviously a result of
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

QuoteDinaM2What ways was the Bible twisted in the occult that turned you away from reading and studying the Bible? Considering the "name" of this thread says "Cult" I'm going to take a guess and assume the real point of this question is "cults" and not "the occult". My bible based cult was heavy on control scriptures twisted to serve the purposes
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

In my seeking what seems like a potentially useful community I have had to come to terms with being willing to allow folks to make up their own minds as to what the do or do not want to do in terms of sharing. If the "community" you envisage comes to pass corboy, I do hope it goes truly well for you and the others!
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi Stoic, No apology necessary. It was just me making light of the point that I perceived in your post, that practical was better than useless knowledge. (That is, of course, in my own words.) I will CERTAINLY read those links, but can not stay around to give them much attention right now.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteStoic'Since we people are naturally social creatures I sometimes wonder if some form of cultism (hopefully not destructive in nature) is a natural state.' I think, in the early years after cult involvement, it is only too easy to see malign cult activity around every corner--since we are still raw from being caught by it and sensitised to be suspicious of being caught again.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteLLGHi jeffsjo, I am also right now struggling with the same thing I think you are driving at. I recently left a cult and want to have support from people who understand what its like (my family has been supportive so far but I think some are getting "bored" of the issues I'm still working through) but where I live there are no groups like this in my area. Really my only o
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Y'know what Cyndee, I agree with the sentiment of hating cults when it comes to destructive practices. I hate em when I see folks fall into the same trap time after time. I hate em when I perceive that a leader has obviously hidden agendas and lies to cover up true objectives. I hate em when I feel that old feeling of silence, rejection and/or censure while folks are being conned an
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I've been supportive of folks sharing as they process their experiences on the web, even though I recognize that in many respects it is not the best option. The best option IMO involves supportive family, quality friends, and qualified counsel IMO. I'm very glad you found good help through a good shrink Corboy!!! As far as my own considerations go as to the things you've shar
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Thank you for sharing, now I understand your CPE training better corboy. For me, one of the main factors in my cult involvement is that with my particular narcissistic cult-leader-sociopath is that for him their was no oversight and/or outside accountability. But in cases like yours, abusive pr!cks should be weeded out of the system on a regular basis IMO. I mean, if an accredited denominatio
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I've been considering your sharing since I read it yesterday Corboy, what a shame that ministers were taught in such a substandard fashion. I'm not certain of what was going on behind the scenes that led to this situation or what it indicates in the big picture. But I feel certain that some of our ordained ministers shy away from clinical psychology after such teaching. And in t
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

In my former cult they have spent considerable time insuring folks DO NOT discuss their experiences anywhere or with anybody! And within different cliques within the old group one thing is fairly constant, people who talk are defective and consorting with them is out of the question. I've seen judgmental youngsters who are led to believe there is no point. I've been insulted by my
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I hope you've received some help by now Kelly W.! If not please feel free to pm me, but even though I'm new here I'm fairly certain there is/was plenty of folks willing to give you some good suggestions.
Forum: Tech support for this board

Thanks Wendy! Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the country, but am in the central time zone at least. But if and when it may happen I will remember to let you know. :)
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

That is a lot of information Stoic and it seems very clear, concise, and thorough. Even a quick overview seems to confirm most of my experience too. I will enjoy looking it over more completely as my computer share will allow. FYI, it will take some time I'm certain. Thank you.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I just figured out how to view my posts from my profile. I just click-on the time frame appropriate for my interest and then click-on "GO."
Forum: Tech support for this board

That sounds like some very good things are happening there Wendy! It also sounds like a huge responsibility to do your best to keep things going in a good directions for folks. Eighteen people is a lot of interaction and a lot of individuals after all. I certainly wish you, your hubby, and your eighteen or so folks all the best.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

For me there is practically nobody that seems able or willing to relate to cult experiences out in the real world, although who knows, that may change I suppose. I've just never had that anyway, for whatever it's worth. But even just sharing experiences and/or emotional reactions to cult-life can be a huge benefit. From what I've seen even typing a few words on a computer screen
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I'm new here and not very computer literate. I've started a thread and commented on another one so far. I would like to know if there is a way to check responses to my posts without having to subscribe to updates for every thread I participate in. I'm wondering if there is a way to look over my posts from my profile, that would be one possible answer to my question and I
Forum: Tech support for this board