I just listened to an interview Ole did on some radio show a couple of months ago. It is interesting the degree to which he has rewritten some of the history of the group. For example, he tells the story of how Trinity came to be involved in the PrimeTime Live expose of Tilton, et al, as something that just kind of fell into our laps while we were minding our own business. This is very far from t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Who's doing Trinity's media stuff now that Harry Geutzlaff has died?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is an LGAT program originally started by Dr. Phil McGraw, of Oprah fame. We received a call from a woman whose daughter has gotten very involved in this, and it is raising some red flags for her. Has anyone heard of this group or had experiences with them?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

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Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

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Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteSparkybump Hi, Sparky. Glad to have you on board. Do I know you?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteMark ScheidererAs far as me siding with the JC/McKay supporters, I couldn't disagree more. In fact, all I'm doing is pointing out the existence of yet another person of dubious character/behaviour within the ranks of the counter-cult community, who is no better than the cult leaders he attempts to expose. And, one more thing: It is over the top to say that someone you happen to h
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Mark, You owe Zeuszor an apology. This whole thing began with an unprovoked attack by you upon him. Also, even if you disagree with something Zeuszor is doing I consider it to be HIGHLY inappropriate that you have dragged Wendy and me into this. I have apologized to Zeuszor for ever mentioning him to you. If I talk to you anymore I will have to be extremely circumspect about what I say, si
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteMark ScheidererZeuszor has stated elsewhere that he thinks about the JC's morning,noon and night ( or words to that exact effect.) I do NOT do that with regards to the cult I used to be in or with JPUSA, the other cult that I expose on various sites on the net. Z's complete obsession with this cult is cult-like itself. Without his obsessive posting on this topic, it would have died
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I dunno, Mark. There are some who could say you're obsessed with the Handmaidens, another fairly small group that nobody much cares about. I don't understand why you are going after Zeuszor in this way. I'm sure Zeuszor has his own reasons for pouring so much energy into this, and unless you know what they are I don't think you are in a position to be so judgmental about this.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I haven't heard anything else about the Crenshaw lawsuit. These things can take years. I doubt that anything will happen to Trinity, even though they probably gave ABC a tape that was edited. Ultimately, it was ABC's responsibility to make sure that what they put on the air was not misleading. They trusted Trinity, and it got them into trouble. Sound familiar, anyone?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's been awhile since I've checked in here. Wendy and I just got back from the EMNR (Evangelical Ministries to New Religions) conference in Kansas City last week, where we gave a workshop on ministering to former cult members. There were a number of seminary students in the audience, so I hope they remember at least some of what we had to say when it comes time for them to deal with so
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just wanted everyone to know that Wendy and I are starting a support group for former members of cults, high-demand, and/or spiritually abusive groups. The group will meet monthly on the fourth Saturday in Dallas, TX. See for more information. There is no charge for the support group.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My wife and I facilitate a support group for former members of cults, high-demand groups, or spiritually abusive groups. The support group provides a safe place to discuss personal experience as a former member, a nonjudgmental group of peers, and basic educational information about cultic groups. The group meets on the 4th Saturday of the month from 3-5 pm in Dallas, Texas. Call 214-607-1065 or
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I notice that Ole is out there commenting on the televangelists in the national media once again. See Personally, I think that with all of his deception and misbehavior Ole should have the decency to stay out of the public arena from here on out. That is not to say that there does not need to be accountability in religion, but who is holding Ole accountable?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One thing that I do not think the apologetics community has dealt with concerning the Trinity cult is what Ole tells each of his new recruits when they first arrive there from the Evangelical background that most of them come out of. He is likely to say something along the lines of, "First, you need to forget everything you have learned or think you know about God and the Bible." In oth
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"He was not expecting his disciples or future generations to chop off their hands or pull out their eyes;" Nor to hate their families. I am afraid they do not really get this at Trinity Foundation.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Frank Bono" is a nice guy and, from what you have told me, he is entertaining his own doubts about TFI. My suggestion would be to meet him somewhere other than the block if you want to talk to him. If you go to the block you are not going to be able to relate to anyone in anything other than their cult identity, because they will all watch each other and reinforce each other. If you we
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

New blog entry that gives a good overview of this controversy:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This kind of puts the lie to all their claims about community. If someone can be there for seven years, live in the apartment above the Lair and then buy a home on the block, be the business manager of The Door, date your roommate the entire time, and yet you claim not to remember her or know who she is, then TFI must not be much of a community after all. The average churchgoer in the average
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotezeuszorYou sent him a copy, right? No, I am not going to jump into any of these legal or public relations contests. If the folks at Crenshaw do their research, they will find us. They are welcome to order off of our website, and if they want to buy in bulk we will make them the same deal that we would make for anyone else. The same goes for Paula White, Benny Hinn, or anyone else who is inte
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

These things take a long time to move through the courts. However, I do not think Crenshaw/Fred Price has much of a case against Trinity, since ABC actually ran the story and are therefore the ones responsible. That does not mean what Trinity did was right, just that they are not the ones legally liable. If Fred Price was really smart and wanted to get back at Trinity, instead of suing them he
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotezeuszorThey're a bunch of pussies, if you ask me. Nevertheless, I think we should refrain from name calling.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteMark ScheidererLike a handful of others within the counter-cult community - who are supposed to EXPOSE cults and DEFEND those who have left them - they are now also "cult apologists", in that they are defending a cult. Mark Scheiderer Ironically, this situation parallels the one with Hank Hanegraaf and the Local Church. Pretty much exactly the same.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotezeuszorYeah, I can see it in my mind, and it makes me laugh: Ole sitting there in the Lair, eating oatmeal every morning, going on and on with this funny voice like Master Yoda: "Turn to the Dark Side you should! Your mind, The Antichrist it is. The enemy it is. Defeat it you must!" LOL! :lol:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotecounselor47To be fair to that couple that you are referring to as siding with Ole, I do not think that is how they would describe their position. On the other hand, I do not know why I am bending over backwards to be fair to them, when they have not done the same thing for us. The more I think about it, the more I remember some of the ways they have often just been water carriers for Trinity
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteMark ScheidererJust talked to Ron Henzel, of Midwest Christian Outreach, a few hours ago, and he had nothing but praise for your book! Have you ever thought about sending copies of the book to various counter-cult/apologetics ministries? As far as I know, there's still only one couple that sides with Ole. We have had some conversations with some of the counter-cult/apologetics ministrie
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Does anyone have any information on cults in Ontario? Are there any counselors, support groups, etc. in that area? Thanks.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good points. ISKCON has such a sordid history of manipulation and abuse that it would be just about the last place I would go if I was seeking a healthy community.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I guess the question is whether toning things down for p.r. purposes is really the same thing as genuinely seeing the error of your ways and truly reforming. I doubt that it is.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"