rrmoderator, When I watch the show I do see the depth of despair in the characters. I admit I probably see it because I have had those looks before and can read into what a look means. I also believe that the American public does not want to see or could not handle seeing the complete realities of polygamy. I feel this show is a way to make it aware to people and who knows they may gradua
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thunderbyrd, Many ex-polygamists do call this show a "fantasy" of how polygamy really is. Most do live like they show with Roman and the compound. I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many different groups (When I left mine, many others tried to convert me to theirs). Everything I have seen in Big Love is something that I have seen within a polygamist family. Ma
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks for the input, and the links. I will check them out. I am very familiar with Tapestry. I am a Kingston as is one of the main founders.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I want to know what people think of the new HBO series, "Big Love." I left a polygamous cult about 7 years ago and plan to start some kind of organization to help victims of polygamy. I am curious to see what kind of publicity "Big Love" is getting and if the publicity will help me in my endeavors. I'm biased, so questions, comments, concerns, etc. welcome. I want
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Demon of Kolob, You got that exactly right. It's kind of sad when you think about it. The guilt those boys are made to feel is so great and so unnecessary. It's funny because I was just talking to someone and said some of those exact things about the missionaries. Anyway...
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Waysplusmeans, Thanks for your response to my questions. I am probably getting more feedback now than I did when I wrote the paper. I still have a few years before I can really get started doing much but I plan to start small with it and see where it takes me. I will do more and more as the income goes up. I am probably going to designate the shelter for people from polygamous cults be
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Dynamix, Very Interesting answers. It is amazing how similar the cult experience is, even with very different types of cults. I appreciate you taking the time to answer the questions. I have finished the paper but I want to start a shelter, I should probably call it something else, maybe a support group, so answers will always be helpful for that reason. What is LE? If you don't
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

girlfriendofmoonie, I just read your post. I've heard it is VERY tough to get them after they go to the retreat. Is he back yet? If he is, how is he doing? I just started reading a book written by a guy that left the Moonies. His name is Steven Hassan and the book is called Combatting Cult Mind Control. So far it is very good and helpful. You should read this book. Steve
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Irisedel, I just heard about a book written by Steve Hassan about getting people out of cults. He goes through step by step how he "deprograms" cult members. I'm not sure the title but I think the book was written in 2002. Steve Hassan also has a new book out called Combating Cult Mind Control. I have heard this book is very helpful and I plan to start reading it today.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Wow Blue, It sounds pretty bad. It would be tramatizing, although you were only in the cult for three years. I guess any time in a cult is tramatizing; whether it is one year or 20. I have not heard of this group before. How long have you been out?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks everyone for your e-mails. I appreciate them. Getting help that will help is pretty pricy. I think I will stick to books for now. I just got a little too involved in the stuff the last couple months doing research for my paper DAILY. Now that it is finished I couldn't feel better. Anyway, good luck to you all, and I will talk to you later. Toni, It really is not all that
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mustang Sally, I forgot to mention in my last reply about the south. I live in the bible belt. The Southern Baptists are probably as big here as the mormon church is out west. Being a Mormon here is like not being one in Utah or Idaho. I now have been in both situations. The LDS religion is just not as known out here, believe it or not. Baptists do have issues with the way Mormons be
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mustang Sally, I left a cult and joined the LDS Church. The Church does fit into the definition of a cult, but I wouldn't consider it harmful. What church doesn't fit the definition? The longer I have been gone from my cult the more my mind opens to things like that, so I don't know where I stand with the Church. It's not something I would try to talk people out of do
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Cult survivor, That sounds a lot like the group I am from. They are worth millions, and only a select few get any of the benefits. I know that when I belonged to the group I would not believe anything anyone said that was negative towards the group. We would think people were making stuff like that up. Especially because all we ever saw was squalor and filth. It will be tough to d
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Toni, I checked the link, and there is one person that does exiting counseling. They are about four hours away and they are a Christian group. It sounds like they are there to teach you what is right. In their opinion. What can I say I live in the Bible Belt of the South. Thanks for the link though, Jewels
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Religion does not have to equal spirituality. There are many spiritual people without a religion, and many religious people that are definitely not spiritual. Getting my education has done wonders for my recovery. Toni you seem like it has for you also. Talking to others from similar situations is also very theraputic. Thank you for the links for cult recovery therapists. I may look
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Good to hear they are grown. I think about that sometimes. People that go back and just hope I will never be one of them. I think they leave not knowing the truth. I would not leave until I knew without a doubt that they were not right. My miscarriage doesn't bother me to bad. The baby never formed so I didn't really lose anything. It takes a lot to get to me I guess. T
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Toni, Thanks for your reply. It is hard to remember everything once you have been gone for a while. I made myself forget it all, and then I started forgeting too much. So I try to deal with it. I've done a few interviews too, so I had to remember it again. It took my paresnt a few years to leave. Well more like about ten. For the first few years they would not talk about how they
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Now you have me wondering where you are from and if I know you. After I left I looked into the Allred group, the Neilson's, the Zitting's, Kelche's, Barlow's, etc. I have been to Colorado City and stayed with Barlows. There are also some Lebaron's and Petersons' in the Kingston group. I know some Naylor's, Steed's. That's all I can think of no
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I left my cult when I was 19. I have been out for nearly 5 years now. The rest of my family (most of them) left 3 years ago. That has been a great help. It seems like getting together with ex members is the best therapy. I have problems still with getting close to people.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thank you for your reply. It will help. It also sounds so familiar. I understand why the first one is hard to answer. It is a long hard process coming to the realization that you might leave. I first tried leaving when I was sixteen and didn't actually do it until I was almost twenty. I wouldn't have gone to a shelter either, no matter what. That's why I am doing this su
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

They are not a recent trend. I think just more known these days. In the media more often. They have been around since the beginning of time.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Hi everyone, I am doing a research paper on the after effects of cults, and whether or not a shelter would help. I have some questions for those of you that have been involved in a cult or fundamentalist group if you don't mind answering them. I would appreciate anything you have to say. If you can think of anything else to add please do. This is something I am also thinking of d
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Hi everyone, I am doing a research paper on the after effects of cults, and whether or not a shelter would help. I have some questions for those of you that have been involved in a cult or fundamentalist group if you don't mind answering them. I would appreciate anything you have to say. If you can think of anything else to add please do. This is something I am also thinking of doing
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families