Reading in another thread about the Sterling group, it occurred to me that in the film Magnolia, Tom Cruise plays a character very like Justin Sterling. And I thought, to be a character in a fairly mainstream film, it suggests that this type of person is one that the public is familiar with, at least in concept. And then it occurred to me that I grew up with the concept of LGATs, even though I
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Yellowbeard, I don't think the intention is to replace the cult's beliefs with the majority's beliefs -- it should be to restore the individual to whatever belief system they had before they were indoctrinated into the cult (whoever may correct me in this if I am wrong). So, if Johnny had been an atheist before joining Cult X, then yes it would be wrong to bring him back as a Ch
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hope -- I missed your post where you described getting your money back from the Forum -- well done you! Sylvia: your friends sound competitive -- I can't really understand the motivation for going for your boyfriends. Perhaps it was a case of wanting whatever you had? as to my mother's reference list (yay! still on topic! :) ), she too had Games People Play and I'm OK, You
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

corboy, that was a great article. I think I must've been a skeptic in a New Age household. This line particularly rang bells for me: "I know that my culture's sloppy and disrespectful use of science is something that angers and confuses many people in the skeptical community" -- I read that and thought, yes!!! That has angered me (eg, my mother always used to argue for the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Zillions of people. It's called the "Nigerian Scam" See hre for more info:
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

You are very insightful Sylvia. Do you work in a psychology-oriented profession? I'm sure you're spot on with the men-women dialogue thing. I don't even mind the "buck up and keep going" attitude, that's fine -- it's the mind closing/stifling dialogue that irks me. I remember having this conversation with him over a week-long holiday -- my sister had a bit
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I had a long talk with hub about it last night (mostly because he became very concerned for his friend, once I explained what Landmark is like and what its origins are). I think it's going to be all right (she says, crossing fingers nervously). I described the high pressure sales technique (something neither of us likes) and he's adamant that he wants nothing to do with it. It's
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

HI Sylvia -- thanks for the book suggestion, that sounds really interesting. What do you mean by saying we all grew up in a SGAT? (it's just that, when our Landmark friend was trying to pitch it to us, I said, "I grew up with these ideas, they're very common in America" -- and he seemed very surprised. Occasionally I reflect and think perhaps it was mainly my family and n
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thanks for the advice PSISurvivor. The more I learn about these LGATs the worse they sound. Ugh, it sounds like we might be facing a lot of pressure in the future from this friend :( Fortunately hub is taking this seriously so he's not going to suggest just going along "for the fun of it" (which is what I was worried he might say). In fact, he even said, "Thank God we w
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I've never actually been in a cult, but when I was younger I thought I could understand the appeal. I think what put me off was more the "cringe factor" than fear of mind control. What brought me to this site was a search for information on the Landmark seminars. A friend has recently become a convert and I wanted to find out more about it and what their aims are. I was exp
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

No no! What I actually meant was, it seems to me that it would be less likely that intorspected people would be affected, even though the things you always hear about cults say that they target more shy introspective types. This friend of ours who has got into Landmark -- he is very outgoing and opinionated, not introspective at all. He rarely gives the impression of thinking things through
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuotePSIsurvivorIt's ironic really that PSI seminars indoctrinates students with the concept of "responsibility". You are responsible for everything in your life. Your circumstances, your feelings, everything. You are responsible for everything that happens to you. Don't blame others. Blameing anyone for anything gets you labeled a victim. Being a "vic
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts as to whether there's any connection between introspection (or lack of it) and susceptibility to LGAT? It's often struck me that people who get into that sort of think aren't particular introspective, and yet I've often heard that that's just the sort of person they target. Our pal who's become involved is markedly u
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I don't know if this is the same thing, but (as I've just posted) my family had a personal philosophy that was very similar to what I've heard said about est and Landmark. For some reason, I had an instinctively aversion to this sort of thing, even from an early age. My mother used to call me, "Little Miss Argumentive" because I would point out the shallowness and impra
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A friend has recently become involved with Landmark, and phoned my husband and me last night to tell us all about how wonderful it is. I had never heard of Landmark before, but my skepticism reflex was instantly stimulated because his language reminded me of the way my parents used to talk back in the 70s (and beyond). I've been doing some research on Landmark and the philosophy is ess
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"