Branch Davidian followers still believe David Koresch was Christ and await his resurrection. His followers included highly intelligent people. Who thought it was okay for their family members to have sexual relations with Koresch. From the outside. It's hard to wrap one's brain around that. I have noticed this. In my reading about cults. The ex-follower apologists can't handle i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome TheycalledmeJonah. Your post was really interesting. Yes. Looking forward. To hearing more from you.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

After leaving. I came to the realization John wasn't who I thought he was. Pretty quickly. It started with me acknowledging he probably didn't recognize his own condition (2 Tim 3:13;2 Peter 2:13), That may not be true. I have no way of knowing. Maybe he was a conman. Then I looked at the teaching. Not the man. The teaching was wacked. How could I have believed that stuff. I do know thi
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I recall once at Southgate, JRS commented about > some spooky phenomenon going on at his home. He > yelled out to Marilyn who was at the back of the > room, "Isn't that right." He seemed to have caught > Marilyn off guard, but she replied something like, > "Oh, yes." >
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

corboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Here are a few pink flags to add to Rick Ross' red > flags list. > > > > A leader may come across as benevolent and loving. > However, that leader may > have senior disciples who inflict punitive > discipline. These higher ranking > disciples act as enforcers, and also as >
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Lily posted the link to the You Tube Video last year about the Bethlehem Star. I had never seen it before. I watched it at least 5 times. Can't even put into words why I watched it so many times. Guess I liked it. Still sorting that out.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I am providing a link to a very insightful article > written by therapists on post cult psychological > problems. One comment from the article really > stood out, "Some continue to feel shame, believing > the cult doctrine was perfect and somehow they are > flawed because they could not a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Reepicheep Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I was thinking that if they want to show oneness > with the Pope, they might try observing Lent. Here > is an idea list of possible things to give up > during the forty day period leading up to Easter: > cussing, drinking, eating raw or vegan foods, > smoking, herbal supplements, coffee, the givin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I appreciate Reepicheep's and Larry's insights > about celebrating Christmas. It's sad neither of > you were a voting member on the LW Committee to > Save Christmas. Hee hee! I wanted to serve on the committee to put an ocean in Shiloh. For Larry Makuakane. But pastor said no. I was in t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I also appreciate you adding to the conversation, Reepicheep. What a screen name. I recall the angst I felt. The first time I posted. I share your opinions. There have been some excellent conversations on this message board.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

kbyrne, glad you are still posting. You mentioned snide remarks. I've come to value snide remarks. I got from the peanut gallery. As they piled up. I knew I had to get out. Like you, I really appreciate the resources and links the group has posted. In one of your older posts, you said M had interpreted Apostolic Order to mean Chronological Order and she was first in line. Do you think she me
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

larry bobo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > . > The lie that my “svengali” had convinced me of was > that I could not walk with God apart from them. > Actually, I was being kept from a walk with God as > long as they were taking His place. The lie my "Svengalis" told me was they were the Word or Christ in the Earth. But they were
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tknc Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Really happy to discover this thread. Been > desperately trying to find more people that I can > relate my story to that will understand what I > have/am going through. > > When I look back at the reasons I've ended my > relationships in the past, the answer that rings > in my ear is my fa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

>> > larry bobo Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------------- > > Here's another group believing for someone to be > raised from the dead. > > {pulpitandpen.org} > lily rose Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------------- > > Here's another one believing for someone to be > raised from the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

changedagain Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > From my experience, the weirdness would often be > justified by referring to the scripture that > proclaims God's ways (ministries being God, of > course) not being our ways. That scripture (Isaiah > 55:8) sure got mileage in the little pernicious > cult. Nothing has changed. Still
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

puddington Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Another scripture they throw at you is Psalm > 105:15 > > “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets > no harm.“ > > Which implies that church leaders can not be > busted for doing wrong stuff. I recall the LW > leadership using this scripture regarding certain > sexual a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Was John's psychic gift to read people from God? Maybe it's not a gift at all . Scientific investigation has found some are born with psychic abilities. And some have gotten it through transference. There has been some mention. That Braham may have laid hands on John and transferred the ability. I bought into John's claim of God's people being able to use occult teaching for g
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Great post, lily. I would add. John's roots in Pentecostalism influenced the path he took. John encountered good Christian people within Pentecostalism who had taken a strong stand against extremism and false teaching. Example, the latter rain teaching. John wasn't onboard with that. John was excommunicated. He was influenced by McPherson and others. Who alleged restoration of gifts of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily: my dad thought John's gift was nothing more than that of a psychic medium. Just like Edgar Cayce. Dad used to read 20th Century Theologian, AW Tozer, "99.9% of what you see out there that claims to be the gifts of the Spirit is not of God." I wish I had been obedient to my birth father instead of my psychic father. larry bobo Wrote: > The point I would like to m
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I'm always curious to know. For those who weren't kicked out. At what point do those who leave get disillusioned? Is it after maxing out your credit cards? Or after studying the School of Prophets manuals for 40 years. Never gaining the power of telekinesis. Or never seeing the leadership gain prophetic extraordinary powers of any kind. Part of making sense of the agony. I endured. Is n
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I think there are many reasons. Why posters try to shut down other posters from speaking out about John and G&M. They can be in denial. Still under the spell. Or get a self esteem boost by shaming others. I'm superior to you because I don't blame anyone. Or you have an obsession. You're damn right I do. I agree with you. Trying to make sense of it is not wrong. I'm thin
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Listening to early restricted tapes today would be a riot. Like the UFO ones. The restricted tape contents FCSLC shared. John calling at SLC member a "stupid whop" was "collector" series worthy.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

An ex-pat told me some of the posts by Apostle Dog and Larry Bobo changed his thinking. He once thought that John's ministry was a move of God. And he was part of it. He sent me a link that goes further. Into the difference between what John taught and mainstream Christianity.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Remember singing "How Great is our God," over and > over during worship? The following link is about > how the song writer is caught up in a cult.... > "How one of the world's most beloved worship songs > reportedly helped fuel spiritual abuse." > > > >
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I just finished Malignant Pied Pipers: A Psychological Study of Destructive Cult Leaders...by Peter A. Olsson, MD, August 28, 2017. Great read. "Psychological Autopsy Malignant Narcissist Church Leadership" is great too. It's 3 parts. The link below is to Part 1. Part 3 is the most interesting. You can google that link.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The diaspora and stories of survival that has occurred in the LW interests me. The reads on mind control suggest sharing similar experiences that have happened in other cults, such as Scientology. This can turn on the light bulb for those still brainwashed by the LW. There are plenty of survival stories out there from other cults. Hope this helps someone.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

As with the Wizard of Oz, once the curtain was drawn, the adored and fearsome wizard is just an ordinary flawed bumbler. So goes it for John and G&M. Gary will shower the newbies with ministry and flowering words. Words from God no less. But what lurks is a manipulative, abusive coward.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks, lily. These kinds of psychological studies interest me. I skipped most of the study design info and went to the conclusion sections. Regarding the narcissistic drive: "This presents a natural tension for the narcissist pastor in that his or her drive for power and adulation runs counter to Christian spirituality. How they might deal with this tension is nuanced but an ongoing tens
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > puddington Wrote: > ------------------------------------------------------- > > Yes. They say the books are open for > inspection. > > But don't you dare ask to look at them. You > will > > be labeled "a gourd". > > > That's a sure sign the members
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

lily rose Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > puddington Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > RD was quite the showman wasn't he? > Especially > > in his wildcat pentecostal days. > > > He also was quite the doomsday false prophet. > > R D Cronquist of Grace Chapel, Califor
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families