Wow we're really on fire here! I found this one on Buddhajones which I will paste here for future generations since FWP was managed to be shut down in a way. One reason I like this one post is that it echoes what my outer and inner experiences were, as well as many others on the web have related similar stories. I'm including the link because the comments on this page is full of useful
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

T&P, I just took the quote from this page It's from her book "The Sociopath Next Door" so I assume (safely I think) that this was a reference to a story in there. *** Nichijew, First, I just want to say thank you for all the postings. Second, this isn't meant to sound as if I'm yelling. You never know online so I'm just making sure. Right
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I found this link elsewhere on the site which definitely applies here between Ikeda and the sociopathic leaders. It tells you what to expect and how to deal with them. I certainly found this useful. This excerpt from an interview with Martha Stout was so good we are reposting it here. Many of these rules can be applied to relationships with cyberpaths, online bullies or predators. Twelve
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

They have more slogans than a presidential hopeful! "Sansho shima! Fundamental Darkness! Devil King of the 6th Heaven! Negative forces/devilish functions/etc (there's no literal hell, just oddly named demonic forces)! Commitment! Sincere Daimoku! Expiate that bad karma! Gratitude! Appreciation! (Submit!) Donations/purchases: Don't worry, it will all come
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteHitch That is gakkai (specifically, "YOUTH!") Looney-Tunes. The "YOUTH!" area that I grew up in was probably one of the most hardcore gakkai cult areas in the U.S., so that's pretty standard fare and I've even seen more off-the-chart stuff in hardcore inner circle groups. The "Buddha System Levels" was a gimmick used for a "YOUTH!" mt
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteHitchThe $cientology Cult has its "Operating Thetan" (OT) levels (I-VIII), and ... The $oka Gakkai International (USA-branch) has its "YOUTH!" 2030 "Buddha System Levels (I-IV) - I. Hope - is just like a flower II. World Peace - we all "own" it III. Friendship - true friendship is a relationship IV. Courage - a powerful asset "
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteTaitenAndProud... Shall we talk about the Inquisition now? That's WAY worse than anything the SG has ever done! But how is that relevant to what's going on right now? How are reports of bad stuff that happened before many of those reading the reports were even born going to help people get out right now? Two young women locally just received an award for rushing in to stop a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteNichijew I disagree. Many SGI members and every single leader above Chapter Chief is pernicious. Initially, they may be absolutely sincere with the most noble of intentions but they are sincerely wrong and do irreparable damage. The road to hell is paved with the best intentions: For years ecologists and conservationists have been adopting wildland fire prevention strategies that have led to
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoterattyboyI never heard the word 'encouragement' used by a member without feeling infantalized. A life coach or affirmation junkie might use that word in the course of an adult conversation, but not with as much syrup as the Jamie video where she makes a fitting transition from the preschool classroom to Munchkinland with her chanting. (I have to go back to see if she uses that word
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteTaitenAndProud You have people here you probably will never meet face to face, but who accept you as you are and extend a friendly virtual hello. At least you've got US. Think about whether what we offer - as demonstrated thus far on this thread you started - is more, or less, satisfying of your needs than what you've experienced lately in the SGI. Just by way of comparison, of
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hitch, Thank you for the links, that will certainly cover my weekend reading. Is there somewhere to find these rantings about Clinton? You are right about what ordinary Japanese day about the org, I had been warned about them by real a Japanese. Like other people have mentioned, it was too easy to dismiss and say "oh but it's so different here." I was so blind. All this talk abo
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Did you guys have your share of crazies as well? The only ones I remember talking about him in that way I had to wonder about, because of the idea, the wording and the way it seemed out of nowhere and from complete strangers. Add to that the ones for whom I finally understand the saying "the light is on but no one is at home." I've only seen maybe a couple of videos since I started
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteHitch Very well stated and absolutely true. - HitchAnd the inevitable fall right afterwards where they first, rattle off meaningless pretty words. Then they yell at you to pick yourself up and tell you to dust yourself off and start chanting more, reading more publications and do more activities if you don't want that to happen again while holding their hands out for cash. The more
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteTaitenAndProudQuoteHitch: "Oh, so that's how it works. They are basically asking me to embellish and or make something up."That's exactly right. I remember once, when I was still a Chapter YWD leader, we drove up to Duluth to the district up there to help some members prepare for the intro study exam. *sigh* Anyhow, there was an inactive YWD who had agreed to let us
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotecorboy Getting calls as late as 11 pm to bring 40 sandwiches for the Youth Division??? Thats a set up for sleep deprivation. You are up at 11pm or awakened at 11 pm by that phone call. You are expected to make it to the 8 am Youth Division meeting. Assuming you fall asleep instantly after that 11 am phone call, you still have to get up early enough to shower, dress, make or buy 40
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Those poems did seem pointless as with all his other writings. I'm glad to know I was not the only thinking it all seemed like a bunch of hokey gibberish that said absolutely nothing. And people fawned over, "Oh how wonderful a painter, photographer, philosopher" or whatever else has been wrongly attributed to him. "He's so wise!" My butt.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteShavoy@sleepy--It says a big Something that the SGI thread is the biggest one in this category. 500 pages+? Plus all the views? (You know there have to be at least some current members AND leaders checking in regularly). When you mentioned about socializing with other members outside of SGI activities being frowned upon, that happened with me and one of my closest friends at the time
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteShavoy Hi, sleepy--yup, go to the SGI thread itself for tons of encouraging info! Lovebombing---that depends where you are at. Where I'm at now, no lovebombing exists. Other areas in the country (I'm assuming you are in the USA) may be heavier-duty. Remember, you have the innate right to practice and believe what you choose to believe. If SGI no longer fits the bill, so be
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

For me it was also a lot of little things that seemed to pile up one after the other. Between the endless eventual demands for money, visiting the brainwashing center (and paying for the privilege), confirmation bias laden "experiences", the annoying language, constant magical thinking, the useless guidance, people meddling in others business, the gossip, and lastly, the absolute loons
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi all, I'm a recently departed member and I was wondering what to expect from the former members since I have known many of them for as long as I was in to, get to know some actually nice people who are unfortunately mixed in with the nuts. I'd say it in a nicer way but that is actually being so in this case. Everyone probably knows by now and I'm expecting a windfall of love-bomb
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families