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Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Updated stats: Comments: 12,589 Page views: 3,718,477 Thank you to all who have contributed to this discussion through the years-- including, but not limited to: UnapologeticallyJohn832, Reepicheep, puddington, kBOY, that little red flag, reveal, sierradawn, larrybobo, GSchaeff, Onion, Filthy Apron, PowerTrip, Saw enough, FCSLC, 4generation, Cloudwatcher, Lilith, Jez the Be
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

O.K.--that's it for me going down the political rabbit hole. Promise. Wishing everyone the best. -Michael Jones
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Interesting take:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The last line of an email I received today from an ex-cult member. It lifted my mood for some reason. P.S. I don't have any This Weeks. At least, none that I know of. Shudder
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My wife says she is considering buying one of these Bibles, but plans to wait until the price drops to $2.99 Even at this lower price, she hopes they will sweeten the offer, perhaps including a 'Two Corinthians' MAGA hat--whatever the hell that is. She asked what I thought. I said I would pray about it, if she made me do so. I reminded her that I no longer pray voluntarily.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If I buy one of these patriotic bibles, it would be just to read Two Corinthians. My bible, which went missing over 25 years ago, didn't include that book for some reason.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

On the topic of Shiloh University: Posted by: Factoverfiction Date: December 06, 2015 02:53AM (excerpt) The development of Shiloh University is scaring me. They offer a worthless DEAC accreditation at the cost of over $20,000 with no financial aid. They are attempting to sell it as the equivalent of a community college education, when the credits are not remotely transferable in the way
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

From December of 2015: Posted by: paleface Date: December 06, 2015 01:30AM Does anyone know when the prayers for the death of Martha Stevens started? Was it 1974 or so? Or was it earlier? Posted by: changedagain Date: December 06, 2015 02:21AM Not sure. It was in full swing when I joined in '76... BTW, I know some people get immersed in incompatible, hostile marriages--but l
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

'Miranda's Last Gift'
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Arthur Brooks, The Atlantic: (not sure if this is the best approach toward sociopaths, though--who use 'openness' to gain leverage)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Any individual demanding complete control over other people's lives must be thwarted. There's no quality of life without the presence of a functioning system of check & balances, which prevent wannabe tyrants from fulfilling their selfish ambition at the expense of nearly everyone else. Posted by: Reepicheep Date: May 17, 2019 07:43AM larry bobo wrote: I believe in most l
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Timothy Snyder, American historian:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Philip Agre and his prediction:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Emulating Kim Jong-Un. Note: again, the moderator can remove whatever content I post in this forum that he considers off-topic.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

These are perhaps the most unruly tourists I've ever seen: "I'll tell you when you get too radical" -JRS (paraphrased)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A good friend of mine sent this clip to me today (link below). I think it is worth a listen. Again, the moderator can remove it if he considers it's too political for this forum:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

‘We Are Being Punished for Daring to Criticize the Authority’
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The connection between idolizing a dishonest, ego-driven leader and normalizing the use of violence against his perceived enemies. That would include his first wife, of course. Posted by: Lilith Date: October 03, 2023 04:23AM That was quite an eye-opening episode. The violence against JRS's wife Martha at the time described in her divorce filing was horrible, and the death prayers w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A significant uptick in our stats. I don't think it's a coincidence that it happened shortly after TheJewel mentioned the John Birch society and Peter Beetr (sp), among other things. Page Views: 3,668,568 Comments: 12,569 Conspiracy Theorists: Unknown
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Too bad the 'door opener' didn't leave many of these doors shut. That would have been helpful. It would mean less nonsense for survivors of his 'ministry' to contend with. Reep wrote: And about the New Apostolic Reformation connection, I have often thought that JRS may have opened a door, but in a bad way.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The genius of Bob Dylan--wow.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Going back in time... Posted by: changedagain Date: June 12, 2011 01:21AM jhorning I've reached out recently to current members that I have known for years, but they won't talk about the walk or what is going on. They will not respond to me if I question what they are doing. John, The short answer is they probably believe they are on the right path, and having invested most
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If anyone is searching for a conversation-starting sweatshirt, I think I may have found one. Take a look. And no need to thank me. This is just one of the many things I do for people I care about:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A little over four years ago: Posted by: that little red flag Date: January 05, 2020 05:56PM changedagain wrote: I think the main reason I was apprehensive about the level of intoxication within the ranks of 'ministries,' is that they were often assuming a role of managing (to put it lightly) people's lives. I've witnessed and also received truly bizarre directives fr
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Yeah, my turning point came when she was speaking from the pulpit at yet another long service in the Valley, a year or so before I finally left the cult. The Holy Spirit asked me if I had any idea what she was talking about. I said no. That was the totality of our 'conversation.' ;) Reep wrote: I'm so gratified to know, after so many years, that nobody else could follow Maril
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What to you like least about me? That you tend to make sense. Well, what can I do about that? Easy--I have in my possession a bunch of CD's where Marilyn speaks about the spirit realm. Just listen to them faithfully before you go to bed every night. You will be a changed person. For the better? If you have any suicidal thoughts, remember that is just the carnal mind being dest
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thanks to TheJewel and Reep for weighing in on this matter--two posters who make sense. I don't consider that to be a negative attribute, btw. :)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Came across this last night (below). It's recognizable because of what many of us experienced in the living word cult. Families torn apart over the issue of whether or not to serve a cult leader--who, of course, was presented falsely as an instrument of God, basically a savior for our country: @dutchessprim Confessions of a MAGA kid. It’s long but I know I’m not alone here. My da
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This is political in nature, so I won't be too upset if the moderator removes it. My response will likely just be limited to throwing some food against a wall, and perhaps tweeting something threatening that I hope my three twitter followers see. Actually, I'm pretty sure one of them is a bot, so make that two followers. PBS News Hour:
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families