A lot of ex-cult members suffer PTSD-like symptoms from their experiences. One prominent feature of PTSD is that events or items which trigger memories of trauma can cause flashbacks, anxiety, and terror. Asking an ex- bible-based cult member to read the bible is like asking somebody who has been stabbed to handle a knife. A knife is not a bad tool in itself - it is extremely useful. But when
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Thank you for the very interesting article. I unfortunately have a lot of problems with dissociation - was once diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having DID, but we're not sure we agree with that! (sorry, that was me trying to make a joke out of something serious!) I experienced child sexual abuse whilst brought up in a cult so there are lots of reasons for this. But I've read a lo
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Thanks for your response billy. I wrote that post over three years ago and it has got easier. I've found doing a lot of reading and research into various cults and charismatic churches has helped me a lot. I've also started getting therapy and that's really helped me too. I agree with what you say about the part of you which just "knows" how to behave without the cult
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I can't tell you the name of the church on here precisely because of police investigation. I reported my experiences to the CID as did my sister. Why do you find it difficult to believe? Abusers come from all walks of life, "Christians" are not immune. Child abuse is a lot more common than you may think - 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. The church is a
Forum: Destructive Churches

I forgot to mention -- we were also told that the world was going to end in the year 2000 - judgement day was coming! Any sinners (ie those who didn't conform to the elder's wishes) would die but our loyal church members would be granted eternal life! Quite a scary thought, as a child...
Forum: Destructive Churches

I can't speak for all of New Frontiers. But I grew up in a church that was part of NF/Evangelical Allience. In terms of abuses carried out by the church, I don't even know where to start. My father was one of the original founders of the church. Nobody elected leadership, leadership was determined by what "spiritual gifts" a person displayed (faked?) and the person was han
Forum: Destructive Churches

the group I was brought up in was not part of "The Family" as such but it was splintered off from it (I think before I was born or when very young) and merged with the New Church movement and Vineyard churches in the UK and very much influenced by David Berg. It differed in lots of ways but was similar in some disturbing ways too - for eg some of the beliefs about sex were similar and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

this thread has been really interesting to read...thanks to all of you. So many things written here really struck a chord with me. For example thinking that normal is bad...that I must be some spiritually deep person and I must be somehow above others, as the majority of people outside the group were seen as evil, wrong or misguided and those in the group were 'saved'' and knew
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

thanks for your helpful posts. I have had some counseling and support workers etc, but I didn't tell them much about the cult. In fact, I only recently was able to call it that - a "cult". but it was by every definition of the word. I still feel like a fraud or someone who is over-reacting or some kind of traitor when I say that. For a long time, I just thought that's wha
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I grew up in a charismatic church in the UK that was by most standards definitely a cult. my dad was a church elder - not elected, but chosen by another elder, because he had so-called "spiritual gifts" of leadership. I planned to write examples of what was common forms of 'worship' in this church but I can't put it into words. I was sexually exploited as a child by el
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I am from the UK. I was sexually harrassed/exploited etc as a youngster in the church - charismatic church mainly, a tongue-talking, rolling around, prophesising-type church part of the British New Church movement. my dad was an elder. many people in that church were weirdos. why do you ask?
Forum: Destructive Churches

hi Chris, no worries about the delay. I have been writing down some of my experiences for my own benefit and would perhaps be willing to share them with you, you could take quotes from them if you wished. Could you pm me with an email address?
Forum: Destructive Churches

I tried to pm you muffin9190 but not sure if it worked...
Forum: Destructive Churches

hello Chris. If it can remain anonymous to the greatest extent possible then I would be glad for you to quote my experiences, if it can expose what really goes on in some evangelical/charismatic/fundamentalist/pentecostal churches then it might serve as a warning to others before they get sucked in. I think there are lots of people out there who will have experienced similar things but aren
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thanks Chris, Don't worry, you didn't give the wrong impression. I have been in the past diagnosed with "borderline personality disorder" so i have read into personality disorders quite a bit. I think you are right that certain personality disorders would make a person attracted to positions of power (narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder)
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hello :) Is it you who wanted to discuss it over pm or would your friend discuss it with me or both of you? Feel free to pm me any time. But I will explain some of it here also, as much as I feel comfortable explaining. Must just warn anyone who reads this and has been affected by deliverance ministries or exorcism or any similar religious ritual they might find it upsetting to read. ***
Forum: Destructive Churches

Hello Chris and thanks for your reply. I wouldn't join a church of any sort now because it is too upsetting for me. I can't even cope with reading the bible because I get flashbacks and it reminds me of things that scare me. I did go to a unitarian church a couple of times but I didn't feel comfortable there either. My views of religion are warped due to it being intertwined w
Forum: Destructive Churches

I have endured and witnessed casting out of evil spirits as a child and I can tell you it is fairly common and widespread in charismatic/pentecostal/evangelical churches all over the country, some to the extent of inducing trance states or treating the 'possessed' violently.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Thanks Chris. I have avoided religion completely since leaving the church I grew up in. I was shunned because I began to experience mental health problems and listening to music regarded as sinful and because I harmed myself. Prior to this many attempts were made to 'heal' me and rid my heart of Satan through laying hands etc. Eventually I was too much of an embarrassment for my par
Forum: Destructive Churches

I grew up in the "new church movement", of which New Frontiers was a part of, and I had some horrific experiences there. I was prayed over and subjected to rituals similar to that of the toronto blessing. I had trance states induced and had convulsions as a result of 'laying hands'. I was told that if I ever left I would be a reprobate and God would punish me. I was told
Forum: Destructive Churches

I know this is an old post but I wanted to reply because I grew up in the "new church movement", of which New Frontiers was a part of, and I had some horrific experiences there. I was prayed over and subjected to rituals similar to that of the toronto blessing. I had trance states induced and had convulsions as a result of 'laying hands'. I was told that if I ever left I w
Forum: Destructive Churches