I know this sounds weird but..maybe if the thread title had Gary Coons name we would get some hits. For example, I found this forum by googling the name Jack Hickman and....since he was in the thread title....this site came up. Maybe there are people out there who are googling the name Gary Coons. Does that make sense? It's just an idea.
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Pegasus, For me it was a matter of fighting fire with fire. Or maybe...fighting words with words. What I mean is..the cult that ruined me began as a group of charismatics and then they started practicing Judaism. The leader of course put his own perverse slant on things. But he used the Bible. He quoted it. In fact when you mentioned ''going spiritually backwards'' I thoug
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

After I left a cult I had the same anxiety. There was a sub conscious believe that ''maybe god is mad at me''. This is the fear that could draw you into another cult. Cults tend to give rituals or practices that the follower believes will appease god. I was never able to find rest until I put my faith in a spiritual belief that doesn't require any ''works'
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Oh and Hope yes... you suggested that there is an element of ''mind control'' used in abusive relationships. I agree with that whole heartedly. In fact when I spoke of ''defense mechanisms'' being removed...it is almost the same. We humans usually use our mind to defend. ""For Your Own Good'' is an excellent book. I forget the author. Sh
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Hope, You are right. This was about relationships and not cults. I did not hear what Oprah and her friend actually said; I was only responding to the post. I became defensive because it sounded like 'victim blaming'... So many victims, whether of abuse or cults, are born into the situation. Their choices are taken away. There are abusers or, people with abusive tendencies who �
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Most Biblical stories are echoed by other religions. The Flood...every other culture has an ""Atlantis'' type story in which a great civilization of advanced and mighty men are destroyed by a flood. Only the Bible says they were sinners but...otherwise...all cultures tell the same story. The prince who will come and destroy the dragon/giant snake/evil beast. Every culture te
Forum: Hate Groups

Consider the fact that America does not necessarily teach the youth that ''all men are created equal'' (the mantra that provoked many Americans to fight against slavery). Instead many schools are now increasingly teaching and preaching the ''less evolved'' and ''more evolved'' mantra. They are beginning to teach that we all '�
Forum: Hate Groups

When talking about cult members I think we need to differentiatie between those who are ''lured'' into it and those who are ''born'' into it. The ''lured in'' member ''chose'' it. The ''born in'' member didn't.
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Besee, Brilliant. What a helpful resource your words are going to be for me. I still have to occassionally deal with manipulative cult members. You make an excellent point. Violating boundaries IS what causes aggressive behavior. And cult gurus like to use the Bible...it makes no sense... If they really do believe the Bible then how do they explain the fact that in the very first book o
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

He's ''getting them past'' the ''inborn emotion of jealousy''???? Why? Emotions exixt for a reason. Fear works. I fear oncoming trains....good thing. So the women in the grasps of this polygimist psycho ''used to'' fear certain things innately that would prevent them from this type of ''love'' but now they
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote: PtolemyGlenn I noticed alot that everyone is quick to scream racist and hate white groups, but ignore the fact there are asian, black, latino, hate groups. It's just the left wing making excuses, by pointing fingers at whites while planting halos on other groups who are not white. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forum: Hate Groups

I think the schools are promoting racism. I have heard that Hitler was a Nitche fan. I was taught to admire Nitche. Then I hear that Nitche was a big promoter of evolution and a serious Hitler type racist. Hitler believed that his people were ''more evolved''. Now in the USA I'm constantly hearing about the ''more evolved'' persons. First in the New Ag
Forum: Hate Groups

And one more thing, it is that induced paranoia that causes victims to leave one cult and possibly join another. How does a person who was raised to fear everything ever get the courage to relate to the ''outside'' world. That temptation to ''run back to safety'' will linger. I think that's how come some people keep falling back into cults.
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Right on. They are pure evil. No sense in trying to figure it out, just avoid them.
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Brainwashing is real. The perpetrator controls the subjects environment. They don't necessarily do it physically. Induced-paranoia is a common tool. Convincing the subject that they are potential victims of the ''non-group'' is a form of environmental contr
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Byron promises to eradicate memories of pain. People don't like pain. The problem is that pain serves as a warning. Remembering pain can help us be a help and a warning to others. I often see young people in distress and am able to relate totally to their ''pain'' because I remember some of my own...hey...that's the source of empathy. Empathy is good. It is go
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So I'm going to assume that the snarky tone of the author may have had something to do with his being frustrated over the fact that Haggee's followers may be willing to commit themselves to causes which he feels are unconstitutional. Is that it? Haggee is using the Bible to manipulate people to do wrong. That's how I see it. I also think the Catholic mega-church does that but, I h
Forum: Destructive Churches

Corboy, One thing I DO agree with the author about. These leaders of these mega-churches DO use...what the author calls, "pop psych self examination New Age tools of Depok Chopre"(however spelled).... I've said that myself many times.... I always say '
Forum: Destructive Churches

Corboy I like your writing style very much. I do not like the writing style of the author of the article. The author's tone was not just snarky, it was juvenile. Someone who makes a living as a journalist should offer something....anything to the reader. He should be insightful and thought provoking. Perhaps I missed something. I agree totally with your post . I think it is good to be co
Forum: Destructive Churches

Corboy, I'm sorry. I read more of the article. Now I get it. The author claims he was ''pretending'' to be a Christian and went on one of their trips. He wasn't happy with all the smiling. I understand. Then when the Christians got into a discussion about past hurts the author lied...ur um...fabricated....I mean described an untrue story. Apparently the group of
Forum: Destructive Churches

Corboy, I'm not a follower of Hagee. I browsed the article. The author finds persons with white skin offensive? The author is sickened by middle income persons who use paper plates? Oh. Wow. Interesting article.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Mariac, Also, the whole shirt thing. Don't feel bad. No joke. It happened to me too. Some chiropracter. Years after I left the cult I was raised in. Most of it's members were educated, social workers, teachers, and this new age chiropracter. I was lured into a ''free'' exam. The whole shirt thing. Wow. Exactly what this guy did but also...he asked me to close my
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Mariac, I am sorry to be so blunt but if CH manipulated you into taking your shirt off...well...first off I can relate girlfriend. It happens to us all. But after saying that listen please....to avoid a repeat of this listen to me.... this guy is not ''in pain''. He is not hurting and acting out OK...hear me. He is just perverted. Some people are. Simple. Don't even w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

csp, Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I sent you a pm.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

helpme2times, I browsed through the link dangerousintersection.org I think the author was being kind when calling Jill's recollection of a stroke "confabulation''. That is a nice way of putting it. I am not afraid of a liable suit so I will just say that this JIll woman, imho, is a bs artist.....a liar.... She didn't have a stroke and remember every detail and
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

I recently moved. When I did, I found what I thought was a mainstream Baptist Church. Technically, it is. Anyway, the Pastor had certain...you know ...characteristics. We left. Many of his church members left but; many join. The church is actually full. These are some of those 'typical' characteristics that I noticed about the pastor. 1-Very sefl indulgent. Loves to relax, play golf,
Forum: Destructive Churches

Another poster described the Depersonalization Disorder. There is a link which I read. Basically, everyone can feel depersonalized during a moment of shock like a car accident. It is that surreal, out-of-one's body feeling. If the feeling becomes chronic, then this depersonalization ''feeiling'' becomes a ''disorder.'' Again my point is that these boo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Does anyone know people who practice this stuff? I do. I know one woman who gave up custody of her children(hard to be a mom when the little brats interfere with your mind melding moments). This woman loves Oprah. The kids don't.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

On a serious note. This is a real question. Let's say I have been diagnosed with cancer and I have two young children and I need to care for them but; I'm struggling with my own needs. The teachings of Tolle will help me HOW? Clearing my mind of all thoughts will feed my children HOW? How does this man's teachings help ME TO help others......oh...wait.....I just remembered....IT DO
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If I were to follow the advice of Toll my young children would be neglected and craving attention as I sat smiling and staring into the the abyss. Sounds like he is the typical cult leader. We take his advice in the same way we would take a shot of heroin. Good for me and oh...too bad for the rest of humanity. These are narcissists who sell their own narcissistic tendencies like a drug.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"