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In Reply to: Cult Personalities / Normal Personalities / Question posted by MLW on October 29, 2002 at 12:27:53:
I think we were systematically conditioned in a studied way, based on fear and many other tactics of control. First you are saved (or told that this was the highest place to serve god)and given the "milk of the word" under tight supervision. Your time is governed and I was taught to obey without question, all this was connected to stories in the bible and in personal testimonies about people who didn't. I believe the majority of people who joined were very vulnerable and the family presented as having all the answers. First, you lose your name, then you cut your ties to the outside, then (in many cases) you experience separations from your partner, kids, whatever all in the name of God. There were purging sessions where the "stare" of leadership was absolutely convincing that God knew your every thought and you better confess to something or you could be struck dead. At the same time there were "love feasts" and inspirational trips to the mountains on occasion.(just as a personal example). There was memorization, telling on others or yourself for doubts, thoughts that were wrong. In other words, systematic destruction of listening to that gut feeling that says "Something is not right her" replacing it with "Something is wrong with me for thinking like this and I better report myself or ask god to take it away". Fear, control, and the thought that the only way to please god was to please and follow his mouthpiece. (NOT). I think, imo, all who have survived the f. experience have done far too much self-depreciation, and self-annihilation to further do it by saying "I musta done these things just to gain approval". Thanks for the topic.
