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In Reply to: Interesting comments on MovingOn posted by Observer on July 12, 2003 at 16:37:10:
Yes, I have read all those posts. I wouldn't say it was 1/3 positive and 2/3 negative. There was a lot of positive feedback and job offers even. The negative comments you mention are probably valid with quite a few SGAs, just as they are with FGAs. I won't argue with the fact that it exists, but I don't think it's an across-the-board rule.
For the most part, we were all taught to sponge and beg in the Family. We figured the System owed us a living since we were serving God. When my wife and I came out of the cult, we knew how to touch the heartstrings of my family to make them give to us, and I remember one case where we did it to one of my brothers. We were in desperate straits it's true, but we knew just what to say to make him give. But after a few months we began to unlearn the Family's mindset and learn a new mindset where we took satisfaction in doing work to earn money, and where we refused to let others pay our way for us any more. It was a great feeling to stop sponging and to begin standing up and paying our own way.
About three years ago my wife and I took in an SGA and he didn't fit a lazy pattern. He is a very hard worker and very concientious and has risen quickly in his new profession to where he helps manage the business. And we know lots of other exmembers like that, both FGA and SGA. Of course we know the lazy kind too, whatever their age.
I don't think we feel threatened by the fact that exmembers will have to unlearn Family ways --and what you mentioned is one of them-- since we went through the process ourselves. Besides, those leaving the Family want a normal life and a work ethic and paying your own way is part of the normal life. The adjustment seems to be a natural process and comes of its own accord. We just want to be there to help people on re-entry and getting their feet on the ground.
