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In Reply to: Sounds like the military posted by Analyst on December 13, 2003 at 21:17:59:
yes, it was in part like that. add to that sleep deprivation,(via all night purging sessions, classes, etc. for which falling asleep was a huge offense.) oftentimes adequate food was not there, or foods heavy on junk with little substance. Tests of obedience. Security tests. "Persecution skits" and heavy indoctrination that the end time was a few years out there and we were being prepared. Then there was an absolute certainty about the existence of God which was reinforced as the testimony suited the thoughts/ interpretations desired. Therefore, it was not uncommon in those earliest days, after a few months in the family, that a buddy would lead someone into praying that God would kill them if they ever "left the gates" (of the family).
Who does need a gun or even a cell when God is bigger. You can't escape from God who is waiting in his tower to pop ya if ya leave.
Yet at the same time, the inspirations and "love feasts" underscored the supposed "love" of the group for God and others. (This preceded the sex revolution in the family. Tho Berg, unbeknownst to most members, had a history before the family was even formed.. of child molestation and other problems.) This leads me to believe that Berg was fully aware of the direction that he led the family into. And that is sick. Maria had to have known from the beginning because she was Berg's main 'ho while the rank and file were abstaining from even thinking about sex. (under penalty of confessing and huge humiliation and breaking, publically before all.)
