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In Reply to: Re: Collective guilt, collective punishment posted by Farmer on July 08, 2007 at 07:10:20:
I agree and thanks for the encouragement. Same to you. I hope all who came in contact with that cult and other cults like it will continue to leave and heal from their life experience. I don't think anyone who posts here regularly has, or is any longer, denied or is denying what occurred to those born in the Family according to knowledge while in and in what is read about after leaving.
Most have spoken publically at the boards about what they have seen or knew while in, and many who left did much to expose the cult they came out of and also have addressed what they regret they did or did not do while in.
I don't think it is helpful to deny what happened to us, and how we were victimized, either! This is where I wish there was more understanding but I can see how that is hard for someone to do that is so very, understandably, angry/enraged. At some point, maybe that will start happening. I don't know.
Berg was all about pitting people against each other. I think part of the great divide is deepened because of that. I want to talk a bit about FG losses here.
Sometimes it helps to identify what things a person lost when "joining" a cult.
I didn't personally lose property though I turned over some money. I know many gave up their lands, houses, savings, inheritances, everything believing God could strike them dead if they didn't.
Loss of sense of self: Cult personality developed via intensive classes, humiliation, 24 hr supervision, lack of personal space, replacement of name with a bible name.
Loss of values: Values were replaced with cult values. Getting away from family of origin was good for me, but for some, it was a real sacrifice to have to not see their parents or relatives believing they were doing God's work.
Cult values were intrusive, on every level including how to dress, eat, drink, everything. Even how to write letters and what to write them for. Always to get something for the cult, but pretending it would be for you.
I don't want to get too long here, and these are some of the easier losses for me to talk about, but I hope others can talk about their experience of loss without stepping on their own necks for being young and vulnerable when first encountering COG.
I hope others will talk about their LOSSES.
A few at a time maybe?
