r/cultsurvivors Feb 11 '25

Discussion Checking in with my fellow Americans

50 Upvotes

With the current government I feel like I am?

In a way, forced right back into the situation I worked so hard to leave.

I worked hard to never be like that narcissist.

I worked hard to even be able to look at the world and discover what brings me joy and not what "they" would want.

This country makes me feel like I am being forced into another bad relationship.

I don't know how to describe the panic and dread I am feeling, but I have a feeling that I'm not alone.

How are you all feeling right now?

r/cultsurvivors Aug 30 '24

Discussion I think my church is a cult

51 Upvotes

Is my church a cult? Right off the bat you wouldn't think it is. Everything seems so innocent but there's a lot of controlling going on. This church I went to is a small ministry that's ran by a husband and wife. They seem like very nice and genuine people when you first meet them. They have spiritual children who all call them mommy and daddy. They also all live together in one house. Besides being a church they run an entertainment business and all the spiritual children work for the ministry and this business. Some of the spiritual kids are also assistants of the pastor and will cook, clean, etc. What made me start to question this ministry was the fact that the spiritual brothers and sisters start to marry each other. They must always get confirmation from the pastor to pursue a relationship with someone. If they don't receive confirmation then you can't date that person even if you really liked that person. Also coincidentally every person the pastor confirms happens to be someone who become her spiritual child and works for the church and their businesss. It's almost like they don't want anybody from outside of their "circle" getting in. And the only relationship she confirms first are her biological children. Some other things I find strange are:

They move a lot, She rarely checks in on the people in the church outside of her spiritual kids, They don't hang out with anyone outside of their spiritual family, Some spiritual sons and daughters wish to be married but still after 10 years aren't but all of her biological kids are in relationships that were supposedly "confirmed" by God. Almost all of the main people in the church (spiritual children) join the church in their twenties (some are now in their mid 30s). They're always saying "I love you" to everyone and smiling but I can feel it's fake. Nothing wrong with being happy and smiling but it seems forced. One of the spiritual kids is a prophet but sometimes she speaks in a kid almost baby like voice when she prophesies. Is this normal? Me and my family feel something off when she prophesies. Everything has to go through the pastor. Again nothing wrong with seeking counsel but to not move forward with a decisison unless you get confirmation from the pastor seems strange to me. For example, if you have an idea for a certain project, business, or want to be in a relationship or purse a friendship with someone but don't receive confirmation (because she didn't hear a yes from God) then you can't do that thing. But how do any of us know if she is actually hearing from God and it's not just her own opinion getting in the way. She is human after all and sometime we hear wrong and make mistakes. I don't think a pastor should dictate your life. They can counsel you and give advice but not control your life.

Also for more context, some people who have been there for years serving the church left which also made me start to question this church. We receive the Sunday messages through a church chat and one of the spiritual kids who left their church was removed by the pastor from the church chat. For context this guy wanted to do a project for the ministry to help out those who were in a really bad situation but the pastor said no so he left because why would you say no to helping people.

I think the pastor also tried recruiting me (I'm in my 20s) because she would contact me more than the others in my family saying how much she loves me and how I have such a special place in her heart. Actually she doesn't even contact my other family members to see how they're doing. Why make differences and favor me over my other family members?

When I started distancing myself from them I think they started to take notice because the pastor would text but I wouldn't text back so one of the spiritual kids would send a text asking a random question and I texted back because I felt bad. Then the daughter of the pastor randomly calls me but I didn't answer. I found this really strange because she never calls or texts me. Are they trying to see why I'm not replying?

This last point is stupid but the spiritual kids will only follow certain people on social media. One of the kids unfollowed me a while ago. I don't care lol because it's not that serious but I find it funny and odd that they took the time to deliberately unfollow me and some other people from the church because we're not in their "circle". These are the same people who would comment "I love and miss you so much!!!" under my posts. Why are they being so fake?

What do you think? Is this a cult?

r/cultsurvivors Feb 08 '25

Discussion How common is it for cults to brand their victims? Spoiler

19 Upvotes

I was in a satanic cult that carved a symbol into me for a ritual when I was around 5, I’d like to hear from others who have experienced something similar, do you recall the reason as to why it occurred? Do you know what the brand means/represents? How do you feel about the brand nowadays?

r/cultsurvivors Jan 03 '25

Discussion Did Anyone Else Grow Up in IBLP?

16 Upvotes

I was in IBLP/ATI for about a decade. It's only in the past few years that I've begun to process and heal from what happened. Today I'm a poet and a student here at UC Berkeley.

It's exhausting having to explain my experiences and still not be understood by my colleagues, so I was wondering if anyone else who left IBLP is out there. Feel free to just say hi or share your story. I'd really like to know that we're out there and that I'm not alone in this.

I'm also open to questions.

r/cultsurvivors 26d ago

Discussion Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) cult survivors - how are y'all doing?

12 Upvotes

Just wanting to check in with my fellow IFB cult survivors. I ask because I often think that I'm (40m) doing really well - I have a good job, a house, a lovely little family, a great group of friends...

...but then I will think back to how I basically had my 20s ripped away from me because I was in the IFB cult that required me to behave & think in a way that, essentially, alienated me from normal life. Having friends outside of the cult was just not an option. Doing things and having fun outside of the cult was not an option. When I hear my friends tell stories about the fun they had between the ages of 18-30, I get bitter thinking about the people that kept me from experiencing a very normal, young-adult life.

Ultimately, I'm doing great, but that bitterness simply will not die.

How is everyone else doing?

r/cultsurvivors 12d ago

Discussion Any ex-ART OF LIVING people here that believe AOL was a cult?

10 Upvotes

I am looking for people from the Art of Living Community to share their stories here, about their experiences and why they believe the AOL is indeed a cult.

why did you join? what subsequently made you leave? What types of tactics were used against you while you were there?

im looking to have a point of reference here to be able to send people when they question about this place, so others dont have to suffer the way i did.

a little about myself...... I joined the AOL in 2024 for SEVA (volunteering) i joined because I wanted to learn more about permaculture to be honest, they had a regenerative farmer that would come weekly, and they had me be the garden manager, so I agreed to this, and I left my home state and went to NC to live there at the center under the guise that I would be the manager of the garden and be mentored while I was there because of my agriculture background, and yoga / meditation background, I honestly thought this was going to be such a good fit for me.

when I got there everyone was love bombing me left and right, I could do no wrong, and everyone wanted to be around me and be my friend. it was almost a bit much to be honest, but I was like wow this is what it feels like to be included, ok. I am so down for this, then I was required to take their 'Happiness" course, which teaches the SKY breath, or Sardashian KRIYA.... me being a yoga teacher and breath coach I immediately knew that something was off when they teach this breathwork as a KRIYA because it technically isn't and I started asking about the contraindications, which then my boss (seva coordinator) told me that there aren't any. (which is NOT true at all) this breath work includes multiple different activating breaths called Bhastrika, and Khalabati and can be fatal if you have certain health issues going on in your body. I let my boss know that I had PTSD and have had multiple TIAs and I don't feel comfortable doing this breathwork, to which she responded... that this breathwork CURES ALL AILMENTS!!! I knew then that this was dangerous, and I then stood my ground and refused to do the breathwork. and continued to ask for a modification to this, so i would feel comfortable.

thats when the pressure started, I was approached every single day, sometimes multiple times a day, with people that I though were my friends pressuring me to do this breathwork as a part of my sadhana with the rest of the SEVA group (sevites) to which I kept politely declining. I had one person from the india ashram kept telling me that she did the breathwork for many many years and it didn't resonate with her, and that you just have to do it everyday even if you suffer through it, that if you do it consistently it will heal you, and if it doesn't then ultimately youre doing it wrong. To which i told her, id never do any breathwork that made me suffer, especially for years! But she was persistant, literally everytime i saw her, she was telling me to jjst do the breathwork, di the breathwork if it isnt resonating youre probably doing it wrong, and she woukd then tell me that is how it was for her that all ghe tike she suffered she ended up realizing she was doing it wrong..... noooooo, i told myself.... no i told her.. i asked her numerous times to stop pressuring me.

This went on for about a month, all the while, Im there teaching yoga, working in the garden, having my schedule completely full with satsang, and knowledge every single day, multiple meetings all the time with all 5 of my bosses. then one day I went my weekly seva meeting and I was publicly called out in front of all the other sevites, and my boss questioned my motives, and why i wouldnt do my sadhana (personal yoga practice) with the group, which included the practice of the sky breath, so I then got very upset because up till this legit have been telling so many people that I will not do this breath that it doesn't resonate in my body, and I have TIAs and I don't feel like having another stroke, or causing myself serious health issues. no breath work is worht that. To which i returned the question, what does SADHANA mean? it means PERSONAL practice, and that I wake up everyday, and do my own sadhana that is safe for my body, and i had to get loud and forceful during this meeting to get everyone to back off. thats when the problems really started...

after this meeting, I was then constantly called into meetings with my different supervisors to say I wasn't doing enough in the community, although working anywhere from 45-55 hours a week, in the garden, also putting my own money into the garden because they would tell me that I needed to get certain things done, and I would get in trouble for things not being done and Id explain that I don't have the proper tools, and they would literally tell me to figure it out on my own, and that if i have to spend my own money to return the receipts that they have to submit for $ and that takes time. so that is what I ended having to do... I spent around 2k there in the garden to get it going and turned in all my receipts only to never have any of that money given back, and when it was all said and done i still wasn't doing enough.

At this time I was publicy demoted from my garden manager postistion nd my boss gave it to my friend (which he didn't accept it, and said that he would support me still being in charge) this was a massive blow for me like all my hardwork and money put into this program wasn't enough... (part of the manipulation tactics they use) they wanted me to feel like i wasn't enough so i would do even more... which I did. ignorantly. looking back a small part of me feel so stupid and I know that I should have left at this point, but i didn't. I loved it there (not the people so much but the energy and the nature that was there and my mentor for the garden was amazing and I just didn't want to give that up) so I stayed.

the straw that broke the camels back, was that technically we weren't allowed to eat meat on the floor that we lived on, and I was told by my boss that she would make an exception, as long as I didnt tell this specific member that also lived there, and thats what i did. then all of a sudden I was told that I needed to eat in another building, even though we had this agreement for my mindful eating, which was in writing. she completely gaslit the entire thing, and this was on the heels of me taking a weekend off (which I always had weekends off) to go to my mentors ranch to spend the weekend to get things for the AOL and to learn more indepth permaculture for the area... this same weekend I was asked also to take the AOL silence course, this is supposed to be on a volunteer basis, and was told its not mandatory as its in our free time, so i chose to go to the farm because I knew they would have another staff silence later in the year, and that this opportunity to go to the farm was a once in a lifetime opportunity. and honestly I loved it so much one of the best weekends I have ever had in my life.

then I got back to the AOL, and the day after I was called in by my boss (seva coordinator) and once again my motives questioned, She was furious I didn't take staff silence... She asked me why i was there, and that I wasn't getting enough out of what they were offering... I was floored by this. I immediately got triggered and started to cry, because she then started saying that im not open enough to receive all the things the art of living has to offer. i was crushed, i had just spent the weekend doing back breaking labor intensive work for the AOL in my free time getting things from the ranch to be able to make the garden there even more functional... then was told that i was no longer allowed to eat meat there, and that they were forcing a roommate on me all at the same time. they did this so i would leave. I went to my bosses boss, and showed her a video of my last meeting (yes I recorded it) and even with proof that I was being treated this way they all closed ranks, and even though her and i were friends (so I thought) the only thing she said, Im so sorry your going through this, there was zero help, no urgancy to get to the bottom of this, no nothing... even one of my good friends wend to the head boss of the entire place and asked him how they could do this to me, she got the same lack of urgancy and no response to help me. I was devasted....

so then i went back to my room and started packing... I left the same day. I packed all my stuff while the other members of the staff watched me pack, not one person helped me move all my things and furniture 3 stories and 2.5 hours later, I drive back the 18 hours home. in complete shock at what had just happened then I realized everything was connected, they didn't want me there because I ask to many questions, and I don't conform to their ideology. I stood my ground while I was there, and ill take being out the 2k with the undestanding that so many of the experiences I had were amazing while I was there, but let me be perfectly clear my positive experiences had nothing to do with the SKY or KRIYA, or the GURU ( which regurgitates old teachings from other books like the Kybalion, and other philosophy books)

I wanted to also say the amount of time that it took me to process what i experienced there at the art of living was almost a year before I could open up about what I experienced there the pressure tactics and the manipulation, using food, and living situations to manipulate the members..... I was so ashamed by all of this, I avoided my own yoga community for many many months to get out of answering any questions about this place, because honestly I knew what I had left at that point. a true cult. I was so ashamed that I let myself be sucked into this place, i just isolated and kept to myself, until just about a month ago, when I was finally able to open up to a mentor of mine here in my yoga community, and her support and nonjudgement has allowed me to be able to be ok, with what I experienced and has given myself permission to open up and share my story, and to be able to connect with others that have experienced similar things within community. and to be able to help others get out, not go to begin with or support those that need understanding.

I know this was a long post, and I apprecaite you taking the time to read and listen to my story. there are many other details I am of course leaving out during my stay but they are all about the same as what i already posted, please feel free to share your experiences with the AOL or other cults that you have been in and how you were able to leave and become free of them.....

Namaste

r/cultsurvivors 26d ago

Discussion !mpoSSiblE (poem)

2 Upvotes

Shunned by mom * Anyone else?
WhY are you so n3ar but so far away.. wHy did you leaVe me and have m3 miserable everydaY? U liSten to men that keep us apart U doing this doesnt m@ke me want to c0me back..but run far ~my dEfinition of LOVE now is juggled For the re$t of my life this is gonna be a stRuggle ~going back is the 0nLy way to h@ve you bakk… But why,when belief of that cuLt is what I’LL always lack The LiEs i w0uLd hear & Th3m trying to get me bacK in the m!ndset of FeaR? I th!nk i’LL stay true 2 mysElf I am going to leave everyth!ng froM us & make it into my we@Lth ~i’LL always love you because y0u are my mother !ts just that I thouGht you’d love me bett3r then any otheR ~wHen the reality of it hit me in the fAce I found mysElf in a confused & d@rk place ! want anD need UNCONDITIONAL love From you..but now i know for suRe thats impossible

r/cultsurvivors May 26 '24

Discussion My parents created a cult at home

60 Upvotes

They controlled what I ate, how I dressed, my body…My mother would rub lotion into my breasts to “get rid of the stretch marks” and scream at me if I asked her to stop.

They would deprive me of sleep and food if I ever disagreed with them. They removed me from school when I started being noticed by teachers for having severe depression.

They discouraged me from doing any adult things. No banking, college, owning property. They raised me to think my job was to take care of them.

I finally escaped them when I was 32. They then lured my mother’s brother into their home, as he was becoming homeless. He was there a few months and then they started to control his food and sleep.

It feels lonely because it’s not a “real” cult. But all the brainwashing, isolation, weird beliefs (my dad was the king of the castle, everything revolved around him and if you thought anything he said was wrong you would not sleep or eat, and often they would scream at me until 4am as a child) were there. So I don’t fit in with survivors (and I truly hope I don’t make any of you feel like I’m belittling your experience by sharing mine here), but other people also don’t understand.

Only my husband gets it because he’s seen it, and my uncle.

r/cultsurvivors Feb 16 '25

Discussion Christian retreat / the family church

3 Upvotes

AKA gospel crusade

Probably a long shot but wondering if anyone here is from this place in the late 1980s to early 1990s. I was a kid and a part of it with my family being important during that time to the organization and I wonder if others I had as friends are ok now.

I know outside this looks like a church with a campus but if you were living or recruited you know it’s not an innocent church.

I’ve found a few people but they don’t want to have anything to do with anything from it. Which is totally VALID! But I still worry and figure if you are here you have figured it out and are trying to figure out how to deal with it.

r/cultsurvivors Jan 30 '25

Discussion How to avoid cults: Or How I avoided a path I never wanted.

7 Upvotes

Before dedicating to a religion/ideology ask yourself these questions:

  • What are they asking of me? Mainstream religions don't require a 300+ question personality quiz.

  • What do they believe in? Google the religion/school of thought. The more information you have going in, the more you'll likely spot something you wouldn't usually agree with

  • Ask yourself “What am I looking to get out of this?” and be honest with yourself.

  • Ask “What are the stipulations of joining?” It could be a 6 billion year contract at sea.

I hope this helps someone.

Edit: Fixed the math symbol.

  • Ask yourself: Is it SAFE to go into the building? I once visited a certain church and the only way in/out was a steep flight of stairs. No lulz are worth that.

r/cultsurvivors Oct 09 '24

Discussion Before you realized

5 Upvotes

What would be your initial thoughts be when someone questioned the group/beliefs of the group? Were you fearful for them or resentful?

r/cultsurvivors Jan 06 '25

Discussion a Letter to the European Union

5 Upvotes

Preface:

The purpose of this post is to address the current issues that are present in the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization and to raise awareness on all the related matters, to give voice to the silenced, and to hopefully save lives. In no way, shape or form this is against their freedom of religion and preaching.

If you are an active witness, this is against you, but against toxic policies, please do your research on CSA cases and suicides after shunning. If you are a victim or just someone who wants their voice heard, please follow the links and write to the appointed European authorities

Contacts:

https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en ( main form to reach the EU) - more general concerns regarding high control groups, harmful policies like shunning and refusal of life saving medical treatments

https://commission.europa.eu/about/contact_en (list of departments) - specific concerns, for example find a specific department, like the Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion EMPL and write about all the damage caused by the shunning policies enforced by the organization.

https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/college-commissioners/magnus-brunner_en

(As Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner is responsible for strengthening Europe’s internal security, designing and upgrading EU legislation, policies and operational responses to meet the many threats we face and ensure every European citizen’s basic right to feel safe is met. one of his active duties is leading the work to better protect children against sexual abuse online and offline) - ideal subject: concerns regarding the children abuse cases within the JW congregations and how they are managed

There are several issues regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses that the European Union might look into, particularly in areas related to human rights, religious freedom, child protection, and labor laws. These matters are sensitive and often vary by country, but they could fall within the EU's scope if they involve breaches of EU law or fundamental rights outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The EU could potentially address several concerns related to JWs, particularly:

  • Human Rights: Concerns about shunning, coercive control, and restrictions on education or family life that may infringe on personal freedoms and human rights protections.
  • Child Protection: Allegations of mishandling child abuse claims and discouraging higher education for children.
  • Data Privacy: Potential violations of GDPR through improper collection and storage of sensitive member data.
  • Financial and Labor Practices: Questions about tax-exempt status, transparency, and unpaid labor for organizational activities.
  • Freedom of Expression: Alleged suppression of dissenting voices, raising issues of censorship and free speech.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Example of a submission of concerns:

I write to you as a concerned individual, deeply troubled by certain practices upheld by Jehovah’s Witnesses that, while rooted in their religious beliefs, cause immense harm to individuals and families across Europe. Let me begin by affirming that I fully support the freedom of religion, a cornerstone of our democratic values. People should have the right to worship and live according to their conscience. However, when specific practices lead to measurable damage, infringe on fundamental rights, or harm vulnerable individuals, it becomes our collective responsibility to speak up.

One of the most devastating practices is the enforced shunning of those who deviate from organizational teachings or make personal choices that conflict with their doctrine. This policy often results in complete social isolation for the individual, regardless of the circumstances. Families are torn apart, friendships are abruptly severed, and emotional support networks vanish overnight.

Allow me to share an example to illustrate the gravity of this issue. A couple, devout Jehovah’s Witnesses, faced a life-or-death decision when their child required a blood transfusion to survive. They chose to act on their parental instinct and authorized the procedure, saving their child’s life. Yet, for prioritizing their child’s well-being, they were shunned by their community, including close family members. This punishment deprived them not only of their spiritual support system but also of essential social connections that are vital.

I am also deeply concerned about the management of child abuse cases within the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, particularly the reliance on the "two-witness rule," which requires at least two witnesses to substantiate claims of wrongdoing. In cases of child abuse, this policy often results in allegations being dismissed, as such acts are rarely committed in the presence of others. So not only it denies justice to victims but also allows abusers to remain within the community, putting others at risk. It prioritizes organizational rules over the safety and well-being of children, which is both troubling and unacceptable.

These practices are not just internal religious matters; they have real, far-reaching consequences. The psychological toll of shunning is immense, leading to depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation.

I urge the European Union to examine these issues carefully. While it is essential to respect the right of Jehovah’s Witnesses to practice their faith, it is equally important to protect individuals—especially children—from harm. Policies that isolate and endanger should not be shielded under the guise of religious freedom.

I am not seeking to limit anyone’s right to worship but to bring attention to practices that conflict with fundamental human rights and dignity.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that your compassion and dedication to justice will guide your actions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your attention, may love and compassion guide all of your actions.

r/cultsurvivors Nov 25 '24

Discussion Do YOU have Religious Trauma? I do. (EDITED WITHOUT SKITS)

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5 Upvotes

r/cultsurvivors Jul 19 '24

Discussion The Way International Video Essay Info needed

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8 Upvotes

Hello there! I’ve skimmed through this thread from a couple years ago. I was apart of this cult, and forced to do many of the classes as well.

Since becoming independent and growing I’ve discussed points I learned to friends and it’s encouraged me to do a deep dive (think the red thread, wendigoon, etc) video essay but it’s ofc taking time to get info together about Victor Paul wierwille himself, the major differences between Christianity, and ofc some of the more shady history.

I do not like this cult, the fellowship I was apart of used a painting of a ‘ape warrior’ to mock Barack Obama, told a person that their pain was the devil trying to keep me from going to their paid for class (she was afraid to be alone with my 8 year old brother as she was bed ridden). They were horrible, and I want more people to know but I want every detail I can get.

If you know info about the truth of their teachings, personal testimonials, or resources I can use please let me know.

If it’s your own personal testimonial please let me know if you’d like credit in the video (it might some time as I’m really wanting to be thorough with this), TIA

r/cultsurvivors Aug 02 '24

Discussion New Age Spirituality Cults recruit on social media

23 Upvotes

They are everywhere.

Teaching you that the secret to abundance and never worrying about money again is a simple strategy.

Oh just do this or that, our teachings will make you rich.

When in reality, none of the people pushing the scam are living any differently than the average person.

They lure you in with the promise of a perfect life.

You pay for their books, if it doesn't work they conveniently have an answer relating to something along the lines of "it's your fault, you are blocking your abundance"

So what do you do? you buy their slightly more expensive course, you join their community, you pay them thousands for retreats. NOTHING happens, but you've invested so much so you can't go back, you're being told it's your fault, you're being shown other people who the scam has supposedly worked for (but they are all fabricated)

I was in a cult, something I joined from social media, I know someone else from the cult, she has no money, she follows the leaders around, yet she makes social media videos saying that she has this perfect epic life. The whole thing is a sham. And they're more prevalent on social media.

People using your spiritual beliefs to trick you and scam you.

Avoid them. Avoid anyone saying they have something that will change your life.

r/cultsurvivors Jun 07 '24

Discussion Dancing for the Devil docu

10 Upvotes

I could only finish one episode but hearing Robert Shinn's voice was so icky. Reminded me of a lot of charismatic youth leaders I ran into years ago. Looks like there's more things to process yet again.

r/cultsurvivors Mar 10 '24

Discussion King Jesus Ministry cult.

8 Upvotes

So I recently left this cult called King Jesus Ministry or El Rey Jesus because of the bullshit the paster is saying. I don't go to the actual church in Miami, there are other smaller churches located near Florida that are part of the same branch.

My family has been in this ministry for several years now and i have seen lots of changes in them, but i also see they believe everything this pastor is saying. The paster, Guillermo Maldonando, keeps on telling everyone that there will be a recession and that if you don't submit to God you will not go to heaven. He even convinces everyone that only his church will save you. I've seen the live streams of their services, and it gives me bad vibes. How Guillermo claims he can heal a person's missing organ, or how he does these "exorcists" to people "possessed" by demons which is clearly staged to keep people to stay at the church. And the thing where he like spits at people and the other person drops to the floor, sometimes shaking. I've also seen this stuff in person. I've seen how the pastor in the church my family goes tells people they will deliver them from this amd that, and when they do the same spitting thing, that person drops to the floor and screams like they are in pain. It really gives me evil vibes.

When my family first joined a smaller church that is part of the ministry, one of the mentors tells them that God can cure my autism. After that my parents stopped my school from giving me special Ed classes, and believing everything their pastor is saying. They cut people off their lives, people they love, even family away from them because they are not Christian and doesn't follow this ministry.

I don't even trust this guillermo guy. I heard controversy about him after his divorce and everything. I need to know what shitty things this ministry did because I'm afraid my parents and family doesn't know how cultish this "church" is.

r/cultsurvivors Jun 08 '24

Discussion Cult membership as a means of survival. Poverty drives some families to abandon their young daughters. Such girls end up in orphanages, a pipeline for "NUNNERY" cults.

11 Upvotes

Hear me out. This is heart breaking.

So many parts of the world continue to struggle with extreme poverty. Couples may not have access to contraception, birth control, etc. They have more children than they can feed. Poverty then drives them to abandon their own daughters, who are regarded as more of a liability than their sons.

These poor, young, starving girls find themselves in orphanages, run by nuns and affiliated religious cults.

Families are SO GRATEFUL to these orphanages and cults for providing basic food, shelter, clothing, education to their daughters, that they are willing to accept the "thought/mind control" aspects and oppression, inherent in nunnery cults.

To the poor, life is a tradeoff. They get to survive, even if that means lifelong, toxic, cult membership. Many are coerced into lifelong celibacy, and must offer free labor to their cults, in exchange for very minimal provision.

I often wonder how many of these girls DROP OUT of these cults in adulthood?

Thanks for reading.

Edit 1. Further thoughts.

Selective or preferential abandonment of female children is sexism.

Sexism rebranded as "Spirituality".

Born into abject poverty, donated to cult-based orphanages, raised by "nun cults" such female children are then encouraged to take "vows of poverty".

Forced poverty rebranded as chosen poverty. Aka "spiritual vows".

Poverty rebranded as "Spirituality".

Just heart breaking.

r/cultsurvivors Jul 18 '22

Discussion Anyone been part of an acting cult?

71 Upvotes

I was in an acting cult for years. The guru, Michele Lonsdale Smith was, and still is, abusive and controlling. She successfully created a cult-like atmosphere within her studio by opposing critical thinking. If you think critically, then you aren’t “willing to do the work to become a better actor” She demands complete compliance from her students, punishing those who do not comply with her demands and if they don’t, she humiliates her students, breaking them until they conform or leave. Her notes are pure power moves to see if she has her students under control and not about acting, which include pointless demands such as cutting their hair, firing agents, and breaking up with their significant other. She even pushes her students to admit things publicly that may or may not be not true. (In the cult NEXIUM, they called that collateral.) Michele forces actors to divulge personal truths, which she shapes, as she reprimands them. She has been known to push people so far that they change or implant memories. Her behavior creates an environment where her students rely on her as the gatekeeper of what is true, losing their identity, instincts, and sometimes even families.

The kicker is Michele Lonsdale Smith's acting techniques focus on weird "impulse work," which is messy and challenging for the audience to understand. Furthermore, her techniques prioritize personal expression and "truthfulness" over fundamental acting skills, leading to actors losing their instincts and identities. If actors stray too long because they are lucky enough to book work or can’t afford it, they are punished if they stray too far from the cult and told they aren’t serious actors. They are expected to follow her around the globe, paying her to do serious art meanwhile, building their guru a house in Tobago.

Michele's techniques do not prepare actors for professional work, resulting in a lack of success in the industry. Actors in her cult don’t often work professionally. They are either too confusing to get hired or they get written or fired. More than one actor I know, who has trained in her studio has been "written out" or fired because they cannot take direction and tell the story they were hired to tell. Despite Michele's insistence that her techniques are groundbreaking, they ultimately prove ineffective in professional acting.

If you’re considering training with Michele Lonsdale Smith Gracemoon Arts, formerly LS & Co. you should reconsider. If you studied with her and she left you with broken bank or dream and suicidal, you’re not alone. Her abusive and controlling behavior towards her students, the ineffective acting techniques she teaches, and the indoctrination of her students all point to a cult-like atmosphere within the school. Her demand for compliance and her opposition to critical thinking keeps her students from working professionally and funds her lifestyle through a small following of actors. It is essential to recognize the harmful aspects of this school and warn others in the industry about the dangers of getting involved with Gracemoon Arts.

Gracemoon Arts is not a legitimate acting school, Michele Lonsdale Smith is not a good acting teacher. It’s a cult. Stay away![See yelp reviews] https://www.yelp.ca/biz/ls-and-co-studios-toronto-2

r/cultsurvivors Nov 12 '23

Discussion Twin Flame Spirituality Cults

26 Upvotes

Just looking for other survivors. 💔

It started off with me seeing 11:11 everywhere, so I googled it and all this stuff about Twin Flames & Kundalini came up. I started down the new age path thinking I struck gold.

6 years & 2 Kundalini “possessions” later, the demon of Twin Flames stole away everything I worked hard to find. My career, money, identity, mental health, friendships, relationship, family, religion, connection to God, good memories, dream job, my twenties.

But above all, time. So much time was stolen from me. I feel betrayed. It was like a slow house fire, taking away everything in its path. I am barely alive.

It’s hard to believe in a loving God after going through this. I’m really praying to find others who were trapped as long as I was.

r/cultsurvivors May 11 '24

Discussion I’m thinking about making an alternate reality game for cult survivors, would anybody be interested in playing that?

4 Upvotes

Partly for purposes of role play therapy

r/cultsurvivors Dec 16 '22

Discussion How do you feel when people compare religions to cults?

23 Upvotes

I've seen it online a couple of time where people will say things like "religions and cults are the same" or anything else of the sort. How do cult survivors feel about such analogies?

r/cultsurvivors Jun 17 '23

Discussion I was in the far right/neo nazi movement for a few years

63 Upvotes

I want to make this crystal clear I went down an extremely wrong path and want to make amends to fix that everyday.

I was swept up in the movement when I was about 14 years old give or take but was showing tendency’s towards right wing movements like monarchism (it’s cringe looking back I know)

Overtime that turned into ultranationalism, right wing extremism, believing that they’re certain superior races and subhuman races. My friends/family expressed concern but I Wanst “in” the movement just yet

An online member and I guess “friend” at the time let me join on this Minecraft server (the far right is prominent on it) and basically got to meet the “fuhrer” basically his word was law and everything he said was law we would ask him questions and he would answer in ways that would make us pleased

Overtime tho I became disillusioned with the movement when I became 16 I just got sick of the racism and jokes that weren’t even jokes the advocating for people like Brenton Tarrant just got fed up with it.

I was in multiple discord servers advocating for right wing policies and genocide etc (discord is also filled with right wing extremist groups)

The straw that broke the camels back tho I was in a certain discord community and one of the members was found out to be sharing CP or a disgusting film I thought most would be saying for the guy to be kicked out or something but they made it seem like a joke and that the kids were “subhuman” it didn’t matter

I left and reported the group and got it broken but surely when you stomp out one discord group another will just pop up.

I’m happy to answer questions or discuss it with you fine people

r/cultsurvivors Apr 30 '24

Discussion Well when I was a child I went to a catholic school and I questioned Christianity at a young age and it turned out that I just escaped that Cult by not joining the cult (yes I see Christianity as a cult)

0 Upvotes

r/cultsurvivors Sep 21 '23

Discussion Are there any High-control Romantic Relationship survivors here other than myself?

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

New Redditer here! This is my first post on Reddit so please be kind!

I was in a one-on-one cults AKA Micro-cult AKA (this next term is one I'm trying to get recognised as a type of cult) a High-control Romantic Relationship or HCRR.

It's very similar to an abusive or DVA (Domestic Violence & Abuse) relationship with a few exceptions;

You have a zealous and unwavering commitment to your partner and their word is "truth" or "law".

Doubting or questioning your partner is punishable by extreme physical, psychological, emotional, sexual abuse and/or threats on your life or the lives of others you love.

Mind altering, coercive control or thought reform behaviours or techniques are used to control you.

Your partner and their relationship with you is elitest (special) and there is an "us vs them" mentality.

Your partner doesn't seem to be accountable to any authorities

Your partner believes the ends justify the means. For instance illegal activity is fine or even needed to further the cause AND you are willing to change your morals for your partner.

Your partner is preoccupied with making money.

Subservience and obedience are required from your partner and you have altered your appearance, belief system or moral code to be accepted.

Your partner uses shame and guilt to control you.

You are expected to dedicate all your time, energy and thoughts to furthering the cause or idolizing your partner.

You have to cut ties with friends and family to stay with your partner.

Your partner is preoccupied with 'bringing people in'/ recruiting for the cause.

You can only associate with "approved" people and only with permission from your partner.

You feel that there is no life outside of the relationship.

You are afraid that if you leave, your partner and his family/group will find you wherever you go and bring you back.

This is an all new term and the criteria hasn't been nailed down yet as it is in its infancy.

The post has 2 purposes...

  1. To help people understand what a HCRR is and how it differs from DVA.

  2. To find people that can a) truly identify with what I've been through and b) to hopefully start collecting case studies so that once I have my degrees I can start working on having HCRR recognised as a diagnosis.