cults, bondage, spiritual abuse

I stumbled upon this podcast the other day. When I was 33 and entering a cult, there was little public awareness re cults or religious abuse, and when I was 38 and exiting, there still was little circulating on the subject. There were a few books re cults or religious abuse, but you had to search for them. That’s now changed. There’s now a lot of information circulating re cults, and the public is more aware. I’ve listened to several episodes on this podcast, all personal interviews with people who had experiences similar to mine. This episode, The Power of Cults, Podcast #15, is an interview with Dr. Janja Lalich whose work I’ve long admired, and who is an excellent resource for explaining the phenomena of cults, and how intelligent people get swept up by them and don’t leave.

Filed Under: cults, bondage, spiritual abuse, elsewhere on the net

TEDx talk: I grew up in a cult. It was heaven and hell.

December 10, 2018 by mauraschmierer

OUTSTANDING, POIGNANT, POWERFUL, UPBEAT! What a light! Lilia Tarawa intricately and eloquently describes how heaven and hell can be entwined within the cult environment.

Filed Under: cults, bondage, spiritual abuse, elsewhere on the net

a narcissist

October 4, 2018 by mauraschmierer

“A narcissist uses their religious belief to manipulate, control and dominate you through fear. They systematically take the life out of your faith and replace themselves in the center.

It doesn’t matter the religion. Major organizations such as Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish or even minor sects such as Mormon, Taoism, Confucianism, New Age, or Rastafari can be used. Even those who do not profess a belief in God such as Atheistic, Agnostic, or Satanism can be included.

It is not the type of belief but rather how the faith is used that makes it abusive.”

Christine Hammond MS, LMHC

Filed Under: cults, bondage, spiritual abuse, regarding ACMTC