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Chris said, What I find strange is that most cult members aren't able to how weird their cults belief system is until after they somehow escape from its clutches. You would think that simply reading a list like this would slap them upside the head and wake them up. But it really doesn't help...usually.

But Chris, for those who are raised in an environment like this it's all they know. It's like trying to convince someone who has grown up in a culture very different from yours that yours is somehow superior without them seeing it or experiencing it themselves. Even if your culture does offer a lot of advantages and opportunities, if they are happy and content in their own world they have no need to consider change.

People can become content in weird circumstances. If a person is accustomed to living in an abusive or oppressive environment they may choose to stay even if they have the opportunity to leave. Millions of Muslim women live in total oppression, dominated and abused by the men in their society, and it's simply accepted by many because it's the way things have always been. I recently heard a lecture by a former Muslim woman from Bangladesh who told about her experiences growing up in a very male dominated society. To all of us westerners her experiences were mind-blowing. But few there question them.

For those who are not raised in a cult but join one later in life I think it's a bit different. I read a very interesting book a while back called The True Believer by Eric Hoffer. Much of what he said on the subject makes sense to me. He suggests that people join political and religious mass movements because of frustration in their lives and the need for change. People who are confident in their own thinking and judgment and content in life seldom feel the pull to join a mass movement, whether it's Communism, Christianity or any other mass movement.

This is very much true of Jehovah's Witnesses. They target people who are depressed, mentally ill or frustrated with circumstances in life. The majority of experiences I have heard of Witnesses who have converted to the religion later in life do so at a time of desperation or loss. This is why Witnesses prey on people who have just lost a family member in death, even incorporating "cemetery witnessing" into their ministry. Many times we were told at our meetings to continue going back to the homes of people who did not receive our message receptively because if an individual's circumstances in life change they may become receptive to our preaching. And indeed some do. I've heard many Witnesses say things like, "I was so depressed. I was contemplating suicide when the Witnesses came to my door." Of course they attribute their conversion to divine intervention.

But for those who join later in life vs. those raised in a cult, I think it's easier for them to see their way out. They have at least had other experiences outside of their religion before joining. My parents, for example, were both raised in extremely abusive homes and were both very frustrated and disillusioned when they converted to the Witnesses. They were seeking a solution to improve their own lives and their children's lives. They believed that this religion offered that. And to an extent it did. My father stopped smoking, using drugs and partying in clubs every weekend. My mom, who was ready to divorce my father, became recommitted to him. Their entire focus in life became their religion and family. To them, this religion has saved them. It's just a shame that they needed this cult to make those changes in their lives.

I've been taught my entire life that the world is such a horrible place. People outside of the religion are very bad. They cannot be trusted. This is why getting to know you and Steve has been such an eye opener for me. You're kind, sincere, honest people. But you're not Witnesses. How did that happen? The experiences of people who have left the religion and lived to regret it are innumerable. As I was exiting the cult I was told by one elder, "My daughter left about a year ago and she had problems from the moment she left. She was raped shortly after leaving and has also ended up in a lot of debt. She's now coming back to the meetings and will be reinstated soon. You'll be back, Cheryl. I just hope you don't have to experience all of these bad things first."

I was very scared of leaving my religion. To ignore the advice of my parents and everyone that I've cared about and trusted all my life and to enter this world of horrible evil people, people that I have been kept isolated from my entire life, was frightening. And only in the past 4-5 months have I really started realizing how backwards this view is. There are bad people in this world, people who do terrible things to other people. Everyone cannot be trusted. But that doesn't mean that all people are bad or untrustworthy. Often bad things do happen to young Witnesses who leave the religion, not because the entire world is such a bad place, but because they have never learned the skills needed to survive in it. So many go back to the religion after experiencing a series of unpleasant situations. And often they go back with the view of, "I was warned that bad things would happen if I left. I ignored the advice of those who knew better and look where it led me." They've never learned to think for themselves or to trust their own judgment so when they get out on their own they often have a difficult time doing so. Often they use poor judgment and make bad decision and often they revert back to what was comfortable for them.

From my parents' point of view, all the good in their lives is a result of this cult. They attribute it all to their god and their religion. My mom has even said many times that it is as if her life began when she became a Witness. Everything before that she would like to forget. The irony of the situation is that, while I do have many fond memories of my childhood and life in that religion, it's not the bad "worldly people" that have hurt me. It's them. It's my parents and family and friends, those who I have known and trusted all my life. I'm slow to make new friends and I'm careful about the people I choose to associate with now. But so far I'm meeting some wonderful people, people who seem committed to friendship regardless of what I believe, people who would not abandon their family and friends for choosing a different course in life. If the world is full of bad people and you must be a member of the cult to be a good person, I think I'll choose to be a bad person.

I didn't intend to type this much. Sorry for rambling.


Steve said, Are you sure you want to talk to me? Do you know what happened to the last Witness who tried to explain the Bible to me?"

OMG Steve, that's funny! I would love to be there to hear you say something like that. Fortunately for you, you'll have another opportunity. LOL. If you took their literature they will be back. Your name and address are now safely recorded in their little book and they will be following up to see how you enjoyed the magazines you received. Enjoy!

Cheryl