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Bobby Chariot
VIP Member
Amway, my mother was into that in the late 1970's/80's.
It played a part in the divorce of my parents, she was convinced by Amway, most of her friends seen through it after a while.
Pyramid-selling of the worst kind, the late 1970's weren't the most prosperous times so I guess folk were easily lured into the (false) promise of becoming a self-made rich person via selling overpriced bleach.
Sad really and definitely cult-like.
It played a part in the divorce of my parents, she was convinced by Amway, most of her friends seen through it after a while.
Pyramid-selling of the worst kind, the late 1970's weren't the most prosperous times so I guess folk were easily lured into the (false) promise of becoming a self-made rich person via selling overpriced bleach.
Sad really and definitely cult-like.
Witchfinder Sargeant
VIP Member
There's a three-episode series about Gloriavale, a fundamentalist cult in New Zealand, on iPlayer. it's called "Escaping Utopia".
Ineedmorecoffee
Chatty Member
Podcast recommendation. Look for ‘Zealot’. Brilliant episodes about various cults but also absolutely hilarious. Scientology and the Moonies had me howling.
Has anyone seen the recent ‘Shiny Happy People’ on Prime about the cult that the Duggars are part of? Very good.
ooh, I’ve found my people!
Has anyone seen the recent ‘Shiny Happy People’ on Prime about the cult that the Duggars are part of? Very good.
ooh, I’ve found my people!
Falkor
VIP Member
Escaping NXIVM was one of the first podcasts about it, released in 2018 before the trial concluded. Fascinating stuff.
As said on the JM thread, a close friend of mine got tangled up with the London Church of Christ back in the '90s and ended up marrying a woman he'd never so much as kissed. The wedding guests consisted of their immediate families, me and another two friends of his plus our partners, and about 150 church members, it was a total takeover. They eventually managed to break free of it about five years later, thankfully. The church had a strict tithing policy, 10% of your gross salary, but as he was self employed they insisted on 10% of his turnover, which was a huge hit to his income. Friendships outside the church were strongly discouraged and the one thing that actually gave me hope that one day he would get out of it is that despite all the pressure from his mentor (they had what they called a discipling system where someone more senior in the church than you took charge of your spiritual growth) he kept answering my phone calls and meeting for lunch whenever I was in London. There's a guy called Graham Cluley who's quite well known in cybersecurity circles, but was also pretty active on Usenet around that time helping people who were worried about friends and family involved in cults, and he gave a lot of good advice about the LCoC.
As said on the JM thread, a close friend of mine got tangled up with the London Church of Christ back in the '90s and ended up marrying a woman he'd never so much as kissed. The wedding guests consisted of their immediate families, me and another two friends of his plus our partners, and about 150 church members, it was a total takeover. They eventually managed to break free of it about five years later, thankfully. The church had a strict tithing policy, 10% of your gross salary, but as he was self employed they insisted on 10% of his turnover, which was a huge hit to his income. Friendships outside the church were strongly discouraged and the one thing that actually gave me hope that one day he would get out of it is that despite all the pressure from his mentor (they had what they called a discipling system where someone more senior in the church than you took charge of your spiritual growth) he kept answering my phone calls and meeting for lunch whenever I was in London. There's a guy called Graham Cluley who's quite well known in cybersecurity circles, but was also pretty active on Usenet around that time helping people who were worried about friends and family involved in cults, and he gave a lot of good advice about the LCoC.
ElChanguito
VIP Member
Also from near S’bury. Their daughters attended the same secondary school as me and would wear the headscarves. They had a very peculiar surname and everyone would call them that but used it also to refer to anyone of that religion
I think they were quite nice but got a far bit of special treatment. JW kids also attended the school and sat out every assembly. Our old neighbours were Mormons and moved to Utah years ago, they were super lovely people!I think it’s disturbing how cult-like things like MLMs are nowadays (in fact all of the core MLMs came from Mormonism), and even things like Peloton that basically get you to prove your allegiance by spending huge sums of money.
I listened to a very dry maths podcast and they were discussing Ancient Greek cults and they said it was the control of food and sleep that were hallmarks of a cult. But, in modern day times, I would say it’s more: the recruitment of others and financial contributions.
Nonah
VIP Member
A few years ago I signed up for a diet and fitness programme which was genuinely great and effective. There was a really lovely support group on Facebook and some regular meet ups. There was something about it though that made my “nope” senses tingle and I ended up dropping it. I don’t think it was a cult but the potential was definitely there and it made me feel weird. I can’t explain it really but when I started to read a bit more about the pattern cults follow I ticked off a few things when think g back to that programme.
Witchfinder Sargeant
VIP Member
just bought "Hey, Hun : Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing" by Emily Lynn Paulson. Not, strictly speaking, about cults, it's about MLM schemes like HerbalLife, Mary Kay, Amway, etc, but there's a lot of crossover between the two.
Deeznutslol
VIP Member
Cults, religion and conspiracy theoryism go hand in hand imo. That’s why I find the recent rise in people believing in CTs / QAnon is quite worrying, it makes them so easy to manipulate.
The Devils Arse
VIP Member
I watched the true flame one the other night, Wtaf? When he was saying his true flame doesn't want sex and he just keeps pushing her until she agrees, and she sits their smiling and agreeing. And then saying he doesn't care she basically gained weight and was less attractive. The guy is a nut job.what are people's thoughts on her?
How they manipulated women into cutting their hair, taking male names etc. i can't get my head round it.
How they manipulated women into cutting their hair, taking male names etc. i can't get my head round it.
houseofhoop
VIP Member
Also Ive just been sent this from a sibling who has recently left. I’ve cut this snippet from a huge document written by their leader on what is allowed in regards to relationships. It’s a disgusting document and this bit is awful:I left in 2001, I say escape because it took six months to a year for them to stop harassing me, stalking me, threatening me, and to untangle myself financially. Not to mention the brainwashing that had to be undone (still working through some issues now, over 20 years later)
We have large families and half of mine are ‘out’ of it all thank god and we get on. The other have are in and have no contact at all, have blocked us completely. Contact with my parents is limited and awkward as they have been told not to have anything to do with us.
The decision to leave didn’t feel brave at the time, I was constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for god to ‘smite’ me for daring to leave!
the document starts off by saying that people who are not ‘enlightened’ by the Holy Spirit, may not understand the document and may take it in the wrong way.
Fucking idiots. Trying to minimise any negativity by saying ‘ah well, you don’t understand cos you are not enlightened’ while going on to say some HUGLY discriminatory things.
skronkywildcat
VIP Member
I think the awful thing about JWs is the no blood transfusions. Some people have let themselves and tried to allow their kids to die needlessly.
houseofhoop
VIP Member
Just started watching Dancing for the Devil on Netflix. Apparently about a cult… will review it later for you x
My partner was raised JW. I think his mum fell in to it when she was at a particularly vulnerable time in her life. My partner now doesn't have any contact with her but his step-dad who he does speak to is still a JW - although to me he doesn't seem particularly devoted to it now, I get the impression he just wants to be a part of something. He has been divorced twice though which I didn't think was allowed as a JW so he potentially is restricted from being more involved.
Growing up my partner didn't celebrate any birthdays and wasn't able to join any clubs outside of school because he had to go to meetings instead. He was bullied at school for being JW so didn't have any friends
seems like a very sad upbringing to me.
Growing up my partner didn't celebrate any birthdays and wasn't able to join any clubs outside of school because he had to go to meetings instead. He was bullied at school for being JW so didn't have any friends
seems like a very sad upbringing to me.
pepe le pew
VIP Member
Did anyone watch the Gwen Shamblin Lara documentary, The Way Down. She set herself up as a church leader. Told people to lose weight for God. She had weird Marge Simpson hair. Talked one of her church members into whipping his kid with a glue stick, one child was suffocated in a trunk, when the parents followed her advice. They are in jail now. She married Tarzan Joe Lara. They made his ex girlfriends life hell as they tried to get custody of her child. Then they died in an air crash. She was a complete nightmare.
HotesTilaire
VIP Member
Thanks Sideyboob, it will be good if we all come over and mither!
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As a starter, some actual cults that are well known
people.howstuffworks.com
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Bringing this book recommendation across
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As a starter, some actual cults that are well known
13 of the World's Most Infamous Cults
Maybe you've heard about drinking the Kool-Aid or listening to The Family Jams - but what do you really know about some of the world's most infamous cults?
people.howstuffworks.com
Bringing this book recommendation across
Jack Monroe #522 Breitlings are a girl's best friend
The ex monkey squig is nasty. They are obsessed by the Nicola Bulley case, too. Any decent points anti Jack Twitter makes are quashed by that idiot. They are always pulling out that side by side shot. Yes we usually avoid showing their work here --- This with bells on, dear ❤. Haven't watched...
tattle.life
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Thank(space)you
VIP Member
Leah remini did a good series on scientology
iLoveMeSomeCanoles
VIP Member
So…a possible cult is holding a 3 day seminar next month in a hall not that far from me. As part of their ”World Living Room Tour 2024“
lol.
They call themselves Divine Truth and it’s an Australian bloke who reckons he’s Jesus and his wife(?) who reckons she’s Mary Magdalene. I think they were on This Morning once. Of course they deny it’s a cult.
These are some important notes about attending;
________
Apparently some locals are rather upset and the vicar has been informed.
lol.
They call themselves Divine Truth and it’s an Australian bloke who reckons he’s Jesus and his wife(?) who reckons she’s Mary Magdalene. I think they were on This Morning once. Of course they deny it’s a cult.
These are some important notes about attending;
Important Notes
1. Jesus and Mary will endeavor to use recordings in a respectful manner, and for teaching purposes.
2. Please consider that unloving people may copy Divine Truth material for free and use the material in a dishonest, disrespectful, or even malicious manner (this is often the case with media outlets).
3. Your likeness and recording of your voice, once shared on the internet, is virtually impossible to remove from the internet even if it is later removed from the Divine Truth website, Divine Truth public servers, Divine Truth download servers, and Divine Truth video and audio sharing platforms worldwide.
4. Insincere participants (as adjudicated by Jesus & Mary) will be asked to leave any event.
Please be loving when booking to attend any event.
Keep in mind;
- Please only book places for people (you and others you may know) who are sincere about receiving personal truth, prepared to confront personal error, and who want to learn more about the practical, personal application of God's Truth, and who respect Jesus and Mary as a source of God's Truth on earth.
- People who are unloving to Jesus and Mary, or to other participants, will be asked to leave.
1. Jesus and Mary will endeavor to use recordings in a respectful manner, and for teaching purposes.
2. Please consider that unloving people may copy Divine Truth material for free and use the material in a dishonest, disrespectful, or even malicious manner (this is often the case with media outlets).
3. Your likeness and recording of your voice, once shared on the internet, is virtually impossible to remove from the internet even if it is later removed from the Divine Truth website, Divine Truth public servers, Divine Truth download servers, and Divine Truth video and audio sharing platforms worldwide.
4. Insincere participants (as adjudicated by Jesus & Mary) will be asked to leave any event.
Please be loving when booking to attend any event.
Keep in mind;
- Please only book places for people (you and others you may know) who are sincere about receiving personal truth, prepared to confront personal error, and who want to learn more about the practical, personal application of God's Truth, and who respect Jesus and Mary as a source of God's Truth on earth.
- People who are unloving to Jesus and Mary, or to other participants, will be asked to leave.
________
Apparently some locals are rather upset and the vicar has been informed.
houseofhoop
VIP Member
I think it varies, I have a colleague at work, who I also consider as a friend. I worked with her for 5 years before I found out she was JW. She knows I’m an atheist, and it’s never been an issue. We have many long chats about it and she asks me questions and I ask her. She takes a light touch on ‘witnessing’ and says all things are up to the individual. This to me is the perfect balance. I have no problem with people having their faith but when they prey on the vulnerable or try to shove it down your face too, then that’s the issue for me. From what I see of her behaviour, I have no red flags.
But I am aware there is another extreme side of the JWs