| Author | Message | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 248 Registered: 10-2005 |
I ran into this today and thought it was good and think many here in the forum could identify with it. It would be nice if this website had in their "Stories Section," some stories from former Seventh-day Adventists. http://christiananswers.net/evangelism/beliefs/test-mindcontrol.html Here are the questions: Do you feel that no matter how hard you try, the "good deeds" you perform for your group are never quite enough? As a result of this do you often feel plagued with feelings of guilt? What are you motivated by? Is it genuine love for God and the group etc., or is it fear of not meeting the desired standards? Is questioning the group, or the group leaders, discouraged or frowned upon? Does the group you belong to believe that it is an elite and exclusive organisation which alone has ëthe truthí and answers to lifeís questions? Does the group pour scorn upon, attack, and mock other Christian churches and their interpretation of the Bible? Is reading any literature critical of the group discouraged? Many cults will warn members not to read anything critical of the group, especially if written by an ex-member (who are called names by the cult such as "apostate", "hardened", or "of the devil" etc.). This is a well known information control technique to stop the member from discovering the clear and documented errors of the cult. Members abilities to think for themselves is effectively disarmed in this way. Instead, they will think more and more as the rest of the group thinks. Take a look at the way the group looks and acts. Does everyone dress, act, and talk more or less the same? One observer, speaking of his particular involvement with a cult, said that the group encouraged its members "to do everything in exactly the same way - to pray the same, to look the same, to talk the same. This in psychology is a classic example of group conformity. Its purpose is to ensure that no one tries to act differently or become dissident, thus nobody questions the status quo." (Andrew Hart, Jan. 1999). Does the group discourage association with non-members (except, maybe, for the possibility of converting them to the group)? Does the group give you "black and white" answers--what the group agrees with is right and what the group disagrees with is wrong? Does everyone in the group believe exactly the same things (i.e. what the group leaders tell them to believe)? Is there no room for individual belief, or opinion even in minor areas? Does the group wear "two faces"? On the one hand, does it attempt to present itself to potential converts and the public at large as a group of people who are like one large family, full of love and equality? But in actuality, does the group have many members that inwardly feel unfulfilled and emotionally exhausted? Have you attempted to disable your own God given critical thinking abilities by "shelving" various doubts about the group or groupís teachings etc. Are those in the group who do not conform to the requirements of the movementís teaching treated with suspicion, as if they are second-class members? Does the group tend to withhold certain information from the potential convert? Are the more unusual doctrines of the group not discussed until an individual is more deeply involved in the movement? Do you feel fearful of leaving the group? Many cults use subtle fear tactics to stop members from leaving. For example, the group may imply that those who leave will be attacked by the Devil, have a nasty accident, or at least not prosper because they have left "the truth". If you answered "yes" to most of the questions on the previous pages, the group which you are involved with is certainly using manipulative mind control techniques. Now that you know this, what will you do? You need to realise that whatever group you are part of does not have a monopoly on God. For many people in mind control cults, leaving the movement is usually considered the equivalent of leaving God Himself and forfeiting oneís salvation. However, the truth is that there are Christians in all denominations who have found salvation in Christ alone, and not the church group itself. Many people who are trapped in a spiritually abusive religious system often feel as though they would have nowhere else to go even if they did manage to make the break from the group. The answer is found in what Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28: "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." You need to leave the group. This may be difficult, but by staying you will only continue to be spiritually and mentally abused. You will also be contributing to a system which, in your heart, you know to be wrong. Donít let pride keep you from leaving the group. Donít feel as though you will be alone in your decision to leave. There are many individuals who have been in the same situation as yourself. These people come from many different religious groups, but have all been victims of the same dominating mind control techniques. Today, many are living new lives of liberty, security, and hope. For encouragement, you may wish to read some of the stories posted or linked to from this site. | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2105 Registered: 11-2002 |
Those questions were very interesting. In my SDA experience every one of the questions fit Adventism. The one about looking and dressing and acting the same caught my attention. When I was in 5th grade at Fresno Adventist Academy our teacher told our class that SDA's should be totally identifable when in public by anyone looking at them. The body needed to be fully covered and no jewlery or makeup should be worn. She even gave pointers on proper haircuts for the boys and hairdo's for the girls. It was way far out. And, about withholding importand information from prospective converts, well, that one is so true, too. I have a very close friend who never even heard of EGW until after she became SDA. She was told by her SDA "Bible teacher" to make her first time in the Adventist church the Sabbath of her baptism, to not attend the SDA church until then because to do so would only cause her to become confused because the teachings she would hear on Saturdays at the church were way more complacted than what she was learning in her home during the weekly studies. As a result she had never even heard of EGW until after signing on the bottom line. Nor had she even been told that as an Adventist she was forbitten to consume beer, her favorite beverage. She read the bapismonal vows and it said something about not using alcohol. She asked the minister about this and he told her the bapitismal vows were suggestions and not rules and she could be an SDA and continue drinking if she wanted. Needless to say she did not stay SDA very long. In fact, we met many years ago while our children were togerher in Cradel Roll. That was a very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 571 Registered: 4-2000  |
Lynne, Thanks for sharing the mind control test. Indeed, Adventism fits these descriptions extra well. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2005 |
Thanks Lynne for sharing the test. As I was reading it, I felt like I was watching one of those infomercials that ask a bunch of "Do you..." questions, and I kept nodding "yes, yes, yes, yes!" I found myself chuckling when I got to the end of it almost expecting "If this is you, then for a limited time offer, you can..." On a much more serious note though, the answer was clear. "You need to leave the group. This may be difficult, but by staying you will only continue to be spiritually and mentally abused. You will also be contributing to a system which, in your heart, you know to be wrong. Donít let pride keep you from leaving the group." In my heart, I know... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3325 Registered: 12-2003  |
Praying for you, Snowboardingmom--this point of realization is so scary and exciting and scary and... God is faithful. He will walk every step with you, and He will also make timing and circumstances clear. He will not leave you alone. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2259 Registered: 3-2004  |
Snowboardingmom, What Colleen said above is so true. Not only will God walk with you, He will carry you when you need it and will not drop you. He is truly Awesome. Diana | ||
| Zjason Registered user Username: Zjason Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2005 |
I cut the above article out and quietly posted it on our church's bulletin board this last sabbath during lesson study. Later I saw a couple of people looking at it. I'd be surprised if it is still up this next sabbath... | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2282 Registered: 3-2004 |
God makes us couragoues and brave for him Zjason. I would like to be a fly on the wall when people see and read it, if it is still up next Saturday. Diana | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1058 Registered: 10-2004  |
I bet it won't be up. But that's just further proof that they are a cult. A non-cultic Christian church would think it's great to have it up to help people know if they are being deceived by mind control! Jeremy | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 326 Registered: 2-2001 |
Zjason keep us posted on that one! The one that caught my eye was the uniformity and thinking about the SS Quarterly. Every church studying the same lesson at 9:30 on Saturday morning. | ||
| Ratthedd Registered user Username: Ratthedd Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2006 |
Two summers ago when my wife's church was having problems with an abusive minister, it just so happened that the Biography channel was running a series of shows about cult leaders on their series "Notorious" at the same time. Watching the evolution of Jim Jones from a small child who was able to manipulate people to his will to the charismatic leader of The People's Temple Cult was eye opening. I was amazed at the parallels between Jones and the local pastor we had. If you get a chance to see any of the cult leader episodes from the Biography Channel (Jim Jones, David Koresh, Charles Manson) I encourage you to check them out. |
