Confessions of a two-cult survivor

[TwoCultSurvivor]

I've told this story on multiple forums, so I'm not going to go into too much detail here.

I was born into a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. Got out in my teen years only to be seduced into a second cult, The Way International, in my late teens. Fortunately, THAT cult imploded before I could get too heavily involved. I was in an offshoot for the better part of a decade before I joined a mainstream church (a third cult?). Slowly but surely my faith eroded until one day, roughly five years ago, I realized there was no evidence to support what I believed.

I am among those who believe atheism and agnosticism overlap. I am both. But for those who subscribe to the "either/or" point of view: I am atheist about every single God that is worshipped by man, and agnostic about the deist God -- who by definition could not care less.

You can find me on Twitter @TwoCultSurvivor.

Looking forward to good chats.

[Sal]

Hello.

Only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of adherents.

[Minimalist]

JW's huh?

Always reminds me of:



Welcome.

[Angrboda]

We recently had a thread on the differences between cults and religions, and whether or not all religions are cults. I'd be interested in hearing your perspective on that topic.

Are all religions cults?

[purplepurpose]

I've told this story on multiple forums, so I'm not going to go into too much detail here.

I was born into a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. Got out in my teen years only to be seduced into a second cult, The Way International, in my late teens. Fortunately, THAT cult imploded before I could get too heavily involved. I was in an offshoot for the better part of a decade before I joined a mainstream church (a third cult?). Slowly but surely my faith eroded until one day, roughly five years ago, I realized there was no evidence to support what I believed.

I am among those who believe atheism and agnosticism overlap. I am both. But for those who subscribe to the "either/or" point of view: I am atheist about every single God that is worshipped by man, and agnostic about the deist God -- who by definition could not care less.

You can find me on Twitter @TwoCultSurvivor.

Looking forward to good chats.

Can you give me tips on how you healed your mind health after being through such shit?

[TwoCultSurvivor]

Hello.

Only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of adherents.

Amen! I mean, damn straight.

The best one I heard: In a cult, there's a guy at the top who knows it's all a scam.
In a religion, that guy is dead.

---

Can you give me tips on how you healed your mind health after being through such shit?

Not in one post.
The best thing to tell you is to give yourself time to unlearn what has been drilled into you.

Some people were fundamentally dishonest. Most were not. There's a difference between lying and being wrong.
My father genuinely loved me and taught me what he thought was best. It's not his fault it was nonsense. But the purveyors of the Watchtower books and magazines, by and large, know they're peddling snake oil.

Just take all the time you need, ask all the questions you must. And for those whose experiences were far rougher than mine, do not be afraid or ashamed to seek professional help. There is no more shame in talking to a psychiatrist or psychologist than there is consulting a dentist for a toothache.

[outtathereligioncloset]

Welcome from another newbie. Thank you for the best explanation I've ever had for "agnostic atheist." I've never been able to understand before how one could be both.

[TwoCultSurvivor]

Here's another way to differentiate between agnostic and atheist:

When it comes to YOUR god, I'm atheist. Your God is make believe.
I cannot say the same for every single God that's been posited because I haven't studied them all. But YOUR God is b.s.

[Jackalope]

Administrator Notice

Dupe thread merged with this one.

[The Valkyrie]

Welcome.

I have a large number of johos in my family.

Congratulations on your double escape.