Divorcing the Cult . . . . and thespians

I'm inspired to write this because I'm finally, literally, divorcing the cult! I began the process for my divorce. I'll be going in to the court soon to actually file. My ex (well soon to be) though we've been separated for what about 7 years now; he actually "Said" he'd pay for half of the fee. I'll believe it when it happens. I am absolutely shocked he didn't run to the court house the second I said I wanted to separate. But the truth in that (as I've said in the past) was after I said that, and in front of MCK the sleez bag who never was man enough or Godly enough to try to help anyone in their family or marriage, who also must've (Accidentally - I'm sure! NOT) forgot to tell RWD I wanted to talk to him. I was ready to speak my mind but of course, I was beat back down instead. 

In ntcc they encourage if the spouse leaves, the one remaining is FREE to remarry - WELL it is so far from the truth, especially here! HE chose to leave b/c I wouldn't put up with his hypocritical crap any longer. I wonder how many of them "Licensed Preachers" are just like him? He never read, prayed, said anything Godly, UNLESS he was AT church or in front of others, then it was AMEN Brother, Lord Willing, Praying For you, or I read.....the other day - COME ON folks what a lying crock of nonsense! You ain't praying for no one. And Lord willing? LORD WILLING you'd get a brain and get out of thespianism already and become a REAL Christian. And when do they read? The "Licensed Minister" that was my "Husband" (JOKE there) but any way - he never read. Who else? I'd ask, beg him to read with me or pray with me. There was more time for the "Un-TV" on the "Sinnernet" then there was for God. But shhhh don't tell anyone we're watching TV shows or movies on the sinnernet - woulnd't want to be lamb basted or get in trouble. (AKA - shunned) Key words and actions that are important to think about when determining - NTCC IS REALLY A CULT.

So little Danny boy told me - oh yeah, you want a divorce, I'm leaving. Well  I never told him that (until yesterday - 8/13/13). Now I've tried communicating since before yesterday to no response - when I said ok, I'm ready to do this, I need an address to serve you for divorce, boy he chimed right in! Hmmm what a big hypocrite. 
BUT this is where I'm going. . . . he is part of this cult and is a terrible yet good actor like the rest. Goodness, I look back now and see all the theatrics of that cult. . . . I too once was a thespian and I didn't even know it. I didn't start off one. I had a true and genuine desire to worship and serve the Lord when I came to this cult. They seek the genuine and tender hearted. They know how to turn them around and manipulate and that is what they did. They take you to services, or thespian classes if you will. They act, they repetitively act at that. The more the repetitions, the more brainwashing you receive. I stumbled on a couple of articles on how to determine a cult and how to exit a cult. I'm going to post both. We've had things like this before either on mine or any of the other blogs but I think it's good to keep it freshly posted for anyone who comes to it and needs it.

When I was in the cult of ntcc, it was very hard for me to believe any of their nonsense wasn't true until finally one day I just left THEN God could show me. Outsiders can see it. They try to tell you and point it out - we discount it. There are so many trues that shouldn't be discounted in these. 

How to determine a cult:

1.                     1

Learn the organization's foundations. Cults tend to have very simple and similar foundations and common factors having all or some of the following:

o          A charismatic founder, leader or leadership.

o          Have a structured central bureaucracy.

o       Simplified goal or aim structure, such as to save something or introduce something to everyone.

o        A society history, most new initiates are invariably required to learn and respect the founding figures.

o       There is a degree of intellectual limitation, so outside ideas or interaction with non members are not encouraged

o         There is also a system of repercussions, such as shunning, "time out" or isolating or demotion.

o        There is a system of development, so a person may be groomed or encouraged to go towards certain roles, or assist in various ways.

o        There is a tithe, membership dues or other system of getting money from members, rather than earning it externally.

Think about how common this is. You might notice that most political parties, social clubs, sporting & health clubs, credit and banking systems, most religions and nationalities actually have these features and these are not what would be classified as dangerous.

o     Most political parties have founding members, political history, ideology and identity and discourages interaction with "non members" or those with a different ways of looking at things. In effect there is an entrenched discouragement to change ideas, while having a trained loyalty system. There is also a degree of reverence for political leaders in the past, only if they were of that particular party, but members who cross the floor are deemed traitors.

Avoid becoming paranoid. Because the system used is so mainstream, you probably will be seeing it everywhere but that does not make every society or group dangerous. It just gives them the potential to be one.

Decide if there is an element of exploitation either financial or personal. This ultimately is where groups cross the line into a dangerous organization.

Look for the key danger signals for medium level risks: It may be OK to have some association with them, but stay on guard.

o       Members are encouraged to do certain practices, methods & techniques and only those. There is no exploration, modification or comparison with other similar or different systems.

o        The screening of new potential members is quite large as they filter looking for suitable like minded, or easily moldable people. The society can accept and wear the money costs involved in having a very high grassroots turnover to get a few potentially ultra-loyal members, like-minded or easily manipulated members.

o       There is a noticeable degree of repetition, so key figures such as the founder and their stories often repeated to train people to think the same way.

o      There is a medium degree of personal image inflation to make certain figures appear greater than they really were and that association with them is a great or noble thing.

o       Members are all very similar and have minimal contact with the outside world, or the real world.

o        There is a substantial amount of time, money and thought and encouragement invested in promotion, lobbying and marketing.

o       Tax free status a major aspiration, or have already attained that.

o      Funds or proceeds do not stay in the country or state they were earned in.

Investigate further. Such groups might still not be a danger to society, either in design or effect, but could one day be run by someone who will take it that direction very easily.

Look for high risk signs: These are usually signs that it has crossed the line into a dangerous or potentially dangerous organization.

o       Manipulation of initiates is obvious to outsiders.

o       It is very difficult, if not impossible to leave their society. The aim is to make the new person addicted or so familiar that the person loses the ability to be independent, or the fear of repercussions are too high.

o       That members are required to part with large amount of funds or assets.

o        There is a high degree of mental stagnation, so that there is a focusing on key principles or myths and general day to day knowledge is encouraged to be forgotten.

o        There is a degree of mentally stressful or intensive practices. These maybe long meditation retreats with little sleep or food, high intensive workouts or other things. They may be branded with an element of mystique and privilege.

o       That it is impossible for an ordinary member to have the same skills or status as the founder or leadership. So the founder may be a dubbed an avatar, master, guru, Bodhisattva, genius or other highly attained person, but the initiate will never be on the same level, especially if some "powers" are not possible to develop ordinarily or even exist. Members may or may not ever be aware of this. Leaders and next generation leaders are planned with no involvement or selection from the existing members.

o        That all actions committed by members are justified or will be praised. Martyrdom may be encouraged.

o     There is a very effective propaganda system and intensive (but covert) political lobbying.

o    There is not always a vast leadership structure, but there can be. The more manipulative cult leadership prefers a wide gap between their status and others so may practice a more flat working hierarchy. This can create "succession" issues, but usually its known who the next in charge will be in advance.

o    There is a definite separation from society.

If you see these signs, it is best to do one or all of the following.

o     Learn your rights.

o       If you are not prepared to leave the town, Stay calm and simply don't get involved or take risks. Keep a polite distance so you are not made into an "enemy" of their group which can be potentially dangerous in tight knit communities or remote towns. They won't harm you until you are a threat to them.

o      Keep your thoughts and feelings to only those you trust.

o      Encourage dialogue and exchanges between other groups. This prevents minorities or dissenters being silenced and the "cult" taking over the town. This does have confrontation risks if that was the plan all along however.

o      Move if it becomes intolerable or unsafe. No-one is keeping you there but yourself.

o       Notify your federal law enforcement agency if there is a clear sign of the law being broken. Legally they need a "smoking gun" to act on. 

Warnings

•    The most manipulative ones tend to be the most mundane to look at because they are designed to avoid being the focus of attention.

•     As mentioned before, be safe and avoid taking risks. They won't place much interest in you until you are a risk to them, or you are a good "fish" to catch.

•    Paranoia is really your biggest enemy, dangerous cults do exist but they actually aren't very common or have much to do with the outside world.