The Emotional Pain Of Leaving A Cult

[seeking_truth_1 0]

The Emotional Pain Of Leaving A Cult

The following is how former cult members and members of spiritually abusive systems described how they felt when they finally left their group. This may give you some insight into their pain and why there are no easy answers for them.

It Hurts

 

 

It Hurts to discover you were deceived - that what you thought was the "one true religion," the "path to total fredom," or "truth" was in reality a cult.

 

It Hurts when you learn that people you trusted implicitly - whom you were taught not to question - were "pulling the wool over your eyes" albeit unwittingly.

 

It Hurts when you learn that those you were taught were your "enemies" were telling the truth after all - but you had been told they were liars, deceivers, repressive, satanic etc and not to listen to them.

 

It Hurts when you know your faith in God hasn't changed - only your trust in an organization - yet you are accused of apostasy, being a trouble maker, a "Judas". It hurts even more when it is your family and friends making these accusations.

 

It Hurts to realize their love and acceptance was conditional on you remaining a member of good standing. This cuts so deeply you try and suppress it. All you want to do is forget - but how can you forget your family and friends?

 

It Hurts to see the looks of hatred coming from the faces of those you love - to hear the deafening silence when you try and talk to them. It cuts deeply when you try and give your child a hug and they stand like a statue, pretending you aren't there. It stabs like a knife when you know your spouse looks upon you as demonised and teaches your children to hate you.

 

It Hurts to know you must start all over again. You feel you have wasted so much time. You feel betrayed, disillusioned, suspicious of everyone including family, friends and other former members.

 

It Hurts when you find yourself feeling guilty or ashamed of what you were - even about leaving them. You feel depressed, confused, lonely. You find it difficult to make decisions. You don't know what to do with yourself because you have so much time on your hands now - yet you still feel guilty for spending time on recreation.

 

It Hurts when you feel as though you have lost touch with reality. You feel as though you are "floating" and wonder if you really are better off and long for the security you had in the organization and yet you know you cannot go back.

 

It Hurts when you feel you are all alone - that no one seems to understand what you are feeling. It hurts when you realize your self confidence and self worth are almost non-existent.

 

It Hurts when you have to front up to friends and family to hear their "I told you so" whether that statement is verbal or not. It makes you feel even more stupid than you already do - your confidence and self worth plummet even further.

 

It Hurts when you realize you gave up everything for the cult - your education, career, finances, time and energy - and now have to seek employment or restart your education. How do you explain all those missing years?

 

It Hurts because you know that even though you were deceived, you are responsible for being taken in. All that wasted time ... at least that is what it seems to you - wasted time.

The Pain Of Grief

 

Leaving a cult is like experiencing the death of a close relative or a broken relationship. The feeling is often described as like having been betrayed by someone with whom you were in love. You feel you were simply used.

 

There is a grieving process to pass through. Whereas most people understand that a person must grieve after a death etc, they find it difficult to understand the same applies in this situation. There is no instant cure for the grief, confusion and pain. Like all grieving periods, time is the healer. Some feel guilty, or wrong about this grief. They shouldn't - It IS normal. It is NOT wrong to feel confused, uncertain, disillusioned, guilty, angry, untrusting - these are all part of the process. In time the negative feelings will be replaced with clear thinking, joy, peace, and trust.

[KevinPolyaNazaroff 0]

The testimony of this Amish man has many similarities to the molokonism of today.

If you are a.d.d., this testimony is not for you.

It starts off slow and requires the attention span of an adult.

But it is very interesting and worth the time.

Listen here...

Hell?...Not me, I'm Amish!

 

Here is a part of the transcript...

 

Hell? Not Me! I’m Amish!

By Emanuel Esh

 

It had been a rough day for us, my wife and I. We didn’t know what was right. We didn’t

know what was truth anymore. You see, we were being faced with our whole system of religion.

Either these people and the Bible are right, or our whole system of religion is wrong. That’s a

difficult place to face. But I want to say that if you’re in religion today, and you’re seeking Christ,

you have to lay down your religion before you come to Christ.

“Not me, Lord. I’m Amish. Amish go to heaven.”

We went to the Amish church the next day. I told my wife, “I know they’re going to be

preaching out of Romans six and John chapter three today, and I’m gonna listen very closely

about the new birth. What is it about the new birth?” Our church was very stirred up at that time,

because this other family had just left the Amish church about the new birth. He had been very

bold and outspoken, and so the preachers didn’t preach about the new birth. Well, they had to

read the Scriptures, but they wouldn’t comment on them. I was sitting at the edge if my seat,

trying to gather any kind of information I could get about the new birth. You see, I still trusted

my religion. I still trusted my ministry. Finally, one of the last words one of the deacons said

before church was over, was this, “New birth is like this,” he said. “When you hear the noise of it,

you can’t see where it comes from, you can’t see where it goes, and so is a man that is born of the

Spirit of God. You can’t know if you’re saved or not.” I was on the edge of my seat. When he

said that, “You can’t know if you’re born again or not.” I relaxed. I thought, If I cannot know if

I’m born again or not, then I surely must be, for I am such a good person.

A war was raging for my soul...

I had the joy of salvation, the joy of deliverance, freedom from bondage, the assurance of

salvation. Oh, glory to God! Well, we jumped and shouted some there at church that night.

Brother Denny was one of them. Imagine. This was probably midnight, or one-o-clock. He took

us home, and I was a new man. I saw that my people were lost. When I saw that I was lost, then I

saw that my people were lost because I was one of them. Then I cried out for the Savior, and I

was saved! But my people were not. We went to some more meetings, praise God, they went for

three weeks. We went to those meetings just about every night. What a joy, what a blessing.

Thank you, Lord. Our hearts got so cleaned up. We were so full of the glory of God. Others were

getting saved. Other Amish families were getting saved. It was glorious. It was a revival...

[stevepiv 0]

We listened to the first 30 minutes of his testimony tonight.

 

Thanks for sharing Kevin and may God grant you boldness to continue to speak God's Word.

[lastinline 0]

We listened to the first 30 minutes of his testimony tonight.

 

Thanks for sharing Kevin and may God grant you boldness to continue to speak God's Word.

 

Compelling, to the say the least.

 

lastinline

[lastinline 0]

This Amish gentlemen bringing up "freedom from bondage," reminded about something that happened when my dear wife and I were leaving our bank resently. While walking through the parking lot, I noticed a lady walking by who had a painful grimacing look on her face, after passing her, I realized that she was a Molokan of the "new israelite" persuasion who I knew quite a bit about, here in the Valley. While driving down the street, I had a sense of God speaking to me and telling me that, what I had seen on the face of this "new israelite" lady was bondage to the law. I shared this with my dear wife who had not noticed her and gladly informed her that because of our devotion to the True Jesus Christ of the Scriptures, we have freedom from law of sin unto death, which brings the joy of living under Grace.

 

lastinline (& anxious 4 U 2 join the Grace train 2)

[Guest What Grace]

What love you showed this poor woman. Couldn't even say hello or ask if she needed any help. "Grace train?"... my ass.

 

This Amish gentlemen bringing up "freedom from bondage," reminded about something that happened when my dear wife and I were leaving our bank resently. While walking through the parking lot, I noticed a lady walking by who had a painful grimacing look on her face, after passing her, I realized that she was a Molokan of the "new israelite" persuasion who I knew quite a bit about, here in the Valley. While driving down the street, I had a sense of God speaking to me and telling me that, what I had seen on the face of this "new israelite" lady was bondage to the law. I shared this with my dear wife who had not noticed her and gladly informed her that because of our devotion to the True Jesus Christ of the Scriptures, we have freedom from law of sin unto death, which brings the joy of living under Grace.

 

lastinline (& anxious 4 U 2 join the Grace train 2)

 

[Nick Shubin 0]

What love you showed this poor woman. Couldn't even say hello or ask if she needed any help. "Grace train?"... my ass.

 

What love, or grace have you shown in all of your posts?

 

 

[lastinline 0]

'What Grace' date='Apr 21 2010, 01:34 PM' post='56336']

What love you showed this poor woman. Couldn't even say hello or ask if she needed any help. "Grace train?"... my ass.

 

Your point will be taken in the true spirit that it was given, so, thank you very much.

 

Here is where Apostle Paul, instructs on the beauty of a life under grace where sin no longer leads to death, and when Paul says therefore, that means that there is whole lot of there, there.

 

Romans 8: 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. NKJV

 

Gee, no difference in Russian. Huhhhhh....

 

Римлянам 8: 1 Итак нет ныне никакого осуждения тем, которые во Христе Иисусе живут не по плоти, но по духу, 2 потому что закон духа жизни во Христе Иисусе освободил меня от закона греха и смерти.

 

lastinline (yup, and anxious 4 U 2 join the Grace train)

 

 

 

 

[Guest Guest]

We know most are married in a Molokan church and prayed and ministered by groups 2 and 3. Maybe some group one standbyers come to attend. Are you married still to your spouse under Jesus Christ God approval? We know you get your marriage certificate once the minister has the newlyweds sign the certificate with him witnessing under state law for recording so you can get the married benefits. So after coming to a realization that groups 2 and 3 are leading you to your doom by traditions and another form of book. Do you feel that your spouse and you need to redo the marriage vowels in a christian church that is in group 1 standards. Or do you just leave it alone and feel you are married still by Jesus Christ God from groups 2 and 3 that minstered, prayed, and blessed your marriage day?

[Guest Guest]

We know most are married in a Molokan church and prayed and ministered by groups 2 and 3. Maybe some group one standbyers come to attend. Are you married still to your spouse under Jesus Christ God approval? We know you get your marriage certificate once the minister has the newlyweds sign the certificate with him witnessing under state law for recording so you can get the married benefits. So after coming to a realization that groups 2 and 3 are leading you to your doom by traditions and another form of book. Do you feel that your spouse and you need to redo the marriage vowels in a christian church that is in group 1 standards. Or do you just leave it alone and feel you are married still by Jesus Christ God from groups 2 and 3 that minstered, prayed, and blessed your marriage day?

Group one standbyers, regarding the multiple laying of hands blessings that took place on your wedding day, the quaking jumping bodies with hands flung into the air, who is responsible for all of that?

 

[lastinline 0]

Can you please give us of the the post # or give us some more information and/or clarity for the reasoning that brings you to ask this question? And, thank you in advance.

 

Maybe some group one standbyers come to attend. Are you married still to your spouse under Jesus Christ God approval?

 

lastinline

 

We know most are married in a Molokan church and prayed and ministered by groups 2 and 3. Maybe some group one standbyers come to attend. Are you married still to your spouse under Jesus Christ God approval? We know you get your marriage certificate once the minister has the newlyweds sign the certificate with him witnessing under state law for recording so you can get the married benefits. So after coming to a realization that groups 2 and 3 are leading you to your doom by traditions and another form of book. Do you feel that your spouse and you need to redo the marriage vowels in a christian church that is in group 1 standards. Or do you just leave it alone and feel you are married still by Jesus Christ God from groups 2 and 3 that minstered, prayed, and blessed your marriage day?

 

[seeking_truth_1 0]

To the top seeing as today will be one of those occasions that some who have come to faith in the past year will need to deal with family who are still part of the cult of molokanism

 

[stevepiv 0]

To the top seeing as today will be one of those occasions that some who have come to faith in the past year will need to deal with family who are still part of the cult of molokanism

 

Thanks for that, but it seems that many who have are right back in partaking with the demons at their table. Those demons sure know how to make borscht.

[Guest two cents]

To the top seeing as today will be one of those occasions that some who have come to faith in the past year will need to deal with family who are still part of the cult of molokanism

 

Thanks for that, but it seems that many who have are right back in partaking with the demons at their table. Those demons sure know how to make borscht.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Kev,

 

You having an xtini after you instigated this?

[Guest two cents]

To the top seeing as today will be one of those occasions that some who have come to faith in the past year will need to deal with family who are still part of the cult of molokanism

 

Thanks for that, but it seems that many who have are right back in partaking with the demons at their table. Those demons sure know how to make borscht.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So Kev,

 

You having an xtini after you instigated this?

 

 

Sorry wrong thread :(

[Guest for guest wondering]

To the top for our guest wondering. He/She might be nearing this crossroad.

[Guest Wondering]

Thank you for posting the above. I have read it several times and so I realize what I may go through if I do decide to leave the molokan church. It is a scary thought to leave all that I know and all that I have grown to love. So you will understand the hesitation I have at this time about leaving. Only through soul searching and praying will I get to my decision. If there would be no drawbacks and reprocussions then I belive my decision is clear. At this point it will come down to a personal decision.

 

 

 

 

 

To the top for our guest wondering. He/She might be nearing this crossroad.

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you for posting the above. I have read it several times and so I realize what I may go through if I do decide to leave the molokan church. It is a scary thought to leave all that I know and all that I have grown to love. So you will understand the hesitation I have at this time about leaving. Only through soul searching and praying will I get to my decision. If there would be no drawbacks and reprocussions then I belive my decision is clear. At this point it will come down to a personal decision.

This verse helped me to make my decision to leave. Being right with God was/is important to me.

 

Matthew 10:28

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

NKJV

 

[Guest Wondering]

Thank you for posting the above. I have read it several times and so I realize what I may go through if I do decide to leave the molokan church. It is a scary thought to leave all that I know and all that I have grown to love. So you will understand the hesitation I have at this time about leaving. Only through soul searching and praying will I get to my decision. If there would be no drawbacks and reprocussions then I belive my decision is clear. At this point it will come down to a personal decision.

This verse helped me to make my decision to leave. Being right with God was/is important to me.

 

Matthew 10:28

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

NKJV

 

 

 

Thank you Guest! I did come across that verse recently and it really made me think....I would rather please God than man I have already breached the subject slightly and hypothetically with a family member and I didn't get a warm reception. Speaking to this person they seemed to put the s & l above the bible and that disturbed me. They spoke of the outside churches with contempt, it seemed because of their lack of adherence to the biblical rules. They also pointed out how past relatives had married out and how they wished they had stayed in the church. That's the thing that makes me wonder. What do they regret and will I feel the same way? Thanks again guest. Hearing from those who have left eases my mind and spirit. May God bless you in your path to finding him!

 

 

[Guest A Christian]

Hey Guest Wondering,

 

I hear you, I have some experience in your situation. Just reaching out to talk if your needing too. No pressure. Take Care.

[seeking_truth_1 0]

Maybe you can share a little about your experiences without giving too much detail to cause problems for you or your family

[Guest Wondering]

Hello to my Fellow Christians!

 

Much has happened since my last post. I have made my decision and am sticking to it. There are family memebers and friends who do not agree but I am not asking for their opinions. The Lord God Almighty has helped me and put my feet on the right path to knowledge. My focus is Jesus and God now. Not Maxim, the spirit and life, our traditions or forefathers.

 

I have spoken to a family member and they are upset, shocked and praying I come back to the Molokan church. Lord knows I didn't want to hurt my family and spent 3-5 years in this transition to becoming Christian. To say I had struggles is an understatement. Through God and the Bible He showed me that as long as I believe in Jesus and in Him who sent Him, I would have eternal life.

 

My transition was very painful and difficult as even now I struggle with what I was taught in the molokcan church as opposed to what the Bible actually teaches. I am in christian counseling and am making new friends at the church I now go to. Not many family know about my decision but I suspect they will eventually.

 

Just wanted to update you all. To 'A Christian' memeber I would like to talk when we can.

 

Peace be with you all in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Guest Wondering,

 

I hear you, I have some experience in your situation. Just reaching out to talk if your needing too. No pressure. Take Care.

 

[Guest Guest]

Hey Guest Wondering,

 

The Lord called me out of the molokons about 4 years ago. The fears and lies told to you from the members are not true. I was told some of the same things. Keeping your eyes on the Lord and His Word will keep you. He says something like ...When your mother and father forsake you I will take you up, and I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will leave my email if you want to communicate, I will try to post it to to where it won't get all mixed up when I post it. May the Lord give you His wisdom, love, and understanding.

 

jvnipe1997 at y a h o o **************** c o m

[seeking_truth_1 0]

(bump)

[Wondering 0]

It's been quite a while since I have posted on here. The Lord has certainly been doing a lot in my life. I began to get active in the church I go to back in February 2013. I met many people who love the Lord and who were able to help me in my journey to learning about Christ. My molokan spouse died last year and I was very alone. I began to pray to the Almighty regarding His plan for my life. I did not want to be alone. The Lord put in my path a very special person. I just can't believe how the Lord has answered my prayer. We married and are very happy. My new spouse is a believer and we love to worship the Lord together.

 

I cannot say my immediate family is happy for me. I have been subjected to very hurtful emails and phone calls from my relatives. My parents are embaressed because I married out. They wanted me to marry in again but I just could not. How could I go back into the darkness when I have seen the Light? No, I couldn't do it.

 

My spouse and I put Christ first in our lives and we intend to keep doing so regardless of who is not happy about our union.

 

Just wanted to update you all. Been busy the last few months. Thanks for helping me to see the Light and thank you to the Lord for setting my feet on the right path.

[Guest relative]

Just think how you hurt your parents. Who were there for you when you needed them. From when you were an infant to when you had your transplants, they and the church cared and prayed for you.

[seeking_truth_1 0]

How can coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus hurt anyone?

 

If the parents or "church" do not know Jesus, their prayers did nothing and were worthless so no one gets a cookie for that

 

Isn't having your sin forgiven and an eternity with Jesus better than playing cult?

[Guest relative]

You would do best to keep silent.

 

I know her parents and family. They were there from birth to this point. Now that wondering is healthy, she turns her back on the people that counted.

[seeking_truth_1 0]

You would do well not causing trouble for one of God's kids lest the Lord deal with you

 

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9:42

People do not heal anyone... Healing is from God, period

 

³⁵ Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷ He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.

³⁸ So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38 NLT

wondering is doing fine coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus AND out of the cult

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29 NLT)

[Guest Jesus Saves]

I would like to know if anyone has taken into consideration Wonderings happiness? People may have prayed for her when she was ill, that's great, we all should pray for all in need of it. But she said her spouse had passed. Why are people judging her for wanting to be loved and happy? Looks like her spouse loves God as she does. Our relationship with God is more important than trying to please everyone else. When all is said and done, and we are standing in front of God, no one else will be up there with us as we are judged. No prayers, relatives, friends, church will be there to back us up. At that point, we all are completely alone. Without God's grace and Jesus sacrifice, we would all be lost. Unless we have walked in her moccasins, we truly do not know how she feels. As Jesus said (forgot the verse)"Let the first who is without sin cast the first stone..."

 

Silence is not the best policy.....we all need to know about coming into a saving knowledge of Jesus. Seeking is right on!

[Wondering 0]

Guest relative,

 

During the past few years no one has bothered to ask me how I felt. No one saw how confused I was about Christ. How I knew deep down since I was a child that some of the things done in the molokan church isn't Christian even though the churches profess it. Think of how confused that made me but I, too, stayed because that's the way it is in the molokan church. You stay because your parents, grandparents and great grandparents attended and your expected to stay as well. Is that following Christ? No. That's following man's laws. Christ says if we would follow Him to take up His cross and leave everything behind. I did because it was God's will for me. He told me.

 

No one is more grateful than I to my parents for caring for me. However, the Lord healed me I am following Him. I don't feel I have to grovel at the feet of anyone who prayed or helped me. That I 'owe' them in some way. I have always shown my thanks and appreciation but how far must it go? How long must I continue to do it? Don't I deserve to be happy in my life as long as I follow Christ?

 

I truly hope that one day this can all settle down and that my family and relatives can see the good work the Lord is doing in mine and my husband's life.

 

The only person I will thank or grovel to is the Lord Jesus Christ, not to any man, church or law.

[seeking_truth_1 0]

From the original post

 

It Hurts when you know your faith in God hasn't changed - only your trust in an organization - yet you are accused of apostasy, being a trouble maker, a "Judas". It hurts even more when it is your family and friends making these accusations.

[Guest relative]

The only person I will thank or grovel to is the Lord Jesus Christ, not to any man, church or law.

 

God uses men to convey His Holy Word.

 

As the Apostles taught, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

[seeking_truth_1 0]

That's a misapplication of the passage.

 

"traditions" are not like what the cult practices but what they had been taught as found in Scripture

 

The Bible teaches that traditions can be a dangerous feature of religious systems (Matthew 15) or the traditions of man (Colossians 2)

 

“2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."

3 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” Matthew 15:2

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NKJV)

Traditions that deny Scripture and Jesus' plan for Salvation have no place in a Church

 

It would appear the "tradition" of attacking escapees from the cult is alive and well

[Wondering 0]

 

The only person I will thank or grovel to is the Lord Jesus Christ, not to any man, church or law.

 

God uses men to convey His Holy Word.

 

As the Apostles taught, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

 

 

 

Guest Relative,

 

True, God uses men at times to convey his holy word. In the quote you used, the apostles were speaking of the traditions taught by Christ.....not the traditions of men.

[stevepiv 0]

The Emotional Pain Of Leaving A Cult

The following is how former cult members and members of spiritually abusive systems described how they felt when they finally left their group. This may give you some insight into their pain and why there are no easy answers for them.

It Hurts

 

 

It Hurts to discover you were deceived - that what you thought was the "one true religion," the "path to total fredom," or "truth" was in reality a cult.

 

It Hurts when you learn that people you trusted implicitly - whom you were taught not to question - were "pulling the wool over your eyes" albeit unwittingly.

 

It Hurts when you learn that those you were taught were your "enemies" were telling the truth after all - but you had been told they were liars, deceivers, repressive, satanic etc and not to listen to them.

 

It Hurts when you know your faith in God hasn't changed - only your trust in an organization - yet you are accused of apostasy, being a trouble maker, a "Judas". It hurts even more when it is your family and friends making these accusations.

 

It Hurts to realize their love and acceptance was conditional on you remaining a member of good standing. This cuts so deeply you try and suppress it. All you want to do is forget - but how can you forget your family and friends?

 

It Hurts to see the looks of hatred coming from the faces of those you love - to hear the deafening silence when you try and talk to them. It cuts deeply when you try and give your child a hug and they stand like a statue, pretending you aren't there. It stabs like a knife when you know your spouse looks upon you as demonised and teaches your children to hate you.

 

It Hurts to know you must start all over again. You feel you have wasted so much time. You feel betrayed, disillusioned, suspicious of everyone including family, friends and other former members.

 

It Hurts when you find yourself feeling guilty or ashamed of what you were - even about leaving them. You feel depressed, confused, lonely. You find it difficult to make decisions. You don't know what to do with yourself because you have so much time on your hands now - yet you still feel guilty for spending time on recreation.

 

It Hurts when you feel as though you have lost touch with reality. You feel as though you are "floating" and wonder if you really are better off and long for the security you had in the organization and yet you know you cannot go back.

 

It Hurts when you feel you are all alone - that no one seems to understand what you are feeling. It hurts when you realize your self confidence and self worth are almost non-existent.

 

It Hurts when you have to front up to friends and family to hear their "I told you so" whether that statement is verbal or not. It makes you feel even more stupid than you already do - your confidence and self worth plummet even further.

 

It Hurts when you realize you gave up everything for the cult - your education, career, finances, time and energy - and now have to seek employment or restart your education. How do you explain all those missing years?

 

It Hurts because you know that even though you were deceived, you are responsible for being taken in. All that wasted time ... at least that is what it seems to you - wasted time.

The Pain Of Grief

 

Leaving a cult is like experiencing the death of a close relative or a broken relationship. The feeling is often described as like having been betrayed by someone with whom you were in love. You feel you were simply used.

 

There is a grieving process to pass through. Whereas most people understand that a person must grieve after a death etc, they find it difficult to understand the same applies in this situation. There is no instant cure for the grief, confusion and pain. Like all grieving periods, time is the healer. Some feel guilty, or wrong about this grief. They shouldn't - It IS normal. It is NOT wrong to feel confused, uncertain, disillusioned, guilty, angry, untrusting - these are all part of the process. In time the negative feelings will be replaced with clear thinking, joy, peace, and trust.

For any Molokans contemplating leaving the false teachings of Molokanism. It will seem tough at first and it will be. But, The Lord is faithful. Seek Him and He will lead you to a Christian Church family. Everyone is always invited to the Church I am a member of. Send me a email (NO SPACES) s t e v e p i v (at) h o t m a i l . c o m Edited July 22, 2014 by stevepiv

[Guest Guest 2]

To the top....

[stevepiv 0]

To the top... I know there are some of you counting the cost of leaving the cult.

 

If anyone needs help, please contact me.

 

stevepiv (at) hotmail (d o t) com

Edited November 8, 2014 by stevepiv