CheeseToastie

Funnily enough I've just started reading Scarred about someone leaving the nxivm cult. One chapter in and it's very interesting. I've also previously read Leah Reminis book on escaping scientology, which is a lighter read. She also did an AMA which I recommend.

Cults can be religious, political, yoga, self help etc. The important thing is the presence of coercive control. It's a generally slow and subtle way of trapping the victim by getting information to blackmail them, changing how they think and grinding their self esteem down.

Cults do this on an organisational scale. Scientology records you talking about your deepest, darkest secrets. Other cults get naked photos, or get you to commit crimes and film you doing it. They really change how you think, so make you believe if you leave them, you'll burn in hell or similar. If you stay, you're morally superior. They keep you busy with seminars, work, sermons etc so you are totally isolated. Anyone that leaves has to overcome all that control which I thought Leah described well.

🤗 🤗 🤗

Probably the thousands was a really boring reason, but the mystery makes it gripping

Bloody hell that's like living in a soap opera

That's a good result well done

That's a lovely story, I'm so glad you could help

Those are all excellent changes well done! How hard was it?

What kind of stuff do you read?

That would be great if you could thanks so much!

Hopefully so ! How olds your son?

In the past I've had various fake boyfriends. Most notable was when I was 16, a 28 year old had taken to hanging round with my friendship group 😱 I saw him on a night out and he creeped right over to me. I grabbed a lad I knew, shrieked "this is my boyfriend say hi!" Then passionately snogged the lad until the creep creeped off creepily.

I was around before mobiles so when asked for my number I'd switch two digits round. That way I could cover it as a mistake if needed.

Great thanks 😊