hello

I am a 50 year old male who spent some 5 years with the East Lansing, Michigan fellowship in the late 1970s through the early 1980s.

I can only describe myself during this time as impressionable, searching, and lonely. I was ripe prey.

In looking back over these last 25-30 years, I can see very clearly that the leaders of the work in which I was involved were predators. I wish I had had parents who were actively involved in my life and who had educated me as to the pitfalls of giving oneself to such people as these.

The pain, the hurt, and the damage have not gone away. Sometimes it is in remission and sometimes it consumes me. Indoctrination is not easy to overcome.

Proponents of this cult (a term I do not use lightly) will say that I am at fault because I have not forgiven them. Not true, but they will say what they like in order to conceal their 'crimes' and redirect the responsibility.

I am here because of an article I read in Wikipedia. I do not know how active I will be, but I do count myself among the throng of people who are still coping.