2021-02-26

Raised in a Cult

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by Neil Godfrey

Here’s another personal cult and cult-exit story. Among those who would learn much from listening to the interview is anyone who derisively thinks, “once a fundamentalist, always a fundamentalist”. I can relate to much of what addressed here. No doubt can many others — especially the discussion on rebuilding one’s life after the cult.

From the introduction of ABC’s program Conversations:

Serafina was born as a baby named Miriyum into a religious cult on New Zealand’s South Island.

The cult leader was a charismatic but abusive man named Douglas Metcalfe, who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

The members lived together at ‘Camp David’, growing vegetables and reading the Book of Revelation.

For Serafina, the cult was her family and she looked forward to the day they would take part in the final battle against the forces of Satan.

When she was a young woman she was released to attend technical college on the condition she still wore her headscarf.

While she was at Polytech, revelations about Metcalfe and his adultery and abuse of young girls began to emerge, which eventually saw the cult collapse.

But leaving Camp David for a life without religious rules was more complicated than she could have imagined.

It’s a 49 minute conversation

From https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/serafina-tan%C3%A8-cult-escaping-a-cult-cycling/13174334

 

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Neil Godfrey

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2 thoughts on “Raised in a Cult”

  1. Is it possible to believe that absolutely nothing in the Bible is literally true and or historically happened – no talking snakes – but still believe in its great psychological value ? The talking snake representing the linear nervous system and spine – perhaps ; even though the story has driven millions upon millions throughout history psychotic or operationally psychotic because of literalism.
    One should Google and listen to Bill Donahue Hidden Meanings discourses- absolutely brilliant!
    At some point there must be fleshing out of these “ dark sayings” so a historical “Jesus” probably existed with some psychic ability and provocative utterances … We are all fleshing out of these “dark sayings” and not realising them or realising them .
    The Seth Jane Roberts books are fantastic for this research as well ; specifically the stuff on the “historical Christ”.
    Yet, it doesn’t take too much research to discover the birth story of the mythical Jesus is ridiculously similar to the birth story of Krshna, which was before Christ by hundreds upon hundreds of years . The crucifixion myth , which has beautiful poetry in it ( but an absolute abomination to humanity the way it is convent-ionally taught) is rehashed Egyptian mythology …
    The historical Jesus wanted nothing to do with a literal crucifixion – Seth says . It’s such a mishmash , and so full of contradictions; it’s a composite story…
    “ Of course I contradict myself for I am vast” wrote Walt Whitman.
    Loving the Bible more than I ever did now!!
    When I used to think I loved it I actually hated it – as I naturally should have … but I truly love it now and don’t believe in it one iota …

    1. I suppose different people can find “psychological value” in different things — a poem, a photograph, a scent, a film — whatever has meaning for them at whatever particular place and moment of their lives.

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