Why I Decided to Write About My Experience as a Christian Cult Member: Series Introduction

In 1984 I made one of my biggest life altering decisions: I joined a Christian organization with cult-like tendencies. Until now, I've never written about this time in my life for various reasons.

The first reason I never wrote about my experience as a cult member is that my experiences there were so bizarre, I doubted anyone would believe them.

The second reason I never wrote about my experiences as a cult member is that I simply wanted to move on to other things and not think too much about the past.

The third reason I never wrote about my experiences as a cult member is that after leaving the cult, I became busy with living a normal, productive life, and the further removed I was from the cult, the less I thought about it.

The final reason I've never written about my experiences as a cult member is that I realize some people who are hostile toward Christianity in general might use my story in a way that would dishonor Christ or as yet another excuse to reject Him.

Why then am I writing about it now? I've decided to write about my experiences as a cult member for the following reasons.

First of all, my time as a cult member was a significant time in my life, and I think it is important for us to record these significant life experiences for our own good and also for the good of others. As we write about our experiences, we learn about some of the deeper things about ourselves and we process truth and separate it from lies. Additionally, I think it is important for future generations to know our stories -- not just the good and wonderful things in our lives, but the painful experiences and mistakes as well. My story is part of my history, and it deserves to be recorded.

Secondly, few people can understand what it is like to be part of a cult unless they have experienced it for themselves. And I would strongly recommend against joining a cult just to understand what such an experience would be like! My partial goal of this series is to give readers an inside look into the lives and experiences of cult members so they can better understand what such a lifestyle is like, and hopefully how to avoid such an experience themselves. My hope is that my story will also aid readers in understanding what friends and loved ones who have been in cults have experienced.

Finally, even though I realize that some people will choose to use my story as yet another reason to reject Christ, I also realize that some will gain a better understanding of the difference between the false Christ that cults promote verses the true Christ found in the Bible. My story is not one of despair, but hope. It is not a story of defeat, but rather of the victory that belongs to those who embrace the true Christ, and choose to live the Christian life in the way it was meant to be lived.

This series will cover everything from how I was initially duped into joining the cult, my life of poverty and malnutrition, the sense of isolation cult members face, etc. and finally, the way I escaped from the cult.

My hope is that you will find my story not only interesting to read, but encouraging and hope giving as well!