Hi Lexy, thanks for that, I was wondering what kind of response I'd get!  Fear of others' opinions is a strong emotional force which stunts new ideas, so should be resisted/ignored, ideally!  I think the tone of posts on this site could be a bit more carefully considered, especially to new people - it's just polite!   There's factual truth and there's emotional truth, and emotional truth motivates us to action.  So emotions are what I'm really interested in, because rational arguments don't inspire us to act.  That's what emotion means -  'that which moves'.  On these boards,  ex-premies get to exercise their long-neglected intellects, and that's fine. My dad taught me always to be polite, though, and that's a good bit of advice!  I think the way we react to each other, and treat each other on these boards, is important, if the aim is to encourage others to read posts and consider the information here.  Few premies want to hang around where there's nothing but criticism and personal attacks going on.

Never mind, where two or more are gathered together - you and me, that's enough to start a mini-trend!  My theory on love defeating fear has worked wonders for me in my family relationships, and worked for friends I've shared it with, too, so as far as I'm concerned it's proving itself 'in the field', where it counts.   (There is also some scientific basis for it - re. opposing circuits of the hippocampus/amygdala in the brain,  research done by Dr M Persinger.)  I found that out after I'd started applying love to problems and seeing it work, though.

I've found it interesting and enlightening to explore other sites connected to cults, too.   This isn't the only message board or site where people are coming to terms with having been conned/lied to/abused.  Ex-premies aren't alone in going through these sometimes difficult and painful processes.   Reading other people's stories and experiences in different, but similar, cults and comparing them is a useful exercise, to gain some perspective and understanding of the way we were all caught up.  For instance, the Kaballah cult is so reminiscent of early DLM,  to my mind, it's quite amazing.  Seeing patterns repeated makes it easier to see why and how it all happened and is still happening!  Someone (Cynthia?) posted about a murder and suicide connected to the Children of God somewhere on this board.  I checked out http://cultnews.net.  and http://www.movingon.org,  I think it may be useful to have a hub where all sites for cult survivors are easily accessible, maybe one exists, not sure.  If it doesn't I may put it on my own site.  I think that would be a useful service, come to think of it - joining together and seeing what we have in common is always educational.  Fear separates us and makes us feel small and vulnerable, love does the exact opposite.  

I know I'm repeating myself but it's not a message I've come across much (at all, really) on these boards.  It's one of my life missions to present this idea to people, where I see a need.  (Just had a great idea.  I could start an organisation to propogate this idea.  It would have to be a bit democratic than miragey's efforts;  we could all sit in a room, sing inspirational songs, talk about synchronicities, miracles, etc. and then take turns to be loved and worshipped sitting in a sheet-covered arm chair.  I think it might be fun!)   You know, I do miss the music at community satsangs.  If you want to join my little cult, sorry, club, please email!

It's nice to know you're there, Lexy - best wishes in your recovery/journey and the exciting and wonderful new life that's opening up in front of you!