Oh my god I think I grew up with a cult religion

[comb]

....I’m speechless. this is a realization I just had and I think it might be true.

[Krazie]

Why do you think you grew up in a cult?

[AZ1970]

What a big realization to have! Do you have people you can talk to about it?

[Hidden]

If you grew up in it you weren’t able to decide for yourself to be in it. The fact you are able to take an unbiased view of the situation is what matters now. It will take time to make peace with the past.

[Hidden]

It would explain why you are here somewhat. That is truly a long lasting trauma that would mess with you psychologically.

[comb]

I talked to my mom about this today and she didn't completely deny it but she did bring me some comfort.

[Hidden]

I've actually been reading up on this issue lately because my husband was raised in a very strict pentecostal church that was filled with most all of his family from both sides. His childhood is so sad to me because I compare it to mine and he had no happiness where I had tons of it. When I read the signs of religious abuse, it was him. It was that molding of a child that messed up his entire life. He's not really aware of it but I am. So I can understand to a degree if you ever want to talk about it.

[comb in reply to Hidden]

I’m going to take you up on this. I feel kind of crazy for thinking this way

[Hidden in reply to comb]

Comb..You are welcome to share with me. I'm not familiar with the way people connect in private on these boards but if you know how, please feel free to talk to me.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was also raised Pentecostal. To this day I’m terrified of religion. I think it is directly related to my panic. My mom had severe depression. Always worried about whether her children were going to make it to heaven. When I lost my oldest sister I almost went crazy worrying about where she was and if she was okay. I started obsessively worrying about it. Although I’m scared of religion , I consider myself to be pretty spiritual and to me God and religion aren’t the same. If religion brings others comfort that is great and I respect that. It just made it to where I felt like I had nothing or no one to turn to when I would lose someone close to me because I was afraid of what I had been taught.

[Hidden]

I heard an evangelist say you can indeed move over into the cult arena if not careful. It is especially alarming for children who have no say in the matter of whether to attend. Even for adults who have been indoctrinated. You just have to keep in mind; it is not about the people but about the relationship with God. It is always about retraining your mind. The Bible says and be transformed by the renewing of your mind. I found a scripture that if you check everything done in the church by this you will be safe, James 3:17 says, the wisdom from heaven is pure, peaceable, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruit, without partiality and without hypocrisy. I know we are all human and God working on us but if the people leading the religious organization do not bear this trait, or the long time members, it may be best to find somewhere else to worship.