Jim Moyers jim@jimmoyers.com, FOR FORMER MEMBERS OF CULTIC & FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS
Hi Maria,
Thank you for your words of appreciation. It’s always good to hear that someone has found what I’ve shared helpful. You have done a lot of research. I’m not sure that I could add much to what you already know. You probably have already come across the International Cultic Studies Association (http://icsahome.com). They have a lot of material on most of the things that you list.
I borrowed the term “shattered faith” from an apparently short-lived group, Fundamentalists Anonymous. I think it is an apt description of what happens to so many former members of high demand groups. Another useful concept that I came across in a book about the after-effects of the 9/11 attacks is “loss of the assumptive world.” We all have a set of basic assumptions as to what the world is and how things work. When that breaks down it leaves behind a lot of confusion as to what is and isn’t real. It can be very difficult to recover from such a loss. Especially when a belief system has been absolute and all encompassing.
Those are a couple of thoughts…
I wish you the best as you continue your journey of self-discovery.
Jim Moyers, MFT