My journey with the WWCOG was through my Mom. She wanted so much to belong, feel needed and worthy, and do right in life. We started attending services after she was accepted. I remember going to church and the Feasts. I even was able to attend S.E.P. camp. I also remember the strict teachings and the judging by others. My Mom was considered to be a "widow" and we were on assistance for a while. I remember the minister coming to our home--I remember living in a glass house. I remember the time another member had spoke to my mother about my actions because they felt I was vain. I don't ever remember feeling like I belonged with the exception of the camp. 

I remember my mom being disfellowshipped. All of a sudden "our family" did not communicate with us, with the exception of one. The one "Joe" was like an uncle to me and my four siblings. He took me to get my drivers license, he Bible- studied with us, he came and did repairs on our house and bring us food. He lived, work and slept the WWCOG. Everything he did he had the church in mind. He, too, became disfellowshipped. I was shocked that he was. He was a member for over 20 years and a good man. I later found out that they disfellowshipped him because they felt he "hung around" the children too much and in one of their churches another member had done so and sexually abused children. They felt he might do this. I know for a fact and in my heart he never did anything of the sort. I sometimes feel that maybe some of his disfellowship had to do with being in contact with us. He was disfellowshipped three months after my mom.

Two months after that happened he still held his promise on taking us children on a two week fishing trip. I canceled at the last minute--wanting to work and not feeling right about going. My brothers did. Only one brother came back. My "Uncle Joe" was driving one car that hit head on with a semi truck. "Uncle Joe" died immediately and my youngest brother died the next day. Through the investigation different possibilities were brought up. One of suicide was mentioned. I have always discounted that--due to the teachings of the church. But it does come up for me. He left a good-bye note for his mother. The car went 12 inches over the line and the emergency brake was pulled up--as if someone tried to stop it. My other brother (age 17) was driving the car in front of "Uncle Joe's." He told me, "Sis, I saw it happen in the rearview mirror, I was almost at a complete stop before they hit--but I couldn't stop it." The accident was considered to be "Uncle Joe's" fault and his mother was sued. I would never want to think of "Uncle Joe" doing such a thing--but then again here you had a man that lost what he felt was everything--believing in the teachings of the world to come of the WWCOG. We will never know. I remember "Uncle Joe's" funeral being performed by the minister from the WWCOG. I remember my brother's being performed by the same minister. Right afterwards he left. To my knowledge, my family has never heard of him again. I know I didn't.

To break away physically is easy--they do that to you, but emotionally it is very hard. So many things are instilled into your mind and you constantly wander-- wondering what is right.

By Susanne - Child Survivor of WCG
September 27, 2001

Articles For Those Who Were Emotionally and Spiritually Abused

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