Somehow the Enterprise crew found themselves with an injured Borg. They were extremely fearful of it and wrestled with the question of saving its life or allowing it to die. They chose to save its life.

Once the Borg recovered, they began to ask him questions. At first he would only say "We" to every answer. Individuality was not allowed in Borg society, so he would not say "I." After awhile, the Borg began to "question." Why would these people, who were his enemies, save his life? Why did they care for him? They showed him only kindness. He began to regain his critical thinking skills. He finally remembered his real name from the past before he became a Borg--it was Hugh. So they began addressing him as Hugh, and teaching him to say "I" whenever he stated his needs. Hugh went from being a lifeless, expressionless, don't think-follow-the-commands being and became an "individual" with feelings again. Hugh also came to realize the devastation that the Borgs brought throughout the universe. Hugh felt so grateful to be freed from the grip of total mind control, but he also grieved that the system that brought so much misery was still in existence. What could he do? Was there anything he, as an individual, could do to change this?

Hugh announced that he was going to return. He knew that if he didn't the Borgs would come after him so they could re-assimilate him (nobody short of death was allowed to leave Borg society). He also knew that the Borgs would capture the Enterprise and assimilate them as well. He did not want this happen to his new found friends. Hugh had a plan. He decided that once he returned and was plugged back in to the assimilator, he was going to use "I" sentences: "I am Hugh," "I am a person", "I am not Borg," "I--not "we," etc. Hugh knew the changes to the other Borgs would not happen overnight, but in time, he knew that they would begin to tap into who they were before being assimilated and awaken their feelings again. Once the other Borgs would no longer willingly submit to being programmed, they would break their bonds and the assimilator would be destroyed, and they would all be free. (Apparently it was successful as many years later the Enterprise crew talked about the great collapse of the Borg society and Borgs were no longer their enemies).

At the time I didn't know it, but now I see the parallels between this episode and how the WCG used these same methods on us. We entered the WCG as individuals with hopes and dreams of pleasing God, only to end up being processed into a box of yellow pencils, with our dreams turned into "escape the tribulation" nightmares. We were forced to sell our individuality for a ticket to the "Place of Safety." We had to pray for "the Work," give money to "the Work," thank God daily for "the Work," pray for the leadership of "the Work"--and if there was any time left, you could finally petition God over your petty, selfish, self-centered, carnal requests. But of course He would only answer your request IF it was according to His Will, and since His Will was completing "the Work," you better keep "your" needs short--and no griping about having little money or a job!. No wonder we felt so worthless before God.

It does take time to heal from these guilt-inducing thought patterns. Just by your speaking up, you are asserting your individuality. You are saying, "Hey, I'm a person and I am hurting! This is why I am hurt!" You are on your journey toward healing when you can do this. It is my dream that every testimony that exposes the lies, hurt and deceit, will one day destroy the WCG  Assimilator (and its offshoots) and we will all be free. 

By Lindsey
Exit & Support Network™
October 4, 2003 

Identifying Marks of an Exploitive, Abusive Group

Stories, Testimonies and Writings by Exiters  

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