All the hidden dynamics of my life growing up and our marriage and being in Worldwide Church of God was a nightmare. And the way we coped was denial. 

After the changes, our local congregation was talking against what HQ was teaching in the Worldwide News's, etc. And they did it up until we left a year ago. Ted Johnson was so abusive behind the scenes. (The image the ministers put out is incredible!!) One family in our area almost had their family literally destroyed by him. He lied and so did his wife.

Suffice it to say, we were never loved, or nurtured, or comforted, the whole time we endured in that cult. The whole package is abusive and wrong. I look forward to the day of its total destruction. God can save whomever He wants to out of there. He saved us and we were one pathetic mess. But now I have a chance to move forward. I am no longer a victim because of what Jesus has done and is doing in my life.

At end the end of every story of abuse from that cult experience--at least for us--is a story of redemption and the freedom we have now. We can attend churches, but we don't have to join or put up with abuses. It is the hardest thing being so lonely--we like to have friends to eat with, etc.--but if that is just not possible now outside of the cult, then so be it. It is better to suffer and be alone than to cozy up with abuse. We refuse. We continue to visit with God and read.

The abuses in Worldwide will continue and it is a good thing to tell our wretched stories, hoping they will help others to recognize abuse and to realize that they don't have to continue to be abused. There are ways out! Jesus is truly the only way out completely. The more we all speak out against the cults, the more aware others become.

By Lorraine
August 13, 2003

Articles For Those Who Were Emotionally and Spiritually Abused 

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