In Reply to: Re: Fear of Berg's angry 'God' kept us in the cult posted by Acheick on February 19, 2004 at 06:23:50:
Maybe you can think about this. It is not meant to be critical towards you if it feels that way, that is not the intent:
Do you really believe it is that simple to categorize? This makes it sound like the "peons" had no brains and voluntarily suspended their reasoning and critical thinking skills.
I think that the peons likely were people that resisted in many ways and so were dealt with often and kept as "peons". If in the continued breaking and dealing with sessions a person lost resistance, it was easier for another layer of "Family" persona to be applied. I know that I did not "give over" my identity. I feel like it was systematically squelched and broken down as it was, imo, with all Family members. Remember, leaders were often busted down to be dealt with, some never regaining a "position" which was pretty token on most levels.
Maybe a few "enjoyed the ride", but what was really "free" about it? Getting STDs? Giving up all your property and monies, inheritances,etc? Working, "sharing", litnessing, clubbing, memorizing, sitting in classes, letters, schedules, and on and on.
I doubt that anyone was able to just say : "No" in most cases unless someone higher up was there to jump to or protect them, OR they were dealt with again in some way.
In the Khmer Rouge, as exer has spoken of, one size did not fit all either. But that did not spare many from the devastation, or from the effects of being broken down.
Those that believe they were "independent" within the family would have to be insane to have stayed in it. Because in their independence they would have been able to opt to report the SD book, or the beginnings of FFing or get out or get help. But you can't do that if you cannot even recognize what is wrong. I got out because I simply could no longer handle the sex. I hated it. There was nothing "free" in it at all for me. Except for STDs.