19/04/2022
It seems a little extra sad when a Bible verse just reminds you of past abuse.
This verse was used during the GO Ministriest Internship to get us to put down our personality and pick up our cult personality.
They didn't use those words.
It was much more sly. Much more manipulative.
You see, a cult personality is the personality you put on to survive in a high control environment. Remember how all the interns are so energetic, always excited, and always ready to help? It's not just good work ethic and a sunny disposition. They were informed that that's is what they are supposed to be like, that that's what it means to have Christ living in you.
But what happens if you fail to exhibit those exact characteristics? PUNISHMENT.
Maybe it's writing Bible verses hundreds of times. Maybe it's running till you puke, or on frozen ground in dress shoes. Maybe it's the shame of being called out and berated in front of your peers. The thing is, you never knew what the punishment was going to be, you just knew it was coming.
So in order to avoid punishment... In order to protect your teammates from being punished for you.... In order to not upset the leadership that took the place of god in our lives... You "acted like Christ" at all times.
So instead of these pictures bringing joy of seeing lives changed for the better, they bring fear. Fear of another young person trusting GO Ministriest Intl with a position of influence in their lives only to leave with trauma, confusion, and less self-respect.