My Original Identity?

Cassiline

I just purchased, Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan.

While reading I came across this comment,

Usually I am able to assist a person in making a dramatic recovery to his original identity.

-Steven Hassan

I reread that statement over and over. Then I became angry. Why? Because I wonder for those of us who were raised in the truth what or who could have been our true self? For those who joined later in life what or who could you have become?

Where could we have gone in life without being emotionally stunted and stopped in most cases from early education? Without the strains of constant death being shoved at us if we made one false step.

I wonder could I or you have been someone so completely different that we could have made an impact in today's society. What life or world changes could we have accomplished if allowed to live a semi normal life? How will we ever know what we may have become in society?

What is my original identity? Who am I really?

C

When the pain of being where we are, becomes greater than our fear of letting go...we will risk and heal and grow.

Gopher

((( CASSI ))),

Being raised as a JW, and also having my individual growth stunted as a result, I completely understand your frustration.

I don't know a good answer. All I can think of is that we are free to create our new identity, best as we can, for the few decades of life that we may have remaining. We're outside the grip of the Borg now, so that can be some cause for rejoicing.

No we'll never completely know what "could have been". It's been said "What could have been" are the saddest words a person could ever utter. Damn the WT Society for causing such sadness. Somehow we gotta move on. Even Steven Hassan cannot work a miracle.

-J.R.

Don't let yesterday use up too much of today.--Will Rogers, 1879-1935

Imbue

We're all on a path of self discovery. In alcoholics families the individual isn't allowed to be themselves because they must fit into a role the family forces upon them. Some roles adhered to can be the family hero, scapegoat or mascot. This doesn't exclude these persons from finding their true selves later in life.

I see more and more how religion is an addiction just like alcoholism. Therefore, if the adult child of an alcoholic can heal and find their true identity then so can children of religious addicts.

I hope it's encouraging to know others have healed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The only good elite are dead elite!!"-Naeblis
(Ok! He borrowed it)

think41self

Good question Cassi,

I asked myself the same for awhile.

But why not turn it around? Maybe because of our life experiences, we have something great to deliver to the world.

For myself, the fact that I'm raising my children outside of the mind control of the borg is perhaps my great contribution to mankind. Maybe I won't discover the cure for cancer, or cause world peace...but if this is all I do...it's enough for me. That, and the fact that I get to live the rest of my life in freedom, is not something to be taken lightly. Most of us only cause small ripples in the pond...but a ripple that starts in the middle of a vast ocean is still seen and appreciated miles away when it comes to shore. Life is mostly beautiful...live it.

think41self

This side of Eden, whether we realize it or not, we feel the stain on our souls, and at every opportunity, we try to scrub it away with steel-wool guilt.

gumby

Usually I am able to assist a person in making a dramatic recovery to his original identity.

-Steven Hassan

He must have meant a CONVERTED dub....not one raised in it.

However, are we really the person we were before becoming one if we were converted?
I don't think so. We carry emotional scars, many of our families are ruined, we lose faith in God, perhaps not endevoring to re-discover him.

However....we do learn lessons from going thru it too......for some...the lessons are'nt so good

FreePeace

Cassi,

I wrestled with the same question. Check out my article at the link below, if you haven't already.

Doug

FreePeace
"The World is my country, and to do good, my religion." --Thomas Paine
TruthQuest: http://beam.to/truthquest
Who Am I? -How to Reinvent Yourself After Leaving the WTS

Cassiline

Gumby,

Yes, he was speaking in terms of someone who has been converted, not necessarily a "dub" but those were indoctrinated later in life.

When I used that statement I was referring to those who were raised as a Witness, what could have they become? As I said when I read the statement it made me think, think hard.

Think,
What a wonderful way to look upon life. (((((())))))'s to ya

Gopher,
Your right the what "ifs" will always be there. Yes I need to move on and reinvent myself, grow and see what life has to offer now. But I will still wonder. And am saddened by the fact that so much was taken from so many.
((((((((((()))))))))) 's

Imbue,
Self discovery now is not what I meant. I am angry because I just realized all that a lot could/may have accomplished in their lives.
True, self discovery plays a role in everyones life, but I would liked to have known what "self" I could have been. I know this shall never happen. This is where my anger is coming from.

Edited for major spelling errors

C

When the pain of being where we are, becomes greater than our fear of letting go...we will risk and heal and grow.

Cassiline

.

Nathan Natas

Hi Cassiline,

I have also wondered aboout this.

Might I suggest contacting Randy Watters (dogpatch) and asking him?

Randy knows Steve and might be able to shed some light on the subject or maybe even get Steve to comment.

Wanna try it?

Cassiline

Doug,

When I read the passage about "unhealthy drifting" I could SEE myself in just about every word written.

The quote below from your site is refreshing and really made me think.
Thank you again for your suggestion, now I have to get on with the rest of the site. I think you have put up a wonderful instrument to help us.

http://www.geocities.com/freepeace2000/whoami.htm

It is your core values that really make you who you are. And what is interesting is that your core values have little, if anything, to do with religion, and everything to do with your conscience, your sense of moral justice, and your attitude toward humanity. You see, if you take religion away from the man or woman, he or she is still human, with human values. But if you take the man or woman away from religion, what is left? Nothing but a concept, and in my opinion, a questionable one at that.

King Pleiades,

Great idea, gave it a go!

C

When the pain of being where we are, becomes greater than our fear of letting go...we will risk and heal and grow.

My Original Identity?

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