I attended Workshop for former cult members! Read!

by GermanXJW 17 Replies latest jw experiences

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  GermanXJW

  The first week-end in September I attended an Anti Cult Workhop here in Germany. It was conducted by German psychologist Dieter Rohmann. His WebSite can be found at http://www.kulte.de/person.html. He is a former member of the Children of God and acquainted with Steven Hassan. There are not many things of that kind here in Germany.

  The Workshop was very revealing to me: most of the participants had a JW background - the Workshop had been promoted via Ex-JW-WebSite http://www.xzj-infolink.de.

  We had some very interesting discussions about authority, conformity and mind control. We watched a documentary about the Milgram Experiment which was very impressive. But there really was plenty of information.

  I am neither DA nor DF, just inactive. I was a little afraid when I signed up for the workshop. But I do not want to miss that experience. I would even call it a turning point in my life, some things in my life appear clearer to me: at least now I know that I should not search for an authority to give me all the answers. And I could see that anyone can be manipulated and there are many other that had the same experience.

  Well, I noticed at http://www.freeminds.org/exitissues.htm that Steven Hassan is conducting a workshop in March 2003. Dieter Rohmann told me that he knows Steven Hassan personally. I took a look at the curricullum and watch the interview at the http://www.freeminds.org/exitissues.htm. Steven seems to have the same approach as Dieter and the workshop seems to be similar as well.

  All I can tell: if you can make it happen: sign up for that workshop. It will give you new insight. Even if you are years away from the Watchtower - you will be surprised how much your thinking is still influenced.

  You won't regret it. Please take a look at: http://www.freeminds.org/exitissues.htm
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  Joyzabel

  Thanks for sharing that information.

  I'm glad you found it beneficial to go to that workshop. Especially-"It will give you new insight. Even if you are years away from the Watchtower - you will be surprised how much your thinking is still influenced." We are influenced more than we realize with our past.

  j2bf
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  KD

  I have been out since the early 80's and spent a long time trying to de-program myself. There were quirks about my emotions which I was afraid to tell people, thinking that I was a "head case". It was not until I found this site and read other peoples experences that I realized that I was not alone. I think that a workshop is a great idea. Also the Watch Tower Society is not the only cult out there. Ever talk with an 18 year old Mormon Elder from Utah? Talk about being brain washed!
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  Kenneson

  Several years ago I attended an anti-cult seminar here, dealing principally with Jws and Mormons. It was sponsored by Watchman Fellowship, which publishes Watchman Expositor. While I don't espouse all their views, I learned a lot.

  http://www.watchman.org
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  Brymichmom

  Thanks for the plug on the worshop for Free Minds, German JW. It is going to be held March 15-16, 2003 at the LAX Ramada Inn. What other workshops like this can you go to and get breakfast and lunch thrown in for this price?

  See infomation below--Cynthia Hampton

  http://www.freeminds.org/costofexit.htm

  Cost of Former Members Healing Workshop March 15, 16, 2003

  Sign up early and save $50!

  Early bird registration by Nov 15th is $150 per person for two days (including breakfast and lunch)

  Early bird registration by Nov 15th is $150 per person for two days (including breakfast and lunch)
  
  Advanced registration by Jan 15th is $175 per person for two days (including breakfast and lunch)
  
  Registration after Jan. 15th $200 per person for two days (including breakfast and lunch)

  Randy Watters will return from vacation on October 22nd for more information and actual sign-up.

  NOTE: This class this is for former members of high-control groups only. We reserve the right to turn down applicants.
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  GermanXJW

  Also the Watch Tower Society is not the only cult out there. Ever talk with an 18 year old Mormon Elder from Utah? Talk about being brain washed!

  That is exactly what Dieter Rohmann said. He encouraged organized groups to invite ex-members from other cults. And that is what Steven Hassan says in the interview that can be watched at http://www.freeminds.org/exitissues.htm. The similarities are really disillusioning. You were not allowed to inform about other cults and could not see that they use the same methods.

  BTW, this is also a good thing to open JW eyes: talk about other cults and show the similarities.

  What other workshops like this can you go to and get breakfast and lunch thrown in for this price?

  This was also the case with the German workshop. The psychologist just took a nominal fee so that it could be afforded even by me. I had to go half thru Germany but could afford it because of the relative low price for the workshop.

  Seems to be the same with this workshop but I don't know the usual costs in the US.

  Maybe Simon would put an advertisement banner for the workshop on this website? Just an idea.
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  patio34

  Thanks for the info German JW--it really sounds worthwhile. And thanks Birchmom for putting up that notice.

  Actually, a thread for Randy's March workshop should be started soon for the earlybird registration. I'm planning on going!

  Pat

  Edited by - Patio34 on 13 October 2002 10:22:20
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  GermanXJW

  More important than the price is the contents:

  Proposed Curriculum for Los Angeles Seminar.
  
  Healing Oneself from Destructive Mind Control
  
  with
  
  Steve Hassan , ex-member of the Moonies, licensed mental health counselor (by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and author of Combatting Cult Mind Control and Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves. Steve Hassan's web site is www.freedomofmind.com
  
  Issues which will be addressed:
  
  1. Extreme identity confusion
  2. Dissociative states - "floating"(getting triggered back into cult mode)
  3. Panic and anxiety attacks
  4. Depression
  5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.)
  6. Psychosomatic symptoms (headaches, backaches, asthma, skin problems)
  7. Problems with decision-making- dependency
  8. Retarded psychological development- loss of psychological power
  9. Guilt
  10. Fear
  11. Anger
  12. Sleep disorders/ nightmares
  13. Eating disorders
  14. Sexual problems / Sexuality Issues
  15. Lack of trust / fear of intimacy and commitment - people / work
  16. Harassment and threats
  17. Grieving loss of friends, family
  18. Spiritual "rape" of the soul
  19. What do I believe? What should I believe?
  
  This program is open to all former cult members and individuals who have experienced destructive mind control. I intend to have several former long term members/ leaders speak about how their group used mind control as part of the format.
  
  

  DAY ONE- Saturday

  9 am- 10 am Introduction: The Way to Recover from Abusive Mind Control is to Cultivate Personal Awareness, Growth and learn to control your own Mind.
  
  10-10:15 am break
  
  10:15- 12 pm Destructive Mind Control vs. Healthy Influence: Creating a consumer-savvy toolbox for assessment and protection
  
  12- 12:30pm- Break into small discussion groups
  
  12:30-1:30 pm lunch
  
  1:30-2:30 Identifying Key issues for you and cover some powerful healing strategies for how to work on them. PART 1
  I plan to focus on Trust issues, Phobia and Fears, Dissociation problems and Identity Issues.
  
  2:30- 2:45 break
  
  
  2:45-3:15 pm Questions and Answers
  
  3:15- 5pm Several former leaders of different cult groups will speak: Jim Procanik, former Bible Talk leader and 13 year member of the ICC (Kip McKean's International Churches of Christ). Randy Watters, former elder at Watchtower Society's headquarters) (Jehovah's Witnesses): others TBA
  
  
  5pm on- Formal seminar is over for the day. Participants will choose how to spend their evening. Hopefully, some people might like to arrange to have dinner together- or get together to begin some new friendships.
  
  
  

  DAY TWO Sunday

  9 am- 10 am - Videotapes- Some of my favorite videos (ones you have probably not seen before)
  
  10-10:15 am break
  
  10:15- 12 pm Identifying Key issues for you and cover some powerful healing strategies for how to work on them. PART 2 Based on wishes of seminar participants, we continue to address other common problems from list above.
  
  12- 12:30pm- Break into small discussion groups
  
  12:30-1:30 pm lunch
  
  1:30-2:30 Starting Over? How people have been able to successfully cope with starting over- especially if you were born in a cult or spent most of your life in a cult. Some suggestions for how to help your children recover, while you are going through your own recovery.
  
  2:30- 2:45 break
  
  2:45-4 pm For those people whose family and friends are still involved, it is imperative to find the balance between helping yourself and helping others. Some practical strategies will be discussed for how to help others.
  
  4pm on- Formal seminar is over. Hopefully, some new friendships will have begun. Some people might like to discuss setting up a support group or an activist group.
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  waiting

  lol - I'm sitting here with my husband - just told him the hours 9-5 and then 9-4, and afterwards, "Hopefully, some people might like to arrange to have dinner together." - Sat. program

  I told my husband "We spent more time & money going to Circuit Assemblies".........and he said "It sounds like a Circuit Assembly."

  I'll work on him..............lol - like I did when I was an active JW.

  It sounds *so beneficial and upbuilding to be among true friends." Lawrd! I need deprogramming from all those phrases!

  Actually, I've met inactive/df'd jw's who've been out for years/decades - and they still buy into The WT Plan - it's all the jw's fault, they "didn't live up to their dedication to Jehovah."

  Deprogramming sounds necessary.

  waiting
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  GermanXJW

  bttt