Stories about growing up in a religious cult will always grab my attention. I grew up in one, too, and also learned to be small, invisible, silent, emotionless. I love how you are reclaiming yourself through kink.
Thank you Will, and I'm so sorry your experience was similar. Hope your adult life is much much better; I certainly appreciate it more than I would have done without the non-ideal start in life.
Thank you. My 40's have been much, much better! Once I figured out I'm trans and divorced my Mormon husband, the healing and joy of authenticity started. I've got so many stories trying to burst out.
Appreciating things more now because of the rough start resonates for sure. I watched a documentary on 7M dancers cult yesterday, and one person said, "I am so embarrassed that I was in a cult." My husband countered, "How about 'I'm proud that I found my way out of a cult'?"
It's amazing how much we share in common! I was also raised in a religious cult, similar to JW but not as huge, and just as damaging. I also knew nothing but shame, bullying, confusion and cruelty in school. I became deeply involved in the world of bdsm after escaping the cult in '92...when I was 26. I always knew of my kinks and fetishes, I just couldn't express them. I worked as a Domme for a few years and made good coin.
Thank you so much, that's very kind. I think one of the major things that delineates a cult from a regular religious denomination is that there's a penalty for leaving (in the case of the JW's, ex-members are shunned). Which of course, makes it harder to leave. I guess another major difference is that in a cult, there's low/no tolerance of differences in doctrine, whereas a lot of religions allow for various levels of orthodoxy/different interpretations of scripture. But I'm not an expert by any means.
Stories about growing up in a religious cult will always grab my attention. I grew up in one, too, and also learned to be small, invisible, silent, emotionless. I love how you are reclaiming yourself through kink.
Thank you Will, and I'm so sorry your experience was similar. Hope your adult life is much much better; I certainly appreciate it more than I would have done without the non-ideal start in life.
Thank you. My 40's have been much, much better! Once I figured out I'm trans and divorced my Mormon husband, the healing and joy of authenticity started. I've got so many stories trying to burst out.
Appreciating things more now because of the rough start resonates for sure. I watched a documentary on 7M dancers cult yesterday, and one person said, "I am so embarrassed that I was in a cult." My husband countered, "How about 'I'm proud that I found my way out of a cult'?"
I'm really glad you found that out and that you're in a better place now!
You captured the innocent brutality of youth so well. So glad you have found your voice, your people and your calling. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.
It's amazing how much we share in common! I was also raised in a religious cult, similar to JW but not as huge, and just as damaging. I also knew nothing but shame, bullying, confusion and cruelty in school. I became deeply involved in the world of bdsm after escaping the cult in '92...when I was 26. I always knew of my kinks and fetishes, I just couldn't express them. I worked as a Domme for a few years and made good coin.
I'm so glad you escaped and found freedom too!
A portrait of despair.
Thank you so much, that's very kind. I think one of the major things that delineates a cult from a regular religious denomination is that there's a penalty for leaving (in the case of the JW's, ex-members are shunned). Which of course, makes it harder to leave. I guess another major difference is that in a cult, there's low/no tolerance of differences in doctrine, whereas a lot of religions allow for various levels of orthodoxy/different interpretations of scripture. But I'm not an expert by any means.