Born Into a Cult?! How Maria Escaped the Children of God and Reclaimed Her Life

[@yams317]

thank you maria for being so brave sharing your story, and all the work you’ve done since then to make the world a kinder place. and dr hassan for making a platform for sharing these stories

[@cherylhennessy57]

Thank you for this. I was a Jehovah Witness and I too left when I became a young mother because I didn't want my daughter to go through the trauma I went through in that cult. I have been shunned by my mother and sister ever since, that was 45 years ago.They are not allowed to have contact with me. Very sad. Thanks again for your work on exposing these cults.

[@heatherhammersmith8997]

Maria is an absolutely gorgeous blend of empathy, brilliance and tenacity. I have no doubt survivors feel incredibly blessed to have her as an advocate too. Thank you, Maria - for all that you do but also for showing up to share your full self here, it's powerful.

[@rosaliewestphalen8121]

Thank you, Maria, so much for sharing your story. You are an incredible person.

[@MariaEsguerra-q5u]

Thank you, that means a lot to me Rosalie. We are all incredible for what we have overcome and deserve support, not stigma and shame.

[@Akindmind-oe7ol]

Incredible story! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@janicefisher3631]

I have a friend who was in Christian science and broke her wrist and got sick and never got help this breaks my heart

[@janicefisher3631]

I'm so glad I found you guys today

[@jaccaj1626]

Thank you; Maria for Sharing your story. DR. Hassan; I would be interested to hear your thoughts regarding The Chloe Driver case, the group she belonged to, the men involved and what part this group may have played leading up to the the de*th of 13 month old Hannah. As an American, I see "religious freedom" literally impeding individuals' right to life and other consitutional rights. Hearing those men speak, I feel like their influence created a "perfect storm" so to speak and rather than finding a way to stop their demented influence, they have literally been given a platform from the occurrence of this tragedy.

[@janicefisher3631]

So proud of you maria

[@MariaEsguerra-q5u]

Thank you Steve for your warmth and empathy. If anyone is interested in seeing some history you can go to the cogtfi survivors on all social media accounts. Last month was a focus on the comic books for children and grooming. Most governments, at least in first-world countries had access to this information and clear signs and reports of abuse, and no action was taken to protect the children for fear of breaching "religious freedoms". As you will see there is nothing Christian about the content and doctrines, it was used as a smoke screen. We need to separate our fears of infringing on "religious freedom", from the need to address abuse, neglect and human rights violations in these contexts.

[@janicefisher3631]

We love ❤️ you we're here for you

[@StarseedShan]

Thanks, Steve, for your tenacity and commitment to educating us about cult influence. Lovely guest today. I was raised Catholic, and that was enough of a harmful influence on me, chock full of detrimental teachings, values, and rituals. I definitely identify with individuals who have extricated themselves from harmful group cults. These conversations are healing and affirming of our rights to advocate for ourselves, to keep ourselves safe, and to honor our hearts and emotions.

[@marilyngray-jones1567]

Thank you for such a wonderful conversation. I saw an experiment with kindergarten children taught by a plain looking woman and then a very pretty woman and they chose the pretty woman as the better teacher. She was the same woman dressed differently.

[@Starfish2145]

These creepy cults make me so 😠

[@MaryWallace-wv2bn]

I so enjoyed this coming from the cult of Jehovah’s Witnesss

[@jamesbishop9156]

We are all gaslit more than you think...

[@muliefriend4785]

Since at least the 50’s.

[@jamesbishop9156]

@muliefriend4785 At least...

[@DigsRetro]

I know this sounds superficial, but it seems to me that after watching so many ex cult members' stories, almost every one of them are strikingly beautiful. Ex-mormons, ex- children of God, The Family, Fundamental LDS, Scientology, and Fundamental Baptists, too.

[@celestejacobs7386]

She's not that pretty.

[@Michael-z5g2p]

To promote the notion that anyone's mind can be hacked I suggest you focus on the summaries of Leon Festinger's work on Cognitive Dissonance. It's a slippery concept that people and professionals have never truly communicated properly. Encourage people to keep a journal of when they think they're experiencing cognitive dissonance. It's easier to see when you're triggering it in others.

[@memyself9741]

Maria I Wonder why you didn’t explain it was a Christian fundamentalist group too? The stand to trust God rather than man for healing with laying on of hands anointing with oil is Biblical -James 5:14,15. This poses a dilemma for all Christians and many have died thinking they are standing on the promises and trusting God. The JWs take it further with refusing blood transfusions and ‘honouring the martyrs for the faith’ who pass away. And there are loads of Bible verses about trusting God regarding having babies.

[@jamesbishop9156]

To stop this horrid control, the source, root cause, is removed.

[@janicefisher3631]

This is horrible no one should be told they don't deserve to see a doctor

[@memyself9741]

Wow Really?! This is a pretty universal Christian belief : “trust God rather than man”. This was/is a CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALIST cult - the “anointing with oil” is a practice described in the Bible;New Testament, James 5:14. This is Bible based and is believed and practiced around the world in many powerful churches- and people die. This cult is a tiny drop in the ocean of abuse by mainstream Christianity that is thriving rights now.

[@muliefriend4785]

Call yourself a religious organization or a prophet, laws don’t apply. This has been going on forever.

[@NarcQleptic]

U know what ‘cult’ every cult leader has in common? They all are diffi-cult. 🥁🥁🥁 Jk: Stay away from any and every one that’s culty

[@memyself9741]

When emphasis is placed upon Bible memorisation this becomes the control - as you show us Dr Hassan in the BITE model. The convert is then put in the position of felling they are being rebellious or disobedient to God the creator of the universe who sees and knows EVERYTHING and has the power to punish us

[@ivanasimic2072]

Great interview, come in Croatia please