Papabear
Patron
Why I forwent anonymity...
For me it really boils down to not wanting to continue a life of manipulation by Scn. See, I figure if I am forced to be in hiding because I don't want to be disconnected from my parents and brothers then I am still under the control of Scn, even if only a little bit, and that irks me big time.
It took a while, but changing our lives completely also severed our ties in a way that made Scn intimidation less effective. That's another post in itself.
With that taken care of, posting my real name has several advantages (to my way of thinking...). It uses the "policy" of scn against the cult. Here they are:
When my family discovered I was out, I thought the jig was up. It wasn't. The ethics section, or OSA, or someone had my father ask me questions for the next 8 months, sometimes 4 hours at a time. I figured, what have I got to lose? I'll tell the direct truth, if they ask a direct question, and I did. They didn't believe me, but it enabled me to personally tell me father how I felt about my personal involvement in Scn even though he didn't want to know. (according to my mother) This may have only worked because (and this is second hand data) my dad threatened to leave Scn himself if I was declared. (Go DAD!) This probably wouldn't have happened unless he made that threat.
When I post my name, they go straight to the family that is still in to separate (with the ethics tech of course) us and prove that disconnection does exist, or possibly harass them right out of the cult. It also slows down their progress which is good or bad depending on who you are.
On Facebook, MySpace, etc. if they go after friends who happen to be on the fence (unbeknownst to the cult) to get whomever to "unfriend" me they will verify with damn good credentials I am safe to talk to, and I don't have to tell them myself. Even better, they might wonder why so many people are leaving Scn.
If said friend is still in, they would probably wonder why I am out, and why Scn is lurking online to keep people apart, particularly if it happens several times. Creepy!
Since everyone I work with already knows my story, if OSA tries to call and 3rd party, then they will simply verify the creepy factor of SCN and increase my credibility on the subject.
The "rational" of hiding behind a mask because I have "crimes" doesn't work. Anyone can contact me and ask questions if they want to. Yes, even OSA. I still haven't changed my email address from my Clearwater days. I have made this offer to the cult before through my older brother (who said he would pass it on) but the cult never has.
Any on the fence lurkers on sites like this one who actually know me will have a friend to contact safely to get advice or reconnect.
Top reason is I don't have to hide anything. If my family or friends can't accept me for who I am, well, I have other friends and adopted family who do.
A lot had to happen for me to feel safe to do it. Money sources had to be changed and protected. We left Clearwater in an RV and traveled to a new home, established ourselves, told our story and made many new friends who have become our family. It's not easy to do, but I feel that since I am in this unique position, I had better do it. Besides, I sleep better now.
There are drawbacks of course. I don't take any pleasure in being disconnected from family. Even if they do talk to me it's just "Good Roads, Good Weather" and on top of that I can't trust any information I do pass on to them won't be forwarded to others in the cult who would try to use it against me somehow. Sometimes I get terribly depressed about the whole absurd situation.
It is my sincere wish the family that remains wakes up and takes control of their life back. I want them in my life so much but I refuse to do it under the terms of the cult. Someone had to make a break for it to lead the way and that was me. Everything I do is to prepare our family for the future, including those still in the cult.
So if living my life out in the open gets those family members harassed in an effort to control me, maybe they will realize who they are supporting with so much time and money is really tearing their family apart. I'm not holding my breath, and maybe I'm crazy, but ya just gotta do what ya gotta! Maybe someday they will all be out and we'll have a party!
Thanks for listening! You all rock!
For me it really boils down to not wanting to continue a life of manipulation by Scn. See, I figure if I am forced to be in hiding because I don't want to be disconnected from my parents and brothers then I am still under the control of Scn, even if only a little bit, and that irks me big time.
It took a while, but changing our lives completely also severed our ties in a way that made Scn intimidation less effective. That's another post in itself.
With that taken care of, posting my real name has several advantages (to my way of thinking...). It uses the "policy" of scn against the cult. Here they are:
When my family discovered I was out, I thought the jig was up. It wasn't. The ethics section, or OSA, or someone had my father ask me questions for the next 8 months, sometimes 4 hours at a time. I figured, what have I got to lose? I'll tell the direct truth, if they ask a direct question, and I did. They didn't believe me, but it enabled me to personally tell me father how I felt about my personal involvement in Scn even though he didn't want to know. (according to my mother) This may have only worked because (and this is second hand data) my dad threatened to leave Scn himself if I was declared. (Go DAD!) This probably wouldn't have happened unless he made that threat.
When I post my name, they go straight to the family that is still in to separate (with the ethics tech of course) us and prove that disconnection does exist, or possibly harass them right out of the cult. It also slows down their progress which is good or bad depending on who you are.
On Facebook, MySpace, etc. if they go after friends who happen to be on the fence (unbeknownst to the cult) to get whomever to "unfriend" me they will verify with damn good credentials I am safe to talk to, and I don't have to tell them myself. Even better, they might wonder why so many people are leaving Scn.
If said friend is still in, they would probably wonder why I am out, and why Scn is lurking online to keep people apart, particularly if it happens several times. Creepy!
Since everyone I work with already knows my story, if OSA tries to call and 3rd party, then they will simply verify the creepy factor of SCN and increase my credibility on the subject.
The "rational" of hiding behind a mask because I have "crimes" doesn't work. Anyone can contact me and ask questions if they want to. Yes, even OSA. I still haven't changed my email address from my Clearwater days. I have made this offer to the cult before through my older brother (who said he would pass it on) but the cult never has.
Any on the fence lurkers on sites like this one who actually know me will have a friend to contact safely to get advice or reconnect.
Top reason is I don't have to hide anything. If my family or friends can't accept me for who I am, well, I have other friends and adopted family who do.
A lot had to happen for me to feel safe to do it. Money sources had to be changed and protected. We left Clearwater in an RV and traveled to a new home, established ourselves, told our story and made many new friends who have become our family. It's not easy to do, but I feel that since I am in this unique position, I had better do it. Besides, I sleep better now.
There are drawbacks of course. I don't take any pleasure in being disconnected from family. Even if they do talk to me it's just "Good Roads, Good Weather" and on top of that I can't trust any information I do pass on to them won't be forwarded to others in the cult who would try to use it against me somehow. Sometimes I get terribly depressed about the whole absurd situation.
It is my sincere wish the family that remains wakes up and takes control of their life back. I want them in my life so much but I refuse to do it under the terms of the cult. Someone had to make a break for it to lead the way and that was me. Everything I do is to prepare our family for the future, including those still in the cult.
So if living my life out in the open gets those family members harassed in an effort to control me, maybe they will realize who they are supporting with so much time and money is really tearing their family apart. I'm not holding my breath, and maybe I'm crazy, but ya just gotta do what ya gotta! Maybe someday they will all be out and we'll have a party!
Thanks for listening! You all rock!