Social Psychology: Cults

**All events in this essay are fictional.

I have learned that sometimes it is better to want something you don’t have as opposed to having something you don’t want. My experience as a member of The Ministry has taught me that lesson. My story is an all-too-common one of vulnerability, hope, confusion and terror.

My high school years were marked by active involvement in soccer, student ministry, and various clubs such as Amnesty International and Student Council. Though my high activity level allowed me to interact with many classmates, I still felt incomplete with a nagging low level of depression. During my senior year, I decided to attend college at Boston University far away from my hometown, although I knew I would miss my family. But, I desperately needed a new beginning and I realized that staying home would only assure me dependency on my parents with a continuing low self-esteem.

That Fall I started with an intense class schedule. I was afraid of letting my grades drop and disappointing my parents, so I concentrated on work and school only – no extra curricular activities. As a result I made the Dean’s List, which thrilled my parents, but I missed the sense of commitment and fulfillment generated mainly by Amnesty Int

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I broke down in tears, repeating, “It is abuse,” as they patted me on the back and hugged me. I am finally regaining my independence. As a result, I was allowed little, if any, contact with the outside world, because it increased the chance of the “evil” outside consuming me.

My parents didn’t like the idea of The Ministry, calling it a waste of my time. I couldn’t wait; Sara offered to pick me up that Friday after class, and I thanked for inviting me to the introductory retreat. I constantly needed someone trustworthy with me, and I still had flashbacks and severe panic attacks. ” During these three days I wasn’t allowed to eat; I had to stay with the group, but could not participate until “cleansing” at night. There, I learned about the true goals of Rev. This pattern repeated until the group was certain of my loyalty. His vision seemed so simple; he seemed to have the answers to achieving happiness, self-acceptance and a greater sense of well being. We realized that we had a lot in common. Also, because of little involvement with the school, I met hardly anyone that semester. They assured me that I was with “real” family and invited me to spend the week with them instead of going home for Spring Break.

The rest of my involvement with The Ministry is in fragments that I barely remember. The members each told us what The Ministry has done for them.

Approximate Word count = 1359
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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