My family had begun to grow concerned. I worked all the time, I sold tons of merchandise but made little money. When I was not working, I was at mandatory social time. I was ignoring my friends and shunning my home duties. But their concern did not even phase me.
My mother found a website outlining some concerns about the company I worked for. People called it a cult. They said that they were manipulating young adults. I read the website but I wanted to hear my team leader’s side of things. So I showed Nick.
The next day, during our “atmosphere” time, I showed Nick the print out. As he scanned the page, I could see the anger on his face. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the owner’s office where we sat to have a “talk about this issue.” I was nervous, but they couldn’t have been sweeter. Jason, the owner, talked about how some people aren’t successful so they become vengeful. Or maybe it was a rival business. But no, look how happy everyone is! Look! And there isn’t any chanting. Well, no, the cheers aren’t really “chants.” They are team building exercises.
And then, the offer came. I was offered a room at the Merch house. Let’s talk about the Merch house. It was a huge house in an affluent neighborhood in my town. Only the best salesmen lived there – the ones that made the most for the company. And it was a privledge, too. You didn’t pay rent or utilities. See, you just gave up a little bit more of your share of profits (but far less than rent would be, surely!) and you got to live here and sell more and have less expenses. Plus, you got to indulge in more atmosphere time and, maybe – if you were really good – go on a road trip.
I was instantly bouyed. These guys couldn’t be bad. And hell yeah I wanted to live there. But oh, I’m only 17. I need mom’s permission. And so I asked. And was promplty told fuck no. I came back to Nick and Jason and told them I couldn’t move in. Now, these guys are versed on the laws. They have to be. I was told I shouldn’t have to listen to my mother. I’d be an adult in a few months. Maybe I could claim abuse, or ask for emancipation. You know, if I decided to just go, they would help me – no questions asked.
This didn’t seem right. They were awfully intent on me moving into that house. That night, I did some research on my own and I read a story about a girl in California who was in the same company. She had struggled and was invited to live in their Merch house. And then on a roadtrip. And her family has not heard from her in years. I asked Nick and Jason about this and they were not so willing to discuss it. They began harassing me. Telling me I clearly didn’t want this. Maybe it would be better if I just took the day to think about my opportunity.
So I did. And I met a guy, Craig, who used to work for them. He told me how when he quit he was destitute. He had nothing. No family left, no friends, no money. He had lived in the Merch house. They wouldn’t even let him get his personal belongings. I asked Jason about Craig and Jason denied ever having worked with him. But here’s the thing – Craig knew everything, the chants, the boundaries, the sayings. He knew all the workers. Everything. That little lie was the final straw.
I quit the next day. Jason told me I’d never be a success. I assured him he would regret how he acted – mainly hiring a minor. I demanded pay for every hour I had worked – including overtime. Jason argued that I was an “independent contractor” and was only due my commission. The Washington State Department of Labor disagreed. I sued Jason and the company and was awarded a settlement for every hour I had worked that summer.
Unfortunately, this company is still out there. They are still recruiting and they are still being investigated as a cult. Even worse, they aren’t the only ones.
I still get harassed whenever I talk about my experience – you’ll notice their name is nowhere here. It will not be, either. Their minions search for things like this and I have no desire to attract their attention. I never got as deep as some of them. I often wonder what happened to Becky or Nick. Or what happened to Rich – the cute boy who always flirted with all the girls. Or what happened to Anna, the girl that just wanted to make enough money to pay off a few bills.
My lesson learned was to trust my gut. I knew from the word go that something was off with this company. I was just too insecure and young to do anything about it. This experience shaped me. It honed my skepticism and taught me that nothing comes so easily and – when it does – you often don’t really want that solution.
Wow. We are fortunate that you didn’t get any deeper into this cult.
As a parent, I see the possibility that my son could fall into something like this. Not now, of course, he’s too young. His Mama and I may not see eye to eye on Us, but we both love him and try our best to protect him. But when he is on his own, he won’t have me as the bad guy who won’t let him do these things.
But he has a similar philosophy as me in a lot of aspects, he may think their BS (They ARE!). He’s figured out organized religion already. But he is easily distracted. I dunno?
And, he’s a lot like his pop. The idea of extra hard work scares him ;-)
I am convinced that this experience is a big part of why I am so wary of churches. They are just too similar. You don’t question them. They chant. They meet an oddly large amount of times. Etc, etc.
Thank you for these posts.
It is important to notice that cults (especially religious ones, which are much more common than the kind you describe here) are actually about mind control. One can argue, I think, that in fact this is true of every religion/cult/organized belief. Mainstream organized religions, even the “big three”, must depend upon unthinking obedience. If congregants are allowed to question any of a Church’s doctrines, the many obvious contradictions start to become too visible. Far better to blind them with chanting, complicated observances, and ongoing social pressure to “have faith”.
Sounds a lot like the experience a friend related from long ago. He was inducted into “The Children of God,” and much of what you experienced was the same. His father came looking for him and happened to find him working the street with only one other member. He went with his father to talk, and escaped that day.
He continued his education through more traditional venues, has a Doctorate in Theology, and has been active in teaching and church work since then. Currently he spends most of his time truck farming in Mississippi, his home. He has always loved truck farming.
That thar’s wisdom, Lion.
Most churches are cults. Just because they use Jesus, does not mean they aren’t a Cult!
Mac, I agree. I think the worst offenders are the Catholic Church and the Mormon Church (in the Christian faiths, at least). Both hold a man up to a God-like status and both are incredibly secretive and authoritarian.
And Both have histories replete with oppression.
The Apostolic Faith is big on mind control and places the leadership high about us regular mortals. Looking back, I think I was more afraid of my pastor than I was of god at the time.
You did well to get away from that group, Lion. Prying yourself away from something like that can be very hard. When your family comes across as your enemy, it’s hard to see clearly.
And you write well, too. Thanks for sharing this.