Truly off my chest

I’ve been holding this in for a long time, but I need to finally get it out. When I was a teenager, a Pentecostal church tried to wreck my life and pull me away from my family.

They didn’t just want me to be a member. They targeted me. They kept offering me money and telling me I’d be a pastor one day. They pulled me aside to talk about sex and marriage in ways that felt really gross and wrong. They were constantly in my ear telling me that my parents didn't know anything and that my family was lost. They wanted me to cut off everyone I loved so I would only listen to them.

The truth was way worse than I thought. Behind their whole act of faith and holiness, they were trafficking women in their inner circle. I found out that someone I actually knew was one of the victims. It was sickening.

I barely made it out of that situation. I spent years in a really dark place and only survived because I had a great psychiatrist and went through a long rehab process. My psychologist also helped me see that all their spiritual stuff was just a show, especially how the founder made up his own rules about speaking in tongues just to keep people under his thumb.

Now, I’m back. I’m back with my family, my real friends, and I finally have my head on straight. I’m not that confused kid they tried to break anymore. I’m telling you this because I want people to know the danger. If a church or group is trying to separate you from your parents, or if someone in charge is trying to groom you with money or weird secret teachings, get out. They don't care about you at all. They just want to control you.

I made it out, and I just hope that sharing this helps someone else see the signs before it’s too late.

Currently I am back in my family Orthodox Church but even when I have thought about not being an Orthodox I had a very strong cPTSD attacks from some things I have seen there and many confusions and brainwash.

Thank you for reading and considering my warning! ❤️