Testimonies and Writings by Exiters
Recovery from an exploitive and abusive religious group is one of
the hardest things we will ever do. We cannot bury our experience
and move on. It is important to give ourselves time to heal. While
we each heal at different times and in difference ways, the journey
is still painful. Writing and speaking out is an effective way to
counter the disinformation, propaganda and lies and is helpful in
our healing.
Where Do the Feelings Go? (covers processing painful thoughts)
The following insightful writings and stories* from trusted sources tell about the deception, fraud, abuses and traumas suffered at the hands of "ministers of God." They are valuable in validating exiters' experiences, helping them to understand their involvement, and to know that they are not alone. All are written by former members of Worldwide Church of God, but a few are from those deceived by controlling splinter groups.
*Names have been changed for confidentiality, unless otherwise noted . Not all stories submitted to ESN are posted.
"We felt shame, but we were not the shame.
The thing that happened to us was the shame." ~ Anonymous
| Personal Writings About My Experience With "God's Church" Many insightful and validating writings for exiters of WCG & offshoots under the subjects of: "Exiting," "Deceit" "Abuses Suffered," and "Reflections." (Includes: Questioning Why I Was in an Abusive, Bible-based Cult. |
Stories and Testimonies by Former Members of WCG and Offshoots |
| Looking Back on My Experiences Many articles by Lindsey which are validating for exiters and very helpful for understanding our involvement and breaking free. Covers tithing, Petra, etc. |
Stories and Testimonies From Child Survivors |
| Good to Be Free From the WCG Writings by Will, former deacon, which validate exiters' experiences. |
Stories and Testimonies by Those Impacted by Philadelphia Church of God |
| God's Love in My Life There are times when God makes His love known to us in special, unexpected ways. Two of these are miracle stories. |
An Open Letter to Our Acquaintances in Worldwide Church of God This courageous letter by ESN founder enabled many to question deception and exit the WCG and all authoritarian offshoots. One interesting part shows how WCG used thought reform in order to instigate their new changes. |
| Poems/Free Verse Sometimes we that have survived an abusive, soul-damaging experience express more freely our feelings through poems or free verse. |
Letter Exposing Outright Lies, Abuses and Sociopathic Behavior Written by Michael S. to author Janis Hutchinson. Excellent. |
| Personal Stories About Grief Includes "We Weren't Allowed to Grieve Normally," "I Listened to a Man," etc. |
D. William's Letters to Author, Janis Hutchinson Valuable research information to understand what transpired during the WCG changes; reveals deception and cover-up. |
| Struggles With Attending Mainstream Churches Includes: "Former Members Can't Be Pushed into Other Churches"; "My Pain With Other Churches Was Great," etc. |
Kelly Marshall's Letters to Author, Janis Hutchinson Valuable research information to understand what transpired during the WCG changes; reveals deception and cover-up. |
| Trauma With Another Church These writings reveal what happened to one exiter who attended a Christian church too soon. Includes: "The Twilight Zone"; "Other Christians and Cult Deception"; and more. |
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"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." ~ John 1:17 |
Note: Worldwide Church of God (and its abusive offshoots) taught a false god. Any articles on this site that mention God are those that reveal the true God whose love is everlasting, and who is full of mercy, grace and compassion, giving Himself freely to meet our deepest needs. He manifested His Love to us by revealing Himself through His Son, Jesus, who saves us eternally by His grace and not by any works that we might try to do.
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