There is a reason the ICOC, which masqueraded as a church, was able to accomplish this:
Looking back, it’s easy to now identify this structure as an insidious pyramid scheme, designed to micromanage and manipulate every thought and move (and finances) of its members. This pyramid helps to explain how the ICOC was so effective at controlling every single member. You see, in becoming a member of this group, EVERYONE was assigned a handler, which they called a “discipler.”
The discipler was initially explained as a spiritual mentor and helper, but nothing could be further from the truth. It didn’t end there, as you went up the discipleship tree (pyramid), the groups were divided, and then subdivided, and then subdivided more to a point where everybody always knew what everybody else was doing, and would report each other if anyone thought there was sin or dissent.
The members also had to get permission and ask advice on even the smallest aspects of their lives, and were not able to make any personal decisions on their own.
Supposedly, the Bible was the rule book—but it was simply a game of “Fear & Consequence,” and the leaders of the ICOC played it masterfully.
Chele breaks down the disturbing ecosystem of this cult, and we think this is a fascinating episode.
#IGotOut #FreeFromICOC
There is a reason the ICOC, which masqueraded as a church, was able to accomplish this:
Looking back, it’s easy to now identify this structure as an insidious pyramid scheme, designed to micromanage and manipulate every thought and move (and finances) of its members. This pyramid helps to explain how the ICOC was so effective at controlling every single member. You see, in becoming a member of this group, EVERYONE was assigned a handler, which they called a “discipler.”
The discipler was initially explained as a spiritual mentor and helper, but nothing could be further from the truth. It didn’t end there, as you went up the discipleship tree (pyramid), the groups were divided, and then subdivided, and then subdivided more to a point where everybody always knew what everybody else was doing, and would report each other if anyone thought there was sin or dissent.
The members also had to get permission and ask advice on even the smallest aspects of their lives, and were not able to make any personal decisions on their own.
Supposedly, the Bible was the rule book—but it was simply a game of “Fear & Consequence,” and the leaders of the ICOC played it masterfully.
Chele breaks down the disturbing ecosystem of this cult, and we think this is a fascinating episode.
#IGotOut #FreeFromICOC