Dr. Steve Hassan speaks of a “cult persona” that forms and suppresses a cult member’s true personality. When I joined the WMSCOG, I formed a “cult persona” of my own.
Before the church, I was introverted, loved reading, writing, music, and art, and cared deeply about LGBTQ+ rights.
I didn’t talk to many people, but the few that I chose as friends were very close to my heart and I shared everything with them.
I had my own way of speaking and dressing, and tried different hairstyles and cuts depending on my mood.
My “cult persona” wore suits and was bubbly and friendly, talking to everyone and getting close to no one.
Her sole passion was graphic design (her mission) and all other former hobbies were just distractions that she left by the wayside. No more reading (except church books), no more writing, no more painting.
Her speech was riddled with phrases like God bless you, bear good fruit, thank father and mother.
She grew her hair long and curled it like the other sisters. Conformity was beautiful within the WMSCOG.
She believed gender-deviant individuals would go to hell. She thought, if they want to be saved, they have to learn to suppress it like me.
I may have mispronounced Dr. Hassan’s last name, for which I apologize. I only realized in hindsight I’ve heard it pronounced another way and I’m not sure which one is correct. ^^;