Caleb's Journey to Independence
Donation protected
- Hi my name is Caleb, my family needs help getting on our feet after being in a religious community (some say cult) for the past 12 years of our lives. When we left we asked for money to get started and were given only 5 hundred dollars. No car, no job, no housing, just a ride to a friend's house. So now with 3 small children and a wife to take care of I am hoping to raise enough money for a car so I can pursue work. In the Twelve Tribes Community (TTC) members are not allowed to have any money and hardly any personal possessions. One thing we heard before leaving is that no one should have their own strollers or car seats because these items should be shared as common property. The leaders have total control over the people. If you are not a leader your ideas thoughts and suggestions do not have to be listened to. I learned this first hand over many years having no voice and being treated like a child.
In the TTC strong emphasis is put on the difference between members and non members. Non members are part of "the world" (evil) so members are warned to not keep close contact with friends and family. Members who do not quickly give up their ideas or opinions are publicly shamed till they get back in line. The verse in the bible about slaves being submissive to their harsh masters is taught as being applicable for members.
Although there are many nice people in the group, the things that they have said are not happening. Probably the most significant being that, most of the children raised in the over bearing environment leave. Even though they are taught that leaving is a clear path to the lake of fire (hell) where they will spend eternity with Satan. The TTC teaches that they are going to raise up a pure generation of yough men who will be just like Jesus. For this to happen the group teaches that thousands of people are going to be joining their group any day...when in reality the group has not grown in the past decade.
These are just a few of the reasons why we felt we needed to leave.
Organizer
Caleb Lohneiss
Organizer
Raynham, MA