Former Cult Member Fights Back
Donation protected
Anyone who has ever been affected by a cult or anyone who has had their 1st Amendment Right to Free Speech infringed upon should donate to this cause. My name is Michele Colón and I am a former member of the World Mission Society Church of God. The World Mission Society Church of God, an apocalyptic worldwide group that originated in South Korea, has filed two lawsuits against me for speaking out about my experience on the internet and now I am fighting back. This past April I filed a lawsuit against the WMSCOG which you can read here.
One of the reasons the WMSCOG is suing me is because I call them a "cult". Yes, it is my opinion that the group I was involved in, the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) is a cult. Even WMSCOG attorney Mr. Marco A. Santori, admitted that calling the WMSCOG a cult is an opinion on the record during a motion hearing on January 11, 2013:
"The cult -- that it's a cult is an opinion, yes your Honor" (See the full transcript here, scroll to page 23).
So why are they suing me? Simply to try and silence me.
My experience with the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) has completely and forever changed my life. My marriage was destroyed by the WMSCOG and since being told not to return to the World Mission Society Church of God after I refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would have prevented me from ever speaking out about my experience with the church back in April of 2011, I have communicated with many individuals and families all over the world who have suffered similar consequences after they or their loved ones have joined this church. I have also communicated with former members who quit school because of the WMSCOG's high demands on their time and money, donated large amounts of money, emptied retirement accounts, only to be left with almost nothing when they decided they no longer wanted to be part of the organization, cut ties with family and friends that questioned their membership while they were in the church, and were subjected to arranged marriages by church leaders. Watch this video interview of a former 12-year member of the World Mission Society Church of God, who tells cult expert Steve Hassan why he left the group.
The fight for my right to free speech, the rights of others who are afraid to speak out for fear of being sued, and our ability to freely warn the public about groups like the World Mission Society Church of God only begins with the current litigation. I have been inspired to apply to law school next year so that I can help others defend their rights against controlling organizations and I need your support.
A lot needs to be done to prevent destructive organizations with deep pockets from bullying people into silence and I would like to lead the cause. SLAPP-suits, such as the lawsuits that the WMSCOG has filed against me, have been known to have a chilling effect on free speech and we should not allow these attempts at intimidation to continue. Some of the activities I would like to participate in include:
--working with state legislators to change the current laws to help protect people from abusive organizations
--engaging lobbyists to help get an anti-SLAPP statute in NJ and help others do the same in other states
--organizing legal conferences in order to build a network of attorneys who are educated about cults
--working with colleges and universities in order to educate students about the dangers of cults
--working with other cult activists to send the message that we will not be silenced
If you believe that people should not be sued for exercising their right to free speech, join me in standing up for justice by donating to my cause.
A few people can give a lot, or a lot of people can give a little. The power of the Internet is strength in numbers, and that is why every donation counts. Even a small $10 donation matters. Your support matters to the cause of justice, it matters to me, and it matters to those who will not be silenced in the future.
Controversial and controlling organizations that harm should not be allowed to sue victims into silence. Together, we can send a message that people have a right to speak out about their experiences and warn the public.
If you would prefer to send a donation by mail, please contact me.
One of the reasons the WMSCOG is suing me is because I call them a "cult". Yes, it is my opinion that the group I was involved in, the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) is a cult. Even WMSCOG attorney Mr. Marco A. Santori, admitted that calling the WMSCOG a cult is an opinion on the record during a motion hearing on January 11, 2013:
"The cult -- that it's a cult is an opinion, yes your Honor" (See the full transcript here, scroll to page 23).
So why are they suing me? Simply to try and silence me.
My experience with the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) has completely and forever changed my life. My marriage was destroyed by the WMSCOG and since being told not to return to the World Mission Society Church of God after I refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement that would have prevented me from ever speaking out about my experience with the church back in April of 2011, I have communicated with many individuals and families all over the world who have suffered similar consequences after they or their loved ones have joined this church. I have also communicated with former members who quit school because of the WMSCOG's high demands on their time and money, donated large amounts of money, emptied retirement accounts, only to be left with almost nothing when they decided they no longer wanted to be part of the organization, cut ties with family and friends that questioned their membership while they were in the church, and were subjected to arranged marriages by church leaders. Watch this video interview of a former 12-year member of the World Mission Society Church of God, who tells cult expert Steve Hassan why he left the group.
The fight for my right to free speech, the rights of others who are afraid to speak out for fear of being sued, and our ability to freely warn the public about groups like the World Mission Society Church of God only begins with the current litigation. I have been inspired to apply to law school next year so that I can help others defend their rights against controlling organizations and I need your support.
A lot needs to be done to prevent destructive organizations with deep pockets from bullying people into silence and I would like to lead the cause. SLAPP-suits, such as the lawsuits that the WMSCOG has filed against me, have been known to have a chilling effect on free speech and we should not allow these attempts at intimidation to continue. Some of the activities I would like to participate in include:
--working with state legislators to change the current laws to help protect people from abusive organizations
--engaging lobbyists to help get an anti-SLAPP statute in NJ and help others do the same in other states
--organizing legal conferences in order to build a network of attorneys who are educated about cults
--working with colleges and universities in order to educate students about the dangers of cults
--working with other cult activists to send the message that we will not be silenced
If you believe that people should not be sued for exercising their right to free speech, join me in standing up for justice by donating to my cause.
A few people can give a lot, or a lot of people can give a little. The power of the Internet is strength in numbers, and that is why every donation counts. Even a small $10 donation matters. Your support matters to the cause of justice, it matters to me, and it matters to those who will not be silenced in the future.
Controversial and controlling organizations that harm should not be allowed to sue victims into silence. Together, we can send a message that people have a right to speak out about their experiences and warn the public.
If you would prefer to send a donation by mail, please contact me.
Organizer
Michele Colón
Organizer
Passaic, NJ
