Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 8 (Final)

Doubt vs. Belief I stayed in the order long enough to become an acolyte of Druidism. But unfortunately, the dark forces of doubt, skepticism, and cynicism began to put a wedge between me and the rest of the people of the order. I felt like I was being drawn into another dogma, one of fantastic [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 7

Back to the Circle Upon our arrival, the other five were excited about something they had noticed. Right above the circle, there was a circular hole in the cloud cover. I did witness this too. While it could simply be sheer coincidence, it was odd to see. We continued the ritual until either Danny or [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 6

Approaching the Presence Starlight and I left the circle and walked towards the woods. Starlight started asking gently for the beings to come forward, assuring them that we were friendly and safe. I joined her and asked them nicely to please show themselves. I felt foolish on two levels. On one level, I thought we [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 5

Evocation of the Aliens Tonight’s ritual was solely in order to bring back the three beings that they saw a few nights before. But this time I would be there if it worked. I don’t have notes on the rites of evoking the spirits of protection or how to call forth spiritual beings, asking them [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 4

More Background Information Before I go any further, I would like to elaborate on my motivations for joining a cult so easily. My natural tendency is to be skeptical about paranormal events, but at the same time I have a desire to explore said events in the hope that I am wrong. It’s a dichotomy [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 3

Haunted by UFOs As an aside, I often tell people that I didn’t have an interest in UFOs until they had an interest in me first. With all probability, this subject will be another series of posts. But back to the cult… Somehow Starlight knew I had an interest in UFOs. I still do not [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 2

[Note: All names but mine have been changed.] New Age in the “Bible-Belt” It was the early part of the summer of 1997, when I joined a friend, Kevin, to a trip to Knoxville. We were both looking for web-related work to no avail. After a few hours, we decided to give up for the [...]

Programmed to Think: Life Inside a Cult – Part 1

If someone years ago were to tell me that I would join a cult, I would have laughed at them. I’m too much of a critical-thinker and an individualist to give myself over to a “group mind.” But in the year of 1997, I did just that. Personal Background I normally don’t share my background [...]