In laws members of a cult

[Anonymous]

What would you do if you found out your in laws were members of a cult religion? My husband tells me it's no big deal, we need to respect their beliefs. I don't want to disown them and am not religious but I find it a very disturbing revelation. Moreso that my husband doesn't view it suspiciously or with normal skepticism. This cult is run by a man claiming to be a channel for a spirit and they pay to participate in his workshops around the world. The leader's close family members died under suspicious circumstances about 15 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Must tell us which cult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Must tell us which cult

It would definitely give me away if I posted this detail, but similar to this: http://www.jasonnelson.info/blogarticles/35-authored-articles/236-five-steps-to-channel-spirit.html

[Anonymous]

I would think they will give all their assets up eventually. That could be a problem for YOU down the road. Assisted living costs $6/mo. And in the near future, if they go bankrupt, can their SSA and any pension cover rent and necessities?

[Anonymous]

I'd be kind to them but wouldn't leave my children alone with them or give them any money.

[Anonymous]

How is this something you're just finding out now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this something you're just finding out now?

My husband has been covering it up to a certain extent and they didn't talk about it until recently. My husband said they were going on vacation or to professional workshops when in fact they were attending these cult workshops. What they told me directly contradicts the information online about this person and group which is also what I find creepy. They buy into stories that are easily disposed by newspaper articles. My husband claims these newspapers are Christian groups, as though he defends them.

[Anonymous]

As long as they're not proselytizing to you, what's the big deal?

[Anonymous]

That would make mevery nervous about my husband being a secret religious wacko.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this something you're just finding out now?

My husband has been covering it up to a certain extent and they didn't talk about it until recently. My husband said they were going on vacation or to professional workshops when in fact they were attending these cult workshops. What they told me directly contradicts the information online about this person and group which is also what I find creepy. They buy into stories that are easily disposed by newspaper articles. My husband claims these newspapers are Christian groups, as though he defends them.

Yeah thus us the part that would concern me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this something you're just finding out now?

My husband has been covering it up to a certain extent and they didn't talk about it until recently. My husband said they were going on vacation or to professional workshops when in fact they were attending these cult workshops. What they told me directly contradicts the information online about this person and group which is also what I find creepy. They buy into stories that are easily disposed by newspaper articles. My husband claims these newspapers are Christian groups, as though he defends them.

I'd be even more disturbed that your husband lied to you about where they were than I would be about his parents' participation in this group.

Why did he feel this need to cover for them and lie to you? Is it just embarrassment on his part? Or was there more to it, and he maybe was afraid you'd tell him he should intervene with his parents--? Why couldn't he just talk with you frankly especially if you and he are on the same page generally in the belief that this group and its guru are bunk?

I would stop first and consider why your husband is acting like this and why he thinks he cannot just be frank and open with you about this. Maybe he's in denial about their involvement with this group; maybe he hoped to keep all this from you because you and his parents have history where you and they don't get along well and he fears this news will create rifts or drama; maybe he actually feels some sympathy with this group and its leader and is afraid you'll find that out and react badly. Whatever the reason, I'd be talking with him about why he couldn't tell you the truth earlier.

I agree with an earlier PP who noted that this could affect you and your husband if his parents end up giving money to this organization and then later you and he have to support them financially. That might be a good point to bring up with him later. But first I'd try to take a cool look at what's going on here between you and him, before getting into his parents' choices.

[Anonymous]

Hmm. My aunt was a member of cult for a while. She eventually left, but kept the food practices of eating raw but not balanced. As a result she lost all her teeth and she has advanced osteoporosis. She didn't give all her money away, but didn't have a lot to start with, which is maybe why she wasn't pressured into giving it.

I would make it clear to your husband that you refuse to use joint money to support them if they donate large amounts to their cult.

And I would be extremely disturbed by the fact that he hid important information from me. I would stay on his case about that!

[Anonymous]

Your in laws are nuts and your husband isn't to far behind. I sure hope you don't have kids around these people. If your husband continues to except this as OK, then your in for a load of trouble down the road. At this point your the only one making sane decisions.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you have guardianship set up with someone else. You want your agreement to be pretty air tight so your children are drafted into the cult.

[Anonymous]

How is their religion your business? I think they are all kind of cult-like but it's not your concern what they believe.