Understanding the psychology of religious seduction and spiritual abuse.
This article first published in 2018.
My employer gave me a couple of days off for vacation as a “reward” for completing a very large and stressful rush job on time, when a long time friend, who still attends the Worldwide Church of God, started talking to me about the Feast of Tabernacles. I had almost forgotten the whole holy day thing. Then I started to get curious.
If the Churches of God (COGs) are so wrong, why did I become a Worldwide Church of God (WCG) member in the first place? The answer, if we wish to analyze it from every angle, is somewhat complex, but it all comes down to one bottom line, one fundamental reason: I was tricked by dishonest literature.
The myths contained in the bible are much more than simple fairy tales or “wish fulfillment” stories. They are deep lessons about the nature of humanity, encoded in story form, and repeated over generations. And most importantly, these myths provide a collective unconscious backdrop for our civilization.
Myths and legends can be powerful tools for conveying ethical truths and truths about human nature, and that this likely explains the incredible importance that these myths and legends were given by ancient societies.
Dr. Jordon B. Peterson is a professor at the University of Toronto, a clinical psychologist and the author of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
So if you have the time and interest, this 2 1/2 hour video is for you.
