Recently, I became aware of the documentary entitled – “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007) The movie is the only film I know of which shows actual cult members as they come to the knowledge of their predicament, grapple with their options, take steps to change and then face the leaders of the group. This is the introductory post in a series that will take dialog and scenes from this movie and compare them to my experience both inside and outside of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The film has a dedicated website with supporting information. The site is www.joinusthemovie.com . We will reference the information on the website as we continue. We have added the website to our Links page found on the right side of the home page.
Steven Hassan, an often quoted source on this blog, is quoted on his website www.freedomofmind.com as saying, ““One of the most ambitious documentaries ever done that shows the suffering caused by authoritarian cult groups.” He appears several times in the film along with Rick Ross, a well know Cult Expert and Intervention Specialist. Rick’s website is www.rickross.com Other experts appear in the film along with Dr. Paul Martin from Wellspring. Robert Lifton is shown in several clips explaining his work on thought reform and its application to the understanding of cults. The supporting cast of cult experts is a great resource for those wanting to learn more on the subject. Also, on the website for the movie under the “Take the Cult Test” tab, there is an outline of Robert Lifton’s eight criteria for determining if a group is using thought reform.
From the back cover of the DVD case:
“Join Us follows four families as they leave a controlling and abusive church in South Carolina and come to realize that they have been members of a cult. The film documents them intimately as they enter Wellspring, the only accredited live-in cult treatment facility in the world. At Wellspring, they learn how they were brainwashed to give up control of their lives to the Pastor and his wife, allowing their children to undergo severe abuse in order to make heaven.
As they emerge from the safety of the treatment facility, the ex-cult members return to their homes hoping to bring the Pastor to justice and struggle to establish “normal” lives. The film also gives voice to the cult leader and his wife, as they struggle to cope with the “betrayal” of their church family and rebuild their congregation.
Using an intimate verité style and hidden cameras, award-winning filmmakers Ondi Timoner, Vasco Lucas Nunes, and Tim Rush infiltrate the cult and its leaders to create an emotional and human portrait, exploring why America is the number one breeding ground of cults in the world, and how mind control can happen to just about anyone.
The “Media” tab on the website for the movie has gone through some changes. Several clips from the movie have been recently removed. However, we have provided the main trailer here and will provided links to other clips as we find them. This film is unrated and contains several scenes of raw, intense emotions which include unedited language. There are some scenes which may not be appropriate for children. All that taken into consideration, this film should answer some questions but, raise more questions on the subject of cults and cult involvement. You may purchase a copy of the film as I did from the “Store” tab on the website. Also, a recent check showed the DVD is available at Netflix®. IN my opinion, this is a “must see” film.
Another quote from Steve Hassan on this movie:
“As a former cult member myself, and a mental health professional who has helped counsel and rescue people hypnotized and indoctrinated by others for thirty years, I concur that the problem is bigger than ever. The issue of mind control cults has not been dealt with by legislators (too many cult lobbyists with lots of cash) nor the media (fear of law suits), nor by educators to do preventive education. It is my sincere hope that millions of people will watch this movie and DO SOMETHING!”
Here is the trailer provided on the website….
Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.
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(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 226.