Author chose not to include a photo due to safety or personal reasons. Their voice still matters.
Female
47 years old
Australia
Exclusive Brethren
"I left the exclusive brethren when I was 18 years old. I stopped attending meetings and I was subsequently excommunicated."
I did not agree with the level of control and the hypocrisy within the cult. From that point on I was completely shunned by my whole family, extended family, friends etc. If they were to have contact with me they would risk being excommunicated and shunned also. I became a complete stranger to them all overnight. It’s been 29 years, I don’t think you ever recover from this level of shunning by the ones that are meant to love you.