Reply to  LSlurper ,
                              You are quite right to feel distressed when you can see that ' destruction of youth' standing before your eyes. It's like witnessing an accident in slow motion and you can't stop it , just like a bad dream.
                               I know of some-one who has a similar disposition .......  doesn't like to mix or associate  amongst people (unless there's no option), even withdraws from family, friends and workmates. Keeps to themselves inside their house with blinds closed , has odd sleeping habits, talks about un-related topics (as if the lights are on , but is there anyone home ?). There are so many more points I could elaborate on but in essence it tantamounts to different types of depression and or even worse , the beginings of schizophrenia in appearance.
                              The list can go on and on, and I do believe I see a correlation here with the GRC Pty.Ltd. "programed " training  of how to be a Noel Hollins follower. ..... Remember, " if you leave , you will go to Hell".  Often you will see a GRC'r walk across the street just to avoid you. We are supposed to be subordinate to them , yet it is they who fear us !

                               So what to do ? That is if you do have contact with such people and wish to help. Country folk are a good example and especially in times of stress or disaster, they would come to the 'fore' with a sponge cake and a lovely cup of tea - in other words, be there when your needed and give some comfort, to show you do care. Then what to say ? Well that's easy, say nothing , that is ... NO Advice ! Just a friendly chat. This may help to build up some self confidence for them and knowing that they can talk to some-one.   Depression is the worst offender but talking is one of the best medicines.  Today many seek help with tablets and 'drugs' but that can lead to a dependency that only complicates things. Still, if it helps and works , who can deny it ?
                           On another point, at least you ( LSlurper ) have compassion for others , something that Noel Hollins doesn't like or preach, just condemnation that  ... "you have a spiritual problem !"   At least you display far more Christian values than that which would emanate from the GRC Pty.Ltd. 

                         I hope you can be of help.
..

I agree, do NOT give advice, or your opinion. Be supportive, be generous with your time. Don't even say things like "Im here for you", or any statement that may allude to the fact that you think there is a problem. Just listen. And Yes, it is a typical pattern. Show interest. Be a normal person. There is a tape that others may know of, its by a man who has made a study of the way pwer and force are used to operate these "churches", and he provides real insight into why, how and who. Im sorry I cant remember who it is, and I think I have lost my copy but someone else here may know. If I ever find it I'll be sure to share it. Maybe if you went to one of these religious book shops they would know. It helped me immensly.
With regard to your friend, I think what happens is that the pressure and distress gets to be too much, and they dont know how to cope. Its easier to block out life, and be programmed to do what you're told,. That way its not you're fault, you're just doing what youve been told to do, and while the fear inside builds it is justified. People find it difficult to manage with such control. The fear of losing everything is so strong.
I dont know if this helps. I hope so. Larissa.

It's a hard one. When I went into revival I was already a mess from childhood trauma. Instead of helping, they advised me against any kind of counselling outside the assembly. The time I spent in that place was pure hell, trying to deal with the damage already done, plus the guilt and shame they poured into me because I wasn't "overcoming". The ignorance on mental health issues in revival stuns me. A young man in my assembly lost his mother. He wasn't coping with the loss and started drinking. Instead of getting him professional help to deal with his grief, he was harrassed by the oversight and took his own life. Could they even see that they could have helped but didn't? Don't be silly. Nothing is ever their fault.

If this young person has a serious emotional or mental illness, in time it probably will break through no matter how hard they try to hide it. It depends too if they are even aware of the extent of their own problem, whether they think it is an internal problem coming from inside them or one being imposed upon them by their involvement with revival, and if they have any friends at all outside the assembly they will listen to. Don't know how close you are to this person, but just be ready to help in case they need you. I'm sorry this is so distressing for you. Your hands are tied, and it's horrible watching someone else in pain.

Thank you Motmot, Ladeedaa and Galien!

Sorry my message was so cryptic, but you all 'got it' anyway. Sadly, it will not be me who has the opportunity to assist, as I appear to be one of the people this person seems angry with. They would not talk to me, look at me, or acknowledge me in anyway when I approached them - even in front of others. It was awful.

There is someone else though who might get an opportunity. A very wise person who will not pose a risk from the GRC person's point of view.

Although it is hard for me to really understand the situation - not having been a GRCer myself BUT I do understand entirely what you mean about not giving advice and so on...but to listen.

I think this is the same for so many other things in this life (outside of GRC)...for example - I find the old cliche "I know how you feel!!" one of the most restrictive terms ever spoken. To have that said when you have just had a bereavement (for instance) is surely an indication that the speaker has no idea of what you are experiencing.

Also, I should just add I am in this case not criticising a GRCer for having issues, and fully acknowledge that GRCers are human after all (despite 'saint' status) and can have problems in life like the rest of us. My concern in this instance that other than a whole heap of confused religious doctrine, there will be little else for this person to call upon - from within their own self and from within their GRC community - to lend assistance.

Sadly, this *appears* to be a prime case where GRC teachings have lead to a very 'all or nothing' 'black or white' kind of thinking. There is no mid ground. There can be no alternatives.....and to even contemplate that there might be other ways of thinking will just be too awful to contemplate.

At the moment I can only imagine this coming to some very sad conclusions.

Obviously there are some wonderful organisations like Lifeline and such, but even so - cult involvement being such a complex thing, I wonder are there any organisations equipped to assist someone - *if* they should ask for assistance? People with problems like drink, drugs, gambling all require some very special assistance. Where would a GRCer go?

I meanwhile, do really appreciate your understanding....

LS x

I think there have been developments i counseilling services that are available for this particular issue of more recent times; when I looked for someone to speak to there was no one. The trouble is findind them. Search "religious therapy" and associated terms on Google, look in tthe white and yellow pages, and ring organisations explaing what you are looking for. Be aware though, this person will not appreciate you doing this, and I certainly would not suggest you give them the names. I really think that tape I spoke of may be of interest to you, if only I could remember the name of the person who recorded it. Does anyone else reading this know?

Hi Ladeedaa:

Thanks for your response.

Sadly, I won't be in the position to hand on any names of counselling services in this case...I suppose I was just thinking outloud, trying to imagine just how difficult it would be for so many who might instinctively know they need to make the break but who realise in doing so this would mean going against a lifetime of some pretty full on threats.

Any chance that the tapes you speak of are any of the following?

Combatting Cult Mind Control (Steve Hassan)

http://www.amazon.com/Combatting-Cult-Control-Steven-Hassan/dp/0892813903/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250037832&sr=1-3

...or another title by the same author?

LS x

PS: A favorite 'Simpsons' episode for me is when all of Springfield is taken in by 'The Leader'...LOL 'hover bikes'!!!!

no its neither of those.