MovieChat Forums > Ticket to Heaven (1981) Discussion > I was in a LA cult

I was in a LA cult

posted 17 years ago by nottesigana
20 replies | jump to latest

I was in a LA cult very similar to this one. It changed its name frequently.The group leader targeted young people and the hippies.

There was many similarities to this still existing cult and Jonestown. Even though we were in LA, we were virtually isolated from others and always surrounded by people.

The "prophet" often flew into rages, punching,slapping and name calling. He would do this at the slightest infraction. Meetings were mandatory. Others outside the group were ging to hell. He destroyed marriages. People had to give $$$ for his honeymoon. Now people invited to hear this "internationally famous" author, are picked up to attend the indoctrination, no cell phones are allowed and men are required to wear a tie for services. I even saw women slapped, but of course he denies it now.However, there are many people who have escaped and will support what I am saying. Some of us don't even know each other because we were in this inner city "church" out to win LA at different times in different decades. Woe to the person that fails to stand to give him a standing ovation!He was not accountable to anyone since he is a "prophet." He railed against middle class America but now he has a nice home in suburbia.People have been publically condemned to hell from the pulpit.Famliy was/is anathema.He has staged protests against movies, using the figure of Jesus carrying the cross and called Jewish producers antisemitic.He has even prayed for the death of Supreme Court judges that support the woman's right of choice. He uses the spy system effectively. I literally had to escape in a well orchestrated plan.He publically denounces politicians and others by name but threatens any one who speaks against him with a law suit. Those who have escaped this "church/cult" have given him the middle name "Sue".Now he is targeting blacks, latinos and orientals.

This movie evoked all those atrocities and the spiritual rape that i and others endured in the name of God. Yes, this movie is accurate.

[–] parisel 16 years ago

What use is your post if you don't give the names? You could accomplish something good by giving a warning to young people to beware of this particular group.

We all already know such things exist, so just saying that doesn't help. But naming names would.

This is an anonymous forum, so you have nothing to fear. Stand up.

I guess it's like looking at clouds. You see one thing and I see another. Peace.

[–] StrangerandPilgrim 15 years ago

I COMPLETELY agree!!! Stand up and speak!!!

[–] nottesigana 14 years ago

It is NOW called Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles. There is even a wikipedia entry about the "prophet" founder Robert L Hymers Jr.

Nos perituri mortem salutamus nobis semper sit amor.

[–] quinnum 13 years ago

Parisel, normally I'd agree with you, but after reading "American Conspiracies" by Jesse Ventura, it's clear that it's all CIA brainwashing.

Sorry, I'll back off. Ventura's book is complete hogwash, including the 9/11 "hoax" he describes where "numerous" people claim bin Laden was already dead and couldn't have planned it. After all the props he gave Obama, it will be interesting to see if he gives Obama credit for the capture/killing of bin Laden.

Back on subject...

"Cult" behavior, as well as those who make claims to cult membership, is pretty creepy (at best). But frankly, it's MORE similar to Mafia "claims". I can't possibly count the number of people I have met who have family or friends that have testifed against/worked for/disobeyed/been screwed by/been targeted by John Gotti. I grew up in Chicago area, and it's amazing how many people knew Sam Giancana...AFTER he died.

Not saying the OP wasn't in a cult...but...when someone "refuses" to give names--especially on an internet message board--one might best consider the "source".

[–] DisturbedPixie 12 years ago

The Op listed his name and the current church name the year before you posted. Did you not notice the post right above yours?

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[–] Sparrowhawk 15 years ago

This movie is about the Moonies, the cult of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon. They had to change the names to avoid any legal hassles, but the story is based on the true story of a guy who was sucked into that cult and then kidnapped by his family and deprogrammed. There was a documentary film made about him that this film is based on.

[–] zeta1983-1 14 years ago

Had that cult leader gone into politics he probably could've found some kind of post in the Bush administration.

[–] borg1005 13 years ago

"Had that cult leader gone into politics he probably could've found some kind of post in the Bush administration."

There's a bunch of 'em installed in the present administration, with the head Moonie acting as president. Ever watch the faces of his followers while he reads the teleprompter? Spooky.

BTW, no friend of the Bush crowd, just had to answer the cheap shot.

[–] lambiepie-2 13 years ago

There's a bunch of 'em installed in the present administration, with the head Moonie acting as president. Ever watch the faces of his followers while he reads the teleprompter? Spooky.

Very cheap shot. But that being said, all the Presidential Administrations are run like cults. It didn't just start with this Administration. But in my lifetime if I had to pick one that really went overboard, it was the Reagan Administration.

Some of those folks even now, just wont quit.

"They're NOT role models - unless you idolize greed and tramps."

[–] borg1005 13 years ago

"Very cheap shot."
Indeed not. I just watched the movie again and the scenes where the camp speaker is doing a great job conning the audience reminds me SO much of the obamabots.

"But that being said, all the Presidential Administrations are run like cults."
Agreed, but the Dems seem to do a better job of controlling their converts. The Pubbies could learn from them.

"But in my lifetime if I had to pick one that really went overboard, it was the Reagan Administration."
You gotta be kidding. Russia collapsed, the economy turned around, etc. Compare that record to the Bush/obama crowd.

[–] Sandoz 12 years ago

"You gotta be kidding. Russia collapsed, the economy turned around, etc. Compare that record to the Bush/obama crowd."

Forty years of American opposition, defense over-spending, and subterfuge brought down the Soviet Union (Russia is still around). Not saying that particular political system didn't deserve to fall, but Reagan gets way too much credit for merely being in the right place at the right time.

As for "the economy turned around"...um, yeah, if racking up one of the largest U.S. deficits in history up to that time is no problem, not to mention laying the foundation for businesses to bust unions, cutting government social safety nets, settling conflicts by paying our enemies with weaponry (covertly)...

Yep, a fine, stellar record to be proud of.

This is very hard to read, isn't it?

[–] DisturbedPixie 12 years ago

obamabots? So any liberal is a minion of a cult? Most liberals and most conservatives just do what they think is morally right, and progressives values will tend to win since that's how society tends to develop--progressively.

The only conspiracy in our government are those that are really in charge, and it's not a cult, it's a global power machine. Look up "Bilderberg Group". They will not stop until they gain complete control and have us all micro chipped. The only way to stop it is to become activists and refuse to be controlled and have our freedoms taken away. Every administration will take more freedoms from us because they are being paid off or are major members of the group. We have to stop voting for those elite individuals and start voting for those who may not be under control. It us vs them, and we are losing and foolishly happy with our iPads and American Idol.

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[–] borg1005-1 12 years ago

obamabots? So any liberal is a minion of a cult?

Yup, especially the past election. Surely you've seen those obama moonies at his early rallies. They reminded me of the "Sucker" lyrics from the musical "Barnum":
There is a sucker born every minute
Each time the second hand sweeps to the top
Like dandelions up they pop,
Their ears so big, their eyes so wide.
And though I feed ‘em bonafide baloney
With no truth in it
Why you can bet I’ll find some rube to buy my corn.
‘Cause there’s a sure-as-shooting sucker born a minute,
And I’m referrin’ to the minute you were born.

And now we have obamamaites calling for revenge if he loses. Reminds me of Meg Foster telling the cultists to slit their wrists if captured by deprogrammers.

I'll agree with you on the global power machine though. We are now controlled by Corporate America and I fully expect that in the coming years governors will be replaced by vice presidents in charge of [your state here].

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cookiela2001 14 years ago

Glad you got out! I think this movie is very accurate, too.

There's a really good, long book out there called Cults in Our Midsts that discusses a lot of different groups from the past and the present. It's not only interesting to read about these groups, but the author also identifies some groups (like Alcoholics Annonymous) that are occassionally called "cults" by outsiders, but are not.

Interestingly, Michelle Pfeiffer was part of an L.A. cult when she was younger, and lost a lot of money to them. I've never heard it identified which cult it was, though.

[–] stellastey 13 years ago

Interestingly, Michelle Pfeiffer was pat of an L.A. cult when she was younger, and lost a lot of money to them. I've never heard it identified which cult it was, though.

interesting,this is the first ive ever heard of this.

[–] cookiela2001 13 years ago

I don't think Pfeiffer ever talks about it, but it's mentioned in a few interviews, where the journalist sums up her career and life in their own words before getting into the direct questions.

I'd be interested in hearing more about what the cult's philosophy was, exactly, how Pfeiffer hooked up with them, what opened her eyes to the fact that their intentions weren't so great...if the group's still active, etc.

However, as I'm sure it's not a great memory for her, I can understand how she doesn't want to discuss it.

[–] jefgg 9 years ago

While taking acting classes in Los Angeles, Michelle Pfeiffer was taken in by a friendly couple who ran a metaphysics and vegetarian cult. While they helped Pfeiffer to no longer drink, smoke, or do drugs, the couple took control of her entire life. Much of her money went to the group. "I was brainwashed ... I gave them an enormous amount of money." Pfeiffer, insecure, felt that she could no longer live without them. At an acting class taught by Milton Katselas in Los Angeles, Pfeiffer met fellow budding actor, Peter Horton. Pfeiffer and Horton began dating. The actor took notice of the young actress' plight, and decided to try to help her. Horton was cast in a film called "Split Image". His character in the film is enrolled in Peter Fonda's cult. He is then de-programmed by James Woods. While doing research in San Francisco for the role, Horton took Pfeiffer along to meet real-life cult de-programmers. It was due to this experience that Pfeiffer finally felt strong enough to leave the couple.

[–] tigheman 11 years ago

Back in '79, I had a roommate from Philly who took the bus down to Frisco (we lived in Arcata) for a 4 day weekend. While there he was invited to a dinner in a house near the wharf. There were a lot of friendly people at the dinner who invited everyone out to a farm in Mendocino county. At the farm everybody sang while doing chores, there was hardly any food to eat and his sleep was limited.

He knew he had to get out of there and that their bus was leaving for S. F. on Tuesday morning. Somebody woke him up by accident and he made the bus. He had them stop the minute they hit 101 and got out. He hitched and when his first ride said he was going to Arcata he finally relaxed.

His story was more detailed but it's been few decades so the specifics get lost - like the name of the cult. In the end he was safe and has a real good story to tell.

[–] jefgg 7 years ago

he is targeting blacks, latinos and orientals.

Jim Jones preached to many minorities. I heard many cults target Jewish people. Do you know if that is true?