Ever heard of Primerica? Their products, things like life and car insurance as well as financial future planning assistance, are great.
But they got me in during a time that I was looking for extra work. They encouraged coming to their meetings for "education". I said that that was all I wanted. But slowly they started to try to suck me into doing certain activities to "build my business". I stated that that wasn't my interest.
I started to get a weird feeling everytime I went. At the time though, it was because I was worried about too much association with the world, as they had regular conventions to encourage people.
Anyway, I stopped going once they called my name to receive an award at one of the meetings. For what, since I hadn't done anything? Apparently, based on the award, I had completed something like 6 financial summaries (or whatever it was called) with different people. My "mentor" lied and told the lady in charge that I had done this. I knew right away I had to get out of there.
But I did learn one great line during a showing of a motivational business video. The lady said, 'Prayer is good, but prayer with a check is better.'
Ain't dat da troof, sista!! That's what religion is all about.
Perhaps indirectly I was already aware of cult tactics. Thanks be to the JW upbringing.
CoC