We left with our family, now including four children. Since then we have re-established our relationships with relatives and friends. We also are going through the needed healing process, both for ourselves and those we hurt. There are central doctrinal and behavioral points that can be listed to illustrate the characteristics of aberrant groups. Often the interpretations will emphasize only certain verses consistent with the group's goals while negating others.
Personal choice is given up in deference to the leadership.
One becomes and remains a small child when it comes to decision making. Satan is given an over-abundance of credit. Most, if not all, of the individual's needs are met within the group. Strict adherence to the group's rules is required without consideration for cultural conditions. One is merely socially and emotionally caught up into the beliefs of the church.