CFF Virginia Program Highlights The Church of Bible Understanding by Linda McNatt Suffolk (VA) News Herald (Dec. 4) Nancy Orr, former member of The Church of Bible Understanding, described her initial involvement with the coercive cult as “a subtle overtaking of your mind,” as she addressed students of Tidewater Community College Wednesday. Orr described her fear of leaving the group as a fear of going to hell. “I was kept so busy,” she said, “that I didn’t think about what I was doing.” Describing a cycle of guilt and confession, she told of verbal abuse by the cult leader until she felt low and unworthy. “I had no self-esteem. I was lower than slime under a rock.” The former cult member addressed the students as part of a lecture presentation by the Citizens Freedom Foundation, led locally by Neil Boudiette. Interest of Suffolk citizens was obvious in the crowd, represented by students and private citizens alike, as Boudiette showed a film strip that touched on such well known cults as the Unification Church, and brought out the Jonestown massacre in Guyana. Orr, who first joined the cult at the age of 19, was finally deprogrammed after several unsuccessful attempts to leave. She described deprogramming as a “counseling session” and noted the eight points of mind control obvious in all destructive cults. She reminded the college students that they were there “to explore and learn,” but could possibly be most vulnerable in the learning environment. “You can be brainwashed even if you are aware of the situation,” said Orr. “It affected my whole personality. They told me who I should be and didn’t allow me to grow as Nancy Orr.” Boudiette described the legal means one might have of getting their loved one out once cult involvement is established. “A destructive cult may be defined as a group of people under the control of one authoritative leader who uses deceptive methods for his own good,” said Boudiette. “It has been clinically proven that the mind actually snaps.” She also described many occurrences of “child abuse, sexual abuse, drug use, and drug trafficking.” She pleaded with her audience to stop giving money to people who they were unsure about. “Don’t feel embarrassed about not contributing to something you’re unfamiliar with,” she said, and noted in particular both fresh and wooden flowers often sold by “Moonies,” the more familiar name for the Unification Church. “When you do, you may be indirectly or unknowingly supporting mind control.”