Undo Oblivion supports people leaving controlling groups to rebuild critical thinking, understand media systems, and decide if, when, and how to share their stories safely with the public.
Undo Oblivion is a program to support people who have left controlling organizations as they develop media literacy and make educated decisions about how (or if) they’d like to share their stories with the public.
People who have spent significant time in insular religious groups (IRGs) can find themselves isolated from and unfamiliar with popular culture, media norms, legal rights and other interests common with people in mainstream society. In addition to being unfamiliar with some of these norms, people leaving IRGs often join the rest of society without the same connections or resources that others who have remained more connected to the world around them might have. This could often be because their families and friends remain in the IRGs they left and no longer have contact with them.
People who leave these groups can find themselves on their own with no education, money or clear understanding of their First Amendment rights. In a worst-case scenario, leaders who remain in the IRGs retaliate through harassment and lawsuits against any disaffiliates who chose to share their experiences with the public.
It is unfair that IRG disaffiliates have to live by what appears to be a different set of rules than the rest of the public. They generally have less money, education and connections, and run a higher risk of being harassed if they speak up.
This program seeks to level the playing field by providing some education and assistance.
Undo Oblivion is a program to support people who have left controlling organizations as they develop media literacy and make educated decisions about how (or if) they’d like to share their stories with the public.
People who have spent significant time in insular religious groups (IRGs) can find themselves isolated from and unfamiliar with popular culture, media norms, legal rights and other interests common with people in mainstream society. In addition to being unfamiliar with some of these norms, people leaving IRGs often join the rest of society without the same connections or resources that others who have remained more connected to the world around them might have. This could often be because their families and friends remain in the IRGs they left and no longer have contact with them.
People who leave these groups can find themselves on their own with no education, money or clear understanding of their First Amendment rights. In a worst-case scenario, leaders who remain in the IRGs retaliate through harassment and lawsuits against any disaffiliates who chose to share their experiences with the public.
It is unfair that IRG disaffiliates have to live by what appears to be a different set of rules than the rest of the public. They generally have less money, education and connections, and run a higher risk of being harassed if they speak up.
This program seeks to level the playing field by providing some education and assistance.
The general public appears to lack an understanding of the difficulties IRG disaffiliates face. One reason is biased media coverage focusing on the more sensationalized aspects of these groups as opposed to the actual personal experiences real people have had in them.
A solution is for IRG disaffiliates, the media and the public to learn more about each other.
The more IRG disaffiliates can feel comfortable sharing their own stories —unhindered by inaccurate information, fear, harassment, etc. — the more information they can give to the media and the public. This gives media outlets more chances to cover these people fairly and, in turn, educate the public.
The general public appears to lack an understanding of the difficulties IRG disaffiliates face. One reason is biased media coverage focusing on the more sensationalized aspects of these groups as opposed to the actual personal experiences real people have had in them.
A solution is for IRG disaffiliates, the media and the public to learn more about each other.
The more IRG disaffiliates can feel comfortable sharing their own stories —unhindered by inaccurate information, fear, harassment, etc. — the more information they can give to the media and the public. This gives media outlets more chances to cover these people fairly and, in turn, educate the public.
A study authored by Rights and Religions Forum (RARF) Borgenicht fellow and journalist Dhyana Levey, asked the question: Cults and media stereotypes: Does media coverage of current and former cult members hinder victims’ recovery?
The short answer is yes: particularly in relation to negative feelings developed about their own personal growth, self-acceptance, and relationships with others. Access the study HERE
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