Under 18 and Want to Leave WMSCOG? Resources for Minors in High School

If you're reading this, you may be a teenager who grew up in WMSCOG or whose parents joined when you were young. You may have never had a choice about being part of this organization. You may have started noticing things don't add up, or you may have finally searched the internet despite being told not to—and now you've realized what you're part of.

You are not alone. Many young people are in exactly your situation.

You're Not the Only One

On r/WMSCOG and other ex-member communities, there are many posts from teenagers like you:

"I've been in this church since age 2. Now I'm 16 and part of their ISBA program. Ever since I joined their ISBA program, I started feel like I had missed opportunities with my hobbies and school. I feel like my entire purpose was being a gospel worker and a gospel worker only."

"Is there anyone who grew up in the WMSCOG or is currently forced by their parents? I don't want to be the only one who feels forced to join this cult. I'm currently in my junior year."

"I can see on their face that they don't really want to come, but due to their parent, they have no choice..."

Many young people in WMSCOG feel exactly as you do. They see members exhausted by ISBA/IUBA demands, pressured to preach at school, guilt-tripped for having homework or hobbies, and isolated from friends outside the church.

The Unique Challenge You Face

Adults who want to leave WMSCOG can simply stop going. But when you're under 18 and living with believing parents, it's much more complicated:

You can't just refuse to go without serious consequences at home
Your parents may believe you're "possessed by the devil" if you express doubts
You're financially dependent on your parents
You may have younger siblings you're worried about
ISBA/IUBA programs take up massive amounts of your time
You're being pressured to preach to classmates and friends
You feel like you're missing out on your teenage years

This is not your fault. You didn't choose this. You're doing your best in a difficult situation.

What You Can Do Now

1. Educate Yourself Quietly

Read about control tactics used in WMSCOG to understand what's being used on you and your family
Learn about phobia indoctrination - understanding how fear is weaponized can help you recognize it's a manipulation tactic, not reality
Browse r/WMSCOG to connect with others who understand (you can do this anonymously)
Visit ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com for detailed analysis of the teachings
Be careful: Use private/incognito browsing if your parents monitor your internet usage

2. Protect Your Mental Health

Remember: You are not going to hell for doubting. The fear of hell is a phobia indoctrination tactic designed to control you.
Keep a private journal (password-protected or hidden) to process your thoughts
Maintain friendships outside the church as much as possible—these relationships are important
Focus on school and activities that give you a sense of identity beyond the church
Remember: this situation is temporary. You will have independence eventually.
When you do leave, know that healing and recovery resources are available

3. Strategies for Living at Home

Understanding common hindrances to leaving can help you navigate this difficult period.

If you feel safe doing so, you might:

Ask "study questions" phrased as coming from someone you're preaching to, which may plant seeds of doubt in your parents
Set boundaries around your time: "I have important homework/exams" is usually accepted
Minimize active participation without outright rebellion (to avoid conflict at home)

If it's not safe to express any doubt:

Focus on surviving until you're 18 with minimal conflict
Understand that going through the motions doesn't make you a hypocrite—it makes you someone protecting themselves
Plan for your independence: save money if possible, maintain good grades for college/job opportunities

4. Think About Your Future

You won't be under your parents' control forever. You can start thinking ahead:

When you turn 18, you'll have legal independence
Focus on education and skills that will help you support yourself
If you're planning to leave when you turn 18, start preparing now (learning life skills, saving money if possible, maintaining relationships outside WMSCOG)

What NOT to Do

Don't endanger yourself. If expressing doubts would make your home situation unsafe, protect yourself first.
Don't feel guilty for "faking it." Survival isn't the same as hypocrisy.
Don't isolate yourself. Find safe ways to connect with others who understand, even anonymously online.

Looking Ahead: When You Turn 18

When you reach legal adulthood, your options expand significantly:

You can refuse to attend without being forced
You can make your own decisions about contact with the organization
You can move out (if financially possible)

See our Step-by-Step Exit Plan for guidance on leaving when you're ready.

Real Stories from Others Like You

Here's what some ex-members who grew up in WMSCOG have shared:

"I was in university when I was baptized, but seeing IUBA members being squeezed out of all their free time... I felt pity for them. Once I was waiting for an IUBA member and sat behind while they were having a meeting. The Korean deacon was rebuking IUBA for not completing their preaching goals, using a very sharp and mean tone like 'You have school assignment? But father and mother worked for your salvation in 6,000 years without rest!' Even though I was a faithful member, I felt it was too much and super toxic."

"I feel like my childhood was wasted by me being gullible and following their demands. Not only I feel gullible but I also feel regretful for the friends and people I preached to. I basically tried to lead them to a hellhole thinking I was saving them."

These feelings are valid. Many people who grew up in WMSCOG feel they lost important years to the organization. When you leave, there are resources for healing and recovery.

You're Brave for Questioning

The fact that you're reading this, that you searched the internet despite being told not to, that you're questioning what you've been taught—that takes courage.

You deserve:

To ask questions without fear
To have hobbies, friends, and a life outside of constant preaching
To make your own choices about what you believe
To not be controlled through fear of hell
To have a childhood and teenage years

Connect with Others

r/WMSCOG on Reddit: Anonymous community where many young people share their experiences
Email us: research@highcontrolgroups.com (we can correspond confidentially)
ExaminingtheWMSCOG.com: Forums and resources from ex-members

Remember

You are not crazy. Your doubts are legitimate.
You are not going to hell. The fear is a control tactic.
You are not alone. Many others are in your exact situation.
This is temporary. You will have independence and freedom to choose your own path.
It's not your fault. You didn't choose to be born into or raised in this organization.

Related Resources

Are You Ready to Leave WMSCOG? - Reflective questions to assess where you are
Understanding Control Tactics in WMSCOG - Learn about the BITE Model and how control works
Phobia Indoctrination in WMSCOG - Understanding the fear tactics being used
Step-by-Step Exit Plan - For when you're ready and able to leave

For Non-Believing Family Members: If you're trying to help a minor family member who wants to leave but has believing parents, see our guide for family members for evidence-based strategies to support them without making the situation worse.

Need to talk? Email research@highcontrolgroups.com - we understand what you're going through.