Understanding What You're Leaving: Control Tactics in WMSCOG
Learn about the BITE Model of control, fear tactics used by WMSCOG, and resources that have helped others recognize high-control manipulation.
Before you leave, it helps to understand why leaving feels so hard. It's not just about religion or community—it's about recognizing the control tactics that have been used, often without your conscious awareness.
The BITE Model of Control
Cult researcher Steven Hassan developed the BITE Model to explain how high-control groups retain members. BITE stands for:
Behavior Control
- Constant studying and preaching schedules
- Limited time for non-church activities
- Pressure to attend every service
- Dictating who you can associate with
Information Control
- Told not to read "anti" materials
- Discouraged from questioning leadership
- "Keep studying" when you have doubts
- Avoiding people who criticize the church
Thought Control
- "Us vs. them" mentality
- Doubts are from Satan
- Reinterpreting negative experiences positively
- Black-and-white thinking
Emotional Control
- Fear of hell and disasters
- Guilt for not doing enough
- Shame for having doubts
- Love bombing and conditional approval
For a comprehensive breakdown of how the BITE Model applies to WMSCOG, see our detailed BITE Model analysis.
Fear Tactics Used to Keep You In
According to ex-members, WMSCOG uses specific fear-based tactics to prevent people from leaving:
- ⚠ Hell and eternal damnation - Being told you'll burn in hell for all of eternity if you leave
- ⚠ Disasters and accidents - Warnings about fatal car accidents, severe illness, or not being protected from disasters
- ⚠ Spiritual death - Being told you'll be "spiritually dead" without the church
- ⚠ Satan's influence - Anyone criticizing the church is being used by Satan, including your own family
The Truth:
These are manufactured fears designed to control you. Thousands of people have left WMSCOG and similar groups. They didn't burn in hell. They didn't die in accidents. They rebuilt their lives, found peace, and many report being happier and healthier than ever before.
For more on how fear works psychologically, read about Phobia Indoctrination.
Resources That Helped Others Leave
Many ex-members credit specific resources for helping them see the truth. Here's what they recommend:
YouTube Channels (Mentioned by Ex-Members):
- UsefulCharts - Bible history and contradictions
- Holy Koolaid - Critiques of religious claims
- Nothing Fails Like Bible History - Biblical inconsistencies
- The Study of Christianity - Academic analysis of Christian origins
- Digital Hammurabi - Ancient history and biblical texts
- Inquisitive Bible Reader - Textual criticism
Your Next Steps
Understanding control tactics is the first step. Next, you'll want to understand the common obstacles that prevent people from leaving—and how to overcome them.
Related Resources
- Understanding the BITE Model - Comprehensive framework for recognizing control
- Thought Reform and Religious Influence - Robert Jay Lifton's eight criteria
- Phobia Indoctrination - Psychology of fear-based control
- Common Hindrances to Leaving - Practical strategies to overcome obstacles
Need Support? Email research@highcontrolgroups.com