Is it a cult? Is it a scam? Does it actually help people?

A friend of mine, who has self-esteem, parent and dependancy issues just attended this in Gboro this weekend. Yesterday I got a very scary phone call from her apologizing for her behavior to me (which she didn't need to do, I never thought there was a problem in the first place), and was using all this jargon that I'd never heard to try to explain her behavior.

Then shit got weird. She asked me to come experience this transformation and share this life changing experience with her, and wanted me to come to an informational session tomorrow night. It's like it wasn't even her talking anymore. I didn't know who the other person was on the other end of the phone.

I talked to her sister about it today, and even her sister is freaked out about it.

I did some digging on Google, and I didn't like a lot of the criticism I found.

Did I just lose a friend to this? Does anyone have any experience helping someone get out of a program or group like this? I've got a really bad feeling that this is definitely something that will consume her, and I don't want to see that happen

2/14/2011 6:42:17 PM

Sounds like the Legacy center in Cary, in fact they both appear to be spinoffs of Lifespring.

see these threads for info:
message_topic.aspx?topic=605055
message_topic.aspx?topic=510125

2/14/2011 6:45:22 PM

I wouldn't be worried till she starts talking about going for Kool-aid or if she buys a new pair of nikes.

2/14/2011 6:48:47 PM

Seems like you've already figured it out. The thing I'm confused about after some reading: it sounds like it's just a couple of training courses. How the hell do you make a cult out of that?

Also: first world problems

[Edited on February 14, 2011 at 6:51 PM. Reason : asdfadsf]

2/14/2011 6:49:06 PM

Never heard of this until the other day when Marc Maron tweeted about it in the same sentence as Scientology(c)(r)(tm).

2/14/2011 7:40:51 PM

oh legacy center. thank god i moved away.

an old boss of mine invited me and i knew it was fucking weird from the get go. i'm glad i moved so i didn't have to dodge it

2/14/2011 7:54:09 PM

if you've seen Zombieland, this is rule #5 -- no attachments.

get away, and get away fast. She's not the person you once knew. That person is gone. You're going to want to double tap that shit. Interpret that how you will.

2/14/2011 10:18:44 PM

According to the Legacy Center's Website, their clients include NC State, Duke, and UNC

I wonder if NC State, Duke, and UNC know that they are clients of the Legacy Center?

2/14/2011 10:49:33 PM

so are there any links between this and scientology, or just similarities?

2/15/2011 11:58:15 AM

it's probably something like

Scientology : The Legacy Center :: Quixtar : Prepaid Legal

[Edited on February 15, 2011 at 12:07 PM. Reason : .]

2/15/2011 12:06:52 PM

heh I attended one of their seminars back in the late-90s. Or if it wasn't them it was something very similar. The whole thing was laughable but I could definitely see where it would sucker people with low self-esteem into emptying their wallets

2/15/2011 12:52:43 PM

Yeah she's acting super weird.

On one side it's her. She seems normal and kinda happy.

The other side is her quietly talking to people about the "experience" she went through this weekend, and instead of explaining it she insists that people come "experience" it for themselves. She was completely delusional when she came up to me. She remembers us talking on the phone this weekend and agreeing that I would go through with "The Education". "It will take our friendship to a whole new level", and that she "Feels sorry for all the people who don't see life and the world how she does now".

Like, in her eyes, it's not her. I know her well enough to see through her and it's not the same girl that was there last week.

Fucking scary.

2/16/2011 6:45:15 AM

Quote :

"Scientology : The Legacy Center :: Quixtar : Prepaid Legal"

made me lol forreal

2/16/2011 8:51:22 AM

I had a friend who got into that Legacy center stuff circa 2004. Ultimately, it sounded like she got some sort of kick back for all her friends that joined or went through the training. These programs prey on the down and out and disenfranchised who so desperately want something to believe in.

2/16/2011 8:56:13 AM

Somebody tried to introduce Lifespring to me as a "church" or something. Went to one of the things and was completely turned off. A friend and a roommate separately were both into it.

The one thing I remember that disturbed me more than anything was how one of the other attendees was graduating from school and had received a job offer that was going to have them relocate to another state. They were all trying to talk them into looking for something local so they wouldn't lose their family and shit like that. I thought that was beyond disgusting that they wanted this person to be unemployed or working some shit job to stay local instead of pursuing their career that they attended college for.

Besides any place that makes you pay for the "workbook" to follow along is bullshit.

[Edited on February 16, 2011 at 11:05 AM. Reason : ]

2/16/2011 11:05:00 AM

I went through the Basic and th Advanced workshops around 2004. It honestly was the most eye opening experience I've had yet in my life. Let me explain.

Prior to this I had recently been disfellowshipped (ex-communicated) as one of Jehovah's Wintesses which to me is much more cultish then Legacy Center. I was going through a huge turning point in my life as my entire belief system had been turned upside down. The Legacy Center helped me realize how to think outside the box. The basic message is that in order the be successful you have to think positive. Simple things like say for example, instead of saying "damn i have to go to work" you say "Wow I get to go to work". simple little shit like that can have a significant impact on your outlook in life. i learned how to be a positive person!!

I'm am definitely grateful for my experience there, however, the Leadership program turned me off. I started to see some similarities in the Legacy center and the JW's that I had left. I never went back.

2/16/2011 12:40:40 PM

good advice sparky

and now you have a hot wife to bang

2/16/2011 12:51:19 PM

hahaha...no doubt. its funny though cuz Lauren actually introduced me to the program. she had gone through it as well as the rest of her family. they sponsored me.

2/16/2011 12:52:31 PM

i wish this thread was about the Landmark Tavern -- oh how i would comment on the hipster scene!

2/16/2011 4:09:06 PM

ibt "real hipsters don't go to Landmark Tavern"

2/16/2011 4:31:55 PM

^ but they definitely go to King's right? hipster-spotting is like a safari for me

2/16/2011 4:54:24 PM

oh fuck yes

2/16/2011 5:00:08 PM