I was a black child raised in a white supremacist cult. When doomsday didn't come, I had to learn how to live

 the Guardian, By Steve Rose, on September 10, 2024

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/sep/10/i-was-black-child-raised-in-white-supremacist-cult-doomsday-didnt-come-learn-how-to-live

Gerald Walker's story is one of resilience in the face of extreme ideological manipulation. Growing up in the Worldwide Church of God, a doomsday cult with white supremacist beliefs, Walker’s childhood was filled with fear. From a young age, he was indoctrinated to believe the end of the world was imminent, but even more disturbingly, he and his family—being Black—had to navigate the church's deeply embedded racial hierarchy. Despite this, Walker's family believed they were chosen for salvation, even though their church saw them as inherently inferior. This paradox reveals the powerful grip such organizations hold on their members, using fear and divine justification to maintain control. When the church’s predictions of an impending apocalypse failed to materialize, Walker’s world began to unravel, forcing him to question everything he had been taught.

The story sheds light on the complexities of identity, particularly how race and religion intersect in environments steeped in white supremacy. Walker's family was segregated within their own church, with Black members relegated to separate spaces, not allowed to worship alongside white members. Disturbingly, the church’s leader justified this segregation using Bible scripture, claiming that Black people were created to serve whites both on Earth and in heaven. This religious justification mirrored the same tactics used in the slave era when “slave Bibles” were doctored to omit passages about freedom and equality. Despite the blatant contradictions and racist doctrines, Walker’s family remained loyal to the church—a testament to the power of indoctrination and the social pressures within such groups.

The psychological manipulation within these environments is evident, as cult members often cling to their beliefs despite clear evidence to the contrary. As children, individuals are especially susceptible to believing what they are taught, no matter how harmful those teachings may be. The sense of belonging to a community, no matter how toxic, can also prevent people from leaving, as rejecting the group feels like rejecting their identity and their support system.

Walker’s journey from being trapped in this cult to finding his own voice as a writer is a story of courage and self-discovery. It reflects the challenges many people face when breaking away from authoritarian religious groups and highlights how deeply ingrained beliefs, especially those learned in childhood, can shape an individual’s worldview. His story also forces a critical reflection on how religious institutions, particularly those steeped in racist ideologies, use fear, control, and manipulation to perpetuate harmful narratives. Ultimately, Walker’s story is one of transformation, as he learns to rebuild his life, free from the fear and racism that once defined his existence.

The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.39.2 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Scott Dickie and AJ

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