AFTER THE TRUTH
About
After The Truth is a peer support group based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, dedicated to supporting those leaving cults, high-control groups and legalistic churches like the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Who We Are
After The Truth (ATT) is a peer support group based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for those who are leaving or have left a high-control group, cult, or religious sect. Our desire is that no one suffers alone after they wake up from the deception and manipulation of a coercive and controlling group.
We wish to create a safe environment where we can share our knowledge about cults and the mind-control, dehumanization, ostracism, and abuse we experienced, but more so, the journey towards building an independent and self-directed life through our support group meetings and social events.
Our main goal is to equip members with practical advice as they navigate the aftermath of challenging post-trauma symptoms, distance themselves from a pseudo-identity, and get in touch with their authentic selves. We believe that people are at different stages of change, with beliefs coming in many forms, so the acceptance and growth of people as unique individuals are something we value. However, we understand how difficult leaving a high-control group can be, especially when facing the loss of community, so our events also serve the purpose of making new social connections.
Get The Support You Need
Join our Post-Cult Virtual Peer Support Group on the first Thursday of every month via Zoom.
We offer presentations on cult information, group discussions, and tips for healing. This virtual meeting is open to those outside of Calgary.
The educational tips offered during our support group meetings are based on the book The Challenge to Heal After Leaving A High-Control Group by Bonnie Zieman, a former Jehovah’s Witness and now a psychotherapist. Some other material may be referenced from leading cult experts and professionals, such as Steven Hassan.
Please note that we do not claim to be experts, so it is always recommended that people seek professional therapy in addition to peer support and advice from self-help books.
The Apostates Social Club
Social gatherings – for ex-Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and every little cult you’ve never heard of.
Our Social Events are designed to help you find a new community to support you on your new journey. We typically meet at a public venue once a month or on civic holidays.
We have an array of ex-cultists attending, from the biggest cults like the JWs and Mormons, to tiny legalistic denominations like the 2 x 2’s or Branhamite offshoots, and odd new age cults. Some retain their belief in God, while others are unsure or over religion, but the main thing is, we have all faced mind control and various degrees of abuse. Everyone is welcome!
Let’s get to know one another and have some fun as we navigate the post-cult world together.
CULT EDUCATION
Deconstructing the cults… revealing deception, hypocrisy, and manipulation.
Our Cult Education presentations are geared towards unravelling cult mind control and cutting off the tentacles that continue to extend through one’s life.
Our volunteer Mark has over four decades of research into the Jehovah’s Witnesses and cults in general; Chad has been researching Mormon history for several years; and Tiffany provides mental health tips, having been through years of treatment herself.
Through these info sessions, we hope to motivate you to move forward in life while leaving the cult you left behind. Join our next event, or visit our blog for the latest posts.
Meet Our Team
After The Truth is organized by a small volunteer team that is dedicated to providing support and education for those leaving cults like the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Mark Grilus
Organizer
Mark began researching Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 1980s, spurred by the involvement of some of his relatives in the organization. Over the years, he has amassed an impressive collection of early JW literature, uncovering subtle doctrinal shifts. Dedicated to the counter-cult movement, Mark serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking to free themselves from JW theology. His extensive knowledge of the Early Church and the origins of various Christian sects further enriches his expertise. Mark, a fan of rock music and science fiction, is also a generous supporter of the group.
Chad Laing
Co-organizer
Growing up in the LDS, Chad recognized indoctrination techniques and concealed his true self to avoid appearing unconverted. Raised in a conflicted environment, he was more liberal than his parents and the church preferred. He left the Mormon faith physically in 2012 but didn’t officially resign until 2017, as the church continued to track him down. He has extensively researched the origins of Mormonism, cult mind control literature, and fringe theories about pre-Columbus oceanic contact with the Americas. After reading Luna Lindsay’s “Recovering Agency,” he finally understood and articulated the manipulation techniques he had sensed but couldn’t previously explain. Beyond his passion for exposing the Mormons and cult mind control, he is also a fan of heavy metal, comic books, video games, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and non-fiction.
Tiffany Shorson
Co-organizer
Tiffany is a survivor of severe medical neglect at the hands of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and cult mind control. At the age of 11, in 1992, she was denied a life-saving blood transfusion during surgery to remove her colon due to Ulcerative Colitis. Her parents faded from the organization in 1996, leading to significant chaos in the aftermath. In 2012, circumstances prompted Tiffany to research the organization, ultimately leading to her diagnosis of Complex PTSD. She eventually embarked on a healing journey, undergoing various therapies such as EMDR, PE, ART, IPF, and DBT. Her childhood trauma has profoundly shaped her advocacy for survivors. Tiffany is an enthusiast of cats, progressive rock, graphic design, horticulture, camping, volunteer work, and sci-fi and dystopian literature and cinema. These passions have become an integral part of her identity, allowing her to live life to the fullest despite her disabilities.