“I sincerely apologize to my husband, children, and relatives! I have caused you so much harm!”

Bewitched and Misled, I Fell into the Abyss

My name is Cheng Li (pseudonym), female, elementary school education, born in 1969, living in a small county in Chuzhou, Anhui Province.

In 2005, I remember it was an older sister who introduced me to the cult of Almighty God. She told me that the end of the world was imminent, but Almighty God would save us. Only by believing in Almighty God could we avoid the catastrophe. I was somewhat skeptical. After that, the elder sister often chatted with me and helped me relieve my worries. Gradually, I became closer to her.

One day near the end of the year, the elder sister came to my house, held my hand, and said with a smile: Let's go out for a walk and meet the Brothers and Sisters. At that time, I didn't think much about it and followed her with laughter and conversation. There were many “Brothers and Sisters” who showed great concern for me, adding a lot of joy to my otherwise mundane life. In the subsequent interactions, I found that they all believed in Almighty God and told me that believing could ward off evil, prevent disasters, and bring good luck. Unable to resist the persuasion of a group of people, coupled with the thought that there was no great harm in believing God, I eventually joined the Church of Almighty God (CAG). To my utter surprise, from that moment on, I slid uncontrollably into an abyss.

Losing Bearings in Life, I Betrayed My Family

From the moment I joined, I actively participated in various activities organized by Almighty God, often studying their books and watching cult films with them, learning about the past and present of God, and witnessing examples of God's protection and blessings. Gradually, I became deeply convinced of Almighty God.

In the second half of 2013, due to the expansion needs of the CAG organization and my diligent work ethic, I was selected by the church as a “watering deacon.” I felt genuinely happy, thinking I had been recognized. But unexpectedly, my tasks became increasingly heavy, the pressure grew, and my daily time was almost fully occupied, even causing serious conflicts with taking care of my family.

At first, I had to choose between my family and Almighty God, and my heart was extremely conflicted and tangled. But Almighty God instilled in me the idea that “God wants to break families, parents and children cannot exist, only satisfying God matters,” urging us to downplay familial affection, claiming that only love for God is true. As a result, my concern for my family gradually diminished, and I spent all my time and energy on Almighty God. I actively spread the so-called “gospel” and rarely cared about my daughter's affairs. At that time, I had multiple arguments with my husband and daughter. They said I was crazy and obsessed. Not only did I not care, but I also got angry at their opposition and criticism of Almighty God, which caused my relationship with my family to hit rock bottom.

In 2016, under the pressure of spreading the gospel to a certain number of people, I had the idea of preaching to my husband, daughter, and relatives. However, my husband remained firmly opposed, and neither my daughter nor my sister were willing to believe in Almighty God. After failing to win over my family and relatives, I was very distressed and thought: “I am trying to bring you to church for your own good, but all I get in return are arguments and grievances.” In a fit of anger, I took the remaining family savings and left home with the “Brothers and Sisters,” completely abandoning my friends and family.

However, what happened afterward was not as wonderful as I had imagined. The Almighty God required us to swear oaths and show our true loyalty. To express my true devotion to God, I even donated all my money to Almighty God. At that time, I firmly believed that as long as I sincerely worshipped God, Almighty God would look after me.

Looking back now, I realize how terrifyingly obsessed I was with Almighty God to such a pathological extent.

Realizing the Errors and Mending the Way, I Returned to My Family

One day in 2023, I was finally apprehended by the local public security authorities. To my surprise, the police officers and anti-cult volunteers were nothing like what was depicted in the Almighty God videos. They guided me through studying books that analyze the dangers of cults, watching films that expose the true nature of cults, and having heart-to-heart conversations with staff members, friends, and family. Gradually, my mindset shifted from resistance to acceptance, especially through heartfelt conversations with my family and anti-cult volunteers. I truly felt a sense of ease and joy that I hadn't experienced in years.

As the learning and discussions deepened, I slowly began to reflect on and review my experiences over the years. I used to be a cheerful and optimistic person, but due to my belief in the Almighty God cult, I gradually became mentally closed off, disregarding my husband's feelings and ignoring my daughter's concerns, which led to the breakdown of what was once a happy family. I could have lived a happy and joyful life, but I strayed onto the wrong path, dedicating myself selflessly to the Almighty God. Looking back, it was truly foolish!

Almighty God made me numb, heartless, and even contemptuous of the law. It was the anti-cult volunteers who patiently guided me, helping me distinguish what is a cult and what is a normal life. I sincerely thank them from the bottom of my heart!

I also want to say to those who are still deeply trapped in the quagmire of cults: Do not be obsessed with cults anymore. Break free from the Almighty God cult as soon as possible, return to society and family early. Our families have always been waiting for us, longing day and night for our reunion!

Source: https://www.chinafxj.cn/n174/c882293/content.html