To Kelli, Please don't feel you need to bring your father back into your life simply because he is your father. If this stranger, father, always feels like a stranger, let him go. Be very careful he isn't manipulating you into a relationship for his benefit, only. It is okay, to divorce your parents.
Absolutely. Her parents abused her since she was a small child. She owes them nothing. I hope she realizes that the man is toxic and it is no one’s duty to be loyal to someone like that.
I agree too. It can get harder and harder as you get older. Remember to heal yourself first and foremost, it's the next generation - your potential children and grandchildren, life-long friendships that count. Those are your legacy, the safer you feel the better that legacy will be. The past needs to stay in the past.
Same feeling same vibes, very good advice!! I know how hard it is to accept that the ppl who should love you most and have your best interest at heart are actually your worst enemies. I’m definitely getting dark triad vibes from this family, how amazingly unbelievable that this upbringing resulted in such a lovely person as her.
Completely agree with this comment but as much as I am of the opinion that it's a huge waste of time to wait for one's parent to make amends after having been abusive because the huge majority will never do it and most probably only pretend to... I also think that sometimes, in some rare cases, it can be possible that they truly want and do what it takes to do so, that it can be possible to build a good relationship. Doesn't mean it's the child's duty to accept that of course. But I don't think we can tell for sure that Kelli's father is a toxic person now even though he was in the past. Truly hope for Kelli that her father will be one of those exceptions
If it’s doing her more harm than good, we can trust that she’s wise enough to know to separate. She’s been without them for many years and thriving. But, I can see why she’s continued to hear him out. It could be a great chance for her own healing, not just his. Just the fact that he’s supportive of her videos like this one where she’s not holding back is a bit of a miracle.
Her parents _really_ ought to be ashamed. To be told that a *child* is the reason for all their problems, and then for them to just LEAN INTO IT and destroy her entire childhood…🤦🏾♀️ And then to put her out of the house b/c they were too cowardly to look her in the eye even *after* they shook off that cult…
@@CultstoConsciousness loving your work Shelise . I’ve been a Scientology watcher for a while but you channel is turning me into a general cult watcher . Growing up in Australia we are pretty non-religious so we don’t have much going on in a religious sense … except for The Family en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(Australian_New_Age_group)
I grew up catholic in a small town, I learned cleaning windows with newspapers also. Though it was not a requirement to do it that way. And it didn't have anything to do with religion... just a cleaning method from my mom or grandma.
I have also cleaned glass with newspaper. I was told it was used and better than paper towels because it didn't leave lint on the windows or mirrors like paper towels does.
@geniereiman1089 , we had to use news paper to wipe our butts in Mexico when I went to visits our grandparents . It was different , but it wasn't thick paper. So it wasn't so bad. I use to read the paper in there, so I took longer than most . Anyhow , newspaper is great for cleaning windows as well. 😊
Religions like girls to do the stupid and boring stuff my dear... instead of cleaning windows you could have done your homework. Would have given you a better and interesting life.
Good grief, where both of her parents raised by wolves? I dont mean to be flippant but unless both of her parents were also raised by some of the worst parents in the entire world I cannot understand how they could have done this to her. She laughs about much of this but attacking a child that young could have completely annihilated her sense of self and created serious life long mental health issues. It is just a matter of her being lucky enough at birth to have been born with a strong survival instinct focus and determination. This woman’s childhood was insane. The tale of this womans childhood takes me from bemused disgust to absolute hate for the church of Scientology.
I’m right there with you, Elizabeth. It’s so hard to imagine what she must have gone through at the hands of her own parents in the name of a church that taught them to act that way. She really came out on top.
Scientology is not a church, nor a "science". it has nothing to do with God, certainly not with christianity. It is a dangerous cult, comparable to OTO (created by satanist Aleister Crowley) , and freemasonry, who worship Lucifer. These cults should be completely banned by law, as a threat to humanity. I hope some day governments will take the one and only appropriate action against them.
When I was 17, my mom took me to a Mormon energy healer in St. George because I was depressed and going through puberty, so naturally she thought demons were possessing me. When I met with this man he told me that demons possess people’s bodies all the time. It was his belief that Michael Jackson was possessed by a little white girl demon and that’s why his skin turned white and he liked little boys. Wow is right. The office was akin to a chiropractic clinic with a massage-type table for me to lay on. So I get on this table face up and he begins to move his hands over my body, starting with my head and down to my feet. His hands were about an inch away from my body and he told me that everyone has an electromagnet field that protects them from demons, but sometimes that field has weak points (particularly the heels because of a scriptural justification that Satan will bruise the heels of man or some shit), and so we need to extract the demon by pushing all of that negative energy out of my body through my heels. Then he strengthened the magnetic field around me somehow and fortified it with a priesthood blessing. He then gave me a list of incantations to say if I ever feel a possession coming on again that will get the demon to leave my body. I wish I was making any of this up.
Wow! Very interesting! I will look into this more but I definitely think that’s on the fringes. Mormonism teaches not to believe or dabble in ghosts, tarot cards, energy work or anything like that so I think that was pushing the boundaries quite a bit. Not to say there aren’t Mormons who believe in energy work, my mom did and I did too, just that it’s looked down upon.
@@CultstoConsciousness what are priesthood blessings except for energy work? It’s more than just the fringes. We would cast evil spirits out of the house by the power of the priesthood. Our Bishop came by to do a blessing to command of the evil spirits to leave our house in the name of Jesus Christ. It was quite common.
@@DirtmopAZ you are totally right! That’s why I always thought it was hypocritical of them to not allow energy work or mediums when they would literally send us to a medium for God for a patriarchal blessing 😂 and believe the prophet is a literal medium for God. Makes so sense.
@@CultstoConsciousness this is why people in East Idaho gravitated to Chad Daybell, and other cults like Julie route within Mormonism. All of the prepper/energy healing groups are STILL at it even after the Daybell murder spree.
I have often wondered if Tom Cruise considers Siri an SP ? From this video we now know that children can be considered to have Thetans (even before birth) Given Tom’s complete indoctrination in Scientology, perhaps this is why he has not seen Suri, in many years. What a great Mother Suri has getting her out of this madness at an early age 🙏
Class action. They ARE being sued & will continue to be. Never say never, just sayin'...😎 & It's this kind of brave expozurez that bring theez human abuzerz to light & truly unable to defend themselvez. That, hopefully, will allow otherz to know that "Freedom isn't free', but it IZ priceless, & that starts with free WILL! Ty&TC, All-🥰💐😎
It could hardly be more a more textbook example of psychological torture. The verbal abuse, being woken up in the middle of the night to extract a false confession, and constant gaslighting is nothing short of evil. Absolutely heartbreaking that any kid has to endure that.
This one made me so emotional when she spoke on being a little girl woken up to be blamed for the issues going on in the home and then write an apology letter. 😭😭😭 For a child, they turn inward for everything so I can’t even imagine how that felt. 😢
I remember similar experience from my childhood. Mum would come when I was already in bed to ask for a pen and then when I could not find it she would scream and look if homework was done, looking for excuse to scream basically. It was traumatizing but It was 'just' screaming about my one fault and noone claimed I was responsible for all family issues. There were no letter to be written. I can't even imagine how that was for her, another lever😢😢😢
Sprayway is the BEST glass cleaner! Ditch that blue stuff. You'll NEVER go back! I agree newspaper is the best... but with that stuff... streak free with a towel.
I can't believe growing up like that, absolutely terrible. blaming a child for basically everything negative in your life is so so abusive and being so unloved by the ones who are suppose to unconditionally love and protect, just terrible. she's so strong!! I can't imagine I'd be as kind and empathetic with that kind of past and childhood.
This girl💔..I absolutely hate Scientology..I had someone who worked for me who was devout so I saw first hand the brainwash. Even at that, Kelli's story is particularly horrifying..shame on those parents..they should be in jail, along with David Miscavige😡..you go Kelli! From another Kelli with an 'i'....😊♥️
@@CultstoConsciousness mind blowing..I just love your channel girl... You are a great conversationalist...Mormons on Mushrooms did you a favor, cloaked in deceit as it was..😊♥️
Kelli - you are so compassionate for not holding all of your feelings from this trauma against your parents. I’m not sure I would be able to do the same in your shoes. Thank you for sharing your story.
24:15 @kellicopter it absolutely sounds AWFUL! Getting the ‘silent treatment’ from your entire immediate family… What that does to the psychology of a child 😢it’s heartbreaking 💔
Kelli Copter’s childhood backstory is so horrifyingly traumatic & heartbreaking 💔, yet she’s literally a shining example of strength & resilience! ⭐️ She exhibited more critical thinking & compassion than the adults around her in her formative years. Thank goodness she finally got the help she needed & deserved. The videos she’s sharing on her YT channel are excellent - I highly recommend them! Such a source of inspiration of how to move beyond unimaginable circumstances. Sending hugs 💙💙 & wishing you continued strength & success. Happy to see you two together in this interview :)
32:23 it’s 100% part of the grooming process… the normalization of abuse! It’s a way to desensitize you and leads you to ignore your intuition ☹️And then ‘it’s your fault’ if you let the abuse effect you… it also keeps you focused on your “deficiencies” keeping you too busy/distracted to even think about/see the crazy man behind the curtain pulling the strings and running the show!
I don't have a cult/religious background, but some of the treatment you're talking about is so familiar to me. My stepmom would treat me like the problem, whenever she'd argue with my dad they'd make me come in the garage and sit down while they lectured me. Blamed every problem on me. No matter the time of day, but usually they would do this at night. I'd wash dishes, clean the kitchen, then not have time or energy for homework... then they'd pull me into the garage for like 3 hours. Then after that I'd need to shower for school the next day, but I wasn't allowed to shower before anyone else. Usually once they'd get done yelling at me and forcing me to explain myself for whatever they felt that day, I'd shower around 2-3am and have to be back at school at like 7:30.I always wondered why they didn't want me to succeed, like they purposely tried to get me to have bad grades and no friends.
All trauma is valid, and so are your feelings. You can understand that you've been through some shit while also understanding that there are people that have had it worse.
Okay but the incredible sense of humor and buoyancy of this lady is just a testament of the human spirit that refuses to be broken... I'm sure she still struggles with the scars but it is heartwarming to see her share and find humor in her horrid past. Bless.
Wow I come from a dysfunctional family too. For facing so much trauma and rejection the British girl turned out to be an amazing and a strong woman. Good for you!!!!
I couldn't love kelli more. She is amazing strong and absolutely beautiful! The talent she brings to SP TV is amazing. The shorts she is doing on her channel are so great. Love from ohio!
@KelliCopter As an ex-Scientologist that got out about 4 years ago, your story is just SO heartbreaking. I'm so happy you got out and you're able to really embrace yourself
i grew up in a strict pentecostal home that left me with a load of baggage I've slowly been unpacking over the years. While I relate to a surprising amount of what Kelli said, it's still unbelievable what she went through. the fact that she can sit there and talk about it shows her strength and gives me hope when dealing with my emotional baggage. here's to us unpacking it all down to just a grief case!
As a parent I find Kelli’s story heartbreaking- how could her parents do this to their own child? Kelli is an amazing person and i with her all the best! Sending love to both of you! Also, I was in a cult whose founder used to be in Scientology and had used the idea of “clearing” in the cult he created (it’s a personal development cult called Access Consciousness). It would be great if you could do a deep dive on that.
Reaching out doesn't always help, I was sent back as a kid, as a teen, and as an adult it took me a long time to realize that I can leave. And still reaching out is what gives hope, isn't it?
Kelli is a stronger person than I could ever be. If I had been in her situation and my dad contacted me without an apology, I'd leave his ass out on the street without a few really cruel words at the door.
Great interview! She's so strong to be able to do this! I can't imagine! Her parents just signed her over to someone they didn't know, that blew me away!
It's incredible how ex-cult members can talk about past experiences. Experiences that, at the time, must have been excruciatingly painful. Thanks for sharing.
I've never been in a cult, but my family's way of life was basically a cult and I can really relate to you in almost every story, especially with Kelli stories. About the yelling part works for some, I can deal with extremely abusive people without losing control or feeling threatened, as in my day to day life I had far worse things going on. But for it to work that way you need to not see the person yelling as a threat. Basically, it works when you look at your abusers as children who don't know how to control their tempers. Of course you shouldn't believe a word they are saying, you should literally consider them as whining children who don't know what they are doing.
Well usually people that yell a lot like that have arrested development emotionally and sometimes even mentally. For instance my mother simply can't articulate her thoughts and emotions due to the abuse she suffered as a kid and then by my father and she often can't properly tell you things and so she gets frustrated and starts yelling and becoming petty and childish. My sister can't handle this and never bothered and just left but usually I can tell right away she's not able to articulate the real problem so il il calm her down and sit her down and patiently ask her what the issue is and what we can do to hammer out a game plan and then she's fine. Some people don't have the patience for this(like my sister) and that's fair, she doesn't owe her that drawn out process simply to have a healthy dialogue, however I have no issue with doing it for the both of us. Often when she does have a tantrum I can see the 8 year old in her, and I have only but pitty. I see this with a lot of ppl that yell and are vitriolic.
@@JamesMadisonsSpiritAnimal I congratulate your patience and add that it shouldn't be your role. Just as it shouldn't be mine, my situation is similar to yours, with the difference that besides my parents I have 4 brothers who behave in the same way.😮💨😮💨
Great interview Shelise and Kelli. I am so glad your Dad is not in denial about some of these abuses from your childhood, Kelli. I hope you will be able to unpack lots more. You girls are rocking it. ❤️
The amount of unwarranted abuse is insane. They scapegoated you, a child, for their own failings, sounds like narcissistic scapegoating on your parents part. You were made to be the source of all problems while raising the children for them. They absolved themselves of all responsibility and were extremely unfit to be parents
This page is so underrated, I LOVE your interviews, also love Kelli, found her page a few months back and watched all of her vids, and I even suggested she get in touch with the SP crew…. Can imagine my shock when I see her on Aaron’s channel ❤❤ patiently waiting your new stuff Kelli ❤ xxx
Kelli, I am so delighted to know you had Mork as a safe place to land. You are an irrepressible person who simply shines like a star. Thank you for this interview ❤
I saw Kelli Copter in my feed and thought it was a new video on her channel and then to my surprise it was an interview by Shelise!!! You both are my new fav TH-cam channels 🥰🥰🥰
Kellis parents should be in prison for all the mental abuse they have put her through. Them being scientos and not understanding better is no excuse. They should be locked up!
Feel weird commenting on the newspaper thing, but I grew up in an atheist household and we did it. The explanation I was given was that the chemical added to newsprint ink to keep it from smudging prevents streaking when cleaning windows. Given the Mormon, Scientologist, my family connection, I think the through-line might be PERFECTIONISM. Like maybe other people don't care enough about whether the windows are streaky to stockpile newspapers for cleaning.
It's also really outdated advise. in old books, they used to advise this, because the ink they would use did indeed cause less steaks when cleaning windows. However, they changed that ink a long time ago to a more durable ink that doesn't stain the hands as much, so with modern newspapers, cleaning your windows with them is basically useless
I grew up as both the scapegoat and oddly a weird form of the golden child with my parents. Kelli's parents were toxic in themselves not just because of religion. Religion allowed them the excuse to be able to do what they wanted...Scientology legitimized the abuse. For my parents it was alcoholism that legitimized and took away their culpability for the abuse my sister and I suffered. What helps me when I start to hear those horrible voices in my head is to firmly and compassionately say to myself: This was something tht happened TO you not BECAUSE of you. You are not a bad person, you are a person that bad things happened to. You survived, you are not broken....just a bit dinged up!
Congratulations on the wedding! Wow I bet you never thought you would find your true, honest, and wholly fulfilling husband so much later in life back when your Mormon church leader told you Were a bad influence. So cool! Whoever your husband is, is one lucky fella!
Thank you James! Seriously!! That was 12 years ago! If I were still Mormon I would’ve thought I was an old maid who nobody wanted by now. Not realizing I was holding out for my true match 🥰
Her mom is probably a narcissistic abuser, scapegoating her daughter. It is so difficult to understand why a mom would do that to her little girl. My heart cries for her. Lots of love and success to her life ❤️❤️❤️
My grams cleaned with newspapers and coffee filters (specifically the one on top that gets dusty in an open package) and she said it was cuz we already paid for the newspaper we need to get the most out of it. After cleaning with them she'd add them to kindling starters.
Shelise, thank you for another amazing interview. Kelli thank you for sharing your story as heartbreaking as it is. I will never truly understand why parents do these things to their own flesh and blood in the name of religion. I am so happy to see you smiling and that you have found a way to be happy. Also Lego for adults is fantastic. Friends say to me "You still play with Lego" I say yes but it's for adults lol.
That’s one opinion. The other is that we were taught it was this evil force (problem) and the only way to fix it was through the church (solution). Create a problem that only you can fix and you will have people locked in forever.
@CultstoConsciousness I agree with both opinions here. I think people have trouble accepting that they are not the people they want to be. So, they want to find someone/something else to blame. Cults make it easier to abdicate responsibility and discourage people from learning acceptance and self-love. So they stay in the pattern of blaming and hurting others. It does sound like the parents already had a tendency to look for scapegoats. It's horrible that Scientology cranked that tendency up to 11.
In the "normal world " if people knew about this Kelli they would've called children's services, not sure what it's called in England. Then again I grew up with addict parents, very little food and we were programmed as children to Never call the police or tell Any other family members or we'd be taken to foster care,abused physically and the dirty way and we'd never see our parents, later just our Mom,ever again. We didn't call or tell anyone as children, only when a Step-father SA'd & R d my sister and I, my sister told my Mom and to my surprise my Mom actually went to the police. He went to Prison and is on the registry for life but it's still not something we Ever talked about after. My sister then asked our Aunt to take her but I'd been programmed for 5 years longer so I said nothing and didn't go with her. I felt like the parent of everyone including my mother so I felt that I had to stay with her to "protect " her from all the crazy boyfriends she had that gave her "substances" then were abusive to her. So I'm not judging
Hi Joey, thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you went through that. I’m sure Kelli appreciates someone understanding her mindset during those hard years as a kid/teen.
I can't imagine what she went through but I do know what it is like to be thought of as the villian in your own family. It's not easy, especially when you did nothing wrong. Thankful that my parents were never in a cult because I would probably have gone through similar things. But even now, my parents still do not want to admit that they were wrong. I can probably understand close to how she feels about that. It can make you feel like you are absolutely insane. You question your whole life. I'm glad she seems to be doing better. She deserves to be happy and safe.
My dad either refuses to apologize or either 'forgot' something happened. Really used to makes me consider my mental state... Therapist told me some parents are not necessarily evil but inmatured and scared to face their own issues and apologize. And the sad thing is at that point they probably won't ever be able to do so. We need to move on knowing they will never validate our feelings. Sucks😅
I have come across other cases where abusive parents target just one of the kids. It seems particularly horrific. It impacts the sibling's relationships and is so hurtful to the one singled out. Imagine seeing that the parent is capable of being loving but just not to you. Thank you for sharing your story Kelli, a l am so glad you are doing well
Crazy story! But to continue with the washing windows with newspaper thing. I never cleaned windows with newspapers at the church, but my family would do that after we would wash our car. We would use newspapers to dry the windows because the paper didn't leave lint on the windo, unlike the rags would. I think it's more of a generational thing, my parents were born in the '50s and '60s, and I notice a lot of other people about the same age use the same trick! But now we have lint free drying cloths, so we don't need newspaper anymore!
We weren't particularly religious growing up (my mother was agnostic and I attended private Christian school for the better education), but we did the newspaper as well. My mother was born in 1945, so it definitely is a generational thing. I still use newspaper.
"reuse,reduce,recycle"...& What we know of az 'paper towels' weren't alwayz around. & Back in the day, newspaper was everywhere & uzed 4 everything from TP to wrapping paper. Why waste a 'good rag' that would then need laundering when newspaper could/can be uzed for something useful b4 getting tossed anyway, eh?🤔😊😁😎💖 Not the cartoon/puzzles, tho! That wuz the 'rule' then. Thoze were saved for wrapping.😊 TC, 💐
Hi & thanks for this incredible interview!! I’m amazed how much Kelly have gone through & not just still standing up but seems to be thriving ❤️🌱 With kindness and respect, Grace 🎭🌱⚖️❤️
We used to clean windows with newspapers and vinegar (sometimes ammonia)... vinegar cuts the grime and sanitizes and the newspaper is because it's absorbent enough and truly lint free. Practice carried over from depression era and in the time before mass production of chemical products. I'm sure cost factored in at some point during wars and the depression.
15:35 The newspaper thing used to be pretty normal. Like, not long ago, my grandmother did it, snd my mom still does, lol. In Norway we did/do it still, something about it not leaving streaks on the glass or something. I honestly haven’t thought about it
You are an awesome person, Kelli! Such an inspiration ❤ I cannot bring my head around the abuse you suffered and the immense cruelty of your parents and the cult.. and yet, here you are, still alive and even better than that. How did you do it? I'm in awe! Scientology must go down. It's disgusting! Please don't give your dad too much sympathy or time, he really doesn't deserve it ❤❤❤❤
So it strikes me that Kelli’s parents were not very good people to start with (mom sounds particularly toxic) and that Scientology was the perfect place for them to feel good about abusing their children. And it was the same with Daisy. LRon was a special kind of monstrous POS. And the horrifying thing is this crap is happening to kids right now, and all that money is protecting these ‘people.’ All these people yell and scream about pedophiles, and it’s their own organizations and leaders that are the very worst nests of them. Ugh.
I don’t think your parents deserve your ears or your empathy but i hope it’s healing for you Kelly. Also, I’ve never been in a cult and we cleaned our windows with newspaper 😂
Ugh, such a sad story related to her parents. Cults have a lot to answer for... Glad the story has a happy ending, in spite of her parents and their cult.
16:49 my mom has always taught me about the newspaper thing for a streak free finish. And she’s not part of any denomination, so that’s kind of a cool insight. The thing with the newspapers though is that it was kind of just cheaper and it left more of a streak free shine on the mirrors and Glass stead of rags or paper towels. My work has some really high-quality paper towels that is great for mirrors. We just don’t have access to that at home. Perhaps the wicking of the paper?
I'm so sorry you went through these horrible experiences. You deserve all the love and luck in the world! Also, your hair looks amazing! PS: I want to give you a hug 🤗
Kelli's story was just heartbreaking. I hate to see children treated that way. I also grew up with an alcoholic parent and its tough to grow up that way. I hope she is better now without her parents. She is braver than me because i wouldve walked away from my parents and never looked back. I am glad she still has her brothers in her life. Tomorrow is a new day keep putting one foot in front of the other!❤
Thank you for the interviews with Aaron and Kelli. From my viewpoint, all three of you are more than survivors, you are CHAMPIONS. I would like to make a suggestion for a future interview if possible. Her name is Amanda Rae, she escaped a cult as a teen, and her story is gripping. Please keep up the good work, I find you inspirational.
Thank you so much! We were in contact with Amanda about a month back when she agreed to collab but never heard back when we tried to schedule it. Drop her a comment on her page 😜 maybe she will listen lol
Congratulations on your wedding!! Great episode, I love Kelly's videos, she has such an inspiring story. I feel the same about my parents, I can't blame them for growing up in the cult adjacent church I grew up in, they were only trying to do the best for us. Healing takes forgiveness and responsibility. Definitely trying my best to be Tone 40 today 😂
@@CultstoConsciousness such a drag, I agree 100% and that's okay too, a little bitterness doesn't hurt 😉 we all handle trauma differently and there's no wrong way to heal. I've said it before, I'll say it again, you're doing an amazing thing here and you are a great interviewer/host
@@matthewstarnes6983 thank you so much Matt! Your comments put a smile on my face 😁 it’s nice to be able to joke around in the face of trauma and difficult conversations.
@@CultstoConsciousness there is no better way to deal other than with a laugh. I think back and laugh a lot about some of the, excuse my language, but dumb shit I encountered and heard growing up. Way better to laugh than cry! Oh I used to hear "leave room for Jesus" when I hugged a girl or a date and I believe it was you that said that but maybe you said holy ghost, anyway when I heard that I couldn't stop laughing, brought back so many memories! Thank you for the compliment, you definitely have a new fan here
This was horrible to listen to...I can't imagine that people could be so 'posessed' by such evil to abuse their own child If this isn't Evil I don't know what is.... May the Virgin Mary protect all her children!!
Idea for you Shelise, at the end of the year you could do a compilation and reaction to the interview moments that have touched you most. Might be difficult to narrow down but it would be great to rewatch key moments from the last months
It breaks my heart that,at 6, this young woman was blamed for the issues of her very dysfunctional parents and, by 16, she was thrown out, given to a person who was a stranger to her parents ( thank God that person was kind and safe ) and basically living on her own. Its sad that she felt safer on her own at 16 than with her parents . Her strength and resiliency is amazing
having a narcissist parent/severly emotionally messed up parents has MANY of the same elements that people describe coming out of cults... my parents were not in a cult but they often didn't make eye contact with me, they didn't talk to me, they never made decisions about what would be best for me and my brother, it was always about them all the time and it was like me and my brother were unwanted baggage that mysteriously burdened my parent's life.... gaslighting... ignoring... minimizing...emotional abuse... not having toys to play with.... not being able to go out and do things and participate in stuff... not having a bike... etc.
❤ you two are great roll models for standing up and having a voice. People forget that the internet has only been around since the 90’s and only really come into everyone’s reality. Just remember all kids adults and whatever people want to relate to is at your finger. Naive is not a child’s reality as you can’t watch them or be present 24/7. I think we need to answer any question they have or what they may see, that people that are a bit odd aren’t always the ones to look out for. It’s the ones that try and get our trust or grooms them that we need to be careful of. Please keep yourselves safe and teach the next generation how to grow into the best they can be.
Re: cleaning windows with newspaper, I remember America Ferrera doing that in Real Women Have Curves. I took it to mean it was cheaper and better at the job than paper towels back when newspapers were still ubiquitous.
I am happy Kelli got out. That is straight up child abuse. I grew up in an alcoholic home too, and had no idea how bad it was until I looked back years later as an adult.
I must admit that this particular story seems more like terrible parents being enabled by the cult rather the parents becoming horrible because of the cult. The mother's alcoholism seems to be the primary childhood issue.
It does, but if a lot of the stuff that was done to her is common in Scientology then a lot of other children were probably abused in the same way in that religion.
Thank you for having me on the show Shelise, it was great to talk with you 🫶
Of course! Thanks for being so open and vulnerable. You certainly have a lot of supporters on here!
Kelli your hair and makeup is amazing!! ❤️
Shelise you are so kind and knowledgable! I love seeing women who are nice to other woman, very rare these days! ❤️
For everything you've been through you are such a joyful,happy sounding person I'm sorry you went through all that as a child. Your amazing.x
Awesome interview!! Congratulations Shelise!! 💗❤️🩹💪🏽👏🏽💋
To Kelli,
Please don't feel you need to bring your father back into your life simply because he is your father. If this stranger, father, always feels like a stranger, let him go. Be very careful he isn't manipulating you into a relationship for his benefit, only.
It is okay, to divorce your parents.
Absolutely. Her parents abused her since she was a small child. She owes them nothing. I hope she realizes that the man is toxic and it is no one’s duty to be loyal to someone like that.
I agree too. It can get harder and harder as you get older. Remember to heal yourself first and foremost, it's the next generation - your potential children and grandchildren, life-long friendships that count. Those are your legacy, the safer you feel the better that legacy will be. The past needs to stay in the past.
Same feeling same vibes, very good advice!! I know how hard it is to accept that the ppl who should love you most and have your best interest at heart are actually your worst enemies. I’m definitely getting dark triad vibes from this family, how amazingly unbelievable that this upbringing resulted in such a lovely person as her.
Completely agree with this comment but as much as I am of the opinion that it's a huge waste of time to wait for one's parent to make amends after having been abusive because the huge majority will never do it and most probably only pretend to... I also think that sometimes, in some rare cases, it can be possible that they truly want and do what it takes to do so, that it can be possible to build a good relationship. Doesn't mean it's the child's duty to accept that of course. But I don't think we can tell for sure that Kelli's father is a toxic person now even though he was in the past. Truly hope for Kelli that her father will be one of those exceptions
If it’s doing her more harm than good, we can trust that she’s wise enough to know to separate. She’s been without them for many years and thriving. But, I can see why she’s continued to hear him out. It could be a great chance for her own healing, not just his. Just the fact that he’s supportive of her videos like this one where she’s not holding back is a bit of a miracle.
Her parents _really_ ought to be ashamed. To be told that a *child* is the reason for all their problems, and then for them to just LEAN INTO IT and destroy her entire childhood…🤦🏾♀️ And then to put her out of the house b/c they were too cowardly to look her in the eye even *after* they shook off that cult…
The abuse Kelli received was so weird and intense .
She was born strong and remains so .
I agree!
@@CultstoConsciousness loving your work Shelise . I’ve been a Scientology watcher for a while but you channel is turning me into a general cult watcher .
Growing up in Australia we are pretty non-religious so we don’t have much going on in a religious sense … except for The Family en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Family_(Australian_New_Age_group)
@@drbosommd thank you! I’m happy you’re enjoying it! I love Australia even more now 😁
Any group/cult/religion that would declare an enemy of a 6 year old, has completely discredited themselves.
I grew up catholic in a small town, I learned cleaning windows with newspapers also. Though it was not a requirement to do it that way. And it didn't have anything to do with religion... just a cleaning method from my mom or grandma.
I have also cleaned glass with newspaper. I was told it was used and better than paper towels because it didn't leave lint on the windows or mirrors like paper towels does.
@geniereiman1089 , we had to use news paper to wipe our butts in Mexico when I went to visits our grandparents . It was different , but it wasn't thick paper. So it wasn't so bad. I use to read the paper in there, so I took longer than most . Anyhow , newspaper is great for cleaning windows as well. 😊
We were taught in scouts that newspaper was best for cleaning lantern glass.
Newspaper leaves less streaks than paper towel.
Religions like girls to do the stupid and boring stuff my dear... instead of cleaning windows you could have done your homework. Would have given you a better and interesting life.
Good grief, where both of her parents raised by wolves? I dont mean to be flippant but unless both of her parents were also raised by some of the worst parents in the entire world I cannot understand how they could have done this to her. She laughs about much of this but attacking a child that young could have completely annihilated her sense of self and created serious life long mental health issues. It is just a matter of her being lucky enough at birth to have been born with a strong survival instinct focus and determination. This woman’s childhood was insane. The tale of this womans childhood takes me from bemused disgust to absolute hate for the church of Scientology.
I’m right there with you, Elizabeth. It’s so hard to imagine what she must have gone through at the hands of her own parents in the name of a church that taught them to act that way. She really came out on top.
Scientology is not a church, nor a "science". it has nothing to do with God, certainly not with christianity. It is a dangerous cult, comparable to OTO (created by satanist Aleister Crowley) , and freemasonry, who worship Lucifer. These cults should be completely banned by law, as a threat to humanity. I hope some day governments will take the one and only appropriate action against them.
I want to say stay away from both of your parents. There is something wrong with them that goes beyond scientology programing
In Scientology, the deeper you are, it's very normal that parents and not involved
There was a camp that they send babies too.
When I was 17, my mom took me to a Mormon energy healer in St. George because I was depressed and going through puberty, so naturally she thought demons were possessing me.
When I met with this man he told me that demons possess people’s bodies all the time. It was his belief that Michael Jackson was possessed by a little white girl demon and that’s why his skin turned white and he liked little boys.
Wow is right. The office was akin to a chiropractic clinic with a massage-type table for me to lay on. So I get on this table face up and he begins to move his hands over my body, starting with my head and down to my feet. His hands were about an inch away from my body and he told me that everyone has an electromagnet field that protects them from demons, but sometimes that field has weak points (particularly the heels because of a scriptural justification that Satan will bruise the heels of man or some shit), and so we need to extract the demon by pushing all of that negative energy out of my body through my heels. Then he strengthened the magnetic field around me somehow and fortified it with a priesthood blessing. He then gave me a list of incantations to say if I ever feel a possession coming on again that will get the demon to leave my body.
I wish I was making any of this up.
Wow! Very interesting! I will look into this more but I definitely think that’s on the fringes. Mormonism teaches not to believe or dabble in ghosts, tarot cards, energy work or anything like that so I think that was pushing the boundaries quite a bit. Not to say there aren’t Mormons who believe in energy work, my mom did and I did too, just that it’s looked down upon.
@@CultstoConsciousness what are priesthood blessings except for energy work? It’s more than just the fringes. We would cast evil spirits out of the house by the power of the priesthood. Our Bishop came by to do a blessing to command of the evil spirits to leave our house in the name of Jesus Christ. It was quite common.
@@DirtmopAZ you are totally right! That’s why I always thought it was hypocritical of them to not allow energy work or mediums when they would literally send us to a medium for God for a patriarchal blessing 😂 and believe the prophet is a literal medium for God. Makes so sense.
@@CultstoConsciousness they just want exclusive rights to the energy work hahaha
@@CultstoConsciousness this is why people in East Idaho gravitated to Chad Daybell, and other cults like Julie route within Mormonism. All of the prepper/energy healing groups are STILL at it even after the Daybell murder spree.
I have often wondered if Tom
Cruise considers Siri an SP ?
From this video we now know that children can be considered to have Thetans
(even before birth)
Given Tom’s complete indoctrination in Scientology,
perhaps this is why he has not seen Suri, in many years.
What a great Mother Suri has
getting her out of this madness at an early age 🙏
Good question!
That poor girl. She needs to sue Scientology over this abuse.
You can't because they take so much from their followers and they have a panel of lawyers
Class action. They ARE being sued & will continue to be. Never say never, just sayin'...😎
& It's this kind of brave expozurez that bring theez human abuzerz to light & truly unable to defend themselvez. That, hopefully, will allow otherz to know that "Freedom isn't free', but it IZ priceless, & that starts with free WILL! Ty&TC, All-🥰💐😎
I can't imagine a childhood like this and that this abuse is taking place!
Same! I was flabbergasted
And that she survived so well. Thank god for those teachers.
It could hardly be more a more textbook example of psychological torture. The verbal abuse, being woken up in the middle of the night to extract a false confession, and constant gaslighting is nothing short of evil. Absolutely heartbreaking that any kid has to endure that.
It really is the children that suffer the most from cults smh
This one made me so emotional when she spoke on being a little girl woken up to be blamed for the issues going on in the home and then write an apology letter. 😭😭😭 For a child, they turn inward for everything so I can’t even imagine how that felt. 😢
I remember similar experience from my childhood. Mum would come when I was already in bed to ask for a pen and then when I could not find it she would scream and look if homework was done, looking for excuse to scream basically. It was traumatizing but It was 'just' screaming about my one fault and noone claimed I was responsible for all family issues. There were no letter to be written. I can't even imagine how that was for her, another lever😢😢😢
It's amazing how Kelli came out of her horrible childhood such a positive, level-headed person. Shows real strength of character.
Newspaper is the BEST way to clean windows
And mirrors
Sprayway is the BEST glass cleaner! Ditch that blue stuff. You'll NEVER go back! I agree newspaper is the best... but with that stuff... streak free with a towel.
I can't believe growing up like that, absolutely terrible. blaming a child for basically everything negative in your life is so so abusive and being so unloved by the ones who are suppose to unconditionally love and protect, just terrible. she's so strong!! I can't imagine I'd be as kind and empathetic with that kind of past and childhood.
Absolutely! She’s a gem!
This girl💔..I absolutely hate Scientology..I had someone who worked for me who was devout so I saw first hand the brainwash. Even at that, Kelli's story is particularly horrifying..shame on those parents..they should be in jail, along with David Miscavige😡..you go Kelli! From another Kelli with an 'i'....😊♥️
It really is heartbreaking what she had to go through
@@CultstoConsciousness mind blowing..I just love your channel girl... You are a great conversationalist...Mormons on Mushrooms did you a favor, cloaked in deceit as it was..😊♥️
Kelli - you are so compassionate for not holding all of your feelings from this trauma against your parents. I’m not sure I would be able to do the same in your shoes. Thank you for sharing your story.
24:15 @kellicopter it absolutely sounds AWFUL! Getting the ‘silent treatment’ from your entire immediate family… What that does to the psychology of a child 😢it’s heartbreaking 💔
Horrific.
I agree! Absolutely awful
I came here to make the same comment. It's hard not to cry, and I also grew up in a toxic family, so you could say I should be used to it by now.
@@wiedzma_nie_niewiasta SAME 💯 💗✌️
Kelli Copter’s childhood backstory is so horrifyingly traumatic & heartbreaking 💔, yet she’s literally a shining example of strength & resilience! ⭐️ She exhibited more critical thinking & compassion than the adults around her in her formative years. Thank goodness she finally got the help she needed & deserved. The videos she’s sharing on her YT channel are excellent - I highly recommend them! Such a source of inspiration of how to move beyond unimaginable circumstances. Sending hugs 💙💙 & wishing you continued strength & success. Happy to see you two together in this interview :)
I agree, Andrea!! She’s amazing!
32:23 it’s 100% part of the grooming process… the normalization of abuse! It’s a way to desensitize you and leads you to ignore your intuition ☹️And then ‘it’s your fault’ if you let the abuse effect you… it also keeps you focused on your “deficiencies” keeping you too busy/distracted to even think about/see the crazy man behind the curtain pulling the strings and running the show!
Yes! Absolutely. Great observations
I don't have a cult/religious background, but some of the treatment you're talking about is so familiar to me. My stepmom would treat me like the problem, whenever she'd argue with my dad they'd make me come in the garage and sit down while they lectured me. Blamed every problem on me. No matter the time of day, but usually they would do this at night. I'd wash dishes, clean the kitchen, then not have time or energy for homework... then they'd pull me into the garage for like 3 hours. Then after that I'd need to shower for school the next day, but I wasn't allowed to shower before anyone else. Usually once they'd get done yelling at me and forcing me to explain myself for whatever they felt that day, I'd shower around 2-3am and have to be back at school at like 7:30.I always wondered why they didn't want me to succeed, like they purposely tried to get me to have bad grades and no friends.
That sounds so tough 😢 sorry to hear that, I do hope things are better for you nowadays 🫶
@Kelli Copter Things are much better now! Thank you so much for sharing your story 💕
I’m so sorry you experienced that. Sending love ❤️
Dang, these interviews put my ordinary religious trauma into perspective.
…..when I tell you I was thinking the exact same thing when we recorded yesterday….
All trauma is valid, and so are your feelings. You can understand that you've been through some shit while also understanding that there are people that have had it worse.
Okay but the incredible sense of humor and buoyancy of this lady is just a testament of the human spirit that refuses to be broken... I'm sure she still struggles with the scars but it is heartwarming to see her share and find humor in her horrid past. Bless.
I agree! She’s a literal beacon of light and joy
Wow I come from a dysfunctional family too. For facing so much trauma and rejection the British girl turned out to be an amazing and a strong woman. Good for you!!!!
It's beyond my understanding how such a kind and compassionate person can come out of all that abuse. You're amazing Kelli!
I couldn't love kelli more. She is amazing strong and absolutely beautiful! The talent she brings to SP TV is amazing. The shorts she is doing on her channel are so great. Love from ohio!
@KelliCopter As an ex-Scientologist that got out about 4 years ago, your story is just SO heartbreaking. I'm so happy you got out and you're able to really embrace yourself
i grew up in a strict pentecostal home that left me with a load of baggage I've slowly been unpacking over the years. While I relate to a surprising amount of what Kelli said, it's still unbelievable what she went through. the fact that she can sit there and talk about it shows her strength and gives me hope when dealing with my emotional baggage. here's to us unpacking it all down to just a grief case!
Thanks for sharing. I agree. She’s pretty amazing!
As a parent I find Kelli’s story heartbreaking- how could her parents do this to their own child? Kelli is an amazing person and i with her all the best! Sending love to both of you!
Also, I was in a cult whose founder used to be in Scientology and had used the idea of “clearing” in the cult he created (it’s a personal development cult called Access Consciousness). It would be great if you could do a deep dive on that.
Reaching out doesn't always help, I was sent back as a kid, as a teen, and as an adult it took me a long time to realize that I can leave. And still reaching out is what gives hope, isn't it?
Kelli is a stronger person than I could ever be. If I had been in her situation and my dad contacted me without an apology, I'd leave his ass out on the street without a few really cruel words at the door.
Oh Kelli so sorry. Wondering how a mom can treat her little girl like that! Thank goodness for school experiences!
Great interview! She's so strong to be able to do this! I can't imagine! Her parents just signed her over to someone they didn't know, that blew me away!
You clean windows with newspaper because paper towels leave lint (from the towel) also, I believe that there is less streaking.
It's incredible how ex-cult members can talk about past experiences. Experiences that, at the time, must have been excruciatingly painful. Thanks for sharing.
Omg torturing their own child at 3 am in a drunken stupor! 😡😡😡 Sick!
I've never been in a cult, but my family's way of life was basically a cult and I can really relate to you in almost every story, especially with Kelli stories. About the yelling part works for some, I can deal with extremely abusive people without losing control or feeling threatened, as in my day to day life I had far worse things going on. But for it to work that way you need to not see the person yelling as a threat. Basically, it works when you look at your abusers as children who don't know how to control their tempers. Of course you shouldn't believe a word they are saying, you should literally consider them as whining children who don't know what they are doing.
Well usually people that yell a lot like that have arrested development emotionally and sometimes even mentally. For instance my mother simply can't articulate her thoughts and emotions due to the abuse she suffered as a kid and then by my father and she often can't properly tell you things and so she gets frustrated and starts yelling and becoming petty and childish. My sister can't handle this and never bothered and just left but usually I can tell right away she's not able to articulate the real problem so il il calm her down and sit her down and patiently ask her what the issue is and what we can do to hammer out a game plan and then she's fine. Some people don't have the patience for this(like my sister) and that's fair, she doesn't owe her that drawn out process simply to have a healthy dialogue, however I have no issue with doing it for the both of us. Often when she does have a tantrum I can see the 8 year old in her, and I have only but pitty. I see this with a lot of ppl that yell and are vitriolic.
@@JamesMadisonsSpiritAnimal I congratulate your patience and add that it shouldn't be your role. Just as it shouldn't be mine, my situation is similar to yours, with the difference that besides my parents I have 4 brothers who behave in the same way.😮💨😮💨
@@JamesMadisonsSpiritAnimal What you're describing is being forced into a parental role way too young.
I am so sorry you had to endure their horrible treatment!! Bad parents are everywhere. All of these religions aren’t making good ones!!! Hugs to you❤
Great interview Shelise and Kelli. I am so glad your Dad is not in denial about some of these abuses from your childhood, Kelli. I hope you will be able to unpack lots more. You girls are rocking it. ❤️
Thanks so much! ❤️🙌
The amount of unwarranted abuse is insane. They scapegoated you, a child, for their own failings, sounds like narcissistic scapegoating on your parents part. You were made to be the source of all problems while raising the children for them. They absolved themselves of all responsibility and were extremely unfit to be parents
I have a five year old granddaughter and this just breaks my heart, Poor baby 😢. Absolute child abuse
This page is so underrated, I LOVE your interviews, also love Kelli, found her page a few months back and watched all of her vids, and I even suggested she get in touch with the SP crew…. Can imagine my shock when I see her on Aaron’s channel ❤❤ patiently waiting your new stuff Kelli ❤ xxx
Aww thank you Karls! 🥰 yes, she’s great! Her video with Andrew Gold comes out soon too
Kelli, I am so delighted to know you had Mork as a safe place to land. You are an irrepressible person who simply shines like a star. Thank you for this interview ❤
I saw Kelli Copter in my feed and thought it was a new video on her channel and then to my surprise it was an interview by Shelise!!! You both are my new fav TH-cam channels 🥰🥰🥰
Awww yay! Thanks, Heather! 🥰❤️
Kellis parents should be in prison for all the mental abuse they have put her through. Them being scientos and not understanding better is no excuse. They should be locked up!
Feel weird commenting on the newspaper thing, but I grew up in an atheist household and we did it. The explanation I was given was that the chemical added to newsprint ink to keep it from smudging prevents streaking when cleaning windows. Given the Mormon, Scientologist, my family connection, I think the through-line might be PERFECTIONISM. Like maybe other people don't care enough about whether the windows are streaky to stockpile newspapers for cleaning.
Ahhh that’s a good connection!
It's also really outdated advise. in old books, they used to advise this, because the ink they would use did indeed cause less steaks when cleaning windows. However, they changed that ink a long time ago to a more durable ink that doesn't stain the hands as much, so with modern newspapers, cleaning your windows with them is basically useless
I grew up as both the scapegoat and oddly a weird form of the golden child with my parents. Kelli's parents were toxic in themselves not just because of religion. Religion allowed them the excuse to be able to do what they wanted...Scientology legitimized the abuse. For my parents it was alcoholism that legitimized and took away their culpability for the abuse my sister and I suffered.
What helps me when I start to hear those horrible voices in my head is to firmly and compassionately say to myself: This was something tht happened TO you not BECAUSE of you.
You are not a bad person, you are a person that bad things happened to. You survived, you are not broken....just a bit dinged up!
Congratulations on the wedding! Wow I bet you never thought you would find your true, honest, and wholly fulfilling husband so much later in life back when your Mormon church leader told you Were a bad influence. So cool! Whoever your husband is, is one lucky fella!
Thank you James! Seriously!! That was 12 years ago! If I were still Mormon I would’ve thought I was an old maid who nobody wanted by now. Not realizing I was holding out for my true match 🥰
Her mom is probably a narcissistic abuser, scapegoating her daughter. It is so difficult to understand why a mom would do that to her little girl. My heart cries for her. Lots of love and success to her life ❤️❤️❤️
My grams cleaned with newspapers and coffee filters (specifically the one on top that gets dusty in an open package) and she said it was cuz we already paid for the newspaper we need to get the most out of it. After cleaning with them she'd add them to kindling starters.
Shelise, thank you for another amazing interview. Kelli thank you for sharing your story as heartbreaking as it is. I will never truly understand why parents do these things to their own flesh and blood in the name of religion. I am so happy to see you smiling and that you have found a way to be happy. Also Lego for adults is fantastic. Friends say to me "You still play with Lego" I say yes but it's for adults lol.
Thank you, Stephanie!
What an important, heartbreaking and beautiful episode, thank you both so much ❤
Satan, demons,devils,...their excuses for denying PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for anything.
That’s one opinion. The other is that we were taught it was this evil force (problem) and the only way to fix it was through the church (solution). Create a problem that only you can fix and you will have people locked in forever.
@CultstoConsciousness I agree with both opinions here. I think people have trouble accepting that they are not the people they want to be. So, they want to find someone/something else to blame. Cults make it easier to abdicate responsibility and discourage people from learning acceptance and self-love. So they stay in the pattern of blaming and hurting others.
It does sound like the parents already had a tendency to look for scapegoats. It's horrible that Scientology cranked that tendency up to 11.
This episode has me so emotional. I already have a serious dislike for this organization but now all I feel is rage.
In the "normal world " if people knew about this Kelli they would've called children's services, not sure what it's called in England. Then again I grew up with addict parents, very little food and we were programmed as children to Never call the police or tell Any other family members or we'd be taken to foster care,abused physically and the dirty way and we'd never see our parents, later just our Mom,ever again. We didn't call or tell anyone as children, only when a Step-father SA'd & R d my sister and I, my sister told my Mom and to my surprise my Mom actually went to the police. He went to Prison and is on the registry for life but it's still not something we Ever talked about after. My sister then asked our Aunt to take her but I'd been programmed for 5 years longer so I said nothing and didn't go with her. I felt like the parent of everyone including my mother so I felt that I had to stay with her to "protect " her from all the crazy boyfriends she had that gave her "substances" then were abusive to her. So I'm not judging
Hi Joey, thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you went through that. I’m sure Kelli appreciates someone understanding her mindset during those hard years as a kid/teen.
In the UK the organisation that looks into child protection issues is called Social Services.
I can't imagine what she went through but I do know what it is like to be thought of as the villian in your own family. It's not easy, especially when you did nothing wrong. Thankful that my parents were never in a cult because I would probably have gone through similar things. But even now, my parents still do not want to admit that they were wrong. I can probably understand close to how she feels about that. It can make you feel like you are absolutely insane. You question your whole life. I'm glad she seems to be doing better. She deserves to be happy and safe.
My dad either refuses to apologize or either 'forgot' something happened. Really used to makes me consider my mental state... Therapist told me some parents are not necessarily evil but inmatured and scared to face their own issues and apologize. And the sad thing is at that point they probably won't ever be able to do so. We need to move on knowing they will never validate our feelings. Sucks😅
I have come across other cases where abusive parents target just one of the kids. It seems particularly horrific. It impacts the sibling's relationships and is so hurtful to the one singled out. Imagine seeing that the parent is capable of being loving but just not to you. Thank you for sharing your story Kelli, a l am so glad you are doing well
Crazy story! But to continue with the washing windows with newspaper thing. I never cleaned windows with newspapers at the church, but my family would do that after we would wash our car. We would use newspapers to dry the windows because the paper didn't leave lint on the windo, unlike the rags would. I think it's more of a generational thing, my parents were born in the '50s and '60s, and I notice a lot of other people about the same age use the same trick! But now we have lint free drying cloths, so we don't need newspaper anymore!
We weren't particularly religious growing up (my mother was agnostic and I attended private Christian school for the better education), but we did the newspaper as well. My mother was born in 1945, so it definitely is a generational thing. I still use newspaper.
Yup, my grandma (devout United Methodist) always did too, lol.
Yep. We did it too.
It's a thing.
Aye, Scottish here. No religion, mum (born in 1941) taught me this. It's just an effective method of cleaning glass.
"reuse,reduce,recycle"...& What we know of az 'paper towels' weren't alwayz around. & Back in the day, newspaper was everywhere & uzed 4 everything from TP to wrapping paper. Why waste a 'good rag' that would then need laundering when newspaper could/can be uzed for something useful b4 getting tossed anyway, eh?🤔😊😁😎💖
Not the cartoon/puzzles, tho! That wuz the 'rule' then.
Thoze were saved for wrapping.😊 TC, 💐
Hi & thanks for this incredible interview!! I’m amazed how much Kelly have gone through & not just still standing up but seems to be thriving ❤️🌱
With kindness and respect, Grace 🎭🌱⚖️❤️
We used to clean windows with newspapers and vinegar (sometimes ammonia)... vinegar cuts the grime and sanitizes and the newspaper is because it's absorbent enough and truly lint free. Practice carried over from depression era and in the time before mass production of chemical products. I'm sure cost factored in at some point during wars and the depression.
15:35 The newspaper thing used to be pretty normal. Like, not long ago, my grandmother did it, snd my mom still does, lol. In Norway we did/do it still, something about it not leaving streaks on the glass or something. I honestly haven’t thought about it
You are an awesome person, Kelli! Such an inspiration ❤ I cannot bring my head around the abuse you suffered and the immense cruelty of your parents and the cult.. and yet, here you are, still alive and even better than that. How did you do it? I'm in awe! Scientology must go down. It's disgusting! Please don't give your dad too much sympathy or time, he really doesn't deserve it
❤❤❤❤
So it strikes me that Kelli’s parents were not very good people to start with (mom sounds particularly toxic) and that Scientology was the perfect place for them to feel good about abusing their children. And it was the same with Daisy. LRon was a special kind of monstrous POS. And the horrifying thing is this crap is happening to kids right now, and all that money is protecting these ‘people.’ All these people yell and scream about pedophiles, and it’s their own organizations and leaders that are the very worst nests of them. Ugh.
One of my favorites. Thank you both. "You can go the rest of the way too"💓
Kelli thanks for sharing your experience.
Shelise thanks for the podcast.
I don’t think your parents deserve your ears or your empathy but i hope it’s healing for you Kelly.
Also, I’ve never been in a cult and we cleaned our windows with newspaper 😂
Ugh, such a sad story related to her parents. Cults have a lot to answer for... Glad the story has a happy ending, in spite of her parents and their cult.
Agreed!!!
These auditing sessions sound F'ing insane. To put a small child through this is child abuse plain and simple.
I agree. Same with bishop confessionals when they ask sexual questions to a 12 year old
16:49 my mom has always taught me about the newspaper thing for a streak free finish. And she’s not part of any denomination, so that’s kind of a cool insight. The thing with the newspapers though is that it was kind of just cheaper and it left more of a streak free shine on the mirrors and Glass stead of rags or paper towels. My work has some really high-quality paper towels that is great for mirrors. We just don’t have access to that at home. Perhaps the wicking of the paper?
Congratulations 💒 Great interview as always. Kelli is a legend 🕊💌
Thank you, Cherry!
Wow... Kelli. I hope you know how impressive you are for overcoming these experiences. Thank you for sharing and wish you all the best.
I'm trying not to cry listening to Kelly's story. Bless you.
I am so sorry that you went through abuse as a child. As others have said you are very strong.
I'm so sorry you went through these horrible experiences. You deserve all the love and luck in the world! Also, your hair looks amazing!
PS: I want to give you a hug 🤗
We are a cult survivor too! ✨🏆✨ We appreciate you sharing your stories SO MUCH! ‘dance therapy’ for us too! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
❤️🙌🙏
Kelli's story was just heartbreaking. I hate to see children treated that way. I also grew up with an alcoholic parent and its tough to grow up that way. I hope she is better now without her parents. She is braver than me because i wouldve walked away from my parents and never looked back. I am glad she still has her brothers in her life. Tomorrow is a new day keep putting one foot in front of the other!❤
Shelise and Kelli - great interview .
Thanks, David!
Thank you for the interviews with Aaron and Kelli. From my viewpoint, all three of you are more than survivors, you are CHAMPIONS.
I would like to make a suggestion for a future interview if possible. Her name is Amanda Rae, she escaped a cult as a teen, and her story is gripping.
Please keep up the good work, I find you inspirational.
Thank you so much! We were in contact with Amanda about a month back when she agreed to collab but never heard back when we tried to schedule it. Drop her a comment on her page 😜 maybe she will listen lol
Congratulations on your wedding!! Great episode, I love Kelly's videos, she has such an inspiring story. I feel the same about my parents, I can't blame them for growing up in the cult adjacent church I grew up in, they were only trying to do the best for us. Healing takes forgiveness and responsibility. Definitely trying my best to be Tone 40 today 😂
Thank you, Matt! Yeah it’s a tough place to be in. Forgiveness is such a drag. I admittedly like to be bitter sometimes 😂
@@CultstoConsciousness such a drag, I agree 100% and that's okay too, a little bitterness doesn't hurt 😉 we all handle trauma differently and there's no wrong way to heal. I've said it before, I'll say it again, you're doing an amazing thing here and you are a great interviewer/host
@@matthewstarnes6983 thank you so much Matt! Your comments put a smile on my face 😁 it’s nice to be able to joke around in the face of trauma and difficult conversations.
@@CultstoConsciousness there is no better way to deal other than with a laugh. I think back and laugh a lot about some of the, excuse my language, but dumb shit I encountered and heard growing up. Way better to laugh than cry! Oh I used to hear "leave room for Jesus" when I hugged a girl or a date and I believe it was you that said that but maybe you said holy ghost, anyway when I heard that I couldn't stop laughing, brought back so many memories! Thank you for the compliment, you definitely have a new fan here
@@matthewstarnes6983 for sure! 🥲🫠 oh yes. Ours was we had to leave room for a Book of Mormon between us while dancing 😂😂😂 thanks for your support!
It's so great to see Kelli here! Great stream, thank you ❤️
Thanks for watching!
This was horrible to listen to...I can't imagine that people could be so 'posessed' by such evil to abuse their own child If this isn't Evil I don't know what is....
May the Virgin Mary protect all her children!!
Idea for you Shelise, at the end of the year you could do a compilation and reaction to the interview moments that have touched you most. Might be difficult to narrow down but it would be great to rewatch key moments from the last months
Lucky for you we did! 😁 th-cam.com/video/2xxT8FOGuNA/w-d-xo.html
15:25 my father taught me to clean windshields with newsprint, too
It breaks my heart that,at 6, this young woman was blamed for the issues of her very dysfunctional parents and, by 16, she was thrown out, given to a person who was a stranger to her parents ( thank God that person was kind and safe ) and basically living on her own. Its sad that she felt safer on her own at 16 than with her parents . Her strength and resiliency is amazing
Kelli was really brave and intuitive to know to say,no thanks not for me,at the age of twelve! Glad you got out Kelli.
So so sad! This is obvious child abuse!!! I'm so sorry all that happened to you!
Kelli's parents belong in JAIL! I am so, so sorry for what happened to you and your brothers, Kelli. ❤❤
You are both so very lovely, and I'm happy you are both free. 💖💖
having a narcissist parent/severly emotionally messed up parents has MANY of the same elements that people describe coming out of cults... my parents were not in a cult but they often didn't make eye contact with me, they didn't talk to me, they never made decisions about what would be best for me and my brother, it was always about them all the time and it was like me and my brother were unwanted baggage that mysteriously burdened my parent's life.... gaslighting... ignoring... minimizing...emotional abuse... not having toys to play with.... not being able to go out and do things and participate in stuff... not having a bike... etc.
You’re from the UK lovely, so am I, please sue them!!! Let’s get this school shut down!!
I'm so glad you're interviewing ex-Scientologists now. That cult is positively dystopian.
❤ you two are great roll models for standing up and having a voice. People forget that the internet has only been around since the 90’s and only really come into everyone’s reality. Just remember all kids adults and whatever people want to relate to is at your finger. Naive is not a child’s reality as you can’t watch them or be present 24/7.
I think we need to answer any question they have or what they may see, that people that are a bit odd aren’t always the ones to look out for. It’s the ones that try and get our trust or grooms them that we need to be careful of.
Please keep yourselves safe and teach the next generation how to grow into the best they can be.
Keli - what you went through is truely horrifying. My heart goes out to you. - Kathy W
Re: cleaning windows with newspaper, I remember America Ferrera doing that in Real Women Have Curves. I took it to mean it was cheaper and better at the job than paper towels back when newspapers were still ubiquitous.
This young woman is so put together after dealing with an alcoholic mother who was cruel and used her daughter for the unstable person she was.
Kelli is amazing and such a brave person ❤
Catholic with newspaper here too!! I was told that the paper of the newspaper was the best at removing fingerprints from the window.
I am happy Kelli got out. That is straight up child abuse. I grew up in an alcoholic home too, and had no idea how bad it was until I looked back years later as an adult.
❤️
I must admit that this particular story seems more like terrible parents being enabled by the cult rather the parents becoming horrible because of the cult. The mother's alcoholism seems to be the primary childhood issue.
It does, but if a lot of the stuff that was done to her is common in Scientology then a lot of other children were probably abused in the same way in that religion.