OP Gets Forced To Choose Between Attending Sister's Wedding And Facing Abusers In A Cult She Left Years Ago

Skipping the wedding will definitely preserve her healing journey—but would she be an a-hole for it?

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• October 15, 2023

In the silent corridors of OP's (25F) past, a tale of courage and resilience begins to unfold. Having broken free from the suffocating clutches of a religious cult two years ago, she embarked on a journey of healing, mending the shattered pieces of her spirit.

However, the shadows of her past continue to cast a chilling pall over her present as a sudden twist shakes the fragile peace she fought so hard to attain.

The news arrives abruptly, like a lightning bolt from a stormy sky: her estranged sister, once her closest confidante, is getting married within the very cult they both escaped. A wave of conflicting emotions crashes over OP, the memories of her escape mingling with the fear of revisiting the place that had once been a chamber of horrors.

The dilemma is profound, echoing in the caverns of her heart—attend the wedding and face the demons of her past or shield herself from the trauma and preserve her newfound tranquility.

The impending wedding becomes a battleground of emotions, testing the boundaries of familial love against the barbed wire of self-preservation. In a narrative woven with threads of pain, resilience, and the bittersweet taste of familial bonds, OP grapples with a profound decision.

Does she risk unraveling the delicate tapestry of her healing for the sake of a sister whose path diverged so drastically from her own?

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Two years ago, OP left her family in a religious cult due to seven years of emotional abuse and verbal mistreatment, resulting in a diagnosis of multiple mental health conditions, including PTSD.

Despite her efforts to reconcile and apologize for leaving, her family remains solely concerned with her "salvation," showing little interest in repairing their relationship.

In her family's church, they practice courtship instead of dating, which involves supervised interactions without physical contact until the wedding day.

A week ago, OP's dad hinted at their sister's courtship with a church member. To their surprise, just days later, the sister announced her engagement, skipping the courting phase.

OP felt hurt and shocked by their sister's failure to inform them privately about her engagement. Their main concern is their sister's future within the church and her marriage to a relative stranger.

She's torn between skipping her sister's wedding or starring in a cult reunion, but maybe a well-timed speech could break the spell on the big day.

To go or not to go to her sister's wedding—that's the Shakespearean dilemma. Setting boundaries is the modern twist, protecting her healing without raining on the wedding parade.

Grateful for the concern, she clarifies that her family's church is like a distant cousin to the IBLP. She's considering skipping the wedding, but cutting ties is a more challenging act than any wedding drama.

Not a trap, but she wants her partner as a buffer for awkward conversations. If she attends, it'll be a brief visit, missing the chance to stand by her sister is hard to accept.

Scroll down to see what people had to say!

Skipping the wedding—it's like RSVP'ing "No" to drama and "Yes" to healing. Why not share a peaceful meal instead?

She's putting self-preservation first, and that's everyone's top job. No crystal ball needed; she's avoiding potential abuse and regrets by staying away.

Absolutely agreed. In the realm of regrets, missing the wedding is a far more appealing choice than regretting attending it.

In this scenario, prioritizing her well-being is a no-brainer; no need to RSVP for the cult's "Walking Dead" episode.

OP, it's like a cult-produced soap opera, but sometimes, the best role is to stay far, far away for the sake of sanity.

Proposing an honest conversation is like throwing a lifeline, but if her sister doesn't grasp it, at least she won't be weighed down by regrets. Diplomacy, the unsung hero!

When "cult" enters the picture, it's like a "Get Out of Jail Free" card for NTA, and OP's healing journey deserves all the support.

No "ah" status here. How about a low-drama trio celebration with her sister and the soon-to-be hubby? Intimacy wins!

No AH situation here. Going to a cult wedding is like mending a flat tire with a chocolate bar—it's a recipe for disaster.

Risking all that progress for a sham wedding just isn't worth it.

Avoid the "Cult Roulette." Send congrats and support from a safe distance—better odds, zero drama!

Her instincts are sharper than a ninja's sword—safety first! Cult escapes are like a maze, and she's wise to prioritize her well-being in the face of such uncertainty.

It's worth considering if this wedding could be a ploy to draw her back in. Cults can be trickier than a Rubik's Cube—better to keep her distance and focus on her own path to healing.

It's vital to prioritize her well-being, but a heartfelt presence at her sister's wedding might just be the perfect gift, wrapped in love.

This isn't a multiple-choice test; it's a heartbreak challenge. Prioritize what's best for her and let the rest sort itself out like a messy jigsaw puzzle.

She holds the golden ticket to the "Wedding Factory" and can skip any event without an apology.

Cutting ties with family is like shutting a bad Netflix series—change the channel, and don't bother with reruns. A new number and a fresh start—no need to revisit that drama.

Cults are like chameleons; they change. When she's ready to visit family, she should do her cult detective work and check into a safe motel for a drama-free reunion.

Self-preservation first. Send a card, extend an invite for a safe meet-up, and let the drama stay far, far away.

The simultaneous announcement might sting, but it's a wake-up call from the cult mindset. Keeping the door ajar with Christmas cards is like leaving a secret escape route in the holiday spirit.

At a wedding, guests are either supporters or extras, and she's chosen to be an extra because she's not sold on the plot!

Bottom line: NTA all the way.

The echoes of her past might linger, but in choosing her peace, she discovers a newfound resilience. The wedding may pass, but her fortitude endures, a beacon illuminating her path forward.

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Sophia