PODCAST: Perry Bulwer: ‘My Jesus Freak Life in a Doomsday Cult’

Host Peter McCully chats with Perry Bulwer of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island.

Bulwer has written a book entitled Misguided: My Jesus Freak Life in a Doomsday Cult, taking the podcast listener on a journey through his tumultuous experience with the Children of God cult.

Starting with his initial encounter at a Chinese restaurant in Port Alberni, Perry recounts the allure that drew him into the depths of the cult.

"They saw something in me, something receptive,” said Bulwer. "The dogma and the teachings I learned in the Catholic Church weren't that much different from what they were preaching and they were taking advantage of that."

Bulwer explains the origins of the cult, tracing its roots back to California in 1968 and the charismatic leader David Berg, the cult's radical preaching, its migration to Canada, and the controversies surrounding its practices add layers to the story.

The podcast reflects on the emotional toll of living in a cult, as the author describes the internal conflicts and doubts that eventually led him to leave.

Upon returning to Canada, he faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life, marked by educational pursuits and personal rediscovery. The episode captures the resilience required for post-cult recovery, offering a glimpse into Perry's transformative journey.

Bulwer has been an advocate for cult survivors since 2004.

“There's a lot of psychological damage to that generation who were born in the group,” he said. “Once I turned my mind to it and understood what had happened to them, I had to speak up. I started doing that in 2004 and basically have continued to this day to be an advocate in that sense.”

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00:01:39 Early Life and Attraction to Spirituality
00:03:22 Perry's Journey to California
00:07:06 Joining the Children of God
00:09:29 Reaction from Family and Friends
00:11:34 Understanding the Children of God
00:15:31 Spreading the Cult's Message
00:20:21 Doubts and Decision to Leave the Cult
00:22:42 Leaving the Cult and the Aftermath
00:23:12 Rejoining the Cult
00:26:25 Growing Doubts and Final Decision to Leave
00:28:01 Life After Leaving the Cult
00:28:38 Education as a Path to Recovery
00:31:19 Advocacy for Second Generation Cult Survivors