Questions For Claire

A few of the questions we would like to ask our interviewee, Claire, about her experience in two separate cults.

CLAIRE http://www.claireashman.com/

Intro

  • (To start off) What is your name and what do you do?
  • How would you define what a cult is?

First Cult

  • What was your upbringing like? Were you exposed to the outside world? (School, pop culture etc.)
  • What were some of their practices and teachings?
  • When did you first realize you were living in a cult?
  • How were your parents and family affected by their cult experience?

Second Cult

  • What made you move to Melbourne when you were 18?
  • Where did you meet your ex-husband (31 years old)? Why were you drawn to him?
  • What made you decide to move to Nowra and join the Order?
  • What were some of the practices and theories at that Doomsday cult? Was it any different from the first cult you were part of?
  • What were the living arrangements like?

After

  • What was the first day out of the cult like?
  • What skills did you not have? And what did you have to learn?
  • How did your children get affected by it?
  • Do your kids still keep in contact with their father?

Broad

  • It was mentioned in your BBC interview with Natacha Tormey that more than 70% of women make a majority of cult followers. Why do you think women are more of a target rather than men?
  • What’s your take on religion now?
  • Does sharing your experience only bring back the pain you suffered or helped you heal?
  • Is there anything you regret or wish you did differently?
  • Any final words for us?

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