Something I want to make clear: When I point out that something in "Cause and Defect" was wrong or bad or harmful, I am NOT criticizing the author.

No.

I am completely confident that the author was an idealistic, good-hearted individual who at every moment was doing her best, given her knowledge and understanding and beliefs at that point.

Weren't we all?

The fact that being involved with a twisted cult like the SGI necessarily resulted in our actions becoming twisted to whatever degree! Whether it was behaving inconsiderately (imposing our silly religious beliefs on strangers or new friends who would in short order become strangers again) or irresponsibly (sleep-depriving ourselves trying to keep up with the SGI's assigned schedule of "requirements") or neglecting loved ones, that was the result of the SGI's influence, not some defect on the part of the SGI member. Of course, over time, in some cases, the SGI indoctrination seems to replace the SGI member's original personality and awareness and decision-making and identity, and at THAT point, what can you do? It's hard to look at someone who is acting from such a toxic, alien foundation and NOT hold them accountable, but still - the root cause is the "Attack of the Body Snatchers" Dead-Ikeda-cult SGI that managed to indoctrinate that person into becoming someone else.

So regardless of the details, I will always remain in support of the author and applaud her bravery in putting her life out there in all its glory, with all its gory details, to the point where we have something to critique to further our purpose here at SGIWhistleblowers. I hope I will always make clear that I hold the Dead-Ikeda-cult SGI and its Corpse Mentor responsible for harming these good people and pressuring them to do self-destructive things, and even though some details may be difficult to explain rationally, I won't ever condemn the person who was being influenced to do those things. THIS is the nature of a high-control group - it puts its members under extreme stress and anxiety, exploiting their fears and vulnerabilities, manipulating them in much the same way as a hostage situation.

These SGI members were not "free agents" while under the influence of SGI, and I want to make sure to separate those two concepts.