KallMeKris

And Marshall felt that an individual's ego and human habits were obstacles that prevented spiritual progress, so he made it a point to create an environment that squashed personal identity.

And the cult's already strict lifestyle only grew more strict over time.

And members experimented with a number of different diets in an attempt to purify their bodies.

Quote, we tried every diet out there to see its effect on the body.

From fruitarian, to wheat grass, to low cooked grains, to juice only consumption, I'd be out.

Shit, I'd be out at this point.

I'd be like, all right, you know, I was cool with the divine authority cards and shit, but this is too much, okay?

I'm joking.

Anyway.

But they eventually settled on a boring but practical diet.

Quote, you would have a grain cereal in the morning, followed by a low-fat sandwich for lunch, no fried foods such as french fries.

and dinner would consist of a carefully prepared protein with vegetables," unquote.

And they followed specific schedules for everything.

And not only was sex banned, but so was romance of any kind.

And Marshall was so hell bent on removing sexual distraction that he encouraged castration for any men that still struggled with their libido.

fucking horrible like physical castration just changing their lives and then ah it's just anyway yeah you just um yeah just terrible and to the point that he went with a few male followers down to mexico where they would all undergo surgical castration which is for those of you who don't know the voluntary removal of their testicles to remain celibate

So a major body alteration, a permanent body alteration.

And though this was kept secret at the time, it was later discovered by the medical examiner as the bodies were checked after the final incident, but we will get to that in a bit.

But the castrations just demonstrated just how far Marshall was willing to go to control his followers.

And it also potentially showed just how deep his own sexual trauma influenced him.