What happened to my old friend

December 2001
By an observer

I am a graduate student in sociology and fascinated by the dynamics of cults, though repelled by their outcomes. One day I would like to research them more. Having grown up in Orange County, California, I've encountered many cults, but the one that has left the most indelible impression is the group once known as "the Assembly."

Any student at Fullerton Community College in 1976 could not help running across the Assembly. They were everywhere, though few of them seemed to be actual students and even less appear to be enrolled now. I actually attended a couple of meetings, more out of curiosity than from any personal spiritual need. Some members did call themselves "The Assembly" in those days. Interestingly, the name "George Geftakys" didn't come up, though I do recall hearing people say "Brother George" in a hushed way. They were somewhat secretive about who was really in charge.

But I saw a familiar face at the Assembly meeting. It was an old friend from elementary school I had not seen since our freshman year. He was once an honor student and had expressed an interest in medicine. Now he was a member of the Geftakys group, spoke in their religious jargon and dressed just like one of the other "saints." My friend had also lowered his sights from medicine, saying that Assembly leaders disapproved of a lengthy education. The Assembly members sounded artificial in their conversations and tried to use a manipulative guilt trip, so I left and dismissed them. But they kept trying to get me back until graduation!

I thought little about the "Assembly" until I saw my old friend again some years later. He was now living in a managed-care home in my neighborhood, but was no longer the same person. He stared blankly, could not remain focused and was unable to drive a car. I asked him what had happened. He only muttered incoherently saying, "I was smart once" and implied that some event had "changed" him. His bus came and he got on. It seemed like he was very damaged.

I don't know what happened to my old friend, but I'd like to know what part the Geftakys organization played in whatever it was that turned this intelligent, reasonably well-adjusted person into the seemingly empty shell I later saw.