'It was a doomsday cult, we believed that the end of the world was going to happen at any minute'
Ryan Carey shares his experience growing up in the Geelong Revival Centre, an Australian Pentecostal church he describes as a doomsday cult. He details the psychological impact of being raised in an environment that predicted an imminent nuclear apocalypse.
Why it matters
This account provides insight into the psychological trauma and coercive control tactics used by high-demand religious groups.
Ryan Carey was born into the Geelong Revival Centre, a Pentecostal church where his father was second-in-command. It was a cult, founded on abuse.
Nine to Noon 23 October 2026 5 min read Caption: Ryan Carey grew up never expecting to live into his 20s, he was told everyone around him would die in a nuclear holocaust. Photo credit: Supplied Ryan Carey grew up never expecting to live into his 20s, he was told everyone around him would die in a nuclear holocaust.
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