This communication was sent to us via Facebook. Sad to say, we have accounts of people espousing similar stories regarding their interactions with Mandisa. This website will be updated as the accounts are received. Note, parenthesis courtesy of editor:
I have never been religious. In fact, until lately I have thought of myself as mostly immune the type of blind mania often displayed by some religious people. Except, I have been drawn towards charismatic figures-although the reasonable part of me eventually kicks in and I start seeing their flaws.
This took a while with Mandisa because I really, really wanted and needed to believe in her. So in a way, I imagine I feel as foolish as former religious people when they finally realized their beliefs were lies.
I feel that way about Mandisa Thomas and her BN cult.
Shortly after I had my final argument with Mandisa, there was an atheist woman I became friends with. She was a former cult member (not BN). While discussing her experience it occurred to me that BN was cult-like. It was a profoundly cathartic moment that still upsets me. Can atheists be in a cult? Could I be in a cult?
Mandisa exhibited many of the behaviors of someone running a religious organization: Members have an unquestioned commitment to the leader. I noticed this about many people in the atheist movement and of course by BN members. Why? Where was this coming from. She gives 30-minute talks in a library. She smiles on cue for interviewers. What has she really done for us?
Dissenters are punished, i.e., removed and shunned. Mandisa is notorious for removing people (from BN or her personal, environment).
Ironically, she gave a talk saying, “Some of us are not going to make it.” This is like a middle finger to people who don’t agree with her. She dictates how organizers should behave or live. The prerequisite about organizers needing to be openly atheist disturbs me to this day. I am atheist – but it isn’t my job – and I should be allowed to turn if off if a religious person is around me.
The story of how she treated Alison Mason (whom organized the two initial BNSeacon cruises) when her husband died, is also disturbing.
Alison wasn’t an organizer. Alison made the horrible mistake of allowing her atheist husband’s frat brothers perform his funeral in a traditionally religious manner. Mandisa publicly scolded and shamed a widow, Alison, and going so far as to use this tragedy (husband’s funeral) as a talk on one of the (BNSeacon) cruises…truly monstrous.
This ‘leader’ is not accountable. She can’t be fired, demoted, or punished. She answers to no one.
This ‘leader’ induces guilt in members.
She uses her platform and social media accounts to shame and bad-mouth members into obedience. So all of this stuff revealed recently about her, isn’t making me angry. I have never stopped being angry about this. I am numb.
We…SHE had an opportunity to make something good (of BN organization).
Mandisa abused her position and stole money so she can get her freak on (participate in sexual exploits). The details of the grift is what is being revealed now. Instead of accepting or really acknowledging her mistake, she appears to be continuing the hustle. There appears to be a need to sustain her lifestyle and pay the bills. Go back to the CDC and do a real job.
A part of me thinks her behavior is a sad cry for help, “Please stop me.” It is as if she can’t help herself.
The latest revelations about her now-I refused to see. I didn’t think I should or want to dig up (information) at the time.
I feel foolish and sad for not doing that.”
Anonymous
