David I know I said that I would not participate in any religious discussion here. But I would like to share a few comments about cults and I will use previous published information about a cult called, "The Way International." There is much written about them on the internet and in books. I am hoping this might give you some insight to what might be going on with your wife. I am not saying your wife is a member of a cult but it isn't beyond the realm of possibility. I am saying that scam artist will use cultish ways to recruit new members.
"One of the most damaging aspects of The Way is the ability of its leadership to control many of the thoughts and actions of its followers, using tactics of mind control. This is not strictly speaking "brainwashing" (which uses physical abuse), but is the use of emotionally manipulative tactics to direct a person's attitudes and behavior. The Way also routinely condemns everyone outside the organization of being "possessed by devil spirits." The Way member often tells the children of divorced parents to be wary of, resist, not obey, or avoid the fallen-away parent (the one who has left The Way) to protect themselves from the influence of the parent's devil spirits."
"Way teachers also typically attack verbally anyone who is not in The Way, so as children accept Way teaching, they tend to turn against parents and family members who are not in The Way. "
"Steven Hassan, in his book, Combating Mind Control, describes several features common to groups like The Way, which use such tactics of mental coercion, including:
•making followers fearful that terrible things will happen to them if they disobey leadership or leave the group. Way leaders say that if followers disobey, they will be "outside the protection of the household," and so they "will be a grease spot by midnight," that they will be involved in a terrible accident, and that they will destroy their relationship with God.
•requiring followers to obey leadership strictly, even on seemingly minor issues, and even when obedience damages the followers' lives. For instance, Way members are compelled to sell their homes if there is a mortgage of any size (even if rental rates are much higher than the mortgage payment), quit a job, and move to a new city to be near leadership.
•inducing thought control by requiring recruits to use only approved language and jargon.
•causing followers to block out all information from outside the group. They are required to burn literature which was written by former followers of The Way who left it, even if the content of the books does not contradict current teachings of The Way. They are not allowed to read literature critical of The Way, are told not to read teaching by any religious group except The Way, and are taught that even distributing the Bible without The Way's teaching will mislead people.
•isolating followers by requiring them to forsake all outside activities (including children's school activities) in order to devote long hours to group meetings and work.
•"confronting" errant followers by yelling, screaming, cursing, haranguing, and verbally battering followers until they obey leadership.
•compelling youth, as well as parents, to "renew their minds" by submitting themselves to constant indoctrination, including The Way publications, classes, taped sermons, and so forth. They are compelled to attend Way meetings several nights a week, usually at the expense of all other school, community, and family activities."
Having been through something like this with a close family member, I know how maddening this can be to those watching it happen. The scam artist find a weak point to enter into someone's life, fill them with some apparent truth, then slowly enlighten them with some special knowledge that to someone like you or me is nothing but foolishness. Once they have accepted that, they are hooked because they have some special revelation that most don't. I can see how easy it is to snare some into cults like this.
The diamond and platinum twist is something I've not heard of before which sounds a little cultish to me.
Your wife has had a lot of new ideas, concepts, and social standing thrown at her over the last few years. I can easily see how one can be sucked into something undesirable like this.
I hope some of this helps as you decide your future.
