I will answer this more in depth later, but here is a link for you to read if you wish https://culteducation.com/oldserverbackups/www/web/group/940-soka-gakkai/7646-cult-or-buddhism.html

Thank you.

Meetings every night, being urged to donate your time and money to "build your fortune and change your karma".

Every night? That's very demanding and unreasonable. Also sounds a lot like Scientology in the heavy investment it demands of followers.

Being told you cannot ever think or say anything bad about other members, it was slanderous,and created bad karma.

Probably to build an illusion of harmony and the cover of silence to cover up wrongdoings.

My folks were approached one evening while sitting outside.

This was in 1970 ,I was five.

My father immediately saw through it, that is was a cult, my mother is still a fanatic.

The way it has touched every aspect of my life cannot be understated.

Some people are more susceptible to indoctrination like this due their personality. I'm sorry to hear about your mother, and how much it has affected your life.

It's been over a year since I told them to fuck off, and I still cannot believe I didn't see through them before.

BTW,, in the 70s, they used to tell LGB members to "chant themselves straight".

Bastards.

It sounds horrible; Glad to hear you're out of it and told them off.