Illusion
of Belief

Raised in a Cult

A True Story of Manipulation, Survival,
and The Courage to Remember

A Memoir by Tully Quinn

A true story of inherited beliefs, survival patterns, and the quiet work of returning to yourself

About The Book

What if the beliefs quietly running your life were never really yours to begin with?

Before we are old enough to question them, we absorb truths. They unconsciously materialise from the people who raised us and the environment that shaped us. Absorbed from the voices that told us who we were, what we were worth, and how much we were allowed to become.

Most of us never trace them back. We just live inside them.

Tully Quinn grew up inside one of the most controlled environments imaginable. What she discovered, slowly and at great personal cost, was not that her experience was unusual. It was the mechanism that was universal.

The belief that you are too much or not enough. That love must be earned, that speaking up is dangerous. These are not truths. They are inherited instructions often used as a form of control, and most of us have been following them without ever reading the fine print.

Illusion of Belief is Tully’s story. More importantly, somewhere in these pages, you will find the architecture of your own.

Why This Book Matters

Illusion of Belief is the beginning of a much larger journey and the first moment you see the shape of the story you’ve been living.

This book doesn’t sensationalise or dramatise. It simply reveals how belief is formed long before we realise we’re inside it, and how those early instructions quietly shape our identity, our relationships, and the limits we place on ourselves.

It’s not about blame. It’s about clarity, and the quiet courage of seeing what’s always been there.

The next book begins when the body starts to speak, and nothing in your life can stay the same.

WHAT READERS FOUND INSIDE

“This book is one I could not put down.

It is beautifully written, and one I believe anyone could comfortably read.

This is the story of Tullys early years, growing up in a cult, and the experiences and repercussions of this lifestyle. At times it bought me to tears and also made me go WOW! Tully has written with great insight and as the book unfolds you are continually in awe of her resilience and fortitude. This book is not written to the detriment of anyone, but as a true memoir. I believe the insights and life experiences in this book will be helpful to many people. At the end of the book is a beautiful treat about Tullys writing companions, which brings a lovely warmth. I truly enjoyed this memoir and look forward to the next chapters.”

Sue C

“I have gone through life not really knowing why I have certain traits, my personality, emotions and why I react to them in the way I do. Never really questioned why I am who I am.

I have read this book twice and will probably read it again…and again. The Tully reflections at the end of each chapter triggered some light bulb moments. So different to most self help books that tend to tell you how to fix, this is gentle and thought provoking, resulting in me not being so hard on myself and understanding the “why”.”

Sandra C

“Illusions of Belief by Tully Quinn is a thought-provoking book that explores how childhood experiences, labels, and beliefs shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. It encouraged me to reflect on the lasting impact of the words spoken to us, both positive and negative, and how those messages can follow us into adulthood. One of the book’s strongest messages is that the words and actions of parents can have a profound and lasting influence on their children well into adult life. Overall, it is an honest and insightful read that promotes self-awareness, personal growth, and the courage to examine and question the beliefs we grow up with.”

Jacqueline D

‘I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become’.

~ Carl Jung (attributed)