How does a person change from a non-violent, non-racist Christian man with a wife and two young children into a radicalized, paramilitary soldier willing to blow up innocent people? How does this person reclaim his true self and […]
Kerry Noble, Former Leader in One of the First American White Supremacy Survivalist Cults Read More
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc worldwide, resulting in more than two million deaths, seriously weakening or destroying economic and social systems, resulting in a tremendous increase in mental health problems. A frantic search for effective vaccines has consumed the scientific community since it was first identified.
Vaccines have now been developed at record speed. The elaborate and time-consuming process of manufacturing and distributing them to the general public has begun. Although there are certainly problems and a lack of coordination in many of these efforts, most people are relieved and are anxiously awaiting their turn to be protected.
Unfortunately, a backlash against the vaccines from several directions is growing. Some of the protests have become violent, exhibiting signs of cult-like behaviors. A recent rally at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was such an occasion. California has suffered over 40,000 COVID-related deaths and soon becomes the state with the highest death toll related to the pandemic. Despite this grim reality, the anti-vaccination protesters at Dodger Stadium carried signs saying “COVID = SCAM” and “Save Your Soul – Turn Back.”
Are you interested in learning more about how the mind works and how people can be programmed into a destructive authoritarian cult? Ever had an experience with a cult or controlling relationship? Have a friend or family member caught up in a black/white, all or nothing conspiracy cult, multi-level marketing group, religious group, political group, this is a course by Dr. Steven Hassan, a former member of the Moon cult, mental health professional who has over 40 years of knowledge and direct experience. In this course you will learn about different cultic groups, brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence. You will learn the strategies, patterns, and behaviors used by cultic groups to recruit new members, and how they manipulate and control them.
My First Foundational Online Course: “Understanding Cults: The Basics” Read More
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was sworn into office, becoming the 46th president of the United States of America. Our nation is facing a very real pandemic (not a hoax) and a horrible economic situation with many millions of Americans experiencing hardship, anxiety and pain. Many are dealing with homelessness, have no income and are food insecure. We need and finally have responsible leadership. We need to come together and end the vitriol.
Searching for spiritual meaning and connection with others is common when young adults enter their college years. There are many positive and ethical religious groups open to these young people, but, unfortunately, there are also
On Sunday, January 10, 2021, I was invited to answer questions during an Ask Me Anything (AMA) for the subreddit group QAnonCasualties. This is a link to the entire thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/QAnonCasualties/comments/kukco0/ama_with_steven_hassan_phd/. Below are most of
How to Help People Involved in QAnon–A Reddit AMA: QAnonCasualties Read More
On January 6th, 2021, the seat of our federal government and the heart of our American democracy came under seige in a heinous and violent assault. The day began with thousands of protestors gathering in Washington, DC to show support for President Trump, who not only encouraged this but even gave a public speech enraging the crowd by falsely claiming he had won the election. Some view what happened as an attempt to do a coup and undermine the votes of millions of Americans. Fortunately, Mike Pence, Mitch McConnell and other Republican politicians stood for upholding the election results which were intensely scrutinized, challenged in Court and no widespread voter fraud that would change the election results took place.
We as a Society Need to Do Better to Warn Citizens Regarding the Potential Dangerousness of Politicians The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has failed the public and their own professionals by an interpretation of the
If you are interested in the field of cults, Chinese brainwashing and thought reform, as well as apocalyptic cults, like the terrorist cult Aum Shinrikyo, then you already know some of Dr. Lifton’s many important
The Electoral College vote affirms Biden’s win; he is the president-elect and will be inaugurated into office January 20, 2021, along with Kamala Harris as vice-president. Republican Senate Majority leader McConnell states publicly that Joe Biden is the President Elect and disobeys Trump. Trump’s Attorney General William Barr, after publicly stating there was no evidence of wide-scale voter fraud, contradicted Trump’s lies and resigned.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact has upended everyone’s lives. In addition, people are forced to be online for long periods of time and we are all subjected to disinformation, propaganda, and assaults on what is normal and decent. Anxiety, stress, illness and death affect everyone directly. Consequently, our mental health impacts our immune systems. Not everyone has strong interpersonal relationships to help them cope. Many people are experiencing terrible strain and suffering due to a loved one being recruited into a group which has fundamentally changed their personalities.
Last month, Moon Organization leader, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon (Sean Moon), told his followers of his Sanctuary Church to be ready to take up arms and die for President Trump. The bullets in his crown and Moon referring to himself as King, is of course disturbing. Fortunately, after Sun Myung Moon died, there was a power struggle and several of the Moon sons fought with their mother for money and power. Justin Moon, his brother, owns Kahr Arms as well as a large gun factory and controls great wealth. Most people do not know that Moon bought the Washington Star newspaper and created the Washington Times which has been used for decades to promote conservative right-wing points of view. The founding editor of the Times left because of editorial interference (they said he was dismissed) and spoke along with William Cheshire, the editorial page editor who also later resigned. A 1991 presentation was videotaped explaining why they left–the paper was not independent. This presentation also included Michael Warder, editor of Moon’s first U.S. paper, the News World, later called the New York Tribune. Warder, a leader in the Moon organization was a witness in the trial and later conviction of Sun Myung Moon for conspiracy to evade income taxes. The Moonies spent an estimated $2-3 billion dollars on the Washington Times– a propaganda entity which failed to make money for decades. Did Americans, including Republican Presidents have no problem with a Korean with a felony conviction that had ties to South Korean intelligence not a question for anyone?
What Can We Learn From the Uncanny Parallels Between the Moonies and the Cult of Trump? Read More
