Ever since Trump became a serious contender for the White House, and especially in recent days since he was sworn into office, confusion reigns. How can he say these things? How can he lie like […]
Confusion Techniques Can Control Minds Read More
This week, there had been a lot in the news about Russia’s possible ban of the Jehovah’s Witnesses— labeling them an extremist group. While I have personally worked with and become friends with many who
Is It Good Policy to Ban Religious Cults? Read More
On March 26, 1997, the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult were discovered by police. Poisoned, and with plastic bags over their heads, these victims of cult mind control were forever lost
The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy–The 20th Anniversary of an American Doomsday Cult Disaster Read More
There’s a new documentary coming out today Betting on Zero: The Ultimate Shakedown which exposes Herbalife, one of the largest MLM’s. Check out http://bettingonzeromovie.com/ to watch the trailer and find a screening location. I hope
Multi-Level Marketing Groups Defraud Consumers! Read More
Earlier this month, federal judges in Seattle, WA suspended President Trump’s travel ban from seven Muslim-majority countries, stating that it violated a Constitutional clause which prohibits religious discrimination. American leaders and world leaders alike voiced
Muslim Ban Will Not Keep America Safe Read More
Over two decades ago, a family asked me for help with a young woman who was being recruited into Kip McKean’s shepherding/discipleship group called the Boston Church of Christ*. This case was particularly interesting because
Asperger’s/ Autism Spectrum Disorder and Undue Influence Read More
(This powerful video is from Sarah Ferguson’s sentencing last fall; Judge Dwyer and District Attorney McNamara, we were told, have since learned a good deal about how people can be unduly influenced by high-demand groups.)
On Monday, Bruce and Deborah Leonard received prison sentences (he: 10 years, she: 5 years) for participating in an assault in 2015 which killed their son Lucas and injured their other son Christopher. Teenagers Lucas and Christopher were beaten with an electrical cord by their parents and other members of the Word of Life Christian Church after they voiced their desire to leave the group. Lucas and Christopher were also accused of witchcraft and child molestation.
A Word of Life Christian Church Tragedy Read More
I’ve written before about why ex-members need to heal themselves before helping others. Even if they’re not interested in becoming a vocal activist against destructive cults, there are plenty of good reasons to learn about
Effective Healing Takes Hard Work Read More
A few people have asked me recently what a typical cult member looks like. While every group and individual is unique, there are common patterns for how cult members think, feel, speak, and behave. Check
Stereotypical Profile of Cult Members Read More
2017 is off to an exciting start!
This Tuesday, January 17th, A&E’s Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath aired a special Reddit AMA show that I taped the week before along with Mike Rinder, Lawrence Wright (who wrote the book Going Clear that became an HBO documentary) and attorney Ray Jeffrey. Ray successfully represented former top FLAG executive Debbie Cook and her husband in a lawsuit brought by Scientology. After Ray put Debbie Cook on the stand in open court and she started recounting the horrific abuse, Scientology wisely dropped the suit and settled for an undisclosed amount of money.
My Appearance on Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and Other Updates Read More
opening minds: the secret world of manipulation, undue influence and brainwashing is the newest book written by Jon Atack, ex-Scientologist and author of the best book on Scientology. This masterfully written primer on undue influence
Human trafficking is a variation of undue influence. Trafficking rings function as commercial cults, with pimps and traffickers as their cult leaders. They use the same basic methods (outlined in the BITE Model) to recruit, control, and exploit victims.
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month Read More
