Public shaming and humiliation have a long history as a tactic of social control and punishment. Acknowledging the trauma of its use is not new. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, wrote in 1787 that shaming “is universally acknowledged to be a worse punishment than death.” The use of stocks and pillories on the village green began to
Steven Hassan and Amy Avalon Therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, life coaches, and spiritual advisors are all expected to address emotional or spiritual well-being and nurture a person’s healing and positive growth. Most of them are committed to doing just that. Unfortunately, some have darker motivations, such as a desire for power, money, or sex. Instead of using their skills to help their clients, they use undue influence to
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 become a positive member of society again? Kerry Noble lived that scenario as a high-ranking member of The Covenant, the Sword, and the
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.
Understand Cults: The Basics A foundational course to understanding brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence Instructor: Steven Hassan, PhD Available HERE Price: $49.99 retail price but Udemy sells it for much less with their “deals” Update: For March 2021, I am offering a discount: $14.99 expires 4/01/21 coupon code: MARCHTOLEARN Direct link
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 destructive religious cults actively recruiting new members through deceptive and authoritarian means. I have recently been contacted by people from
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
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 the questions, along with my answers. This blog is longer than usual, but I felt it was important to include
Biden is Certified the Presidential Winner and Trump Incites Crazy and Violent Armed Insurrection Attempt at Capitol Calls for Invocation of 25th Amendment and Impeachment Are Made to Remove Trump From Power Now, Despite Trump Conceding Losing the Election Trump Promised a Peaceful Transition of Power On January 6th, 2021, the seat of our federal
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 so-called Goldwater “rule” and by ignoring a doctor’s commitment to protect the community by speaking out about a grave
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 contributions. My previous interview with Dr. Lifton was in July 2020 when we discussed Trump, COVID-19, and racism. Since then,
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