Current Events

Remembering the Boston Marathon Attack

Four years ago, on April 15, 2013, Boston was attacked by terrorists during its annual legendary Marathon. Four people lost their lives and 264 more were wounded. Boston Strong was the phrase used, but we all were in lockdown while police tried to hunt down those responsible. For me and countless others, it brought up

Steven Hassan, April 12, 2017

Confusion Techniques Can Control Minds

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 that? Isn’t he completely contradicting what he promised during his campaign? Then when confronted, Trump lambasts the critical press calling

Steven Hassan, April 6, 2017

Is It Good Policy to Ban Religious Cults?

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 have suffered as Witnesses under the policies of Watchtower, I do not agree that banning groups is a responsible policy.

Steven Hassan, March 30, 2017

The Heaven’s Gate Tragedy–The 20th Anniversary of an American Doomsday Cult Disaster

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 to their friends and families. This story, which gained worldwide attention, illustrates just how dangerous undue influence can be and

Steven Hassan, March 23, 2017

Muslim Ban Will Not Keep America Safe

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 their objections to the ban along with all those who protested online, at airports, in the streets, and with their

Steven Hassan, February 20, 2017

A Word of Life Christian Church Tragedy

(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 dela 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

Steven Hassan, February 8, 2017

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

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. As January is the official National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, I’d like to take

Steven Hassan, January 17, 2017
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

JW Leadership Fails to Protect Children

Guest Blog by Steve Guziec   When I was a Jehovah’s Witness, I prided myself on knowing I was part of the only true Christian organization on the planet earth because of the love shown in “Jehovah’s Organization.” I told myself and others this for decades. One of the largest “comforts” to me was knowing

Steven Hassan, December 8, 2016

Coping with Post-Election Stress

  It has been a little over a week since Donald Trump lost the popular vote but won the electoral college delegates needed for the 2016 Presidential election. Civil rights groups have reported hundreds of hate crimes against women, racial minorities, and Muslims. Trump supporters have also reported harassment and violence against them. (I highly

Steven Hassan, November 17, 2016

A Call to Activism

From Combating Cult Mind Control (2015) I am still recovering from shock and dismay over the results of the 2016 American presidential election. I still stand by my appraisal of Donald Trump as a person who holds the stereotypical characteristics of a cult leader. Now that he is America’s President-elect, we have an even greater

Steven Hassan, November 11, 2016

A Watchtower Tragedy

This week, a 27-year old member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Canada lost her life because of her refusal to accept a life-saving blood transfusion. Éloïse Dupuis was admitted to the hospital after her planned home birth resulted in complications. She was immediately given a Caesarean section and her baby was saved. However, during the

Steven Hassan, October 21, 2016

Does Trump Display the Stereotypical Profile of a Cult Leader?

There are many reasons to be saddened, disgusted, confused, outraged, scared, and even traumatized by Trump’s presidential campaign. He has just declared a “scorched earth policy” and is saying there is an “international conspiracy that is persecuting him” and he is just a “martyr for the cause of America.” In studying cults and their leaders

Steven Hassan, October 14, 2016