Every business has its own corporate culture. Yet many companies have been accused of being run like an authoritarian cult by former employees and observers. Many factors are involved in creating this culture, including the […]
Corporate Cults: An Interview With Professor Dennis Tourish PhD Read More
Since the attempted insurrection on January 6, more than 460 people have been arrested on various charges resulting from their participation in the assault on the Capitol. A significant number of them have stated they
Coercive Control, Undue Influence, Emotional Abuse and the Law Read More
Is there really a conflict between faith in science and faith in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other world religions? I do not believe there should ever be a black/white, either/or mindset when it comes to listening to responsible medical experts and religious leaders. In the United States, there has been some negative media focus on white evangelical Christians. But I believe most evangelical Christians are not anti-science nor anti-vaxxers. I wanted to do this blog and interview in order to counter some of the negative media coverage portraying outrageous and far-fetched beliefs, such as denial of evolution or the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine makes people magnetic. The reality is, however, that many devout Christians, including evangelical Christians, support science. Many! There have been more than a few pastors who were preaching that COVID-19 was a hoax that got sick and died from the virus. Some 600,000 Americans have already died from the pandemic and yet many more still need to get fully vaccinated, as soon as possible.
Christianity, Anti-Vaxxers, and Politics: An Evangelical Perspective Read More
Survivors of authoritarian cults who engage in the difficult work of regaining true sense of self and ability to think freely give inspiration to the professionals who work with them. When a person has been trapped in the most violent expressions of authoritarian control—torture and human trafficking—but still retains their dignity and integrity it is humbling.
Healing From Torture and Human Trafficking Read More
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
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 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.
Update: January 2021: Dissertation has been published. <https://www.proquest.com/docview/2476570146/> In 1976, I was deprogrammed from the Moon cult. Since then, I have helped thousands of individuals leave and recover from the harmful influence of destructive cults.
The year leading up to the 2020 Presidential election has been extremely divisive and stressful for most Americans, as well as, for our world allies. The results are in and show decidedly Joe Biden has won both the popular and electoral votes and will be sworn into office on January 20, 2021. Unfortunately, as I predicted in The Cult of Trump, Trump will never voluntarily cede power and will attempt to create as much chaos and damage, as he has consistently demonstrated he exists in a solipsistic reality. For hardcore Trump supporters, including QAnon believers, these are especially troubling times. It was foretold that Trump would win the election by a landslide, even pointing to Bible prophecy to attempt to drive home their point.
Reporters covering QAnon for the past few years have over time inadvertently done more harm than good. In fact, they probably have done great damage. By amplifying the conspiracy to the level that it is now squarely in mainstream discourse is problematic. The way it is discussed and covered as something edgy and transgressive has done little to slow its spread.
The QAnon Media Ecosystem Is Not Helping People to Exit Read More
Since Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Republicans are seeking to fast-track her confirmation before the end of October. The Trump administration and its Senators are trying to frame some of the opposition to her nomination as religious intolerance. Our concern at Freedom of Mind is not about religious beliefs. It is about authoritarian and abusive practices. In fact, People of Praise has a long history of controversy along with other Covenant communities with similar DNA.
People of Praise Covenant Community: BITE Model© of Authoritarian Control Evaluation Read More
In an AP article written about Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court and her involvement with the People of Praise, Vice President Mike Pence was quoted from a television interview as saying, “The intolerance expressed during her last confirmation about her Catholic faith I really think was a disservice to the process and a disappointment to millions of Americans.”
In this blog, I assert that the issue is really not about religion, or about Catholicism, or religious freedom, but rather a legal issue: undue influence. This is the subject of my doctoral research which is focused on offering a scientifically validated instrument to help ascertain if undue influence has been exerted.
Undue Influence, Judge Barrett and the People of Praise Covenantal Community Read More
