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Jon Atack

Scientology and The BITE Model

2018-12-20T21:18:14+00:00December 20th, 2018|Blog|

BITE Model In June of 2018, I did an interview with psychologist and ex-Mormon John Dehlin for his Mormon Stories podcast. In preparation for the show, John read Combating Cult Mind Control and told me that the book was transformative. Then he did a wonderful analysis of the BITE model of the Mormon Church which we included in a blog. Afterward, we got the idea to do a similar analysis of the BITE model and the Jehovah's Witnesses. Now, it is Scientology's turn. I encourage people to use the BITE model to systematically evaluate the core beliefs and behaviors to [...]

Right-Wing Extremist Terrorists Target Humanists Who Teach Critical Thinking

2018-12-16T19:01:14+00:00September 16th, 2018|Blog|

Indian Activists Advocate the Use of Scientific, Analytical Thinking, Not Just Superstition This week's blog features an interview with my friend Narendra Nayak who is the President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA). His organization consists of eighty constituent groups who together seek to promote scientific thinking. For example, members have been a force to teach Indians about magic tricks used by cult gurus like Sai Baba to induce them to believe he had God-like powers. Decades ago, Premanand, the original founder of the Indian Skeptic organization, introduced me to Narendra Nayak. Premanand was an extraordinary man who wrote [...]

A Response to Academics Who Say There Is No Undue Influence in Destructive Cults

2019-02-13T10:41:11+00:00June 28th, 2018|Blog|

June 28, 2018 This Influence Continuum graphic describes my model for evaluating influence–from the healthy to the unhealthy. My BITE model offers a list of concerning practices that represent unhealthy mind control: Behavior, Information, Thought and Emotional control designed to create dependent and obedient slaves to a person or ideology. One example of many is the lack of informed consent when recruiting new members. Healthy groups are honest, destructive cults lie–by withholding vital information, distorting information to make it seem more palatable or outright lies. It is my assertion that any academic who writes about controversial groups and insists [...]

Book Review – opening minds: the secret world of manipulation, undue influence and brainwashing

2019-02-13T12:08:14+00:00December 29th, 2016|Blog, Media Reviews|

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 is the first project of the newly formed non-profit organization Open Minds Foundation (OMF). Of course, you might expect I would write a positive review. I’m on the advisory board of OMF, and Jon is a long time personal friend. He is one of the smartest and most well read people I have the pleasure to know. He is an artist. A musician. A [...]

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

2019-02-13T10:52:45+00:00December 2nd, 2016|Blog, Media Reviews|

When I first heard that Leah Remini planned to make a show about Scientology, I was cautiously optimistic. Not that many celebrities have been brave enough to share their stories, much less want to really go further than the HBO Going Clear documentary. After watching the first episode, I am happy to say that Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath is professionally done and extremely thoughtful. It presents a lot of useful information in a short time. Please watch it and tell everyone on your social network to watch it too. I highly recommend it not just for those [...]

An Invitation from Jon Atack to a Course and Conference on Scientology in Toronto!

2018-12-16T21:11:57+00:00April 29th, 2015|Blog, Guest Blogs, News and Updates|

From June 22 through 26th Tyndale University College and Seminary, in Toronto, will host a course and conference on Scientology, planned and directed by Professor James Beverley and me. Jim and I have been friends for four years and have worked toward this event for some time. Our course and conference promises to be the most in-depth and wide-ranging course or conference ever held on Scientology. I intend to withdraw from Scientology related work after this event. We will cover all aspects of the cult with the help of some of the leading experts – former members, academics and [...]

Jon Atack’s Book, “Let’s Sell these People A Piece of Blue Sky: Hubbard, Dianetics and Scientology”

2018-12-16T21:12:27+00:00February 8th, 2013|Blog, Media Reviews|

Jon encouraged me to post the introduction I wrote for this book, A Piece of Blue Sky in order to help frame the importance of Jon's return to activism and the importance of his book which so many people have yet to read, or read it when it first came out. -------- Must read! This book is the definitive, factual, all-inclusive exposé on the real L. Ron Hubbard and the true story behind Scientology. If you read one book on Scientology, make it this one. Jon Atack has an extraordinary, razor-like mind and indefatigable memory. In my opinion, he [...]