manipulation Archives - Freedom of Mind Resource Center

Women in High-Control Groups: Disrespected, Treated as Subservient, Sometimes Abused and Even Raped
Women in High-Control Groups: Disrespected, Treated as Subservient, Sometimes Abused and Even Raped

Women in High-Control Groups: Disrespected, Treated as Subservient, Sometimes Abused and Even Raped

Steven Hassan2018-12-13T21:01:44+00:00September 27th, 2018|Blog|

As the U.S. Senate has agreed to hear the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford about the alleged sexual assault incident that happened years ago with Judge Brett Kavanagh, people's attentions are back on women's rights, #WhyIDidn'tReport, and men's misuse of power and sex. Some Republican members act as if they will confirm Kavanagh as a new member of the Supreme Court no matter what they learn, even with a second and third woman coming forward with accusations of alleged abuse. Twenty-seven years ago, Dr. Anita Hill testified at the Senate confirmation hearing of now Supreme court Justice Clarence Thomas [...]

The BITE Model & Mormonism: An Exploration with Ex-Mormon John Dehlin
The BITE Model & Mormonism: An Exploration with Ex-Mormon John Dehlin

The BITE Model & Mormonism: An Exploration with Ex-Mormon John Dehlin

Steven Hassan2018-12-16T19:23:59+00:00June 14th, 2018|Blog, Resources and Support|

June 14, 2018 Dr. John Dehlin & Mormon Stories Podcast STEVEN HASSAN – WHAT THE MORMON CHURCH CAN LEARN FROM CULTS TO DO/BE BETTER Mormon Stories Podcast 938-939 About a month ago, we received an email from John Dehlin requesting an interview for his podcast Mormon Stories and his Youtube channel. Frankly, I have been so busy with clients and with my doctoral program that I was going to decline. But when I read further down in his email, he wrote: "For some background on me, my excommunication from the Mormon Church was covered in the New York [...]

Errant Belief #9: “She’ll Walk out on Her Own When She Is Ready”
Errant Belief #9: “She’ll Walk out on Her Own When She Is Ready”

Errant Belief #9: “She’ll Walk out on Her Own When She Is Ready”

Steven Hassan2018-12-16T19:34:00+00:00May 31st, 2018|Blog|

Is She Really Free to Leave? This attitude presumes that the cult member has the freedom of mind, finances, and the resources to just "leave." The bars are invisible but very real. In my experience, depending on the length of his involvement, the "exit cost" is usually very high to walk out of a high demand group. The indoctrination of the group's beliefs, along with the habits ingrained into behavior, make it difficult to leave without help. If she did have freedom of mind, I can say from my own experience, she would have left the group long ago. [...]