Steve Hassan Archives

A Cure to the Metaverse: Relational Maturity- Aureet Bar-Yam Hassan’s Developmental Theory

By Steven Hassan / January 13, 2022 January 19, 2022

The Internet and social media have the potential to serve as a uniting force and are tools that can be used in positive ways. Certainly, during the on-going COVID-19 crisis, the Internet has been a vital way to continue working and learning, and maintaining at least a minimum of social contact, which is vital to the emotional health of human beings. The virus was first discovered in China and the genetic code of the virus was uploaded…

Roger Griffin, former leader and 20 year member of “Twelve Tribes” Authoritarian Cult

By Steven Hassan / January 4, 2022 January 4, 2022

Ever hear of the Messianic Communities? or the Twelve Tribes? or the Yellow Deli? Well, this is a group I have known about and worked on for over thirty years. In fact, I wrote in Combating Cult Mind Control about an intervention…

Overcoming Authoritarianism: Understanding Colonialism as Mind Control

By Steven Hassan / December 20, 2021 December 21, 2021

When most people think about cult mind control, they envision fringe religious leaders. In reality, cult mind control is used in many different circumstances: human trafficking, multi-level marketing, violent extremism. I strongly believe…

How to help a friend or family member out of their extreme belief

By Steven Hassan / November 22, 2021 November 23, 2021

Thanksgiving has always been a time for families to come together. Unfortunately, many families have experienced polarization or division regarding topics like politics, religion…

Parental Alienation: Turning Children Against Their Parent

By Steven Hassan / November 17, 2021 November 18, 2021

In my work with ex-cult members, I have been aware of the use of parental alienation tactics for many years. It occurs in situations where one parent leaves a cult, but the other parent remains. In such cases, cult policies usually call for extreme measures to “demonize” the ex-member and turn their children…

Escaping Transcendental Meditation: Nurse Midwife Gina Catena Tells Her Story

By Steven Hassan / November 8, 2021 November 11, 2021

I am delighted to speak again with my colleague and friend, Gina Catena, about her experience being raised in the Transcendental Meditation cult, and how she successfully left and created a rich and meaningful life for herself and her children.

Synanon and Enthusiastic Sobriety: Cults Disguised as Drug Treatment

By Steven Hassan / November 4, 2021 September 27, 2022

Cults take on many disguises to recruit and control members, including religious organizations, marketing schemes, drug treatment, and even yoga or martial arts groups. But the tactics of recruitment and control are very similar, and the malignant narcissists who profit from the cults also act in similarly destructive ways.

Charles Koch’s Undue Influence on College Campuses: An Interview with Jasmine Banks

By Steven Hassan / October 14, 2021 October 14, 2021

Billionaire donors are exerting undue influence on college campuses nationwide to advance a regressive corporate agenda. When I read Kochland: The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America by Christopher Leonard, I was astounded at how much I did not know about this empire. For example, patriarch Fred C. Koch, co-founder of the racist John Birch Society, was a union buster, stealer of oil from Indigenous people, massive polluter, and fanatical about their corporate “culture” which has been described by many as cult-like.

My First Foundational Online Course: “Understand Cults: The Basics”

By Steven Hassan / February 2, 2021 October 11, 2021

Understand Cults: The Basics A foundational course to understanding brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence Instructor: Steven Hassan, PhD Available HERE Includes 8 sections & almost 4 hours of video instruction No prerequisites Target Students: Those interested in understanding cults. This includes former members of cults and those with friends and family …

My First Foundational Online Course: “Understand Cults: The Basics” Read More

Authoritarian Bible Cults Actively Recruiting at College and Online: Interview With Former BCC Member Chris Lee

By Steven Hassan / January 29, 2021 February 2, 2023

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 …

Authoritarian Bible Cults Actively Recruiting at College and Online: Interview With Former BCC Member Chris Lee Read More

Biden Won and Now Is the President: What Can We Do to Help Those Who Are Still Not Willing to Face It?

By Steven Hassan / January 22, 2021 May 28, 2021

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 …

Biden Won and Now Is the President: What Can We Do to Help Those Who Are Still Not Willing to Face It? Read More

Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on Trump, Democracy, COVID-19, Climate Change Crisis and the Election

By Steven Hassan / December 24, 2020 October 4, 2022

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, …

Dr. Robert Jay Lifton on Trump, Democracy, COVID-19, Climate Change Crisis and the Election Read More