All posts tagged: Terrorism

Scripted Violence, Conspiracy Theories and Concerns

It has been several weeks since Robert Bowers entered the Tree of Life synagogue in his hateful, rage-filled attack against Jews. This week, I had the opportunity to interview Chip Berlet, an investigative journalist, research analyst and scholar of right-wing movements. I had been wanting to interview him so he could explain the concept of

Steven Hassan, December 6, 2018

Ideas for Combating Hate Speech and Violence

The massacre of 11 innocent Jews in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last Sabbath by a hateful disturbed man is a wake-up call for everyone who loves freedom. I attended my own synagogue that morning and experienced a wonderful Bar Mitzvah where the dvar, taught by the thirteen-year-old, was about intelligent disobedience

Steven Hassan, October 29, 2018

Right-Wing Extremist Terrorists Target Humanists Who Teach Critical Thinking

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

Steven Hassan, September 16, 2018

The Ninth International Conference on Complex Systems 2018 Sponsored by NECSI

July 26, 2018, This past Sunday, July 22, 2018, I was honored to be the opening plenary speaker at the 9th International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My talk was entitled, A Complex Systems Approach to Countering Mind Control, Trafficking and, Terrorism. It was well-received, the questions were many, and the feedback

Steven Hassan, July 26, 2018

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

How Understanding Mind Control Can Prevent Future Terrorist Attacks

This coming Sunday marks fifteen years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On the morning of September 11, 2001 our nation was changed forever. Many lives were lost, and many of us were left in shock and disbelief as we helplessly watched the scenes of horror on our TV screens. We spent the next few days

Steven Hassan, September 9, 2016

Albuquerque vigil for Orlando nightclub shooting 2016

How to Proceed After the Worst Mass Shooting in US History

This past weekend, forty-nine innocent people were killed in an Orlando gay night club and more were injured. The attack, committed by a lone gunman who called 911 and pledged allegiance to ISIS, is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States. Much like the rest of the nation, my thoughts have

Steven Hassan, June 14, 2016

Boston Marathon Bombing: Three Years Later

Tomorrow is the third anniversary of the infamous Boston Marathon bombing. As an American citizen and a resident of the Boston area, I feel a great sense of sadness when I think about that horrible day. On April 15, 2013 two brothers brought pain to our nation by setting off those bombs. Lives were lost

Steven Hassan, April 14, 2016

Can Utilizing Knowledge of Cults Help Us with Terrorist Groups?

When is it time to start recognizing that Al Qaeda and other Islamist terror groups are cults? The Times Square bombing attempt is another example of a well-off American who was recruited into the black and white, us versus them and good versus evil thinking that cultists use. We ought to start addressing the root

Steven Hassan, April 9, 2016

Why Calling Daesh/ISIS a Mind Control Cult is of Strategic and Practical Importance

This morning, The New York Times published an article entitled “Radicalization of a Belgium Student Turned Bomb Maker Was Invisible.” This piece, written by Alissa J. Rubin, details the conversion of 24-year-old Najim Laachraoui, one of the suicide bombers responsible for the attack of the Belgium airport on March 22. Rubin cites associates and family

Steven Hassan, April 8, 2016

Protect Americans from Terrorism- Looking Beyond Boston Marathon Bombings

What can we do to protect the American public from attacks like the one that occurred at the finish line of the Boston Marathon? Some have suggested increasing surveillance—more police and cameras in our nation’s cities. Others have emphasized the need for greater scrutiny of terrorist lists here and abroad. While directing our attention outwards—putting

Steven Hassan, September 5, 2013