scoobygirl93's review against another edition
informative
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
lindzieh's review against another edition
4.0
Disturbing yet not surprised by Mr Hassan’s analysis. He seems to repeat some of the information but overall found this book very interesting and informative. Trump’s control and power over people is deep and incredible. And cult-like.
rick2's review against another edition
4.0
Very strong as a descriptive tool to communicate the type of influences that lead to the extreme levels reality denial I see around a lot of political discussions. While this book is focused on Trump, I think QAnon also falls into a similar bucket, as does the Maddow hive mind that claims everything going on was the result of Russian influence.
I think this book fails when it tries to discuss what this mean for the future. Drawing a parallel to Jonestown or Waco is dramatic, but I think less accurate simply because the cult model isn’t an exact fit. It’s almost closer to something like the Red Scare or other mass delusions.
I also struggle a bit with the widespread diagnosis of calling something that 70 some million people support a cult. Where is the line if we start referring to mainstream movements as cults? It seems like a dilution of the word. A new definition that is a large departure from its past definition.
At the same time, I’m not sure we have another word for some of the absolutely batshit craziness going on out there. The cult-like behavior fits so accurately that it’s a sort of relief to recognize the similarities.
In all, this is a very well done book by someone who is well versed in cults. Calling attention to the concerning aspects of a mass political movement. It’s a valuable contribution to the discussion on mass movements and mass delusions we need to have.
I think this book fails when it tries to discuss what this mean for the future. Drawing a parallel to Jonestown or Waco is dramatic, but I think less accurate simply because the cult model isn’t an exact fit. It’s almost closer to something like the Red Scare or other mass delusions.
I also struggle a bit with the widespread diagnosis of calling something that 70 some million people support a cult. Where is the line if we start referring to mainstream movements as cults? It seems like a dilution of the word. A new definition that is a large departure from its past definition.
At the same time, I’m not sure we have another word for some of the absolutely batshit craziness going on out there. The cult-like behavior fits so accurately that it’s a sort of relief to recognize the similarities.
In all, this is a very well done book by someone who is well versed in cults. Calling attention to the concerning aspects of a mass political movement. It’s a valuable contribution to the discussion on mass movements and mass delusions we need to have.
acaciathorn's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting take from a person who's spent their entire professional life helping people exit cults.
I'm not entirely sold on the author's position that Trump is some kind of brainwashing genius. I was much more interested in the chapters that cover the more systemic aspects of America's right wing media echo chamber, and the fundamentalist religious cults that thrive in it.
I'm not entirely sold on the author's position that Trump is some kind of brainwashing genius. I was much more interested in the chapters that cover the more systemic aspects of America's right wing media echo chamber, and the fundamentalist religious cults that thrive in it.
alisarae's review against another edition
Author Steven Hassan is an experienced cult de-programmer and I have seen his other books cited by people who needed de-programming for themselves or their loved ones. Hassan has first-hand experience with cults: he was once a high-ranking member of the Sun Myung Moon cult (Unification Church, members are known as Moonies) and his father helped de-program him.
This book is very straightfoward and full of citations. Each chapter is well organized and could stand alone. When describing characteristics of cults, leaders, and followers, Hassan gives numerous examples from well known and infamous cults, as well as documented examples from Trump.
I was less interested in this book for the political aspects, and more interested in the descriptions of cults in general. I love reading about cults. Of course there are different kinds: religious, personality, political, psychotherapy/educational, and commercial. But "ultimately it's not a group's content or ideology but rather its pattern of behavior that generally defines it as a destructive cult."
Cult behavior exists on a continuum. Hassan uses the BITE model (behavior control, information control, thought control, and emotional control) to assess cult activity.
I have personally witnessed 47/58 BITE characteristics that Hassan lists in various American Evangelical situations. Though most may have had good intentions and perhaps unwittingly stumbled upon control techniques, the fact is that many of the churches and Christian organizations I have been a part of in the US consider this sort of thing normal. I have also been a part of Christian churches and orgs outside of US influence that were able to exist without using any of these techniques. I am thankful for Reverend Canon Stephen Wright demonstrating that this was possible, otherwise I would shrug off these brainwashing techniques as "necessary for group identity." Christians, if your faith involves using strategies employed by the CIA, Scientology, Jonestown, and ISIS, you have a small god.
Another very good part of the book is a question that many of us concerned citizens have: How do you go about de-programming half a nation's worth of people?
First of all, you really have to believe that "respect, trust-building and love are stronger than fear, hate, and mind control." This will be your guiding light. You will never be able to win someone over with rational arguments. Love and care win people over.
1. Get prepared with knowledge. Double check your own beliefs. Really find out what other people are saying and critiquing about your own beliefs—are they valid points? Read the whole article and double check before you repost anything. Be critical of special interest groups that might be influencing your news sources. And do the homework on what your loved one believes. Watch/read what they are consuming and take notes. This will allow you to have genuine conversations.
2. Do not attack, belittle, demean their beliefs, mention they are showing signs of being in a cult, etc. This reinforces indoctrination by raising their defenses and triggering the "us vs them" mentality that cults depend on to succeed. You don't need to be critical of their leader, group, or doctrine to de-program. No one likes feeling stupid or admitting (even to themselves) they might have been wrong. If you feel yourself losing control over your emotions, the conversation is not going in the right direction.
3. Act with respect, warmth, and integrity. Genuine care, genuine curiosity about how they formed their beliefs and why they like what they believe, deep questions and long pauses are all good. Cults seek to replace the authentic self with a "cult self." Genuine care seeks to find the authentic self that is buried inside. Remind loved ones of good times and past experiences together.
4. Important conversations:
- Apologize if you have said mean things about their politics in the past. Build up old relationships that have broken down. Positive social relationships are essential to getting out of controlling groups.
- Invite a role play convo where you try to learn about their beliefs so well you can explain it just as they would, and ask them to correct you until you get it right. Then invite them to do the same. "I want to get your feedback and perspective." See Sarah Silverman's show "I Love You America" for good examples of experience sharing.
- Share knowledge about other cults and authoritarian governments and techniques they use. People can connect the dots on their own.
5. Help undo phobias. "Phobia indoctrination is the single most powerful technique for keeping people dependent and obedient. I have encountered many people who had long ago stopped believing in the leader but are psychologically paralyzed with deliberately implanted phobias, which are often unconscious." If you have a phobia, try these techniques on yourself first. Then you'll be able to use your experience to help others. (I'm going to try this out on my own irrational fear: needles).
- Learn the difference between an irrational fear and rational, legitimate fears.
- Phobias generally provoke physiological responses like tight chest, holding breath, etc. Visualize yourself in that fear-causing situation and practice using breathing or self-talk to calm yourself down. Practice this over and over.
- Systemic desensitization is the final step. This involves putting yourself into the real fear-causing situation and using the calming techniques you practiced.
- Explain how people deliberately use phobias to control others. This can be cults, abusive domestic relationships, etc.
- Try to connect the dots between positive visualizations and the fact that people use phobias for control. "Phobias can be deliberately implanted but they can also be removed and cured."
6. Finally, seek out personal stories of other people who have left cults. They have lifesaving stories to tell. People can be reluctant to talk about their own cult experiences even if they recognize them for what they are (it might be embarrassing). But they might be more willing to open up when they hear others openly discussing their own past beliefs. For example, former senior Trump advisor Omarosa Manigault Newman wrote a book about her experiences. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen said, "Sitting here today, it seems unbelievable that I was so mesmerized by Donald Trump that I was willing to do things for him that I knew were absolutely wrong," and that his relationship with Trump was "something akin to a cult."
------
"Beliefs should never be held as if they are the truth. The more strongly someone claims to have the truth, the more evidence we need to accept it. Certitude is not evidence of truth. Nor does repetition make it true. If anything, repetition should make you suspicious. Truth always stands up to scrutiny on its merits."
This book is very straightfoward and full of citations. Each chapter is well organized and could stand alone. When describing characteristics of cults, leaders, and followers, Hassan gives numerous examples from well known and infamous cults, as well as documented examples from Trump.
I was less interested in this book for the political aspects, and more interested in the descriptions of cults in general. I love reading about cults. Of course there are different kinds: religious, personality, political, psychotherapy/educational, and commercial. But "ultimately it's not a group's content or ideology but rather its pattern of behavior that generally defines it as a destructive cult."
Cult behavior exists on a continuum. Hassan uses the BITE model (behavior control, information control, thought control, and emotional control) to assess cult activity.
I have personally witnessed 47/58 BITE characteristics that Hassan lists in various American Evangelical situations. Though most may have had good intentions and perhaps unwittingly stumbled upon control techniques, the fact is that many of the churches and Christian organizations I have been a part of in the US consider this sort of thing normal. I have also been a part of Christian churches and orgs outside of US influence that were able to exist without using any of these techniques. I am thankful for Reverend Canon Stephen Wright demonstrating that this was possible, otherwise I would shrug off these brainwashing techniques as "necessary for group identity." Christians, if your faith involves using strategies employed by the CIA, Scientology, Jonestown, and ISIS, you have a small god.
Another very good part of the book is a question that many of us concerned citizens have: How do you go about de-programming half a nation's worth of people?
First of all, you really have to believe that "respect, trust-building and love are stronger than fear, hate, and mind control." This will be your guiding light. You will never be able to win someone over with rational arguments. Love and care win people over.
1. Get prepared with knowledge. Double check your own beliefs. Really find out what other people are saying and critiquing about your own beliefs—are they valid points? Read the whole article and double check before you repost anything. Be critical of special interest groups that might be influencing your news sources. And do the homework on what your loved one believes. Watch/read what they are consuming and take notes. This will allow you to have genuine conversations.
2. Do not attack, belittle, demean their beliefs, mention they are showing signs of being in a cult, etc. This reinforces indoctrination by raising their defenses and triggering the "us vs them" mentality that cults depend on to succeed. You don't need to be critical of their leader, group, or doctrine to de-program. No one likes feeling stupid or admitting (even to themselves) they might have been wrong. If you feel yourself losing control over your emotions, the conversation is not going in the right direction.
3. Act with respect, warmth, and integrity. Genuine care, genuine curiosity about how they formed their beliefs and why they like what they believe, deep questions and long pauses are all good. Cults seek to replace the authentic self with a "cult self." Genuine care seeks to find the authentic self that is buried inside. Remind loved ones of good times and past experiences together.
4. Important conversations:
- Apologize if you have said mean things about their politics in the past. Build up old relationships that have broken down. Positive social relationships are essential to getting out of controlling groups.
- Invite a role play convo where you try to learn about their beliefs so well you can explain it just as they would, and ask them to correct you until you get it right. Then invite them to do the same. "I want to get your feedback and perspective." See Sarah Silverman's show "I Love You America" for good examples of experience sharing.
- Share knowledge about other cults and authoritarian governments and techniques they use. People can connect the dots on their own.
5. Help undo phobias. "Phobia indoctrination is the single most powerful technique for keeping people dependent and obedient. I have encountered many people who had long ago stopped believing in the leader but are psychologically paralyzed with deliberately implanted phobias, which are often unconscious." If you have a phobia, try these techniques on yourself first. Then you'll be able to use your experience to help others. (I'm going to try this out on my own irrational fear: needles).
- Learn the difference between an irrational fear and rational, legitimate fears.
- Phobias generally provoke physiological responses like tight chest, holding breath, etc. Visualize yourself in that fear-causing situation and practice using breathing or self-talk to calm yourself down. Practice this over and over.
- Systemic desensitization is the final step. This involves putting yourself into the real fear-causing situation and using the calming techniques you practiced.
- Explain how people deliberately use phobias to control others. This can be cults, abusive domestic relationships, etc.
- Try to connect the dots between positive visualizations and the fact that people use phobias for control. "Phobias can be deliberately implanted but they can also be removed and cured."
6. Finally, seek out personal stories of other people who have left cults. They have lifesaving stories to tell. People can be reluctant to talk about their own cult experiences even if they recognize them for what they are (it might be embarrassing). But they might be more willing to open up when they hear others openly discussing their own past beliefs. For example, former senior Trump advisor Omarosa Manigault Newman wrote a book about her experiences. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen said, "Sitting here today, it seems unbelievable that I was so mesmerized by Donald Trump that I was willing to do things for him that I knew were absolutely wrong," and that his relationship with Trump was "something akin to a cult."
------
"Beliefs should never be held as if they are the truth. The more strongly someone claims to have the truth, the more evidence we need to accept it. Certitude is not evidence of truth. Nor does repetition make it true. If anything, repetition should make you suspicious. Truth always stands up to scrutiny on its merits."