Archive | August 2012
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Identifying Religious Brainwashing: Loading the Language (Part 6 of 8)
This is the sixth in an eight-part series on how to identify brainwashing in a destructive group or cult. It is based off of Dr. Robert Jay Lifton’s “Eight-Point Model of Thought Reform” and borrows from several other authorities on the topic of religious mind-control.* 1.) Part One: Milieu Control 2.) Part Two: Mystical Manipulation 3.) […]
Hebrews 13:17: Spiritual Authority’s Most Abused Verse
Grab your shovel. We’re about to excavate a much-misunderstood Bible verse. There is one biblical text above all others which authoritarian leaders cite to compel obedience among their followers: Hebrews 13:17. Poor Hebrews 13:17. My former pastor often used this verse. He cited it to support his concept of spiritual authority as a relationship between an authority figure who has positional […]
A Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Authority and Critical Thinking
When I was in a cult I believed that my pastor’s claims to authority obligated me to obey him. I accepted what he said uncritically. I thought he spoke for God. Today, I understand that when I blindly obey someone who claims to have spiritual authority I put myself at risk of spiritual abuse. Evangelicals can […]
Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing: The “Sacred Science” (Part 5 of 8)
This is the fifth in an eight-part series on how to identify brainwashing in a destructive group or cult. It is based off of Dr. Robert Jay Lifton’s “Eight-Point Model of Thought Reform” and borrows from several other authorities on the topic of religious mind-control.* 1.) Part One: Milieu Control 2.) Part Two: Mystical Manipulation 3.) […]
A Son Speaks Out: Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps
Sometimes a single document can offer supreme wisdom about a mind-blowing issue. Wisdom which a thousand other articles, documentaries, and interviews can only embellish but not improve. Wisdom with far-ranging application. I believe that this is such a document. The following letter by Mark W. Phelps, son of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps, originally appeared in […]
Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing: The Cult of Confession (Part 4 of 8)
This is the fourth in an eight-part series on how to identify brainwashing in a destructive group or cult. It is based off of Dr. Robert Jay Lifton’s “Eight-Point Model of Thought Reform” and borrows from several other authorities on the topic of religious mind-control.* 1.) Part One: Milieu Control 2.) Part Two: Mystical Manipulation 3.) […]
Liberty for Captives 