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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

16 Dec

Many of you are familiar with my BITE Model (as a reminder, BITE stands for):

Behavior Control
Information Control
Thought Control
Emotional Control

The BITE model outlines the specific set of methods and techniques that can influence how a person thinks, feels, and acts.

I've come to understand that Information Control is one of the most POTENT parts of my BITE model and there are few groups who've been controlled through information more than Indigenous people.

Indigenous kids were forced into schools and required to assimilate.

Our very own Declaration of Independence-our most FOUNDATIONAL document-refers to Indigenous people as "merciless Indian savages."

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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

13 Dec

Whenever I talk about my patient, kind approach for getting people out of cults and extreme beliefs, there is always a small group of people that get mad at me. They tell me how TOXIC a family member or person has been and that they needed to cut them off for their own sanity!

As always my friends, this is your own life. 🙏 It is not my intention to tell you you're "wrong." Do as you wish.

I've been doing this for 45+ years though, and never once was anger or confrontation or isolation helpful (and I've worked with the most EXTREME of the extreme!).

Perhaps, if it is too painful, those of us who DO have the bandwidth to have conversations with family or estranged friends from high school can be the ones who step up!

I can report one refreshing, encouraging aspect of this approach though:

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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

13 Dec

The antidote to helping friends and loved ones OUT of extreme belief feels counterintuitive to most.

When we hear a hateful extreme belief expressed, the NATURAL reaction is to respond with anger and condemnation!

But unfortunately, this approach just doesn't work.

When we throw our anger at someone, though it may feel justified and warranted, it drives that person FURTHER into their extreme belief.

Here's one quick story from my life...

When I was in the Moonie cult, we were ordered to SELL items for the cult (flowers, candy, etc.).

Often while doing this, people would yell things at me (sometimes they'd even throw beer cans at me). When this happened, it drove me DEEPER into the cult. After all, the cult taught us that we were the persecuted ones & these outbursts of anger toward us VALIDATED this!

But...

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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

9 Dec

In the last few years (especially during the stressful pandemic), there has been renewed interest in seeking help from a therapist or a life coach.

I APPLAUD paying attention to your mental health, but one should know what a healthy client/therapist relationship looks like. Why?

Because a therapist/life coach can exert influence over someone in the SAME manner as a cult leader if they are unethical. The power dynamic at play-an authority figure with "answers" over a client seeking help for their perceived deficiencies-can lead to some truly bad outcomes.

Here are some red flags to look out for if you're seeking treatment or if you already see someone:

-Therapy should be time-limited, address a specific issue, and move toward agreed-upon goals. A client should not be seeing a therapist for ten years and not be doing any better.

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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

8 Dec

Gun control HASN’T always been such a hot-button issue in this country. In 1968, after a series of assassinations, Sen. Thomas Dodd’s Gun Control Act passed with bipartisan support in the house and senate.

“Gun rights” really started coming into prominence in the 60’s & culminated with an all-out coup of the NRA in 1977 which transformed it into the political force it is today. Prior to this, the organization was a less significant non-profit focussed on improving marksmanship.

The NRA spends millions of dollars every year on lobbying and candidates who forward their agenda. In its early years, the NRA was in FAVOR of gun control legislation, often helping DRAFT said legislation, but today they are an unabashed lobbying group.

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Steven Hassan, PhD

@CultExpert

7 Dec

Far too often, both liberals and conservatives advocate positions WITHOUT really digging into issues JUST BECAUSE the other "side" is for/against something.

On this thread, I implore liberals to really think about China.

(There's a great deal of nuance here so stay with me...🙏

China is an authoritarian country that engages in human rights abuses. Now when I say this, please know that I am NOT at all advocating war with China! I am also not justifying any disgusting anti-Asian sentiment. We saw a great deal of this during Covid and it was reprehensible.

My criticism is not with the masses of Chinese people...it is with the authoritarian (cult-like) apparatus of the country that indoctrinates, censors, surveils, and discriminates against women and ethnic minorities.

Is my refrain similar to that of prominent Republicans?

No.

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