Combating Cult Mind Control: The Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery from Destructive Cults

by Steven Hassan

In fact, most cult recruits are normal people with ordinary backgrounds—and many are highly intelligent.

If they snap from the pressure and begin to challenge their leaders’ authority or otherwise fall out of line, they are accused of being influenced by Satan and are subjected to even greater pressure in the form of re-indoctrination. I know these things are true. I was a leader in the Moon cult.

Mind control is any system of influence that disrupts an individual’s authentic identity and replaces it with a false, new one.

In most cases, that new identity is one the person would strongly reject, if they had been asked for their informed consent.

When I identify an organization in this way it is only after thorough research and close examination. I would never slap unfair labels on unpopular or controversial groups.

It is also true, however, that although many people sincerely believe that they had a fair choice in joining—and always have a fair choice about leaving—that is, sadly, too often a delusion created by the cult itself.