Part 2 of our series reading an important chapter from Combating Cult Mind Control by Steve Hassan (links below).
There's a lot here which we'll return to at times in terms of analysis, but even as we shift towards fascinating territory in the "post religious what do I do now" mindspace (it's a thing), it's just good to have our bearings straight and understand where we've all come from.
It's a lot to take in, after leaving a destructive group, that this actually did happen, and yes, people prey upon others in this way using psychological manipulation, for their own narcissistic gains. I think we'll see as we go through some Philosophy discussions and think about issues in society and politics at large, that 'dogmatic thinking' is hardly the province just of religion, although it is much more extreme in cults.
But you know something? The *advantage of really digging back into this stuff is being able to have a useful antenna as you navigate life and your own (new!) beliefs and being in a community, whether it's in person or online. It helps to have language around the tendencies and also know what makes for a solid, healthy, speech & freedom-respecting community, faith or otherwise.
Appreciate you being here on the journey with me, as we're only just getting started. Feedback welcome. Shoot me an email at wes@wesleydavidmusic.com
Links:
https://freedomofmind.com
Combating Cult Mind Control - Amazon
Outro song - Isn't it Grey? (wesley david)
Never Late than Better (Bandcamp)