No one really chooses to join a cult; at least not knowingly… I recently watched the documentary on Synanon, which can be viewed on HBO’s Max streaming service. Some readers may remember a chapter from the “textbook” in Dave Hasz’s Worldview class, the book being How Now Shall We Live? by Charles Colson. I do […]
My Eye-Opening Experience Learning About Synanon Read More »
So an interesting happenstance occurred the summer of 2021. This blog was somewhat resurrected in June (before being more completely brought back by the end of July). A week after this blog got Lazarus’d, and totally unrelated, the fantastic Belief It or Not podcast released an episode on Teen Mania.
Belief It or Not Podcast covers Teen Mania Read More »
We can all be deceived and fall into error, and we can do that though we have good character and the best of intentions. So writes Cindy at the blog Under Much Grace. She is addressing a common misconception that an abusive environment = malicious leadership. In fact, that is not the case at all. Its
When Good Ministries Go Bad Read More »
Because Honor Academy interns are breaking their vow of silence about the abuses they endured, Teen Mania has come under significant fire. Their two main defenses are weak and easily rebutted. Ron Luce would like to characterize the participants in the MSNBC Documentary “Mind Over Mania” – and specifically Doug and Wendy Duncan – as
Mind Control is NOT Christianity Read More »
Ron Luce gave an interview to Charisma magazine refuting the argument presented in the MSNBC Documentary “Mind Over Mania.” I’d like to rebut the article’s main points here. Nevertheless, five former interns for Teen Mania say the ministry caused them harm. There is also a group called “Recovering Alumni” of former Honor Academy interns that
Ron Luce Responds to Cult Accusations on MSNBC Read More »
Its important to remember that the point of this website and the point of so many people speaking up about what happened to them is not to convince people that Teen Mania is a cult. I wrote this blog for nearly 2 years before I felt comfortable using that term – so that’s never been
Let’s Not Get Hung Up on the Word “Cult” Read More »
What do you call a place where… – You can go live in an isolated location with a group of people that think, talk and believe just like you – You are given a strong sense of belonging and a new “family” (core) – You develop a strong sense of us vs. them and think
What Do You Call It? Read More »
(Moderator’s Note: A Teen Mania alumnus recently posted his story. It’s quite long so I’ve summarized the main points. Everything in italics is a direct quote. Even though the following story is about a mission trip, it is very pertinent to the Honor Academy. Read all the way through and you will see why…This is
A few weeks ago, several alumni and I had the privilege of attending a cult recovery weekend led by internationally recognized cult experts Doug and Wendy Duncan. As former cult members, mental health professionals and Christians, the Duncans are uniquely poised to understand the dynamics of a Bible-based cult and offer assistance in recovery. The
What Mental Health Professionals Are Saying Read More »
The Honor Academy teaches an extreme version of submission that leads to an oppressive authoritarian environment. Interns are so conditioned to submit without question, that they will even commit a sin if commanded to do so by David Hasz or other Teen Mania leadership. Of course, Teen Mania would deny this accusation, but as always,
Would You Commit a Sin if David Hasz Told You To? Read More »
You may remember Lauren’s story from ESOAL 2003. She was put in a coffin that contained mice and cockroaches. Apparently, Teen Mania was very fond of using cockroaches that year. In this video, at least 4-5 facilitators crowd around a girl, put a large cockroach on her head and then demand she get in a
ESOAL: Girl Terrorized with Cockroach Read More »
The only way I can describe the footage you are going to see over the next 3 days is that these interns are literally being terrorized. Over and over, David Hasz claims that the most extreme elements of ESOAL happened because of rogue facilitators stepping out of bounds and that they have put measures in
Honor Academy’s ESOAL: Disturbing Footage Read More »
Teen Mania says that ESOAL is an optional, voluntary event. They claim that interns are not required to participate nor are they forced to endure the event longer than they want to. They can ring out at anytime. In my cult recovery group, we have a saying for that, “Its voluntary, if you volunteer.” In this post,
Honor Academy: ESOAL is NOT Optional Read More »
Well, I’ve put off writing this post for weeks. Honestly, it seems silly to dignify the accusations by refuting them here, but I guess the rumors have spread far enough that I should address it, especially for people who might be new here. As you may remember, in the fall, Teen Mania commissioned a lawyer,
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Lie About ‘Em Read More »
One of our forum members recently shared a link to some great information about mind control. I’m excerpting part of it here. Reflect on your experiences at the HA and answer these questions to see if you were under mind control tactics. How many questions can you answer “yes” to? 1. Is your doctrine legislated rather
Then God Hates You. Well, at least that’s what Dave Hasz teaches. And I have proof. Within their first week on campus, every new intern sits through a teaching given by David Hasz about the importance of keeping your commitment. This teaching is designed to get interns to commit to staying at the Honor Academy
If You Leave the Honor Academy Early…. Read More »
We are continuing our series on common tactics used by cults. If you haven not already, you can read part 1 and part 2. A common practice in cults and other abusive groups is a routine coerced public confession of specific sins. This is one attribute I have never seen or heard about at the
8 Cult Tactics, pt. 3 Read More »
Pushing Jesus is blog focused on recovery from spiritual abuse. For me, the content is hit or miss, but I really appreciated this post which is reprinted below. (Bold emphasis is mine.)Refer to STEP 6: I made a commitment to turn away from my pride and refused to become just like those who abused me.
Christian Narcissism Read More »
Continuing our series based on the Heresy of Mind Control. All paragraphs below are from chapter 3. Have you seen any of these behaviors at the Honor Academy? #3: The Demand for Purity This is a demand which goes to the extreme of labeling certain thoughts, feelings and actions as “sins” which really are not
8 Cult Techniques, pt. 3 Read More »
Today, we are continuing our series examining the 8 tactics of cults and other authoritarian/abusive groups from book “The Heresy of Mind Control.” (read part 1 here) The second tactic is called “Mystical Manipulation.” The paragraphs below are taken from the book and explain this technique. Have you ever seen this at the Honor Academy?
8 Cult Techniques, pt. 2 Read More »
I knew this day would come. And it’s exactly why I stayed anonymous for so long. Sigh. I preferred to keep these events secret, because they involve people who have recanted their consent to publish the details. But, alas, I feel that Teen Mania has crossed a line and at least a small part of
Teen Mania Smear Campaign Read More »
Teen Mania doesn’t give a rat’s ass that they are hurting interns. I’ve finally realized that. Isn’t that shocking? Isn’t that scandalous? Isn’t it outrageous? It’s absolutely maddening to me and outright unconscionable. It’s one thing to hurt someone by mistake or incompetence. It’s another thing to hear their story and refuse to apologize, make
Dr. Robert Lifton studied thought reform (AKA brainwashing) and mind control during the Communist takeover in China back in the 1950s. His studies led him to write the seminal work Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism. In the excellent book, The Heresy of Mind Control, Stephen Martin takes the 8 conditions necessary for any
8 Techniques for Thought Control, Pt. 1 Read More »
Teen Mania has told so many lies about ESOAL and the physical health and safey of interns, I thought it was worth summarizing. These lies are even more egregious because they come from a ministry that continually stresses integrity, honesty and “doing the right thing no matter what the cost.” I’ve limited the list to
Teen Mania’s Many Lies Read More »
I’m not really sure why the Honor Academy thinks it is exempt from so many New Testament teachings. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? Romans 14:10
Exempt from Scripture? Read More »
