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 »
An anonymous commenter recently asked: Does the Honor Academy give the impression that in order to grow closer to God, one must suffer physically? I would answer emphatically, YES. But it goes far beyond just the forced exercise. In fact, by using this philosophy, the leadership at the Honor Academy had discovered what is possibly
Possibly the Best Control Technique Ever Devised Read More »
I’ve addressed this head on by examining how the environment at the Honor Academy squares against typical cult characteristics. You can read the posts here: Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 3 Is Teen Mania a Cult? Conclusion Update Nov. 2010:
Is Teen Mania a Cult? An Overview Read More »
Copied from Spotlight Ministries: Do you feel that no matter how hard you try, the ‘good deeds’ you perform for your group are never quite enough? As a result of this do you often feel plagued with feelings of guilt? What are you motivated by? Is it genuine love for God and the group etc.,
A Quiz for Current Interns and Alumni Read More »
The first sign of spiritual abuse is control-oriented leadership. Let’s talk about how this trait plays out at the Honor Academy. Here are some of Dave Hasz’s own comments to illustrate. Click on the statement to see the source link: Question from an Intern: “Should you absolutely submit to your superiors even if you disagree
Control Oriented Leadership Read More »
I also found this list of abusive symptoms rather intriguing: Signs of an abusive church (edited for length). 1) Abusive church leaders in abusive churches are into power and control. Enroth writes, “The spiritual autocrat, the religious dictator, attempts to compel subordination; the true Christian leader can legitimately only elicit fellowership.” Within a church context
What is Spiritual Abuse? Part 2 Read More »
This is part 2 in examining the characteristics of a cult in relation to the Honor Academy as listed by the International Cultic Studies Association. My comments are in italics. – The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs,
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2 Read More »
UPDATE JUNE 2011: For the first 2 years of this blog, I was not willing to call Teen Mania a cult. I instead referred to it as “cult-like” or a “spiritually abusive group.” However, after reading literature about cults and attending a cult recovery workshop, I now see that Teen Mania is a cult. Internationally
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Conclusion Read More »
This is part 3 in examining the list of cult characteristics from the International Cultic Studies Association and how it relates to the Honor Academy internship. – The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 3 Read More »
This question has come up time and time again. As an intern, we joked about how the townsfolk nearby thought we were a cult. It was funny, because of course we weren’t a cult! It wasn’t until several years later, when I came across a long list of cult characteristics that I began to seriously
Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1 Read More »
