Responses to "Saving the 'American Taliban'"

An Op/Ed by Steven Hassan appearing in the Boston Globe on December 19, 2001
on John Walker Lindh, the young American found among captured Taliban fighters.

Reproduced with permission

Boston Globe
Letter to Editor

Re: The Hassan letter of 12/19/01

Dear Editor:

I read this published document with GREAT interest. It is my position to support Mr. Hassan's views as professional, clinically researched, and reality based from first hand experience. I too am an ex-member of an EXTREMELY terroristic group living right here in your back yard - Cape Cod!

I have no doubts that John Walker is a disturbed young man. But for the media, or worse politicians, to brand him prematurely as a traitor, is a farce at
best without examining the element of mind control and thought reform - a clinical term for "brainwashing" aka The Manturian Candidate, Hollywood's capture from decades ago. I have little or no doubt if the federal government had consulted such experts like Hassan or others in the field of cultic mind control and aberrating belief systems/religions gone astray, that MANY lives could have been saved. Examples are numerous, but what comes to mind quickly is the tragedies of Heavens Gate, Waco, TX, and Jonestown, Guiana. As well, the case of Leslie Van Houton, a former disciple of Charles Manson, a former Scientology practitioner, serving time in the California penal system for crimes she committed under the thought reform process imposed upon her against her knowledge at the time of the heinous acts she was involved in. Young John Walker is no different. He's just an idealistic lad seeking "truth" and meaning in the world - not a bad thing or a "criminal act."

The USA is involved in zealous retaliation effort to combat terrorism worldwide. As 52 year old man, and a patriot, I am 100% behind this battle against international crime against humanity. Yet as history tells us, the crimes against humanity reached an unprecedented pinnacle in WW2 and Hitler's sick and perverted assault against the non-arian races - namely the Jews. You would think we ALL learned our lessens from this global tragedy of the mid-20th Century, but the events of 9/11/01 was only a reminder that "beliefs" (not science or religion) continues plague society with VERY painful and agonizing results that we all live with today.

In summary, I can only tell you young John Walker is a "victim" of a mind control and though reform group that sadly and regretfully is NOT understood by the masses. But then again so was I. If you want to know more PLEASE contact me. I will confirm to you without a doubt that the media and interested governmental agencies need to consult with, and rely upon the research and wisdom of Mr. Steve Hassan and others in this field of esoteric expertise. I would urge you to do so for journalistic integrity. The public deserves only the best getting to bet to the bottom of discerning between fact vs. fiction vs. gov't/media spin.

Yours truly,

Thomas C. Padgett
Lakeville, MA

Boston Globe
Letter to Editor

This is in response to the Op Ed "Saving the American Taliban" submitted by Steven Hassan.

In 1995 I knew that cults existed, but because I lacked knowledge on the subject the impression I had of "cults" was simply one of vacant, glazed eyed groupies following a strange, charismatic leader. Now I know how ignorant that view was.

I am intelligent, college-educated, and successful at my work. I am well-written and well-spoken. And yet in 1996 I found myself unknowingly involved in a destructive religious mind-control group. I could not see it at the time, and it was only with hindsight and education that I realized how indoctrinated and manipulated I had been.

This group, although very small, had comparable ideas to the Taliban and Al Queda. We believed that we were the only ones acting right before God and that one day all of our enemies ("the infidels") would be wiped off the face of the earth which would please God. I believed just about everything I was taught -- but it was a gradual process. One level of ideas could not be introduced nor accepted until the previous level had been explained and accepted.

Before I knew it, the honorable intentions I had going into this group (wanting to be in right standing before God, not wanting to be found as part of the problems religion has caused) had turned into the very things I thought I was avoiding, and I became part of the problem. However, I could not discern any of this while I was under the leader's influence. I was absolutely convinced I was right and that any who opposed me were opposing what God was doing.

After I got out of this group, I came to see the many mind and behavior control methods that were used on me. Long droning lectures of indoctrination, a more radical idea here followed by an even more radical one there, and repeating the theme over and over that we were the chosen of God were used to lure me in. The appeal to human nature's desire to have a special meaning or calling with great reward in the hereafter is a powerful one.

My views on cults and destructive mind control leaders/groups has changed very much since I was duped in a way I never believed I could be. Many intelligent people have been subject to mind control methods that change their belief systems into something they would not have never accepted when going into the group. I believe it is often difficult for anyone who hasn't been through it personally or who hasn't been educated on the subject to understand how it works and the horrible results it wreaks.

I am now able to recognize mind control methods and to offer assistance to those who have gone through what I have. It is my sincere hope that mind control experts will be allowed to work with John Walker Lindh to determine if he has been subject to mind and behavior control methods. Who he was before his indoctrination will still be a part of him and there is hope that he, like I, will come to realize what he was subject to and will then be able to offer great assistance to others who have gone through similar experiences.

-Peggy W.
Chelmsford, MA

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ABOUT STEVE HASSAN
Steve Hassan has been involved in educating the public about mind control and destructive cults for more than twenty five years. He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor and holds a Master's Degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College. For more information about Hassan's background, please click here.

In addition, Hassan is the author of two books dealing with cults, including Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves (Freedom of Mind Press, 2000), detailing his more sophisticated approach to cult intervention, the Strategic Interaction Approach, a goal oriented, therapeutic course of action that can be used by relatives, friends and anyone who wants to help.

List of Groups		Steve Hassan Biography		Endorsements