INNOCENT VICTIMS TO FALL PREY TO DANGEROUS CULTS IN 2003
America’s Leading Cult Expert Steven Alan Hassan Gives Tips to
Avoid Cult Recruitment
WHAT?
Steven Alan Hassan, internationally renowned cult expert, licensed
mental health counselor and founder of The Freedom of the Mind Resource
Center informs consumers what to look for when “shopping” for a
spiritual group.
WHEN?
The New Year is when people begin to re-evaluate their life and
make positive lifestyle changes, including searching for a new spiritual
group. However, thousands of these groups, which appear good and
innocent in nature, are actually dangerous cults.
A New Year also brings about more aggressive goals for cult recruitment.
People who aren’t necessarily looking for a new spiritual outlet
may become a target for recruitment by friends, family members or
co-workers.
WHO?
People are much more vulnerable to being unduly influenced when
they are undergoing great stress, crisis or transition. Americans
are especially bombarded with the continued strain of the economic
slow down and possibility of war. From high school students to grandparents,
no one is safe unless they are fully informed, and Hassan says the
best way to protect oneself is to assume high standard of personal
responsibility.
HOW?
In order to avoid the pit falls of the thousands of cults lurking
in society, Hassan gives the following life-saving tips:
1) Ask Questions
Be a smart consumer, especially when it comes to spirituality,
religion, and psychotherapy. Learn how to ask pointed questions
and know whether the person is answering responsibly or turning
the question around and making it your problem. Other techniques
that should raise red flags include: changing the subject, deception
and global generalization.
2) Legitimate Groups Stand Up to Scrutiny
When extraordinary claims are being made, then extraordinary
proofs must be offered. The burden of proof rests with the person
or group making the claim such as curing cancer, UFO visitations
and being enlightened -- not with critics who need to disprove
the claims.
3) Internet Research
Research groups from reputable sources. Freedom of the Mind Resource
Center has an extensive list of controversial cults and an active
discussion group with some five hundred participants from all
over the world on their web site,
www.freedomofmind.com.
4) Clues of One’s Involvement in a Cult
There are signs that should raise a red flag when one suspects
a family member or friend’s involvement in a dangerous cult. Some
of the signs include when the victim has a radical personality
change such as becoming extremely religious or political very
quickly, deceptive, evasive, uses jargon words, excessive secrecy
or overly zealousness. Also, the person is spending extended amounts
of time away and/or spending huge amounts of money.
5) If You Suspect They Are in a Cult
Adopt a curious, yet concerned approach but do not ask if they
are in a cult. Act interested, and try to get information about
the group’s leader, doctrine and organization. Don’t use words
like brainwashing or cult as it will trigger bad reactions.
6) Seek Professional Help
Make sure you hire reputable, trained professionals. There are
many hucksters as well as cult front groups actively trying to
intercept concerned family members. For example, the Cult Awareness
Network used to be a reputable resource group but was sued into
bankruptcy by Scientology and their name, logo and Web site was
taken over by them.
For more information visit
www.freedomofmind.com. To interview Steven Alan Hassan contact
Florence Tambone at Tel. (781) 643-3295 or via E-mail:
tambone@tiac.net.
Freedomofmind.com fully supports religious
freedom and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The fact that a person’s name or group appears on our website
does not necessarily mean they are a destructive mind control cult.
They appear because we have received inquiries and have established
a file on the group.
The Freedom of Mind Resource Center Inc. was established by cult expert Steve Hassan.
