Joining and Leaving the Moonies / Unification Church - Cult Expert Dr. Steven Hassan | Ep. 1743

Please join us today as Dr. Steven Hassan tells us the story of how he was recruited into a cult (The "Moonies"), and how he became one of the world's experts in cults. --------------- If you value Steven's wisdom/insight/experience, and/or if you are in need of support dealing more effectively with high demand religions or cults, please check out these two workshops: - Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians: https://courses.freedomofmind.com/courses/UnderstandingCultsforClinicianswithCEs - Recovery after Mormonism Workshop w/ Dr. John Dehlin: https://courses.freedomofmind.com/courses/recovery-after-mormonism-workshop --------------- Chapters https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Introduction to Steve's work https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Steven’s Jewish upbringing https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Education emphasis, Liberation from Pharaoh https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg What made Steve vulnerable or interested in the Moonies? https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Three women at college cafeteria flirt with him https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Being taken to a retreat without consent https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Introduction to Moonie theology https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg First spiritual experience https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg “You’re special” https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Samantha’s reactions re: her conversion to Mormonism https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Moonie theology & brief history https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Cult “copy-cat-ism” of Mormon politicians https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Converting to Moonies and dropping out of college https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Destruction of identity, & other cult tactics https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg “Child of God”, Leader worship, negative thoughts are Satanic https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Fear, turning off doubts, Parallels w/ Mormonism and Moonies https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Music as emotional manipulation, Pledges https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg BITE model, Behavioral manipulation in Moonies https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg “Cain/Abel relationships”, obedience mindset https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Sexual controls, Homophobia https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Gender and racial divides, rebranding https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Parallels w/Mormonism https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Is it scary to criticize the Moonies? https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Hassan's political involvement & recruiting https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Hassan has a near-fatal crash https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Throat slitting and Moonies, Information and Thought control (I & T of BITE) https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Always “upping’ the goals, Lying, thought-stopping https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Information about leader withheld & hidden from members https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Being willing to die or kill for Mr. Moon https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg How he got out of the Moonies - family connections https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Superiority and isolation https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Being moved by the love of his father https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Learning about “Brainwashing” and Chinese Thought Control https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Dominoes of belief fall. Cried for 3 hours. Shame & other feelings https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg “Anti-Moonies” https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Reality testing to see if you’re in a cult or unhealthy organization https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Buddhist story of town well being poisoned…would you drink it to fit in? https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Feeling terrified to leave, making movies, aligning self with high-profile people https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Deprogramming self, Talking to Dr. Lifton, Deciding to become an activist https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Meeting Lifton, dedicating his life to this cause https://www.seevid.ir/fa/w/1v2YHO0iSCg Love is stronger than mind control ABOUT US: Mormon Stories Podcast is the longest-running and most successful podcast in Mormonism - hosted by Dr. John Dehlin. At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We also occasionally interview scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1) Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology, 2) Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis, and 3) Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions. Mormon Stories Podcast is a product of the Open Stories Foundation - a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting Mormons in religious transition. 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