Note: I’m adding this comment on 04-25-2021 to answer inquiries I’ve had since this blog came out. The term “last talk” means “final talk.” I’m now retired from giving virtual or in-person presentations, interviews, talks, book club appearances, etc. about my cult experience. I’m finished with thinking about the deceased cult leader, Victor Paul Wierwille, which I had to do every time I prepared for and delivered these presentations. I’m a writer now focused on writing more stories.
If you want to watch this “swan song” as someone called it, read on. SPECIAL happy Undertow news comes at the end of this post. Hint: Undertow sales.
My FINAL talk is on YouTube …
… posted at CHARLENE L. EDGE –Author “A Cult’s Insiders Story” – YouTube.
The host …
Creston Davis, PhD, founder of the Global Center for Advanced Studies GCAS,
Promised info
To attendees of that talk, I promised I’d post in a blog the info from the two slides I used in the presentation: “A Cult is a Group …” and “Resources.”
A Cult is a Group …
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- Exhibiting excessive devotion to some person, idea, or thing, and
- Employing unethical manipulative or coercive techniques of persuasion and control, and
- Designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.
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Source: https://www.icsahome.com
Cult Information Resources
Robert Jay Lifton, PhD
Losing Reality: On Cults, Cultism, and the Mindset of Political and Religious Zealotry
(The New Press. 2019) https://robertjaylifton.com
Janja Lalich, PhD
Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults
(Univ. of CA Press. 2004) http://cultresearch.org
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
Special, happy Undertow news
I’m thrilled to report that as of March 31, 2021, the number of copies of Undertow that have been sold is 1,206. Yippee. That number includes paperback and e-book sales. Thank you readers, both in the USA and abroad!
Thanks for reading.
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Ned Kessler
Congratulations, Charlene. I’m sure your efforts in alerting others to the danger of cults have been beneficial to many. You have done a lot of good!! I admire your devotion to your cause
Charlene Edge
Hi Ned, thanks for reading these blogs and for your good wishes.
Stay safe, stay strong!
Jan Miller
CONGRATULATIONS, CHARLENE!
Charlene Edge
Thanks, Jan! What a journey it’s been and it continues … sure appreciate your kind support over the years.
Kathleen Brandt
Congrats, Charlene, on a job well done! Now it’s time to take a deep breath and relax….
Charlene L. Edge
Thanks, Kathleen. Will do!
Alayna Albers
Hi Charlene! I live in Minster and I have always wondered about the mysterious “the way” and if it really were a cult.
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Alanya,
Thanks for reading this. I remember visiting Minster, OH. Wasn’t there an annual Octoberfest held there?
Alayna Albers
Yes it was! I am also sorry that you had to experience a cult like the way, but I have learned a lot from you!