Red Flags: High-Control Groups

Victor Paul Wierwille, left of center in white coat, sunglasses, hat. Charlene, front, wearing green sweater, sunglasses, hat. Other members of The Way Corps in the group, and Howard Allen, Wierwille’s right-hand man, who is third in on the right). Squaw Valley. 1974.

Greetings, readers. As I celebrate Undertow’s 10th birthday, I still feel compelled to shed any light I can about how people get into cults and more importantly, how they get themselves OUT.

My question first is: Do you know a “high-control” group or a cult when you see one? From my 17-year experience in The Way International™, founded by Victor Paul Wierwille (1916-1985), I know first-hand what it’s like to be in one of those groups. Their leaders, like Wierwille, and their recruiters, engage in usurping your life, not respecting personal boundaries, and making you feel powerless. They reinterpret this behavior to mean it’s what God wants. This post gives helpful hints to avoid that trap.

First, below is a valuable summary of such a group’s tactics. It’s published in the newsletter “Cult NEWS 101.” One of the editors of the newsletter is Patrick Ryan. Years ago, Patrick provided a promotional “blurb” for my cult memoir, Undertow. At the end of this post, you can read the blurb.
Below that you’ll find a great description of “reality bending” and the link to the Substack article where I found it.

CultNEWS101 Articles: 6/17/2026 cultnews101@googlegroups.com

Cult News 101 – CultNEWS101 Library

Updates

Editor’s Note: Recognizing High-Control Groups

Stories about cults and high-control groups often raise an important question: How do intelligent, capable people become involved in organizations that later prove harmful?

Researchers who study cults note that recruitment is rarely based on deception alone. Many groups initially offer friendship, purpose, a sense of belonging, spiritual growth, or answers to life’s difficult questions. Concerns typically arise when a group begins to discourage independent thinking, isolate members from family and friends, demand unquestioning loyalty to a leader, control access to information, or use fear and guilt to maintain compliance.

While not every unconventional religious or social movement is a cult, it is wise to evaluate any organization by its actions rather than its claims. Healthy groups generally welcome questions, respect personal boundaries, allow members to leave freely, and encourage relationships outside the organization.

As readers encounter news reports about cults and high-control groups, a thoughtful and informed approach can help distinguish legitimate communities from organizations that may exert undue control over their members.

—END—

Reality bending

I also recommend this article on Substack: The Wheel of Reality-Bending Phrases – by Wade Mullen. The author mentions Robert Lifton, whose work has really helped me.

Here’s a quote from it:

Robert Jay Lifton described what he called “thought-terminating clichés”—phrases that compress complex moral and human problems into short, definitive-sounding statements. They are easy to remember, easy to repeat, and difficult to argue with. As Lifton observed, such language becomes “the start and finish of any ideological analysis.” Once invoked, inquiry ends.

Patrick Ryan’s endorsement of Undertow

“This is a very personal and eye-opening exposé of the hidden world of life in a destructive group. It took great personal courage and strength for Charlene to break away and build a new life for herself and her daughter. A must read!” —Patrick Ryan, graduate of Maharishi International University, cult intervention specialist since 1984 at Intervention 101.com, and contributor to Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse, edited by Michael D. Langone, PhD

Thanks for reading!

Charlene

CHARLENE L. EDGE spent 17 years (1970-1987) in The Way as a leader and Biblical researcher. After escaping the cult, she earned a B.A. in English from Rollins College and worked for more than a decade as a writer in the software industry.

A member of the Florida Writers Association, the Authors Guild, and the International Cultic Studies Association, Edge is also a prize-winning poet. She lives in Florida with her husband, Hoyt L. Edge, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy.

Her latest book is From the Porch to the Page: A Guidebook for the Writing Life (New Wings Press, LLC. 2022). Both books are sold online in paperback and eBook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers.

Her member page at The Author’s Guild is here: Profile – Charlene L. Edge – The Authors Guild