In the beginning of Undertow, my memoir about being in a cult, you’ll see a string of endorsements. I was lucky to get them from academics, cult experts, journalists, former members of The Way International, writers of related books, and supportive friends.
In this post, I want to return the endorsement favor to one of those cult experts, Janja Lalich, PhD, author of Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults. I highly recommend reading it. AND …
Dr. Lalich’s animated cult lesson
Don’t have time for a five-part series on cults? Let me recommend watching the following video that brings to life Dr. Lalich’s excellent cult lesson that TEDEd staff animated and produced. I love it because it covers the main features of cults AND it only takes a few minutes to watch.
Although the opening example is extreme—The People’s Temple and its leader Jim Jones—remember that not all cults are like that one. Most do not lead to physical destruction, but they do have one thing in common: mind control that begins with mild manipulation.
See you next time!
Your writer on the wing,
Charlene
Nancy Frierson
Excellent and concise explanation of cults and their processes.
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Nancy, glad you found it worthwhile.
Cheers!
Joyce
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Charlene L. Edge
You are welcome.