Reddit reviews Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

The behavior you describe in your father sounds so much like the flipping between your Dad's authentic identity back into his cult/mormon identity.

You may have already heard of this, but Steve Hassan talks about the dual identity concept in this video, and gets into it in great detail in his book Combating Cult Mind Control.

Your Dad's indoctrinated phobias of falling from the church was probably triggered by his brief moment of clarity.

It's frustrating, but seeing your father's real personality come out is a really good sign. If you're inclined, check out Steve's books (Freedom of Mind is another fantastic resource) or his website https://freedomofmind.com/

Best of luck!

Hmm... this is tricky.

The rule is: Never, ever date a JW, and never date an ex-JW unless they can say with confidence that they will never go back.

If she is still mentally attached to the cult, you (and she) are in for a world of pain.

You should read this book, and soon:

http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Mind-Helping-Controlling-Beliefs/dp/0967068819/

Common question. The short answer is: it’s different for everyone. Direct, or overt attempts to wake people up can have mixed results sometimes making matters worse.

Check out Steven Hassan’s book on this very topic, he has more experience than almost any of us.

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Mind-Helping-Controlling-Beliefs/dp/0967068819/ref=nodl_

Seriously everyone - take a look at this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Mind-Helping-Controlling-Beliefs/dp/0967068819

It might be shocking to you that a "cult" book would help - but as the author describes what he calls "destructive groups" can be as small as an abusive romantic relationship between 2 people - to a full blown shaved heads, toga wearing cult.

If you look on youtube - his name is Steven Hassan - he has some videos that talk about this stuff too. Might be helpful to you all to understand how someone could get sucked into Trumpland and how to get them out.

It hurts and is painful. You may need to talk about how feeling upset doesn't mean that it is Satan. There are many things which hurt that are real. I hate how the mormon church always focused on feeling good=truth=from god, and feeling bad=false=from satan. Steven Hassan's work has been a life saver for us. http://www.freedomofmind.com When my wife and I read Freedom of Mind together it helped us understand our feelings in a way that mormon friends and family members can't. http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Mind-Helping-Controlling-Beliefs/dp/0967068819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359931558&sr=8-1&keywords=freedom+of+mind

Also I can't recommend this book enough.

Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs

Steven Hassan is considered one of the foremost experts on this topic, and many, many people have benefited from this book and his other books, Releasing the Bonds (2000) and also his earlier book, Combatting Cult Mind Control (1989).

If reading isn't your thing, here is Joe Rogan with Steven.

I've been using these techniques to speak with those in MLMs but also those with opposing political beliefs to mine in regards to our current POTUS (sigh) and I found it extremely successful.

I suggest reading the book I wrote on helping people be empowered to think for themselves. it is called Freedom of Mind I think making friends with other folks, ex members from other groups, other activists.

There are many, many ideas for how to help.

We are all trying to figure this out. I just saw this post the other day check the video.

The author of several books about getting people out of high control religions. The latest and most inclusive of his current thinking is called Freedom of Mind

I'm going to get this and start learning.

Steven Hassan recommends reading his newest book first, he said he learned a lot since his first book that you linked to. Both are great of course .

Check out Amazon's site for the book. Click the Look Inside and then First Pages; pages 2-4 (starting with What Is A Destructive Cult?) could easily describe the Mormon church.

Bitterness is definitely something to be avoided. Of course your wife is none the wiser and getting angry and bitter at her will only make things worse. I highly recommend Steven Hassan's books. Buy this one and read it at work: http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Mind-Helping-Controlling-Beliefs/dp/0967068819/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1368043209&sr=1-1&keywords=steven+hassan

Ha. Ok then there is always this book to help you prepare. Steven Hassan is the creator of the BITE model. His insights are world renown on the subject. One thing the video and his books tall about is to not go in wanting to get them out. The key is to try to get them to think for themselves. The rest will follow. Maybe

Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs https://www.amazon.com/dp/0967068819/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZczQBbHC8BKSF

Steven Hassan (who has created the BITE model) has several books about helping family members in high control groups. I think Freedom of Mind is the most resent.

Avoid being too confrontational about the JW beliefs. JW will teach that new converts might face persecution by the family members and that that will show them that the religion is the truth.

Why does your experience mirror mine and so many others? Because moronism is a cult. It's very similar in scientology, jehovah's witness, seventh day adventist, fundamentalist christian churches, etc. This book helped me find understanding and much later peace. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0967068819/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0967068800&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=02N0ZFYZNWWWM33FS3RN