Author and coauthor of critically acclaimed books on cults. In 1995, lifton wrote the foreword to singer and lalich s book cults. Ive read many books on this subject matter, is this one is by far one of the best. Booklist on cult mind control etc operation clambake present. How well do you know your moon take back your life. Having lost the freedom of choice, cultists will simply do what they are ordered and programmed to do by the leader. Janja lalich and madeleine tobias did a marvelous job, leading the reader through the process of healing and understanding the hardships and pain theyve been through, helping them cope with the introduction to a new life style and a completely foreign and new environment. Freedom and recovery from cults and other abusive relationships is a study of cults and abusive relationships, by madeleine landau tobias, janja lalich, ph. I believe there needs to be more research along those.
I ve read many books on this subject matter, is this one is by far one of the best. Cult victims and those who have suffered abusive relationships o. Although some scholars of religion now favor the term new religious movement over cult, many mental health professionals, perhaps because they are more likely to see the casualties of new groups, feel comfortable using the term cult langone. Take back your life by janja lalich, 9780972002158, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Recovering from cults and abusive relationships kindle edition by janja lalich, madeleine tobias. Captive hearts, captive minds freedom and recovery from cults and abusive relationships by madeleine l. They define thought reform as a coordinated program of coercive influence and behavior control citing the. This checklist will be published in the new book, take back your life. Cult victims and those who have suffered abusive relationships often suffer from fear, confusion, low selfesteem, and posttraumatic stress. Professor emerita of sociology at california state university, chico. The most comprehensive of these books is an edited anthology by michael langone 1993, which is primarily geared to a professional audience, whereas steven hassan 1988, 2000, margaret singer and janja lalich 1995, madeleine tobias and janja lalich 1994, and psychiatrists.
Cult classics are works of fiction that are extremely popular with a select audience but which may or may not have been successful at the time of the works original publications. Recovering from cults and abusive relationships 9780972002158. Captive minds falls squarely within the category of books whose authors adopt anticult movement theories and rhetoric concerning. Identifying a cult, or a mindcontrolling environment is always a simple matter, and more so leaving a highdemand or controlling group. Narcissistic abuse victim syndrome is like being in a cult. The following is an excerpt from the book captive hearts, captive minds, by madeline tobias and janja lalich adapted from information compiled by dr. Help for victims of psychological and spiritual abuse new york. Cults did not fade away as some would like to believe with the passing of the sixties and the disappearance of the flower children. In describing the leaderfollower structure found in cultic groups, lifton 1979 wrote, this kind of relationship requires cultivation and maintenance, and that is where thoughtreform or brainwashing methods come in p. Cult recruitment builds an initially small commitment into progressively bigger commitments come to dinner, come for the weekend, stay for the week, give us your money.
Written for victims, their families, and professionals, this book leads. What made me buy the book was that it was the first time id seen a book talk about one on one and family cult relationships, not to mention personality disorders. My physical, not kindle edition of this book was published in 2006 and includes madeleine tobias as a coauthor. A clinicians guide to working with former members and families goldberg, goldberg, henry and langone editors take back your life. Checklist of cult characteristics comparing the following statements to the group with which you or a family member or loved one is involved may help you determine if this. What defines them is not their size but their behavior. In the introduction to their book, tobias and lalich, both former cult members themselves, clearly state their issue is with the methods and behavior of cults, not with beliefs. Janja lalich is associate professor of sociology, california state university, chico and author of bounded choice. Written for victims, their families, and professionals, this book leads readers through the healing process. As a former member of a closed highdemand group chdg, i often struggle with terminology and prefer not to use the term cult, though it. A comprehensive list of critical books about cult mind control etc. Recovering from cults and abusive relationships by janja lalich and madeleine tobias bay tree publishing. Broadly speaking, a cult is a group or movement with a shared commitment to a usually extreme ideology thats typically embodied in a charismatic leader.
These interviews are based on glen cunninghams personal experiences and opinions as. She has been studying the cult phenomenon since the late 1980s and has coordinated local support groups for excult members and for women who were sexually abused in a cult or abusive relationship. Tobias and lalich spent a combined total of 24 years in restrictive groups i. Janja lalich and madeline tobias, take back your life individual counseling. We, as a truecrimeconsuming, armchairpsychologizing public, cant help but be fascinated by the minds of the strangest and most mysterious among us. In their book, captive hearts, captive minds, tobias and lalich 1994 inform that, individual vulnerability factors matter much more than personality type p. This book is a must read for anyone recovering for leaving a cult, or an abusive relationship. Their first collaboration, this book succeeds as an ambitious, comprehensive explanation of the cult. The boston movement carol giambalvo and herbert rosedale critical perspectives on icc. Growing up in a cult, getting out, and starting over lalich and mclaren. Secular books if you cannot obtain some of these books through, you may be able to obtain some free e books through the international cultic studies association, a secular organization.
Take back your life explains the seductive draw that. You may also wish to check our amazon special offers page and our page on amazon of material related in some way to spiritual abuse. Janja lalich describes how cults recruit and manipulate their members. Dec, 2015 the article on cult characteristics has been excerpted from take back your life. Growing up in a cult, getting out, and starting over, the authors craft lalich s original and groundbreaking research into an accessible and engaging book, the first of its kind focusing on this particular population. As a recognised authority in the field, lalich has also appeared in several court cases as an expert witness on coercive or undue influence. Janja lalich on brainwashing controversy cult research. Captive hearts captive minds cult education institute. The article on cult characteristics has been excerpted from take back your life. Synopsis cult victims and those who have suffered abusive relationships often suffer from fear, confusion, low selfesteem, and posttraumatic stress. Recovery from cults and abusive relationships lalich and tobias. They see cults as highly manipulative groups that exploit and. In 1995, lifton wrote the foreword to singer and lalich s book cults in our midst.
It was published by hunter house publishers in 1994. Aug 17, 2006 this book is a must read for anyone recovering for leaving a cult, or an abusive relationship. Recovering from cults and abusive relationships by janja lalich and madeleine tobias 2006. Lalich went onto write several books on the subject of cults and religions, including her best known book, bounded choice 2004 based on the heavens gate cult. It was adapted from a checklist originally developed by michael langone. Freedom and recovery from cults and other abusive relationships is a study of cults and abusive relationships, by madeleine landau tobias, janja lalich.
In addition, however, tobias and lalichs systematic analysis of the shared characteristics of cults and cult. The cultural frame of reference supplied by the word cult provides visibility that narcissistic abuse victims desperately need. The new personality is unable to reason, to choose, to critically evaluate and is dependent on the cult to interpret reality and his reason for living. Captive hearts captive minds cult information of icsas. Recommended reading carol giambalvos cult information. Recovering from cults and abusive relationships by janja lalich and madeleine tobias berkeley. Their first collaboration, this book succeeds as an ambitious, comprehensive explanation of. People rarely seek treatment because of past involvement with a cult. She has been studying the cult phenomenon since the late 1980s and has coordinated local support groups for ex cult. The second factor that can prime an individual for cult involvement is vulnerability. Their first collaboration, this book succeeds as an ambitious, comprehensive explanation of the cult experience and works well on several levels. There is some good information, both for exmembers as well as family members, wanting to understand what happened. Taking back your life explains the seductive draw that leads people into such situations, provides insightful information for assessing what happened, and handson tools for getting back on track.
Take back your life by janja lalich and madeleine tobias 2006 bay tree publishing. Madeleine landau tobias cult victims and those who have suffered abusive relationships often suffer from fear, confusion, low selfesteem, and posttraumatic stress. Take back your life explains the seductive draw that leads people into such situations, provides guidelines for assessing what happened, and. The most frequent presenting problems among former cult members are depression and relational difficulties. Combatting cult mind control and releasing the bonds by steven hassan. The cult experience defining a cult recruitment indoctrination and resocialization the cult leader abusive relationships and family cults the healing process leaving a cult taking back your mind dealing with aftereffects coping with emotions building a life facing the challenges of the future healing from.
We hope this book will help you take back your life. The aftereffects of cult involvement as experienced by. Avid contributor to the field of cultic studies through her research, presentations, and articles. You are not alone by lois kendall bounded choice by janja lalich 2004 university of california press. They define thought reform as a coordinated program of coercive influence and behavior control citing the work of singer and ofshe, and lifton. Take back your life explains the seductive draw that leads people into such situations, provides guidelines for assessing what happened, and handson tools for getting back on track. Former members of cults including those born or raised in such. What made me buy the book was that it was the first time id seen a book talk about one on one and family cult relationships, not to mention. Freedom and recovery from cults and other abusive relationships by tobias, madeleine landau, lalich, janja, langone, michael and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. But what exactly differentiates cults from other groups and why do people join them. Cult victims and those who have suffered abusive relationships often suffer from fear, confusion, lowself esteem, and posttraumatic stress. Lalich and tobias are sensitive to this condition and explain some of the logical routes to recovery.
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