An Everyday Cult

An Everyday Cult

Author: Gerette Buglion

Publisher:

Published: 2021-08-25

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781578690749

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A personal memoir and a wake-up call for society to recognize and reject the erosion of critical thinking, An Everyday Cult is an essential read for understanding how people fall prey to mind control and cultic manipulation. Buglion's true-life story follows her through eighteen years under a trusted teacher's unethical tutelage and shows how her innocent quest for meaning was answered by a man who ultimately eroded her capacity for critical thinking. Through a treacherous narrative, she lays bare the hallmarks of cultic manipulation-mind control that flies under the radar of human awareness-and implores society to wake up to its ever-present abuses of power. It is a redemptive book of self-awareness and self-discovery. An Everyday Cult imparts a universal story, demonstrating how recognition of cultic membership-largely riddled with preconceived notions-may be an essential key to human evolution.


Book Synopsis An Everyday Cult by : Gerette Buglion

Download or read book An Everyday Cult written by Gerette Buglion and published by . This book was released on 2021-08-25 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A personal memoir and a wake-up call for society to recognize and reject the erosion of critical thinking, An Everyday Cult is an essential read for understanding how people fall prey to mind control and cultic manipulation. Buglion's true-life story follows her through eighteen years under a trusted teacher's unethical tutelage and shows how her innocent quest for meaning was answered by a man who ultimately eroded her capacity for critical thinking. Through a treacherous narrative, she lays bare the hallmarks of cultic manipulation-mind control that flies under the radar of human awareness-and implores society to wake up to its ever-present abuses of power. It is a redemptive book of self-awareness and self-discovery. An Everyday Cult imparts a universal story, demonstrating how recognition of cultic membership-largely riddled with preconceived notions-may be an essential key to human evolution.

Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing

Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing

Author: LAUREN. HOUGH

Publisher: Coronet

Published: 2022-04-12

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 9781529382525

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Book Synopsis Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing by : LAUREN. HOUGH

Download or read book Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing written by LAUREN. HOUGH and published by Coronet. This book was released on 2022-04-12 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

The Cult Called Freedom House

The Cult Called Freedom House

Author: Stephanie Evelyn

Publisher:

Published: 2019-11-14

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 9781708273620

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Everyone but Sophia and Cyrus were going to die. They were all goners well before they knew it. And they certainly thought whatever was happening, they were helping others and saving the world doing it. Samantha was only fourteen and looking for what every fourteen-year-old looks for-- freedom. She wanted to be as far away from her substance-riddled mother and abusive home as possible, but she never asked for anything like this. It always starts with just one person and one fucked up idea. This is the story about Samantha and the cult called Freedom House.A psychological horror thriller, this book will frustrate you, scare you, disturb you, and at times, it will make you want to be ill. Are you ready to learn what's going on behind the doors of Freedom House?"You're not going to want to miss this one. It's dark, creepy, disgusting, emotional, and I couldn't put it down. An amazing debut that I'll be thinking about for a long time." - Matt Redmon, Team Redmon Reads and Nightworms Reviewer"I'm now going to go bundle myself in a cozy blanket, hug my pets, and rock myself to sleep." - Steve Gomzi, Horror Reviewer


Book Synopsis The Cult Called Freedom House by : Stephanie Evelyn

Download or read book The Cult Called Freedom House written by Stephanie Evelyn and published by . This book was released on 2019-11-14 with total page 251 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Everyone but Sophia and Cyrus were going to die. They were all goners well before they knew it. And they certainly thought whatever was happening, they were helping others and saving the world doing it. Samantha was only fourteen and looking for what every fourteen-year-old looks for-- freedom. She wanted to be as far away from her substance-riddled mother and abusive home as possible, but she never asked for anything like this. It always starts with just one person and one fucked up idea. This is the story about Samantha and the cult called Freedom House.A psychological horror thriller, this book will frustrate you, scare you, disturb you, and at times, it will make you want to be ill. Are you ready to learn what's going on behind the doors of Freedom House?"You're not going to want to miss this one. It's dark, creepy, disgusting, emotional, and I couldn't put it down. An amazing debut that I'll be thinking about for a long time." - Matt Redmon, Team Redmon Reads and Nightworms Reviewer"I'm now going to go bundle myself in a cozy blanket, hug my pets, and rock myself to sleep." - Steve Gomzi, Horror Reviewer

Without a Prayer

Without a Prayer

Author: Susan Ashline

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2019-08-06

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13: 1643131869

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The horrifying true story of a fatal encounter inside the secluded Word of Life Christian Church, a parish-turned-cult in upstate New York. Teenager Lucas Leonard made shocking admissions in front of the altar—he’d practiced witchcraft and conspired to murder his parents, among other horrific crimes. The confessions earned him a brutal beating by a gang of angry church members, including his parents and sister. Lucas arrived at the hospital dead, awakening the sleepy community of Chadwicks, New York, to the horror that had been lurking next door. Nine members of Lucas’ church would eventually find themselves facing murder-related charges. But how did they get to that point? And what made Lucas confess? The full story has never been told—until now. Emmy-nominated journalist Susan Ashline delves deep into the Leonard family history, the darkness within the Word of Life Christian Church, and what led Lucas, his family, and his community to that fateful night.


Book Synopsis Without a Prayer by : Susan Ashline

Download or read book Without a Prayer written by Susan Ashline and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2019-08-06 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The horrifying true story of a fatal encounter inside the secluded Word of Life Christian Church, a parish-turned-cult in upstate New York. Teenager Lucas Leonard made shocking admissions in front of the altar—he’d practiced witchcraft and conspired to murder his parents, among other horrific crimes. The confessions earned him a brutal beating by a gang of angry church members, including his parents and sister. Lucas arrived at the hospital dead, awakening the sleepy community of Chadwicks, New York, to the horror that had been lurking next door. Nine members of Lucas’ church would eventually find themselves facing murder-related charges. But how did they get to that point? And what made Lucas confess? The full story has never been told—until now. Emmy-nominated journalist Susan Ashline delves deep into the Leonard family history, the darkness within the Word of Life Christian Church, and what led Lucas, his family, and his community to that fateful night.

Lord of the Three in One

Lord of the Three in One

Author: Kenneth Dean

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2023-11-14

Total Pages: 430

ISBN-13: 0691261210

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Lin Zhao'en (1517–1598) set out to popularize Confucianism by combining Confucian studies with Daoist inner alchemical techniques and Buddhist Chan philosophy into something he called the Three in One Teachings. Despite periods of clandestine activity since its inception, the Three in One cult has undergone a remarkable revival in post-Mao China: today Lin is worshipped throughout Southeast China and Southeast Asia as Lord of the Three in One in over a thousand temples by tens of thousands of cult initiates. Many of the temples have been restored since 1979, when China began to experience an explosive resurgence of popular culture and religion. In this book, based on ten years of field work, Kenneth Dean vividly documents the reemergence of this cult, which seeks to transmit a universal vision of truth yet retains a strong local appeal through its healing rituals and spirit mediumism. Although the Chinese government still tries to suppress these resurgences in the interest of modernization, the cult's locally based networks appear in this account as unstoppable social forces. Dean explores the organization and transmission of the Three in One's unique cultural vision, the reception of this vision, and the construction of subjectivity within a vibrant ritual tradition. Outlining such features as inner alchemical meditation, scripture and iconography, ritual practice, and spirit mediumism, he demonstrates the cult's transformative potential as well as its contemporaneity and dynamism. Rural Chinese popular culture as a whole emerges here as highly complex and always evolving--traditional and resilient.


Book Synopsis Lord of the Three in One by : Kenneth Dean

Download or read book Lord of the Three in One written by Kenneth Dean and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2023-11-14 with total page 430 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lin Zhao'en (1517–1598) set out to popularize Confucianism by combining Confucian studies with Daoist inner alchemical techniques and Buddhist Chan philosophy into something he called the Three in One Teachings. Despite periods of clandestine activity since its inception, the Three in One cult has undergone a remarkable revival in post-Mao China: today Lin is worshipped throughout Southeast China and Southeast Asia as Lord of the Three in One in over a thousand temples by tens of thousands of cult initiates. Many of the temples have been restored since 1979, when China began to experience an explosive resurgence of popular culture and religion. In this book, based on ten years of field work, Kenneth Dean vividly documents the reemergence of this cult, which seeks to transmit a universal vision of truth yet retains a strong local appeal through its healing rituals and spirit mediumism. Although the Chinese government still tries to suppress these resurgences in the interest of modernization, the cult's locally based networks appear in this account as unstoppable social forces. Dean explores the organization and transmission of the Three in One's unique cultural vision, the reception of this vision, and the construction of subjectivity within a vibrant ritual tradition. Outlining such features as inner alchemical meditation, scripture and iconography, ritual practice, and spirit mediumism, he demonstrates the cult's transformative potential as well as its contemporaneity and dynamism. Rural Chinese popular culture as a whole emerges here as highly complex and always evolving--traditional and resilient.

The Followers: Holy Hell and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania

The Followers: Holy Hell and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania

Author: Radhia Gleis

Publisher:

Published: 2022-05-06

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781737125846

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Winner of the 2021 PenCraft Book Award, 1st Place, Non Fiction - Autobiography Radhia's personal story and comprehensive knowledge along with her authentic, and unfiltered humorous style presents a compelling portrayal of both the political and cultural dynamics of group-think and mind control. After twenty-five years of her adult life in a cult, under the influence of a narcissistic sociopath she sought to understand why she made the choices she made in her life, so she could better understand why others make their choices. The Holocaust or any genocide instigated by a narcissistic authority does not happen because of one man. It is the collective consciousness of their followers that supports and enacts those atrocities. Like Moonies under Sun Myung Moon, Germans under the influence of Hitler, or the Branch Davidians under David Koresh, a percentage of America has fallen into a cult of personality. Radhia set out on a journey to explore common traits that every human being possesses. She makes the strong parallels between her devotion to a cult leader-an authority-whose damaging behavior and influence she willfully ignored, and the followers of other authoritarian leaders. This is not about policy or political ideology or even the guru or our political leaders, as much as it is about the followers from the viewpoint of a follower. "Written from the perspective of an insider, this compelling personal story, told with both brutal honesty, and raw humor draws us into the mindset of cult followers. It shines a light on how easily intelligent questing people can find themselves unwittingly following a cult leader. As much a personal story as a probing exploration of the mental and emotional states of cult leaders and followers, this fascinating book is hard to put down." - Lorell Frysh PhD.


Book Synopsis The Followers: Holy Hell and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania by : Radhia Gleis

Download or read book The Followers: Holy Hell and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today's Cultural Mania written by Radhia Gleis and published by . This book was released on 2022-05-06 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the 2021 PenCraft Book Award, 1st Place, Non Fiction - Autobiography Radhia's personal story and comprehensive knowledge along with her authentic, and unfiltered humorous style presents a compelling portrayal of both the political and cultural dynamics of group-think and mind control. After twenty-five years of her adult life in a cult, under the influence of a narcissistic sociopath she sought to understand why she made the choices she made in her life, so she could better understand why others make their choices. The Holocaust or any genocide instigated by a narcissistic authority does not happen because of one man. It is the collective consciousness of their followers that supports and enacts those atrocities. Like Moonies under Sun Myung Moon, Germans under the influence of Hitler, or the Branch Davidians under David Koresh, a percentage of America has fallen into a cult of personality. Radhia set out on a journey to explore common traits that every human being possesses. She makes the strong parallels between her devotion to a cult leader-an authority-whose damaging behavior and influence she willfully ignored, and the followers of other authoritarian leaders. This is not about policy or political ideology or even the guru or our political leaders, as much as it is about the followers from the viewpoint of a follower. "Written from the perspective of an insider, this compelling personal story, told with both brutal honesty, and raw humor draws us into the mindset of cult followers. It shines a light on how easily intelligent questing people can find themselves unwittingly following a cult leader. As much a personal story as a probing exploration of the mental and emotional states of cult leaders and followers, this fascinating book is hard to put down." - Lorell Frysh PhD.

A Cult of One: How to Deprogram Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse

A Cult of One: How to Deprogram Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse

Author: Richard Grannon

Publisher: Grannon Publishing

Published: 2022-09-06

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781544533568

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Are you truly taking care of yourself? Or are you too busy taking care of everyone else? So many of us find it easier to love other people than to love ourselves. We struggle to put our own needs first and have a hard time asking for what we want, let alone going after it. Instead, we attach ourselves to selfish people, trying over and over to win love from those who simply can't offer it. If that sounds familiar, you may be the victim of narcissistic abuse. In A Cult of One, Richard Grannon exposes the insidious effects of narcissistic abuse and shares his own winding road to recognition and recovery. Through martial arts, mysticism, psychedelics, and psychology, spanning over four continents and forty-four years of life, Grannon discovered a systematic discipline for healing. Join him as he explains step by step-with courage, humor, and optimism-how to forge your own path to a better life.


Book Synopsis A Cult of One: How to Deprogram Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse by : Richard Grannon

Download or read book A Cult of One: How to Deprogram Yourself from Narcissistic Abuse written by Richard Grannon and published by Grannon Publishing. This book was released on 2022-09-06 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Are you truly taking care of yourself? Or are you too busy taking care of everyone else? So many of us find it easier to love other people than to love ourselves. We struggle to put our own needs first and have a hard time asking for what we want, let alone going after it. Instead, we attach ourselves to selfish people, trying over and over to win love from those who simply can't offer it. If that sounds familiar, you may be the victim of narcissistic abuse. In A Cult of One, Richard Grannon exposes the insidious effects of narcissistic abuse and shares his own winding road to recognition and recovery. Through martial arts, mysticism, psychedelics, and psychology, spanning over four continents and forty-four years of life, Grannon discovered a systematic discipline for healing. Join him as he explains step by step-with courage, humor, and optimism-how to forge your own path to a better life.

Cultish

Cultish

Author: Amanda Montell

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2021-06-15

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13: 0062993178

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The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power. What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . . Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.


Book Synopsis Cultish by : Amanda Montell

Download or read book Cultish written by Amanda Montell and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2021-06-15 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power. What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . . . Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day. Through juicy storytelling and cutting original research, Montell exposes the verbal elements that make a wide spectrum of communities “cultish,” revealing how they affect followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate, but also how they pervade our modern start-ups, Peloton leaderboards, and Instagram feeds. Incisive and darkly funny, this enrapturing take on the curious social science of power and belief will make you hear the fanatical language of “cultish” everywhere.

Wordslut

Wordslut

Author: Amanda Montell

Publisher: HarperCollins

Published: 2019-05-28

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 0062868896

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“I get so jazzed about the future of feminism knowing that Amanda Montell’s brilliance is rising up and about to explode worldwide.”—Jill Soloway A brash, enlightening, and wildly entertaining feminist look at gendered language and the way it shapes us. The word bitch conjures many images, but it is most often meant to describe an unpleasant woman. Even before its usage to mean “a female canine,” bitch didn’t refer to women at all—it originated as a gender-neutral word for “genitalia.” A perfectly innocuous word devolving into an insult directed at females is the case for tons more terms, including hussy, which simply meant “housewife”; and slut, which meant “an untidy person” and was also used to describe men. These are just a few of history’s many English slurs hurled at women. Amanda Montell, reporter and feminist linguist, deconstructs language—from insults, cursing, gossip, and catcalling to grammar and pronunciation patterns—to reveal the ways it has been used for centuries to keep women and other marginalized genders from power. Ever wonder why so many people are annoyed when women speak with vocal fry or use like as filler? Or why certain gender-neutral terms stick and others don’t? Or where stereotypes of how women and men speak come from in the first place? Montell effortlessly moves between history, science, and popular culture to explore these questions—and how we can use the answers to affect real social change. Montell’s irresistible humor shines through, making linguistics not only approachable but downright hilarious and profound. Wordslut gets to the heart of our language, marvels at its elasticity, and sheds much-needed light on the biases that shadow women in our culture and our consciousness.


Book Synopsis Wordslut by : Amanda Montell

Download or read book Wordslut written by Amanda Montell and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2019-05-28 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “I get so jazzed about the future of feminism knowing that Amanda Montell’s brilliance is rising up and about to explode worldwide.”—Jill Soloway A brash, enlightening, and wildly entertaining feminist look at gendered language and the way it shapes us. The word bitch conjures many images, but it is most often meant to describe an unpleasant woman. Even before its usage to mean “a female canine,” bitch didn’t refer to women at all—it originated as a gender-neutral word for “genitalia.” A perfectly innocuous word devolving into an insult directed at females is the case for tons more terms, including hussy, which simply meant “housewife”; and slut, which meant “an untidy person” and was also used to describe men. These are just a few of history’s many English slurs hurled at women. Amanda Montell, reporter and feminist linguist, deconstructs language—from insults, cursing, gossip, and catcalling to grammar and pronunciation patterns—to reveal the ways it has been used for centuries to keep women and other marginalized genders from power. Ever wonder why so many people are annoyed when women speak with vocal fry or use like as filler? Or why certain gender-neutral terms stick and others don’t? Or where stereotypes of how women and men speak come from in the first place? Montell effortlessly moves between history, science, and popular culture to explore these questions—and how we can use the answers to affect real social change. Montell’s irresistible humor shines through, making linguistics not only approachable but downright hilarious and profound. Wordslut gets to the heart of our language, marvels at its elasticity, and sheds much-needed light on the biases that shadow women in our culture and our consciousness.

Join My Cult!

Join My Cult!

Author: James Curcio

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 9781561841738

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Religions. Philosophies. Advertising campaigns. Gurus. Prozac. All of these drugs are sold as answers to our deepest questions: Why are we here? What truly has meaning? For a group of young adults desperately searching for meaning in the bleak McMansion sprawls of Suburban America, these questions are of the essence. When none of the accepted avenues of thought or behaviour make sense any longer, they wander into an unknown territory of magick, drug use, and shamanic exploration. Through satire and drama, "Join My Cult" takes you on an inward initiatory journey and a deeply hypnotic experience.


Book Synopsis Join My Cult! by : James Curcio

Download or read book Join My Cult! written by James Curcio and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Religions. Philosophies. Advertising campaigns. Gurus. Prozac. All of these drugs are sold as answers to our deepest questions: Why are we here? What truly has meaning? For a group of young adults desperately searching for meaning in the bleak McMansion sprawls of Suburban America, these questions are of the essence. When none of the accepted avenues of thought or behaviour make sense any longer, they wander into an unknown territory of magick, drug use, and shamanic exploration. Through satire and drama, "Join My Cult" takes you on an inward initiatory journey and a deeply hypnotic experience.