“Psychologically Kidnapped!”
“Secular” Deprogrammings ,the Category of Cult, and Fear of Social Change
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/ijsnr.26579Keywords:
Cult, Deprogramming, counter-cult movement, anti-cult movement (ACM)Abstract
The author analyzes cases of “secular” deprogrammings—including the infamous case of Stephanie Riethmiller’s deprogramming for being a lesbian—and brainwashing opposition generally. The author argues that a fear of social change primarily of the traditional family structure informs brainwashing opposition, and occasionally that fear makes brainwashing oppositional tactics spill over into other areas of American life.
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Video sources
Asher, Lyell. 2022a. “Introduction: Why Colleges Are Becoming CULTS | Dr. Lyell Asher.” Published on YouTube. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://www.you- tube.com/watch?v=rs3vSwsHWbc.
———. 2022b. “Why Colleges Are Becoming CULTS (Part 2): College Adminis- trators | Dr. Lyell Asher.” Published on YouTube. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFVqJY-kELg.
———. 2022c. “Why Colleges Are Becoming CULTS (Part 3): Administrator Training | Dr. Lyell Asher.” Published on YouTube. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJEPBddwegs.
———. 2022d. “Why Colleges Are Becoming CULTS (Part 14): Things You Can Do: Higher Ed | Dr. Lyell Asher.” Published on YouTube. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU9S2tQ12ok.
———. 2022e. “Why Colleges Are Becoming CULTS (Part 15): Things You Can Do: K-12 Schools | Dr. Lyell Asher.” Published on YouTube. Accessed 5 July 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWViKX4s274.
