Is Hanegraaff Too Heavenly Minded? Objective Evidence Supporting Thought Reform and Post-Cult Syndrome

Having nothing to do with Hank Hanegraaff's rejection of the effects of thought reform, I found myself in a discussion this weekend regarding the observable and often quantifiable physical and psychological effects of the altered states of consciousness induced in individuals who are subjected to religious manipulation and abuse. It can be a great deal of work to keep up on the new research pertaining to this topic, and if a person already holds a bias against a particular position, they certainly are not going to look into that new data, much of which was not available a decade or two ago. For example, what impetus does a Bible college professor have to investigate such information, particularly if that professor completed his own training before objective data about thought reform became available? If that professor is already biased on the subject, they have an impetus to avoid this data, and they certainly wont find time to instruct their students about it. Is this ignorance and bias in the best interest of the Church?

Altered States of Consciousness

In previous posts, I've mentioned many times how various factors change an individual's state of consciousness, as we all shift in and out of different states throughout the day which can be observed by Quantitative EEG. When thinking analytically/critically, the pre-frontal cortex in the brain activates and generates beta waves. The body undergoes physiologic changes along with this state of consciousness. An individual's posture and even their digestion will change in response, and their hands become cool while in a beta state. When those affected by migraines, ADHD, or scotopic sensitivity syndrome encounter florescent lighting, the wavelength of light stimulates the brain in negative ways (speeding it up too much) by producing a fast and frenetic beta while also stimulating another part of the brain to drop down into theta, the state associated with “fight or flight,” which actually inhibits critical thinking.

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The Counter-Cult Bias Against the Anti-Cult Perspective: Hank Hanegraaff's Re-Victimization of Teen Mania Protestors and All Those Who Overcome Spiritual Abuse

One might believe that all of the groups that oppose cults might get along quite well, seeking the same end of encouraging individuals to make well-informed and reasoned choices about their religious faith. Unfortunately, there remains a great deal of controversy and conflict between the counter-cult apologetics effort within Christianity and the anti-cult effort, two related but often very different worlds. For the benefit of my secular friends who read here, the term “apologetics” (“to give an answer”) was adopted from Biblical Greek to describe the rational defense of the Christian faith. Modern day counter-cult apologists work to expose doctrinal error within the plethora of Christian belief systems, comparing any aberrant teachings to sound, sure, and clear doctrine.

Many Christians and counter-cult apologists believe that development of a strong knowledge of Scripture and doctrine provide an impervious defense against unbalanced cultic teachings and the problematic lifestyles that tend to follow them. I agree that it certainly helps. In other words, they believe that good Christians who have studied adequately are impervious to surreptitious manipulation. I was once one such person, and apparently, Hank Hanegraaff remains one. He has chosen to protest the Teen Mania documentary which aired on MSNBC on November 6, 2011 as well as the Duncans who assisted in its production. Hanegraaff's longstanding and often aggressive opposition to the anti-cult perspective dates back even further, at least until 1998 when I first heard him discuss the matter on his radio show, The Bible Answer Man.

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Thought Reform (The Last of Lifton 101)

Thought reform is accomplished through the use of psychological and environmental control processes that do not depend on physical coercion.  

Today's thought reform programs are sophisticated, subtle, and insidious, creating a psychological bond that in many ways is far more powerful than gun-at-the-head methods of influence.

The effects generally lose their potency 

when the control processes 

are lifted or neutralized in some way.

That is why most Korean War POWs gave up the content of their prison camp indoctrination programs when they came home, and why many cultists leave their groups 

• if they spend a substantial amount of time away from the group 
• or if they have an opportunity to discuss their doubts with an intimate.

Thought Reform Exists: Organized, Programmatic Influence

Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D

The Cult Observer

Vol. 11 No. 6 1994.

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The Dispensing of Existence (Lifton 101)

Simply described, the dispensing of existence is the group’s prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not. 

This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology. Within many "Bible-based cults" (or Biblically Christian churches that practice surreptitious manipulation), a higher way of living or greater enlightenment may be obtained by striving and modeling the group’s ideals. 

If persons do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the members. Sometimes they are denounced as apostates, but they are certainly viewed as lesser Christians. All those outside the group (both within the world and those within Christianity) lose all credibility as the "special-ness" of the group promotes greater desire for milieu control and a sense of martyrdom. 

Leadership and group dogma manipulate members through fear of the outside world, because rejection of the dogma will result in loss of all social contacts in the group, loss of reputation and personal salvation. This mystical superstition also instills members with fear of complete abandonment by God so that they may anticipate befalling all manner of harm as a result of questioning or leaving the group. They are taught that their existence is dependent on the group’s favorable opinion of them and upon meeting the group’s standards of performance. 

Those within the group who demonstrate non-conformity may also lose privileges or the status of enlightenment which serves as a very potent method of negative reinforcement. In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must also be rejected by those who remain in the group. Even after leaving a group, the former member tends to have a sense of loss of grace and a programmed sense of shame. Leadership thus makes it difficult to leave such groups, and departure implies a rejection of the only true means of religious transcendence. Ron Henzel’s article discusses this means of manipulation through fear in his article about walking away from his own aberrant group.

“They told me that if I left…” by Ron Henzel:

One of the most insidious features of Spiritual Abuse ... ... is the state of terror in which it leaves so many of its victims. People who flee Spiritual Abuse are in a double-bind: in the very process of fleeing from the oppression that comes from being part of the group, they are terrorized by the threats of the leadership and various members -- threats of dire consequences, punishment from God, and even eternal damnation.

Adapted from and expanded upon from the original source, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brain Washing in China by Robert Jay Lifton. 

In chapter 22 entitled "Ideological Totalism," Lifton details the major defining techniques that hallmark surreptitious manipulation, formulated from his experience working with prisoners who survived a Chinese brainwashing program while serving in the Korean War.

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Doctrine Over Person (Lifton 101)

Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.  

The end ideology of the group must be maintained by any means, even at the personal expense or the personal suffering of the group members. Love for the system or ideology supersedes that of the people, places or lesser causes. This promotes hatred and intolerance of all opposing critics or ideologies (sadly, often including those within the group).

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Loading the Language (Lifton 101)

The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand.

Connotation also plays a major role in the loading of language. A most potent means of loading the language comes through accusations such as "gossip", "rebellion", "Jezebel" and the like, as these are modifiers to be avoided at all costs by membership.

Please review these previous posts regarding the nature of the use of connotation, thought-stopping cliché and neologism to manipulate individuals without their awareness of the process:

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Sacred Science (Lifton 101)

The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. 

Truth is not to be found outside the group. The leader, as the spokesperson for God or all humanity, is likewise above criticism. Many such leaders have patterns of avoiding accountability and demonstrating aggression towards critics. Leaders and their religious followers often have the appearance of accountability to a presbytery and an internal church government, but often the systems have been designed to avoid all accountability. Presbyters are often friends, associates or subordinates of the group leader(s). 

The article “Authoritarianism in the Church” by Steve Martin that appears on the Battered Sheep website explains some of these aspects of the “sacred science.” (This article also appears in the Founders Journal 15 (Winter 1994). Martin states this specifically:

First, the sin of authoritarianism exists when pastors and other office holders speak with binding authority where God Himself has not spoken in His written Word. Second, the sin of authoritarianism exists when pastors and other office holders usurp the Lordship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people by deciding the will of God for them where Scripture is silent.

The excellent article examines the development of authoritarianism and offers resources to help Christians through the process of repentance and healing. Through the sins of idolatry, prayerlessness, unbelief, lack of love for the sheep and pride, shepherds fall into the trap of authoritarian patterns of behavior. Congregations also promote the development of the sin of authoritarianism through their own tendency towards idol-worship, unbelief and the fear of man (both of fellow congregants and the church leadership.

Adapted from and expanded upon from the original source, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of Brain Washing in China by Robert Jay Lifton. 

In chapter 22 entitled "Ideological Totalism," Lifton details the major defining techniques that hallmark surreptitious manipulation, formulated from his experience working with prisoners who survived a Chinese brainwashing program while serving in the Korean War.

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The Cult of Confession (Lifton 101)

Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group. There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders. Even if not obviously promoted by the group, information is collected (usually automatically without set guidelines for collection) and fed to leadership. Shameful past events may then be exploited to manipulate individual compliance or as evidence for disciplinary actions. Information about those who leave the group is also exploited after they leave to enhance the milieu control. Sometimes, "sins" are confabulated to instill members with fear to decrease their chances of contacting dissidents or members who have left the group.

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Demand for Purity (Lifton 101)

Within a manipulative group, the demand for purity describes the “black and white” or the “all or nothing” thought that pervades the ideology and leadership of the group. This follows naturally from the rigid standards of perfection that the group ideology establishes and often develops out of necessity due to milieu control. The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for the extreme perfection. Dissidents or competing ideologies are labeled as entirely untrustworthy and are given the connotation of near-heresy. (In psychology, this ego defense is termed "splitting" and is a normal, temporary function of early childhood.) As a support to the milieu control, the demand for purity enhances the group norm and ideals of focus.

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Mystical Manipulation (Lifton 101)

Mystical Manipulation, in the context of a manipulative group, is simply the manipulation of planned experiences so that they appear spontaneous.

 Ministers often use this technique to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement to gain and further solidify the confidence of their followers. Apparent special gifts or talents of the minister allow the leadership of the group to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes for the ultimate benefit of the group.

The term “vision” and the practice of “vision casting” has recently become popular in many Evangelical Christian circles and represents a certain type of mystical manipulation. (Frankly, it sounds akin to "spell casting" to me, although I suspect that it is more like what the Pentecostals/Charismatics refer to as prophesying regarding the direction and misison of the congregation.)

Members are encouraged to be visionary and to follow the visions of their leaders to further the Kingdom of God and the mission of the group. A pastor of a church certainly gives spiritual direction and guidance, but many use this duty to guide their congregations towards ideals that may not be germane to the mission of the New Testament Church.

 Fishburn has this to say in “Confronting the Idolatry of Family”:

Yet, many Protestant congregations are in a state of spiritual drift, in bondage to some part of the American Dream. Although denominational leaders, seminary professors, and pastors may know that dreams of American manifest destiny influenced nineteenth-century theology, few seem to recognize the ways in which the American Dream still influences the church today. The task of giving special direction to a congregation that does not embody some of the attitudes of a family-pew theology calls for pastors with the convictions of a prophet, able to tell the people of God that their loyalties are misplaced. (pg 64)

This technique may also apply to alignment of the group or group leaders with powerful, respected and orthodox others who may be enlisted to make statements or write opinionated articles in support of the cultic group or leaders. 

When a well-respected and established leader or group lends their name and support to a spiritual abuser or manipulator, the public depends on and trusts in the recommendation of that established leader, interpreting it as a sign of legitimacy. Ministries that recommend questionable teachers and sources put honest people at risk, as those who trust them will trust their discernment.

Safe people tend to recommend and associate with safe others, and their recommendations have a very potent influence on the public as a result. Media presentations may also connote legitimacy when they are well done and impressive in our commercial culture of consumerism. Photographs that exemplify the desired persona of the group provide a powerful means of suggesting the ideal of the group. Mystical manipulation overlaps somewhat with milieu control and supports the desired milieu in this way.

Personal prophecy and current day manifestation of the “gifts of the Holy Spirit” provide us the most obvious examples of mystical manipulation. Within Charismatic/Pentecostal groups, collected information or desired behavior may come in the form of messages of prophecy. These systems tend to operate on “grapevine communication” because most manipulative groups intervene on behalf of their members. Leadership in spiritually abusive groups often assume responsibility for the sanctification and spiritual advancement of their followers, so such grapevine knowledge of the activities of their followers becomes a vital tool.

Although, divine knowledge may be at work at times, in controlling groups, leaders often use the information that they’ve collected about a member to manipulate them, giving the impression that their knowledge came from a divine source. “Thus saith the Lord” or “I had a dream about you” demonstrate this kind of mystical power, suggesting and reinforcing the special connection that the leader has with God.

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Milieu Control (Lifton 101)

Most simply stated, “Milieu Control” is the control of an environment by controlling the information and activities within the environment. 

Pertaining to manipulative and closed groups, this involves control of communication and generation of acceptable information to be disseminated among the membership. Ultimately, the group seeks to control the thought environment of individual members, and it is this internal milieu control that produces the isolation from society at large. 

The cognitive dissonance produced by the incongruent messages received from the outside creates the natural desire to withdraw or filter information that does not coincide with information within the group. It’s too draining and stressful to constantly try to reckon conflicting worldviews, so isolationism seen in closed systems of thought is often a necessary adaptation. 

Healthy people do filter information, but in closed systems, the group dictates what sources of information are restricted in an effort to maintain compliance and limit dissent. “Love bombing” is a most effective means of recruiting new membership and falls under the category of milieu control. Groups thrive and grow, primarily by their ability to create an ideal environment that members tend to associate with pleasant, safe and nurturing feelings. A utopia can be defined as an ideally perfect place, generally in a social and moral sense. The creation of the idealistic world of rest and special bliss without the cumbersome burdens of life is very seductive. 

Most people who have participated in such a group and left, despite the heartaches of their experiences, long for a return to the “feeling” that the manipulative group appeared to create for them. Often, leadership will tell members that their group is the only place where one can find this type of comfort which makes those who enjoy the environment less likely to leave the group. Free exchange of information is tightly controlled by threats of accusation of gossip or "touching not the anointed" leadership in manipulative groups. 

Another popular phrase that is often used to discourage critical evaluation of legitimate information within Christian churches is the admonishment to refrain from “sewing discord among the brethren.” This is not a blanket command however and would be an inappropriate response to false teaching and error. Perhaps the most dangerous harm to the milieu of a group occurs as a result of drawing leadership into question. This is a taboo in spiritually abusive groups in particular. 

Stories concocted for the purpose of "damage control" (prevent membership from thinking critically about events or arguments that might draw the ideology or leadership into question) also fall under this category so that members are fearful or reluctant to fairly consider information produced by dissidents. Information from outside sources is often criticized and discounted to discourage acceptance by group members. Connotation is a powerful tool in the maintenance of milieu control, often aimed at creating the perception that certain types of information are tainted or dangerous. (See “Biblical Modifiers.”) 

Maintenance of group milieu within a closed system, religious or otherwise, is perhaps the most demanding aspects of thought reform and manipulative systems, but it is a profoundly effective one.

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