Newsletter: Creating Safe “Off-Ramps” for Folks who Are Exiting Authoritarian Groups
Mindfulness, Healing, and Inclusivity Must Be Our Goal
I’ve been hearing a lot about people cutting off their relatives and friends because of politics - I must speak out against this tendency to shun or “cancel” those whose beliefs are different from our own. I totally am not advocating allowing yourself to be abused or traumatized. So, self-protection is important. However, I do wish to teach about what I have found to work to melt down walls of division and polarization - but it requires a shift in perspective, mindset, practice, and patience. Even though I exited the Moon cult 48 years ago, it was with the loving encouragement of my family to “look at my involvement with an “open mind” and “hear other points of view.” I was thoroughly convinced that I was not brainwashed and that the Moon family was not a cult, so I agreed to meet with ex-members to “prove” this to my family.
People have heard my story that it was my dad, who, with tears in his eyes, asked me how I would feel if it was my son who got involved in a controversial group, dropped out of college, quit his job, and disappeared. The force of his emotion made me imagine stepping into his shoes. My Moonie self said that he had been brainwashed by the Communists to be against my involvement. But it was a powerful “switch perspective” technique that I have been teaching ever since.
I believe that in the coming months before January 20th, people need to be very vocal and active- especially in letting their politicians know that dismantling our democratic system of checks and balances is NOT OK.
I also believe that after January 20th, people are going to start realizing that they were misled to vote GOP. We need to welcome people- not say, “I told you so!”
Instead, practice active listening, engage respectfully, and find common ground. Influence isn’t about forcing agreement; it’s about building bridges and planting seeds of understanding. I’ve had a favorite post of mine, “Cancel Culture by Anyone (Left or Right) is Bad,” made free for the next couple of weeks as a reminder.
This week’s Influence Continuum podcast features my dear friend and colleague, Chris Kilham, also known as The Medicine Hunter. Chris balances natural cures with scientific validity while seeking to find sustainable, healthy alternatives that work; I think you’ll find our discussion enlightening and uplifting. We decided to alter the title of my podcast to Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan.
Last week, I hosted a multi-social media livestream from 3 to 4 p.m. EST; if you missed it, you can see the replay here. I plan to do another one tomorrow (Dec. 4th); I welcome everyone to tune in with questions and comments!
Moving forward, I’d like to ask YOU what you would like to hear about. What topics are important to you, and what would you like to hear me discuss in upcoming podcasts? Let me know!
On this episode of The Influence Continuum, I sit down with my dear friend and colleague, Chris Kilham, also known as The Medicine Hunter. Chris is an educator, writer, yogi, and global explorer who has dedicated his life and career to exploring the most exotic reaches of our globe to research holistic practices and medicine. In a world where so many of us live out our day-to-day divorced from nature, his research offers meaningful insight into the often overlooked remedies our planet has to offer and holistic wellness practices.
Read the blog post or listen to the podcast:
Shunning, excommunication, and public humiliation have been used for social conformity for most of human history. The modern versions generally fit in the categories of “calling out” or “canceling.” The first use of these terms is not certain. Still, sometime in the early 2010s, fans of various celebrities and groups began to post on social media identifying imperfections in their idols and “calling them out” on their behaviors.
As always, please let us know what you think about these pieces or what you’d like to see us discuss in the future. Thanks so much!
Quote from cult expert Steven Hassan
"do not ever go for a win-lose scenario where you think you will be able to rationally argue a [cult] follower out of their worldview. Facts matter, but respect, context, and your
communication delivery are key. Your most potent weapon is a good, thoughtful question"
The Cult of Trump, p226
I just subscribed to your Substack after listening to your interview with Anthony Davis on The Weekend Show podcast while on a walk. Your information, some of it included in this postas well is very helpful:
“ I also believe that after January 20th, people are going to start realizing that they were misled to vote GOP. We need to welcome people- not say, “I told you so!”
Thank you and look forward to hearing more.