How to tell if you’re brainwashed?” | Steve Hassan | TEDxBoston

[@nicholasjh1]

A large portion of the US needs this

[@dylanmontz9789]

Ironically, Steve Hassan has a book on that too.

[@theimperfectcrafterny]

The reason why I clicked this video. Maga is the biggest cult I know of.

[@theimperfectcrafterny]

​@@dylanmontz9789interesting

[@Arkbuck]

@@theimperfectcrafterny brainwashed people always blame opposing view

[@timothyk1234]

Yes, important to study his work these days

[@HeinzNetten]

This talk should be mandatory in every High School in the world.

[@chaplainbeats7028]

That would be contrary to the purpose of public education 😉 Once you do your research on the origins of the western public education system…you’ll realize you e been brainwashed your entire life.

[@jjburgess1583]

Especially right now, the propaganda has been ramping up here as election day approaches. These people are willing to say anything to keep Trump out of office.

[@nosuchthing8]

Good luck. Trump would never allow this. Because he does the same to his followers with his lies.

[@christypember8306]

This needs to go viral. The US is brainwashed by Trump.

[@doneyes]

Worse, ttakre anti-education because educated citizens are harder to manipulate.

[@chriscampas-svensson461]

As a former Jehovah’s Witness you have helped me and my wife tremendously throughout our leaving process. I have nothing but gratitude and respect for you sir.

[@TheEncouragementKid]

beautiful. best of luck for you on your journey

[@robertwooden9123]

Are JW’s involved in gang stalking?

[@mejohn101]

Wow. I cant imagine what that must be like. It may sound like an odd comparison, but i was raised by a narcissist. In that respect, i can understand what its like to start questioning things you once took for granted and understand that they just dont hold up. The problem with leaving one structure of meaning is that it has to be replaced by another. Otherwise- as i have felt- its more like im homeless, wandering and left with anxiety in place of security- even if it was ultimately a false security. As it definitely was. That said, I hope your journey is meaningful and leads to something so much greater than a false set of beliefs could ever be. The pursuit of truth is the highest calling man can have. Thats something we all have in common. Blessings brother.

[@robertheintze9413]

Problem is, many charismatic churches, who condemn Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons as being cults, are cults THEMSELVES

[@TheMinnieSalon]

Same here! Exjw!

[@Srindal4657]

Once you go down the road of deprogramming yourself, you never see the world the same. Its like you see everything as bubbles of influence that cause you to think a certain way

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Maybe christians should be de-programmed.

[@PutinsMommyNeverHuggedHim]

Very well put!

[@temporarybackup5077]

💯👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@peepfacts6546]

You will isolate yourself and end up on fourchan

[@temporarybackup5077]

He's alma mater at same college as my undergrad. Those effing cults are still there .. They're EVERYWHERE.

[@mafarmerga]

This is perhaps the most important video on YT. My wife almost entered into a cult. It is VERY hard to pull a person back. But it can be done.

[@ErikAnkan73]

What cult? I was a member of Hyperianism for 3 years.

[@ianlassitter2397]

Democrats or Republican? Or Apple? Or Google?

[@KiloMike80]

My ex-wife joined a CrossFit gym and started doing the paleo diet.. Sometimes I still see her carrying heavy kettlebells running down Main Street at 5am next to the drunks and druggies. Scary stuff.

[@Grounded-Healer]

The world is operated on Cults. Find the ones that don't take advantage of you. Best of luck 👍

[@Grounded-Healer]

​@@KiloMike80This actually isn't so terrible? Minus the (junkies) ? lol. Health is the greatest of wealth, unless it's an obsession dragging in negativity.

[@timward3116]

Be aware that these principles are well known by large media organizations, governments, and political parties. It's the way they get us to rationalize and accept the most horrific things and mobilize us against one another. It is an intrinsic and essential part of "divide and conquer."

[@WaveformV1.0]

I like this. You certainly have a good writing technique. Peace

[@gregpeabody8536]

That's cultist talk. It is not in the best interest of the media at large to divide and conquer. It is in their best interests to educate and unite and that is what the majority do. Fox is definitely controlled by cultists. The evidence is losing a defamation suit for more money than all the people I will ever meet will ever make combined.

[@ericparker163]

Exactly, and the more we play into choosing a team for whatever it may be, politics, religion etc the more we play into their games. I hate groupthink and it creates quite the conundrum, how do you get the people collectively to recognize their own power and come together without becoming the thing that needs removing? I'd hope that we'd arrive individually to the same conclusion but alas, things don't work like that.

[@einsteinalb75]

It's a special ops thing too

[@timward3116]

@@einsteinalb75 No doubt about it!

[@FusionDeveloper]

When most of the world says you're in a cult and people on your side are claiming it's everyone else who is in a cult, you might be in a cult.

[@FusionDeveloper]

The majority of people on earth worldwide agree that MAGA is a cult.

[@StillmanSpinningSteel]

Left the latter day saint church (Mormons) recently. Never felt so free and discovering who I really am. I used to see reality through belief but now I am experiencing my own reality and aware of the diversity of reality. It's beautiful.

[@juliannzzineilson241]

I left 12 yrs ago. It's so liberating to know real freedom from the dark sorcerers. Congratulations on your awakening process!

[@Ben-pd2bx]

I'm happy for you. I also advise being careful. Now is a time when you're potentially vulnerable. Just like someone who's ended a relationship can rebound, so can someone who's escaped a cult. Take it slow. :)

[@augustsandoval3985]

Congrats you woke up

[@IgnoranceBegetsConfidence]

You should be ashamed being so easily manipulated when I was a baby. But thank truth that I found that religion all religions I based on lies

[@joe-mama6451]

I left in 2020 (officially). Previously had maintained membership but hadn’t attended in a decade. Cut the cord. Now I’m the family apostate. With pride.

[@scottfitzpatrick1939]

This world needs a major push in mass de-programming.

[@Griffix96]

The programmer would never allow that.

[@marystacey4796]

"Be quiet while you wait for the person to think." Thank you for that.

[@Thenatureboy801]

About 8 billion more people need to watch this.

[@standingalone001]

The problem is that this guy is literally still brainwashed. Only know he has been brainwashed by the hypocrites who blame the Soviets or the Chinese while they are the ones doing the brainwashing. He sounds like an ignoramous to me talking about brainwashing while he himself has been brainwashed by the US Intelligence cult.

[@williamfagerheim1817]

I bet this guy is still brainwashed.😃😂

[@standingalone001]

@@williamfagerheim1817 exactly. He definitely is and that’s what I commented.

[@18_rabbit]

@@williamfagerheim1817 ? then how and why is he clearly explaining how horribly insidious and beguiling and manipulative it is? You are likely in a cult right now, bcuz no other type of person would perceive as paranoidically as u just did

[@l000tube]

@@williamfagerheim1817 in what way?

[@SqueakyPhilosopher]

Anyone who tells you not to think is not your friend.

[@cyndigooch1162]

That's exactly right and if certain types of people tell others to stop overthinking as well! 🤫

[@BuddsYT]

I watched the Leah rimini Scientology documentary series and as a Jehovah’s witnesses was surprised to see how eerily similar we were. The shunning especially, heartbreaking what control the shunning policy exercises over People and how it breaks Families apart. Part of being and leaving a cult is also having to admit to yourself that you were wrong. Especially when you were taught to think you were the one and only to have the “truth”. But all these cults think that. And then to admit “it was a lie”. Wow hard pill to swallow.

[@wannabecarguy]

Jehovah witnesses are doomed. once they realize what's happening they throw their lives away. usally with drugs.

[@anniechan6296]

As a former JW for more than 28 years I can tell you that EVERYTHING they said was 100% accurate

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Budds: Yes, Leah Remini left the Jehovah's Witnesses cult and went back to Catholicism. She went from one cult to another.

[@robynperdieu3434]

Yes, very heartbreaking when they keep hidden their darkness...and you bring your children up in it, thinking it was a good spiritual upbringing. Then one day, you wake up and see behind the curtain, but your children shun you as you walk away from it.

[@anonymousjohnson976]

@@robynperdieu3434 : Yes, I don't see how they think shunning family and others is a good or normal behavior.

[@ralphbernhard1757]

Short answer: *Any* system that tells you _what_ to think rather than _how_ to think.

[@danl9999]

feminism, leftism, marxism, corporatism, what disney tells you, what CNN tells you, what fox tells you, what the teacher's unions tell you, so on and so forth.

[@M3Busssin]

@@danl9999it’s actually hilariously ironic because you believe all of those things are the #1 enemy of the modern world because you’ve told to think that by other agenda driven people who hope to get a vote from you, and I’m sure you will vote for the people who told you that, because you’ve been brainwashed by those same people to do so.

[@gplus1000]

@@danl9999 🤣🤣🤣

[@GreatGooglieWooglie]

Uh those both seem bad.

[@gplus1000]

@@GreatGooglieWooglie I would tend to agree with you.

[@sorcindy]

Re-programming my mind after an abusive relationship took me years.

[@TranscendingTrauma]

How did you do it?

[@sorcindy]

I did various things. The main has been faith. I had a conversion, God helped me to leave the relationship. The listen to the psalms in a video for hours. Psalm 139 helped me to understand God’s love for me. The bible repeats do not be afraid 365 times. The list is long.

[@thegaragedancer]

Did you fall victim to a Narcissist? They basically use the Bite Model!

[@JaneNewAuthor]

​@@thegaragedancermy thoughts too.

[@BiGG_X]

Im glad you were able to get free. I have a good friend in a relationship with a narcissistic christian that uses the Bible against her to keep her under his control. She called me 6 months after she ran away from him because he beat her for the 3rd time. She was like a completely different person than the one I knew. After talking to her for a couple months trying to remind her of the person I knew, she started doing good. Then he squirmed his way back into her life by threatening to kill himself after his threats didnt work no more. It only took a matter of days for him to take complete control of her again after he got her to give him another chance. The sad thing about this is nothing can be done until she does it for herself. Be careful and take care of yourself.

[@anonymouskeys929]

This is such a sobering video. I am convinced that people around me are doing this and now i have the proper mental tools to recognize it because of this and people like you. Godspeed

[@anonymouskeys929]

The American school system is definitely guilty of this in my state when I was growing up. Technically I never got out or had a good enough chance to excuse myself from that.

[@samuhlm2]

Yes if the people around you are leading you to beliefs that justify terrorism, run! Dont fall for the Islamists!

[@bluemamba5317]

@@anonymouskeys929 If you want to sober up even more, then you need to ask is why the school system is brainwashing the youth. Who are the benefactors etc, the students? Often not.

[@MrVesperatu]

I think one of the surest signs you are in a cult is that debate about certain things simply isn't allowed. And if you are in a situation where it isn't allowed to discuss or question certain things or if you do, you find yourself shunned, you can rest assured, you are in a cult.

[@sawilliams]

Yep, the first thing they do in a cult is tell you that you can’t look up things on our own, Extreme censoring, and tell you not to talk to others outside the cult.

[@samuhlm2]

I dont get how people fall for it

[@driesvt4]

Sounds like how those were treated who questioned the Covid jabs?

[@ArcticBuck]

@@samuhlm2did you take the vaccine?

[@my_dear_friend_]

Yeah, and everyone can be an expert and disregard years, decades even, of highly specialized education and replace it with a few hours of 'research' on the internet.

[@alisaohhh]

2nd gen moonie here, finding it hard to leave when it’s all I’ve ever known. Thank you for sharing this info and making a difference

[@ljcruz1]

@alisaohhh hugs❤

[@erstwhile3793]

@alisaohhh It IS hard to leave. The belief system (BS) shapes a reality that you and your family and your whole community live inside of, separate from the “World”. Leaving feels so scary and uncertain. On the other side, though, is increasing strength, self-love, freedom, steadiness, connection and belonging. It doesn’t suddenly stop being hard, but it gradually does, and as the BS dissolves slowly, these other good things take its place. It’s not all sunlight and roses, by any means. It’s hard being a regular person living a normal life, outside of the certainty that the BS provides. It’s SO worth it, though. I could never, ever go back. And like another person pointed out here in the comments, once you see the BS for what it is, and the tools and techniques that your particular Hight Demand Group (cult) used to manipulate and control your thinking, you find that you can spot it wherever it crops up. Because it will. It’s every where for some reason. One thing you may find supportive, is the Mormonstories podcast. It started as a way to support Mormon people going through a faith crisis, because the Cult is never supportive of crises of faith, or questions, or doubts of any kind. It’s since grown to be a support for people going through the process of discovery and deconstruction of rigid belief systems of all sorts. It now has more viewers that have never been Mormon, than Mormon ones. There’s other podcasts out there, doing similar things. Hearing the stories of others who’ve gone through this can be immensely clarifying and supportive. Best to you!

[@shannonm8512]

Wishing you strength and peace, I may not know you but I am rooting for you ❤

[@jimflagg4009]

Any time some one says to "Do Not Think. Have Faith. Surrender." then you are being brain washed.

[@SolidSiren]

Well that's not true. We do that when we meditate often.

[@SolidSiren]

Not the faith part, but the other parts.

[@jimflagg4009]

@@SolidSiren Becoming one with the source (meditating) is not someone telling you to not thing and trust me, now please give me some donations.

[@iamshango3005]

I like that

[@SolidSiren]

@@jimflagg4009 when people learn how to let go of the nonsense in their mind they are told to try to think of "nothing".

[@userphone8746]

I have been brainwashed that much where I don't even know if the every day decisions I make are my own. And I don't know what to believe anymore. I feel like I just need to be free and happy.

[@teresaamanfu7408]

We all need to disconnect for a while.

[@pdatnc]

Do what you know you need to do to get out of it. The things you fear aren't real.

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Critical thinking skills will set you free, free to be happy.

[@madamcjwalker67]

It's true that we are constantly being manipulated. The best thing to do is stay in the vibration of your creator, set goals & focus on working to accomplish them. &turn away from everything else.

[@pilyapilay-iq5rh]

me too this is exactly what i experience now 🤕

[@caramares2669]

I was brainwashed for 15 years. It’s so freeing getting out from it, however, not many are aware it even exists. See Cara’s inner healing horror for my testimony.

[@laaaliiiluuu]

The most brainwashed people are those who think they are not brainwashed. It takes a deprogramming to even realize that you were and probably still are brainwashed to some extent.

[@jangilbert8028]

That’s the way I feel about leaving the church, free and peaceful!

[@PTrent]

Welcome to the Republican Party

[@heydiddlediddlethecatandth5251]

As a kid raised in evanglicalism, leaving church at a young age and then leaving the faith shattered my entire world, but I feel like I saved the most vital parts of myself and my identity. I recognize all these tactics and affirm all the solutions to brainwashing. I began to suspect those who told me not to listen to the critics because they were agents of Satan, and got curious as to people who had left the church. Above all, being curious, asking "What ifs" is what saved me. I stayed curious about the world and people different from me, which made me more open to learning and resistant to fear. When you have insatiable curiosity you find fear less appealing and it becomes less effective. Curiosity is an underrated virtue.

[@MrMario477]

WHAT SAVED YOU WAS CHRIST NOTHING TO SEE THIS BRAINWASH RECOGNIZE THIS EVEN STEVE'S CELEBRATION WASHING FALLACIES COMPARE TO CHRIST'S PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES ✝😇

[@billtalker3843]

Evangelicalism has nothing to do with brainwashing. Maybe your parents or particular church, but not as a whole.

[@wannabecarguy]

the church is indeed sick. however that's humans distorting who God is.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Jim Jones was an atheist and his “church” preached social justice. He followers called Jonestown a socialist paradise.

[@northernpatriot9078]

That's sad

[@JP82395]

Ex Mormon here. Brainwashed for 30 years and gave them everything with nothing in return. No love, just my time, money and obedience. Cults are dangerous!

[@hanyiwang4705]

As a person running away from Chinese government, I am happy to know videos like this exist!

[@bluemamba5317]

Just running away from one abuser to the next

[@therealzahyra]

This was just recommended to me on my home page lol every American needs to see this...

[@ZemplinTemplar]

This fellow gets it. Steve gets it. Thank you for speaking so clearly, Steve ! Also, I appreciate it all the more that Steve correctly condemned authoritarian political cults, in addition to pseudo-religious cults and other cults. I have thankfully never been part of a cult, I have a lifelong disgust of all cults and I have the deepest sympathies for those they abuse and manipulate. I understand many former victims of cults, likely Steve included, might not find it easy to talk about their experience, either out of embarassment ("How did they trick me ?") or out of fear (direct threats and harassment by cultists), but it's all the more important they talk about this, and society be supportive of those who tell the truth about cults and the danger they pose to individuals and all of society.

[@frankG335]

His book on political cults opened my eyes to the techniques Trump uses at his rallies. You can't under how he uses mass hypnosis techniques to hijack the most primitive part of our primal and tribal brain.

[@keithkorthals6183]

Company culture can be a cult!

[@Alexa-ri6jt]

Chipotle 100%

[@rfbuffy]

Koch Industries.

[@Dee-x9f]

I had a friend who fell in with a guy who was selling supplements. Within 2 weeks of meeting her, he was living at her house and setting up "parties" to introduce his product line. I was skeptical, but went to one of the parties. After his presentation-which seem innocuous enough-I innocently asked him how he got interested in health and wellness. Most people love to talk about themselves and their interests, but this guy immediately got defensive and angry. He shot back at me, "what do you mean, how did I get into this??" and walked away. It was so bizarre that I knew for sure he was deliberately scamming her. Healthy, on-the-level people don't need to lie and exaggerate. They don't mind answering followup questions and will readily share specific data or sources of information that help prove their position. Normal, innocent people want to have their day in court to justify their innocence. Healthy people will gladly state their goals and preferences because they want to be understood. When someone doesn't do these, or starts talking fast, bouncing between points, changing the subject... then DO NOT trust them.

[@JT_O4]

How did it turn out with your friend and that guy?

[@18_rabbit]

yep! and he was likely a psychopath and even worse.

[@Liam-zw1ek]

@@JT_O4 She ditched him... he sold supplements.

[@krishadyn5211]

Enh. I get the same treatment from anyone who disaproves my lifestyle. "Why don't you believe in God?" "Why didn't you take your husband's family name?" "Why didn't you have children?" What you describe is a conversation between someone who feels like a righteous majority and someone who has experience of being constantly socially attacked. I don't know why people can't accept "Because I didn't want to" as an explanation. Why do I have to explain all my life decisions? Its more like being interviewed than friendly.

[@Ingaingaweloveanimals]

I was sent to a Mormon boarding school where I endured spitting kicking being locked in closet without food and burned with cigarettes for not conforming. I understand brainwashing at its fullest I was a child and watched my friends turn on me at the cult school because I wouldn’t conform. I love this subject.

[@heatherprock8205]

Love Steve Hassan. He’s so helpful to people born in high control groups

[@DivineLightPaladin]

When the books are being banned and certain topics excluded, questions not allowed, words vanished...

[@julythrunov]

for example?

[@DivineLightPaladin]

@@julythrunov look around, either side. I could say a few, but several others would just not post here. There are interests everywhere in all political sides that would prefer to have certain information not available to make an informed decision with.

[@julythrunov]

@@DivineLightPaladin can you give me one example? just use dashes for parts of the words.

[@julythrunov]

@@DivineLightPaladin so I just googled banned books 2024, and on the top of the list is “all boys aren’t blue”, so then I googled that book and it’s available for purchase at Target for $10.98, and Amazon and a bunch of other places. So then I went down the list of banned books 2024. Guess what? If someone wants them, they can easily obtain them. So now what? Don’t take my word for it. Try it, see for yourself 🤷‍♂️

[@ianlassitter2397]

Woke, alphabet, leftism? Compelled speech?

[@kristalcampbell3650]

"Lean not on your own understanding " 🤮. Whenever someone says that translate it into modern language and it becomes really obvious "Dont rely on your own mind".

[@weatherupstairs4814]

The same chapter you are quoting from also says, "...do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion." I think people misuse your quote a lot to indicate mindlessness.

[@senseisecurityschool9337]

I like to lean on things that are solid, not on things that are wobbly. My understanding of neuropathology is wobbly. I lean on the neurologist's understanding, which is solid. Ego, a natural part of all humans, is a powerful force which pulls us away from logic. Logically, the person who has been studying economics for the last 35 years, the professor of economics, has a better understanding of economics than I do. But I want to lean on my understanding, which is wobbly, rather than their understanding, which is solid - because of ego. That's not logical of course, it's emotion-driven behavior to lean on my own misunderstanding.

[@kristalcampbell3650]

@senseisecurityschool9337 You still have to rely on your understanding to an extent. If you had an unethical practitioner who told you that you had some condition you'd never heard of and the cure sounded outlandish, I would hope you'd do some research, get a second and or third opinion, and weigh the information based on your own understanding. A good practitioner will inform you so that you do understand. It's required for treatment. It's called informed consent.

[@zekt98arius]

Hence discernment is realising it is rarely so clearly a "this way all the way or that" decision. Reality brings many nuances

[@thestorybehindthat5236]

That scripture is meant as encouragement when you feel hopeless. Like if you're in a crisis and don't see any possible way out or towards a better path. Maybe you're facing bankruptcy or don't believe you can leave an abusive relationship and survive. It's saying to trust in the Lord and to keep faith and move forward towards what's universally good. A way forward will make itself known one bit at a time and know that God is watching out for you even when you feel hopeless. "Lean not on your own understanding."

[@mariamiller1849]

This is important work; but like many time misses discussing the complexity of children born into cults. Imagine if all the social forces in your life were trying to keep you in the cult? Imagine if you didn’t have a pre-identity but all you knew was being mind-controlled and coerced. Imagine if you had no money, resources, connections, education, and had been abuse from birth. Imagine if you had significant mental and physical health issues and even disabilities due to being trafficked, and medical neglect. How easy would it be to “think for yourself” and leave the abusive community?

[@pgateachingpro6479]

Steve, how do I go about saving my wife from a MLM that's destroying our marriage and our lives? - Please help, I beg of you! 🙏

[@jimflagg4009]

Watch KZbins on the MLM Cult.

[@pgateachingpro6479]

@@jimflagg4009 Thanks, Jim, but it seems all of these video just describe the evils that MLM's are, but none go into the psychology and protocol for helping someone to escape the clutches of these cults. Could you possibly direct me to a video that goes directly to this point? Thank You! 🙂

[@yoursubconscious]

tell her it's "MLM's or me". Who's money is being spent? If it is hers, fine. She can do as she wishes. If it's yours, as in you go to work to make it, stop allowing her to make the wrong choice. Stop giving her the money. If she finds other ways behind your back, sorry buds, she clearly doesn't care about you if she is willing to do that.

[@pgateachingpro6479]

@@MaryB.333 Thank You! 🙂 I'll check it out...

[@Justahappysoul007]

By taking a professional that will show her on practical examples what they are actually doing:)

[@MM-oi6ez]

SOOOoo many people who choose Political sides over families... NEED help in deprogramming their brainwashing.

[@robertheintze9413]

Exactly, and the Trump cult has done irreparable harm in estranging family members, terminating friendships, and created a huge division within the evangelical Christian Church ITSELF

[@frankG335]

Bingo!

[@caim3465]

Yes

[@wmp3346]

What side is brainwashed? I know my answer

[@Hector-bj3ls]

@@wmp3346 The political side obviously. If you're choosing strangers that don't care about you over your own family there is something wrong.

[@danieldenton5721]

I would say your are brainwashed if u can't explain what your are saying when asked questions about. U just repeat what u are told.

[@johnnyboy2065]

Just like a lot of democrats and republicans. Politics is a waste of time tbh.

[@yoursubconscious]

👏👏👏 well put.

[@FaithY3n]

as a former member of the Moonies myself (just like Steve), this is unfortunately not a good test. most cults create detailed scripts and canned answers for 99% of most questions. cult leadership figures, especially, are great at free-styling and filling in any gaps their script might have missed.

[@danieldenton5721]

@@FaithY3n u just explained what I said. People just repeat what they are told. That's called brainwashing. People should be able to explain with logical reasoning of what they are saying. Not just repeat what they are told.

[@ianmitchell4682]

A pretty good way to shut up dissenting voices is to demand endless explanations, interrupting with rapid fire questions, and rejecting or ignoring any and all answers with authoritative dismissal. "Spoken like a communist." "Well, that's what the lying media says." "Oh so you just believe everything you read, do you?" and the old standby: "well I don't know about that."

[@TesserId]

9:20 The _BITE_ model of authoritarian control: Behavior control, Information control, Thought control, Emotional control.

[@TesserId]

9:34 A spectrum of ethical influence ranging from informed consent, "where you know up front who the people are, what they [actually] believe, and what is expected..." up to and including "deception, outright lying, withholding vital information or distorting it."

[@TesserId]

10:38 "...you're programmed, 'don't listen to the media; the media is the enemy of the people. Don't talk to apostates; they don't know anything."

[@glytchd]

So basically Wokism.

[@TesserId]

@@glytchd It is in fact present among both Social Justice Warriors (yes, wokism) and members of MAGA. And, it's very tough to be a sane independent thinker when those that profit from the divide pit both sides against the middle.

[@scubasleeve3497]

AKA the democrat model

[@basedelk3195]

This can be definitively come from any type of group. Any political group, religion, sports, anything where people gather. I think everyone is involved in some type of cult, some is more serious then others

[@mountain10]

Family also!!!

[@marypatton1122]

Totally agree. Free will is a myth. We are all programmed and the programming began in childhood. Every influencer is a brainwashed of sorts. There is no escape.

[@patriciabradford4067]

Joining ANY organization requires a level of self denial and stepping away from one’s own knowledge and mind.

[@plant495]

Yes. It also can apply to supposedly "progressive social justice movements" that rail against bigotry. The threat of the accusation of bigotry can deter people from questioning a belief or movement. It can persuade people to not read diverse viewpoints or think critically.

[@lemsip207]

The Labour Party has become a cult now with Starmer as the dictator. Seven MPs had the whip withdrawn for rebelling just once. Not even Blair would do that.

[@itsbetteroutside]

Exjw, also spent time in network marketing. They aren't all bad but even in decent companies anytime you have that combination of trying to motivate a large number of people there's a human tendency to slide into tactics that border on cult techniques. It's vital that people are educated so that they can realize when they're free thinking is being techniqued away from them. Thank you for what you do.

[@mtgwdefender]

Who is here in 9/2024 and is going to share this video to your MAGA fanatic friend, coworker or relative?? 🤔 🤔

[@jcabelair7749]

I'm here in 10/2024 and going to share this with my progressive friends who can't see how the Biden/Harris admin has lied to them at every turn for 3.5 years

[@nickhaa]

It makes sense but I’m also sending it to the Kamala supporters. There is no reason they believe she was adequate to run as a president besides being brainwashed to hate the other side.

[@Funko777]

🙋 Our country is f*cked

[@_Concerned_Citizen_]

sounds like you are the one who should be taking this to heart

[@Oysterwang]

Sadly, I’m here in 11/2024 post election. I know they’ll never watch. I’m trying to be ok with just being on different paths for awhile and hoping they will return someday. Hoping there is an “after”.

[@nanohaffy]

Steve Hassan's work should be shown to EVERYONE, dude 😭

[@plant495]

Dude? Please think critically about sexist language.

[@markrichardson3566]

Thanks Steve for your help, he knows his stuff 🙂

[@Kick_Rocks]

The entire left wing is brainwashed.

[@kevinnelle6208]

You need to show this to the people of Scientology.

[@Tiare619]

Check out the protests

[@thecapitalg]

They're gonna sue Ted 😭

[@kevinnelle6208]

@@Tiare619 I do.

[@matthewstearns289]

Trumptards

[@omegaplumbing]

I hate to say it but we are all brainwashed to a certain extent. We accept realities that suit us. And over time we exchange those views for new chains.

[@nyeahgarner2420]

Selfless servitude is freedom. God loves you

[@DivineLightPaladin]

True, though some are far more dangerous than others. I'm sure liking football is safer than a violent gang for example

[@thestorybehindthat5236]

I disagree. So long as you don't marry your ideas and keep an open mind. We can believe one thing based on the evidence we have at that time, but when new evidence is presented that makes it clear the previous understanding was wrong we should always maintain the ability to change our stance on something. It's when we double down on something when evidence is presented that makes it not add up any longer that's when you have to worry about brain washing being at play.

[@Thagomizer]

All childhood education is indoctrination anyway.

[@gottspeed]

I wish people like him knew how unbearable it is for the minority of us to watch society circle to the toilet because people can't think for themselves.

[@SolidSiren]

What's crazy making is when people you love are brainwashed and say that you are brainwashed because you don't agree with them, and call others sheep, when it is them in fact who exhibits every hallmark of group think, brainwashing, blind regurgitation, confirmation bias and who does no fact checking on anything they see or hear in their bubble of reinforcement.

[@a_diamond]

It's *not* "the minority of us". These folks don't gain control because they are in the majority, but because they can rile up their "in-group" to be so afraid of everyone outside the group that they will act far more extreme.. including voting (or not voting, depending on what group we're talking about here).

[@melissatennis6960]

He does. That's why he's talking about it.

[@dashippo]

Everyone thinks they are thinking for themselves. In my own life, I look at anyone with an "us against them" mentality (in anything) as suspicious...in my mind once you've decided the "otherside" is bad, you're too far gone to bother dealing with.

[@TheEncouragementKid]

fax

[@AntonioVergine]

It is heartwarming to be part of a group. Almost any group. But when the group start saying you that they're the most important thing, or that you should not be so selfish and should sacrifice something, anything, for the group... start being suspicious. And run.

[@TesserId]

1:31 "He was sinless." That's a red flag. Cult leaders tend to have some trait that no reasonable human being could ever be expected to have, and this one sticks out like a sore thumb."

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Yes, and when they practice rituals of eating bodies and drinking blood as in the Communion. They say this before taking Communion: "Take, EAT, this is my BODY and take, DRINK, this is my BLOOD.

[@mehere8038]

Good one! I'm trying to figure out how to respond to an anti-vax indoctrinated person right now, this will work well there too, with her believing vaccines cause huge harm, but the alternative causes zero harm. I think she's too far gone to penetrate, but if there's any sanity left, she should recognise the zero harm = lie

[@One-z6y]

@@mehere8038 You cannot CONvince anyone about anything. They have to come to their own conclusions.

[@basedsigmalifter9482]

@@anonymousjohnson976As God commanded…

[@drebugsita]

This is important. I just wish there was something like this that addressed how parents who are extremely well educated (Ivy League academics) and promote critical thinking can still create dynamics for their children that are essentially a cult. The cognitive dissonance is all the more maddening

[@BadEconomyOfficial]

This sounds like the Megachurch I used to attend: They NEVER said it, but when you went to the Church ⛪️, THEY expected behavior of you: My mind ended up that I was “young” and was expected to love ❤️ Pop Music, Go to College, Behave in a “Millennial” way. Talked to a buddy of mine LONG after I left and he said that that’s what 🧠 Brainwashing is.

[@lemsip207]

They brainwash you by convincing you that you are already brainwashed by the mainstream media. But their brainwashing is even worse.

[@stultusvenator3233]

"Love the uneducated" sound familiar.

[@silvergirl7810]

Actually it’s the higher IQ peeps who tend to be able to rationalize and find themselves on the far right or left of the political spectrums as well as being influenced as they are masterful at convincing themselves about their own beliefs once they have a cause.

[@fernanda-conteudoestrategi9875]

​@@silvergirl7810 very good point

[@fuffoon]

I was a career soldier born into the US Army by my father, a career soldier. I have traveled twice around the world, speak French and German and bits of other languages. The USA, in my experience, has the strongest and most effective propaganda and indoctrination program in existence since the rise of Naziism in the 1930s. No cult has 6000 nuclear weapons to guard and forward their insignificant, on a relative scale, agendas. They affect a few thousand lives as the most. We, the American nation and cult ure (cult ure intentional) have destroyed nations, destroyed cultures, and profited grossly in the name of righteousness. Little is more effective at swaying one's opinion than a gun against the temple. It would be OK if the result wasn't rising inequality, pointless wars, and rising global violence. The excess is visible. Obesity, a home filled with useless objects, and declining satisfaction and happiness regardless of all that came with the American birthright.

[@WarriorBlood777]

Revelation 13...

[@Awesomes007]

That’s one view of part of the US. The US is not monolithic.

[@RichardHarlos]

@@Awesomes007 And your 'one view of part' reply doesn't negate what fuf wrote. The US need not be monolithic to be very bad in some important ways. If you aren't familiar with Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent", I think you would benefit greatly from it. It's freely available online so no excuses :)

[@Bidmartinlo]

I don't understand why actually thinking on your own is just seen as basically so impossible that we don't even humor the idea. Steve is basically saying "Yes, think on your own, but 'educate' yourself or think first about what faction you want to be a part of.", not even acknowledging that even the news and education tell you what you should think. You HAVE to be critical of their sources as well, because the news often lie and education can often be based on facts that are not fully proven.

[@Lettucebe3]

Yup! Operation Mockingbird never ended.

[@abdelrahmanessam9970]

I know that might be a bit off topic, but thanks for helping me leave religion 🙏

[@mikhailyaremkiv]

You're still in a religion.

[@code-52]

​@@mikhailyaremkiv want to explain that comment?

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Hassan’s book, Combating Cult Mind Control, is the best on the subject.

[@jassrab7230]

Yesterday i stopped joining a "bible study" but later on i discovered they were from SHinchonji, i was about to go all in when I found videos online about and and realize that i was slowly being lured in..

[@xDiViNexInfectedx]

Please stay away from all religion related things. It’s just a hoax/trap.

[@jeremysims1597]

Hypnosis baby, congratulations you did good, Study the power of NLP and CBT and how those tactics were used against you, they’ll help you spot anything in everyday life outside of ppl and a great deal with them

[@nyeahgarner2420]

​@@xDiViNexInfectedxThe Bible leads you away from all cults. Everyone has a belief system. Latch on to something you know to be true or someone will offer you "a truth" to believe. Evolution is a cult too, based on lies. Don't pull too hard on those finger cuffs after that last statement.

[@paulishalove5197]

I left About 2 months ago.

[@jassrab7230]

@@paulishalove5197 praise God!

[@donnaandmikesmith7035]

Thank you, Steven! You are helping us!

[@AntonioVergine]

"I don't belong to you" is the most blaspheme phrase you can say, and still, the one that will always save your life.

[@bluemamba5317]

Your Body belongs to Mother Earth. Your Legacy belongs to the World. Your Mind belongs to You.

[@56nickrich]

Steve Hassan is absolutely correct about the cult like practices of almost any organization imaginable and not just religious ones. Science, or the lack of it, is not a consideration by most cultists. They've washed their minds of ideas and embraced group think. Think for yourself.

[@corbettdc]

Everyone has been subjected. Even when you're watching this. It's not magical or mysterious. It just is.

[@anthonymedina5186]

“Inculcation” is the act of being constantly reinforced with the exact same theme, phrase or words; ad nauseam

[@jesussavemetoday975]

Like "safe and effective"

[@BAsed_AFro]

Like "it's a pandemic of the unvaccinated!"?

[@s-c..]

⁠​⁠@@BAsed_AFroLike “plandemic”

[@kristinescozzari3839]

We're in This together. All the public safety commercials through the pandemic set my teeth on edge. It was a clear and obvious technique to obtain compliance.

[@TesserId]

7:39 "...I was trained to do _Thought Stopping_ ..." to shut out external ideas thy mentally reciting: "crush Satan, crush Satan, glory to Heaven, peace on Earth..." So his Father's attempt to present facts only drove him deeper.

[@jmer9126]

THIS is so important for everyone to know

[@lemsip207]

Those videos and articles on combatting anxiety and over thinking encourage thought stopping too.

[@sole__doubt]

The Chinese handcuffs analogy is just beautiful.

[@A20-w8l]

Cults creep me out, it's like someone is sticking their fingers in my brain.

[@RichardHarlos]

What you described is social media. Except that it's been refined over time so that you invite them to stick their fingers into your brain, while being unaware of doing so. It's likely that more people are brainwashed than are willing to consider the possibility, much less recognize it, admit it, and turn around.

[@montanagal6958]

I can answer that question about how do you know if you are brainwashed? You don't question authority, allegiance to blind obedience, end all critical thinking, believe the leader at the top cares about you, advocate your conscience and free will, even if it means take poison. The enemy are always those that resist of course.

[@mehere8038]

Almost everyone does that, the Miligan experiments showed that. Those that don't do that, more often than not, are in fact in cults & following their indoctrination instead. Only group that on mass were not pulled in by the Miligan experiments were Australians, but Australians have their own culture of blind allegiance to mates & believe your mates care for you & it's your duty to care for them in return, even if that harms you, look at Dawn Frazer, accepting a lifetime Olympic ban, cause she was accused of doing something one of her mates actually did & so her "cult" told her, she must therefore just cop it, not dob. Everyone has blind allegiance to something or someone

[@ramaraksha01]

Really? Abraham was ready & willing to MURDER his OWN son! Is that not blind obedience? How many articles, letters have you come across condemning such actions? And how many articles, letters have you come across praising him for "obeying God!"? I would guess the former is 0 and the latter is a lot!

[@Monkey114]

Sounds like Jehovah's witnesses

[@joe-mama6451]

@@ramaraksha01perhaps Abrahamic religions are high demand cults.

[@jeremysims1597]

Thank you, they’ll have others and try to make even you believe that your a revolutionary, troublemaker, occultist, the very thing that are wrong for they’ll accuse you it’s important to know that vowels & contestants have energy, they have designed definitions. in dealing with cults understand tautology tactics/with using the same words as well as the original tactics of tautology. all occultism is narcissistic slavery designed to hunt capture and torture its victims to live a lesser life than what GOD YAH intended them to, we’re given this world we didn’t make it, as an newborn you don’t know what awaits you, ppl go their whole lives not realizing their in a matrix and than there are ones that willingly subscribe to it as a badge of honor

[@michaeljohn7398]

Excellent dissertation on this most important matter. Cheers from Michael. Australia

[@JuanPerez-qg5pp]

I SCAPED FROM JEHOVAHS WITNESS

[@investigator2016]

I escaped from evangelical christianity

[@TejalBhakta]

This video needs more views

[@mreajamorgana]

Problem is we are isolated and have no one to talk to nowhere to go.

[@vapeking466]

It's all by design that way I suspect.

[@v.bosmans]

Lovely! Your voice, the acting, the impeccable costuming...

[@voradorhylden3410]

Faith and patriotism are just another way to say blind submission.

[@Radwabasyoni]

Thank you Steve Lots of informations and facts

[@Melbot103]

I'm free now, but the only thing I feel now is rage. I thought I'd be happier. I see the world in red now. I feel very vengeful.

[@ARFirstRaptor2011]

#1 when it is too good to be true #2 when you analyse with prejudice/bias #3 when it feels unfair #4 when you have not seen consistent evidence #5 when you can't admit you don't know #6 when you believe blindly without any personal experience #7 when you just ignore the opposite side of arguments #8 when you think you know everything #9 when you haven't trained yourself in critical thinking/argument analysis #10 assume what works for you will work for all, without considering how it would be for others, by simply having not caring attitude So on...

[@fourlightsorchestra]

I lost a good friend to Qanon. I don’t know how to try and get her back, or if that’s even possible.

[@thecapitalg]

I've noticed the insane situation in these comments, everyone just calling anything they don't like politically a "cult".

[@OneTheBlue]

Politics have gotten pretty culty in the past several years though. I can think of left and right-wing examples. More on the right at the moment though.

[@dvdrtrgn]

@@OneTheBlue The “sinless” aspect of the cult leader. That sticks out the most. He can never do wrong. He wants to bring you freedom.

[@lemsip207]

​@@OneTheBlueForced teaming and extremism has taken over politics now. If you don't join the trans cult you get written off as right wing even if you aren't. Hardly anyone was talking about the trans agenda up until a decade ago. Now it's an in group signifier.

[@stephanieocamb4012]

One area I think needs to be addressed is wellness cults. (I say this with not only an undergraduate degree in wellness, but also as a graduate student in exercise and sport science) Food Babe is a maligiant cult leader, even refers to her followers as her 'food babe army'

[@glenbateman5960]

If you are still capable of wondering whether or not you are brainwashed, you are not. Yet...

[@iordanneDiogeneslucas]

If you think you arent brainwashed, you are completely brainwashed.

[@ld6782]

I would say one of my most deep seated fears is being under the influence of another party.

[@brett22bt]

WAKE UP MAGA.

[@owdeezstrauz]

We're plenty awake 🤣

[@brett22bt]

@@owdeezstrauz That's what Scientologists say as well.

[@Anony-mass]

As long as you aren't suggesting brainwashing them the other way is what will help.

[@kristinthomsen3175]

But my friends in the church spend their unplugged time reading scripture or praying, so they never unplug.

[@littlewoodchopper2659]

That's what they want us unplugged from, our Creator.

[@kristinthomsen3175]

you miss the point. Making you spend 100% of your time only engrossed in them, is brainwashing. I am a Christian and know that God wants us to think for ourselves and engage in the world with love, not judgement. Unfortunately, we are becoming a nation full of c.hristians who do not follow the gospel of love but hate because they are being brainwashed to do so.@@littlewoodchopper2659

[@PureMagma]

Brilliant explanation.

[@TesserId]

4:03 "So, I was away from the constant indoctrination. ... I called my Sister... I actually _broke a rule..._ " Not allowed to contact certain people.

[@anonymousjohnson976]

Yes, it is a cult if they tell the members to shun certain other people.

[@TesserId]

@@anonymousjohnson976 Yeah. This video gave me a reason to start a new list of easily identifiable cult traits, and that's the one that went on the list first. ~~~ Years ago, a woman gave me a theoretical article on what constituted a cult. She wanted me to testify against her husband in their divorce on the claim that he was a cult leader. So, I asked a lawyer if there was a legal definition of what constituted a cult. The lawyer said there was no such definition. ~~~ Now consider the role of lawyers in the fact that Shelly Miscavige has not been seen in public since about 2006. I'm open to suggestions on how that should show up on this new list.

[@fukai-sama]

@Tesseld. I'm guessing you were once a *Jehovah's witness* *Declarer of good news to the unrighteous* It's just a guess, please do ignore my comment if I'm wrong.

[@mistsister]

"In a world where you can be anything, be kind." Me and my siblings were raised by an undiagnosed mentally ill woman who was our family cult leader. She is now a major supporter of a popular political nationalist group, still undiagnosed, still destroying lives wherever she goes, and we are all struggling to make it in the world. Being raised from birth in a cult is a very rare situation. We were so isolated, were never properly socialized. We are all autistic but high functioning, so people expect us to be normal but get really confused when we can't be. All we can do is stay on the fringe of society to keep from weirding people out and blaming ourselves harshly for not being able to "be normal." I've been through years of therapy, but so few therapists are trained in cult brainwashing because it's so novel a condition, so there are parts such as learned helplessness, self-abuse and hypervigilance that i can't overcome without the proper help. I am seeking disability, but when i see a doctor my brainwashing kicks in and i have to act like nothing is wrong with me, because dire things would happen to us if we didn't pretend to be perfect in the presence of someone of authority. We are all students of psychology who broke the cycle of abuse, and our kids are our best friends. But the older we get the more pronounced the inability to function around people. And no one but us and those who love us understand. So next time you meet someone strange, know that they may very well be fighting for their sanity with every breath.

[@laramonroe3363]

I could have listened to him talk for another hour.

[@chillonfunsmart4929]

If you have no humility you can't see truth.

[@christopherterry7776]

Critical Thinking has been under attack for quite some time. Kinda applies to the education system too.

[@regal360com]

Realize that this applies to all religions.

[@user-wu8sj3ee3d]

“Only I can save America” -Donald Trump And they believed him.

[@megaultradamn]

The other option didn't give most people hope. If he's as bad as they say he is, the opposing party should've picked a better candidate.

[@RyanKittleson]

These are great steps to follow. maybe an even better litmus test for if you're brainwashed is "Do I feel an intense aversion to following these steps?"

[@seanmurphy1704]

I had never heard of the moonies before, sounds like an awesome movement, will now dedicate my remaining time on earth to them, thanks.

[@geestar7190]

MAGA Trump making himself as a god

[@RustOnWheels]

Disconnect doesn’t help. The GOP controls your church, it controls Talk Radio, it controls the “News” media at every diner. It is not possible to disconnect in America.

[@TesserId]

1:03 "Yes, I grew up 1.3 miles from Cult 45... D.T." Had to think that through.

[@adrianajs8520]

Could you explain that to me, please?

[@gigiarmany]

@@adrianajs8520 Donald Trump 45 th President of USA

[@adrianajs8520]

@@gigiarmany 🤦Thank you!

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

@@adrianajs8520it’s also a play on words, “Colt .45” is a gun

[@blahblahblah9092]

Strange how he can't see himself in another cult called TDS.

[@f1nch1312]

One of the things im most grateful for but is also a double edged sword as a neurodivergent person is that i question everything and have little interest in social hierarchy and find it unnatural. I also have a high sensitivity to hypocrisy and Injustice which is currently debilitating most of the time.

[@malisworld]

I teared up reading this because I'm exactly the same way and I feel so much less alone now!💛

[@vapeking466]

The feeling alone is all by design I suspect. The elites want us divided. Easier to manipulate us that way.

[@Meandmymirror]

I wonder what “types” of people end up in cults? Is trauma in childhood a factor?

[@mikebrown9850]

Everyone on the planet were given the opportunity to witness or participate in Global Mass Formation Psychosis about four years ago. I did my best to inform those in my circle of what was actually happening without alienating friends and relatives. I discovered that propaganda was not so much about individual brainwashing, but more about the peer pressure of not following along with the herd (to the slaughter).

[@1972danhall]

I have to tell you, you are brainwashed. COVID was a pandemic. I was working in Tanzania and their president was accomplishing many great improvements. He was extremely religious and told the country that COVID didn’t exist. He had mass gatherings to pray. It devastated the country and he eventually died of COVID. Trump knew how dangerous it was, he told Woodward. Trump refused to wear a mask because his face makeup wore off on it. If Trump had told the truth and told his cult followers to wear a mask, it would have saved hundreds of thousands of people.

[@AlbertBalbastreMorte]

Do you mean covid?

[@akatsukiawsome13]

Dingdingding….

[@liveacousticsound]

Not sure if it was peer pressure. It think the answer lies somewhere in a people’s fear of being lied to and manipulated by institutions, like “The Government”. The thought being, the government is trying to deceive and control the population. I think people have a deep-seated fear and insecurity of this type of control, and if you get enough people who think the same thing, then it will support and strengthen their delusional thinking. Overall, I have a hard time nailing down exactly why people can be so easily brainwashed.

[@BreakingGaia]

This is why dictators come for neurodivergents first. They are so much harder to brainwash...they literally have to walk into it willingly.

[@jamg6311]

Americans don't even know what America is...

[@batliff]

When someone tells you what to think, instead of giving a choice (opposing/multiple viewpoints) of what to believe. You are being brainwashed. 0:28

[@upgrade1015]

Before taking a hard stance on anything I study both sides until I see the points made on each side . I measure my decisions properly

[@m0L3ify]

I was in a diet cult once. Their goal was of course to get money, but the leader also convinced people it wasn't safe to stay at their jobs, and they'd quit and become her part-time employees. They used constant reinforcement through multiple daily repetitive writing exercises and 15 hours of online meetings a day where we weren't allowed to talk to each other, only the facilitators. After just a week and a half, I woke up one morning and discovered I didn't feel like I could question their authority, and it was an instant red flag that something was wrong, so I quit. I'm really glad I was already educated enough in psychology to be able to pull myself out right away, because I definitely wasn't nearly as savvy in the past and probably would have stayed far too long and gained nothing in return.