- Twisted Scriptures
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Twisted Scriptures 
Book coverAuthor(s) Mary Alice Chrnalogar Country United States Language English Subject(s) Mind control, cults, new religious movements Genre(s) Non-fiction Publisher Zondervan Publication date 1997 Pages 304 ISBN 0310234085 OCLC Number 36990972 Dewey Decimal 262/.8 21 LC Classification BV4520 .C58 2000 Twisted Scriptures: Breaking Free from Churches That Abuse (first edition Twisted Scriptures: A Path to Freedom from Abusive Churches) is a non-fiction book by Mary Alice Chrnalogar, published by Zondervan. Chrnalogar instructs readers on how to determine if a religious group is manipulative or abusive, and describes techniques of mind control. The book was first published in 1997 by publishers Whitaker House and Control Techniques,[1][2] and republished in 2000 by Zondervan.[3] A Spanish language edition was published in 2006 by Vida.[4]
Contents
Author
Chrnalogar is a former member of a cult.[5] The Post-Tribune called her a "leading cult deprogrammer",[6] What Magazine referred to her as "an exit counselor and an internationally recognized deprogrammer",[7] and she was described on CTV Television Network as "an expert in Christian cults".[8] The Yearbook of Experts described Chrnalogar as "an internationally renowned cult deprogrammer".[9] She began her work as a cult deprogrammer in 1980.[10] She operates a business, Freedom From Manipulation, and works with individuals in the United States to assist them to leave cults or manipulative religious groups.[11] In 2006 she resided in Tennessee.[12]
Chrnalogar was a member of Church Universal and Triumphant, a group she describes as "an abusive New Age church".[11] She first encountered the organization's leader, Elizabeth Clare Prophet or "Guru Ma", in 1979.[13] She experienced a personality change, and was deprogrammed by Ted Patrick.[13] Chrnalogar said that "I was so fascinated that someone could change my mind in 24 hours that I asked him if I could go on some jobs with him," and after that she became a deprogrammer.[13]
Contents
Twisted Scriptures has an intended audience of people stuck in manipulative religious organizations.[7] Chrnalogar writes that some churches manipulate text of the Bible to coerce followers.[11] She describes how individuals can be subjected to mind control in order to become obedient to a religious movement.[11] Readers are instructed to be able to determine how to notice if a church is manipulating the Scriptures or using abusive tactics.[11] "Discipleship control is worse than having a domineering mother who tells you whom to marry!. You usually will be viewed as 'going against God' if you act in opposition to the advice of your discipler, but seen only as a headstrong child if you go against the wishes of your mother," writes Chrnalogar in the book.[7] Chrnalogar points out that mind control can be practiced without severe tactics, writing: "All that's needed is an environment where the information can be controlled, and more importantly, the way people perceive that information."[14] She cites mind control characteristics identified by Robert Jay Lifton, and asserts that only six of his "psychological themes" are required in order to manipulate followers in a cult.[14]
Reception
Michelle K. Witowski of the Post-Tribune characterized Twisted Scriptures as "a book designed to free cult victims".[6] Leslie Malkin reviewed the book for What Magazine, and commented: "Through the questioning of authority, putting biblical scriptures back into context and restoration of critical thinking, Chrnalogar also shows readers how to find the path to freedom."[7] The Cult Awareness and Information Centre described the book as "valuable both as a self-help guide and as a tool for families and friends to free loved ones from destructive groups."[15] Consultant on cults Rick Ross commented, "Within her book Chrnalogar examines in depth how destructive groups can manipulate the bible."[16] Cult Information Services of Northeast Ohio called the book "A valuable 'do it yourself' approach to breaking the grip of a controlling church or discipling relationship."[17] Twisted Scriptures is used as a reference in books including the House of Bishops book Promoting a Safe Church: Policy for Safeguarding Adults in the Church of England,[18] American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America published by Free Press,[19] Reframing Paul: Conversations in Grace & Community published by Inter-Varsity Press,[20] and The NIV Application Commentary published by Zondervan.[21]
See also
References
- ^ OCLC 37902365
- ^ OCLC 36990972
- ^ OCLC 43951980
- ^ Chrnalogar, Mary Alice (2006). Escrituras Torcidas. Vida. ISBN 0829745041.
- ^ Lincoln Journal Star staff (March 21, 1998). "Values briefs". Lincoln Journal Star: p. D1.
- ^ a b Witowski, Michelle K. (November 14, 1998). "Chapter Formed". Post-Tribune: p. D1.
- ^ a b c d Malkin, Leslie (September-October 1998). "Twisted scriptures: a path to freedom from abusive churches". What Magazine (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: What! Publishers Inc.) 12 (4): 59. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-30441400.html.
- ^ Robertson, Lloyd (October 28, 2006). "The Pied Piper". W-FIVE (CTV Television Network).
- ^ Davis, Mitchell P (1997). The Yearbook of Experts, Authorities & Spokespersons: An Encyclopedia of Sources. Broadcast Interview Source. p. 34, Edition: 16. ISBN 0934333300.
- ^ Garrison, Greg (September 19, 1997). "Defenders of the Faith: Doctrine Detectievs Scour the Writings of Other Religions, Determined to Expose Those That Stray From Orthodox Christian Belief". Birmingham News: p. 1.
- ^ a b c d e Honey, Charles (Press Religion Editor) (August 5, 2000). "Issues of control found in cults and mainline groups, author says - Mary Alice Chrnalogar says ministers often exercise unhealthy control over church members". The Grand Rapids Press: p. B5.
- ^ Morse, Paul (August 31, 2006). "Woman disappeared for 10 days: Family members charged with kidnapping in alleged effort to deprogram 'cult' victim". The Hamilton Spectator.
- ^ a b c Holmes, Kristin (September 24, 1994). "Christianity, Cults and Mind Control Converge at Conference: The Event Here Drew Members of Evangelical and Secular Counter-Cult Groups. They Came Bearing Some Very Different Ideas.". The Philadelphia Inquirer: p. B03.
- ^ a b Wong, Catherine (Summer / Fall, 1999). "St. Thomas on Deprogramming: Is It Justifiable?". The Catholic Lawyer (The St. Thomas More Institute for Legal Research of St. John's University School of Law) 39 (81): Footnotes: n86. "Deprogrammer Mary Alice Chrnalogar notes that mind control does not require extreme measures. She asserts: "All that's needed is an environment where the information can be controlled, and more importantly, the way people perceive that information." Mary Alice Chrnalogar, Twisted Scriptures 189 (1997). She explains that the existence of as few as six of Lifton's "psychological themes" are sufficient to exert control over cult members."
- ^ "Twisted Scriptures -A Path To Freedom from Abusive Churches". Cult Help and Information (Cult Awareness and Information Centre). 2009. http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=763&Itemid=8. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ^ Ross, Rick (December 5, 2002). "A Family cult?". Cult News (The Ross Institute Internet Archives). http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=62. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- ^ "Twisted Scriptures: A Path to Freedom from Abusive Churches". CISNEO: Book Reviews (Akron, Ohio: Cult Information Services of Northeast Ohio, Inc. (CISNEO)). 2009. http://www.cisneoinc.org/reviews.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- ^ House of Bishops (2006). Promoting a Safe Church: Policy for Safeguarding Adults in the Church of England. Church House Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 0715141090.
- ^ Hedges, Chris (2006). American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America. Free Press. p. 224. ISBN 0743284437.
- ^ Strom, Mark (2000). Reframing Paul: Conversations in Grace & Community. Inter-Varsity Press. p. 246. ISBN 0830815708.
- ^ Smith, Gary V. (2001). The NIV Application Commentary: Hosea, Amos, Micah. Zondervan. p. 91. ISBN 0310206146.
Further reading
- "The 'Right Channels'". We Survived Abuse (jamesfive19.com). October 30, 2006. http://jamesfive19.com/blog/?p=90. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
- "Can you spot an Abusive Leader?". The Spitting Image Church (www.spittingimagechurch.org). 2004. http://www.spittingimagechurch.org/main/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=27. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- "Dysfunctional Churches?". The Apologetic Response (www.theapologeticresponse.org). February 20, 2006. http://www.theapologeticresponse.org/?p=176. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
External links
- Twisted Scriptures, info at Zondervan
- Twisted Scriptures, info at FACTnet
Categories:- Non-fiction books
- 1997 books
- Cult-related books
- Books about mind control
- 1997 in religion
- Zondervan books
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