Twisted Scriptures: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|1997 non-fiction book by Mary Alice Chrnalogar}}

{{ infobox Book

{{Italic title}}

{{ infobox Bookbook

| name = Twisted Scriptures

| title_orig =

| translator =

| image = [[File:Twisted Scriptures.jpg|150px]]

| image_captioncaption = Book cover

| author = Mary Alice Chrnalogar

| illustrator =

| cover_artist =

| country = [[United States]]

| language = [[English language|English]]

| series =

| subject = [[Brainwashing|Mind control]], [[cult]]s, [[new religious movement]]s

| genre = [[Non-fiction]]

| publisher = [[Zondervan]]

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| media_type =

| pages = 304

| isbn = 03102340850-310-23408-5

| dewey= 262/.8 21

| congress= BV4520 .C58 2000

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}}

'''''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 [[Psychological manipulation|manipulative]] or abusive, and describes techniques of [[Brainwashing|mind control]]. The book was first pubilshedpublished in 1997 by publishers Whitaker House and Control Techniques,<ref>{{oclc|37902365}}</ref><ref>{{oclc|36990972}}</ref> and republished in 2000 by [[Zondervan]].<ref>{{oclc|43951980}}</ref> A [[Spanish language]] edition was published in 2006 by Vida.<ref>{{cite book | last =Chrnalogar | first =Mary Alice | title =Escrituras Torcidas | publisher =Vida | year =2006 | isbn = 08297450410-8297-4504-1}}</ref> The book was positively received in reviews. ''[[Midwest Book Review]]'' characterized the book as "invaluable as a self-help guide",<ref name="midwest" /> the ''[[Post-Tribune]]'' called it "a book designed to free cult victims"<ref name="chapter" /> and ''What Magazine'' wrote that it "shows readers how to find the path to freedom".<ref name="malkin" />

==Author==

Chrnalogar is a former member of a [[cult]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Lincoln Journal Star staff | title =Values briefs | work =[[Lincoln Journal Star]] | page =D1 | date =March 21, 1998 }}</ref> The ''[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]]'' called her as a "leading [[cult deprogrammer]]",<ref name="chapter">{{cite news | last =Witowski | first =Michelle K. | title =Chapter Formed | work =[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]] | page =D1 | date =November 14, 1998 }}</ref> ''What Magazine'' referred to her as "an exit counselor and an internationally recognized deprogrammer",<ref name="malkin" /> and she was described on [[CTV Television Network]] as "an expert in Christian cults".<ref>{{cite news | last =Robertson | first =Lloyd | title =The Pied Piper | work = W-FIVE | publisher =[[CTV Television Network]] | date =October 28, 2006 }}</ref> ''The Yearbook of Experts'' described Chrnalogar as "an internationally renowned cult deprogrammer".<ref>{{cite book | last =Davis | first = Mitchell P | title =The Yearbook of Experts, Authorities & Spokespersons: An Encyclopedia of Sources | publisher =Broadcast Interview Source | year =1997 | page =34, Edition: 16 | isbn =09343333000-934333-30-0 }}</ref> She began her work as a cult [[deprogrammer]] in 1980.<ref>{{cite news | last =Garrison | first = Greg | title =Defenders of the Faith: Doctrine DetectievsDetectives Scour the Writings of Other Religions, Determined to Expose Those That Stray From Orthodox Christian Belief | work =Birmingham News | page =1 | date =September 19, 1997 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="honey">{{cite news | last =Honey | first =Charles (Press|date=August Religion Editor)5, 2000 | title =Issues of control found in cults and mainline groups, author says - Mary Alice Chrnalogar says ministers often exercise unhealthy control over church members | work =[[The Grand Rapids Press]] | page =B5 | date =August 5, 2000 }}</ref> In 2006 she resided in [[Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite news | last =Morse | first = Paul | title =Woman disappeared for 10 days: Family members charged with kidnapping in alleged effort to deprogram 'cult' victim | work =[[The Hamilton Spectator]] | date =August 31, 2006 }}</ref>

Chrnalogar was a member of [[Church Universal and Triumphant]], a group she describes as "an abusive New Age church".<ref name="honey" /> She first encountered the organization's leader, [[Elizabeth Clare Prophet]] or "Guru Ma", in 1979.<ref name="holmes">{{cite news | last =Holmes | first =Kristin | title =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. | work =[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] | page =B03 | date =September 24, 1994 }}</ref> She experienced a personality change, and was deprogrammed by [[Ted Patrick]].<ref name="holmes" /> 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.<ref name="holmes" />

==Contents==

''Twisted Scriptures'' has an intended audience of people stuck in manipulative religious organizations.<ref name="malkin" /> Chrnalogar assertswrites that some churches manipulate text of the Bible to [[coercive persuasion|coerce]] followers.<ref name="honey" /> She describes how individuals can be subjected to [[Brainwashing|mind control]] in order to become obedient to a religious movement.<ref name="honey" /> Readers are instructed to be able to determine how to notice if a church is manipulating the Scriptures or using abusive tactics.<ref name="honey" /> "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.<ref name="malkin" /> Chrnalogar points out that mind control doescan notbe need to occur onlypracticed withwithout 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."<ref name="wong">{{cite journal | last =Wong | first =Catherine | title =St. Thomas on Deprogramming: Is It Justifiable? | journal =The Catholic Lawyer | volume =39 | issue =81|page=Footnotes: n86 | publisher =The St. Thomas More Institute for Legal Research of [[St. John's University School of Law]] | date =Summer / Fall,Summer–Fall 1999 |quote=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.}}</ref> 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.<ref name="wong" />

Michelle K. Witowski of the ''[[Post-Tribune (Indiana newspaper)|Post-Tribune]]'' characterized ''Twisted Scriptures'' as "a book designed to free cult victims".<ref name="chapter" /> 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."<ref name="malkin">{{cite journal | last =Malkin | first =Leslie | title = Twisted scriptures: a path to freedom from abusive churches | journal =What Magazine | volume =12 | issue =4 | pages =59 | publisher =What! Publishers Inc. |___location=[[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], Canada | date =September–October 1998|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-30441400.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102174020/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-30441400.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-02 }}</ref>

==Reception==

''[[Midwest Book Review]]'' wrote, "Twisted Scriptures is invaluable as a self-help guide and as a tool for families and friends to free loved ones from destructive groups."<ref name="midwest">{{cite news | title =Twisted Scriptures: A Path to Freedom from Abusive Churches | work =[[Midwest Book Review]] | publisher =[[Amazon.com|Amazon.com, Inc.]] | date =1997 | url =http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Scriptures-Freedom-Abusive-Churches/dp/0964958805 | accessdate =2009-12-09 }}</ref> Michelle K. Witowski of the ''[[Post-Tribune]]'' characterized ''Twisted Scriptures'' as "a book designed to free cult victims".<ref name="chapter" /> 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."<ref name="malkin">{{cite journal | last =Malkin | first =Leslie | title = Twisted scriptures: a path to freedom from abusive churches | journal =What Magazine | volume =12 | issue =4 | pages =59 | publisher =What! Publishers Inc. | date =September-October 1998|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-30441400.html }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | title =Twisted Scriptures -A Path To Freedom from Abusive Churches | work =Cult Help and Information | publisher =[[Cult Awareness and Information Centre]] | date =2009 | url =http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=763&Itemid=8 | accessdate = 2009-12-08 }}</ref> Consultant on cults [[Rick Ross (consultant)|Rick Ross]] commented, "Within her book Chrnalogar examines in depth how destructive groups can manipulate the bible."<ref>{{cite news | last =Ross | first =Rick|authorlink=Rick Ross (consultant) | title =A Family cult? | work =Cult News | publisher =The Ross Institute Internet Archives | date =December 5, 2002 | url =http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=62 | accessdate = 2009-12-09}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite news | title =Twisted Scriptures: A Path to Freedom from Abusive Churches | work =CISNEO: Book Reviews | publisher = Cult Information Services of Northeast Ohio, Inc. (CISNEO) |___location=[[Akron, Ohio]] | date =2009 | url =http://www.cisneoinc.org/reviews.htm | accessdate =2009-12-09 }}</ref> ''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'',<ref>{{cite book | last =[[House of Bishops]] | title =Promoting a Safe Church: Policy for Safeguarding Adults in the Church of England | publisher =Church House Publishing | year =2006 | page =Notes | isbn = 0715141090}}</ref> ''American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America'' published by [[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]],<ref>{{cite book | last =Hedges | first =Chris | title =American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America | publisher =[[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]] | year =2006 | page =224 | isbn =0743284437 }}</ref> and ''Reframing Paul: Conversations in Grace & Community'' published by [[Inter-Varsity Press]].<ref>{{cite book | last =Strom | first =Mark | title =Reframing Paul: Conversations in Grace & Community | publisher =[[Inter-Varsity Press]] | year =2000 | page =246 | isbn =0830815708 }}</ref>

{{Portal|Books|Religion}}

==See also==

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*[[Anti-cult movement]]

*[[Christian new religious movement]]

*''[[Combatting Cult Mind Control]]''

*''[[Cults in Our Midst]]''

*[[Deprogramming]]

*[[Opposition to cults and new religious movements]]

==References==

{{reflistReflist|2}}

==Further reading==

*{{cite news | title =TheCan 'Rightyou spot an Abusive Leader? Channels' | work =WeThe SurvivedSpitting AbuseImage Church | publisher =jamesfive19www.comspittingimagechurch.org | dateyear =October 30, 20062004 | url =http://jamesfive19www.comspittingimagechurch.org/blogmain/index.php?poption=content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=9027 | accessdate = 20092008-12-09 }}

*{{cite news | title =Can you spot an AbusiveDysfunctional LeaderChurches? | work =The SpittingApologetic Image ChurchResponse | publisher =www.spittingimagechurchtheapologeticresponse.org | date =2004February 20, 2006 | url =http://www.spittingimagechurchtheapologeticresponse.org/main/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=4&Itemidp=27176 | accessdate = 20082009-12-09 }}

*{{cite news | title =Dysfunctional Churches? | work =The Apologetic Response | publisher =www.theapologeticresponse.org | date =

February 20, 2006 | url =http://www.theapologeticresponse.org/?p=176 | accessdate = 2009-12-09 }}

==External links==

*[http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310234081&QueryStringSite=Zondervan Twisted Scriptures], info at [[Zondervan]]

*[http://www.factnet.org/Purchase_Books/Twisted_Scriptures.htm Twisted Scriptures], info at [[FACTnet]]

{{New Religious Movements}}

{{cults}}

[[Category:Non-fiction books]]

[[Category:1997 non-fiction books]]

[[Category:CultChristian countercult movement-related books]]

[[Category:BooksZondervan about mind controlbooks]]