Twisted Scriptures: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:33, 8 January 2012

Revision as of 01:20, 11 May 2012

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{{ infobox Book

| name = Twisted Scriptures

| title_orig =

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| 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 [[mind control]]. The book was first published 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>

==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]]'' called her a "leading [[cult deprogrammer]]",<ref name="chapter">{{cite news | last =Witowski | first =Michelle K. | title =Chapter Formed | work =[[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 Detectievs 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 Religion Editor) | 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" />

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==Reception==

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. |___location=[[Winnipeg]], [[Manitoba]], [[Canada]] | 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 =22| isbn = 07151410900-7151-4109-0}}</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 =07432844370-7432-8443-7 }}</ref> ''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 =08308157080-8308-1570-8 }}</ref> and ''The NIV Application Commentary'' published by [[Zondervan]].<ref>{{cite book | last =Smith | first =Gary V. | title =The NIV Application Commentary: Hosea, Amos, Micah | publisher =[[Zondervan]] | year =2001 | page =91 | isbn =03102061460-310-20614-6 }}</ref>

==See also==