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''Twisted Scriptures'' has an intended audience of people stuck in manipulative religious organizations.<ref name="malkin" /> Chrnalogar writes that some churches manipulate text of the Bible to [[coercive persuasion|coerce]] followers.<ref name="honey" /> She describes how individuals can be subjected to [[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 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."<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, 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]]'' 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>
==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]] | year =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]] | year =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 = 0-7151-4109-0}}</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 =0-7432-8443-7 }}</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 =0-8308-1570-8 }}</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 =0-310-20614-6 }}</ref>
{{Portal|Books|Religion}}
==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, and Sects}}
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