Thought Reform?


Thought reform or mind control seems like something that only happens in a movie or a novel, but it is prevalent in our society today. One only has to look as far as the Catholic Church to find victims of spiritual abuse. While the stories of altar boys molested by priests have made headlines, countless victims are still suffering in silence. Whenever there is a power imbalance in a relationship, there is a danger that the person who holds more authority will abuse his or her power. It can occur on a large scale as with the Unification Church (the Moonies) or in smaller groups such as Heaven's Gate (39 members) or even in one-on-one relationships such as a priest and parishioner or a professor and a student. Victims of mind control are not crazy cult followers. They are people like me and you who have fallen into a trap set by a predatory leader. In my experience, the trap was built with trust and words and compassion which lured me into thinking that I was safe until it snapped down on me. Victims of mind control are robbed of time. Sometimes years or decades are lost while in the group or relationship. Victims of mind control lose family and friends. Most are told to end contact with outsiders. Many who are able to return to their families find the relationships fractured. Victims of mind control lose their identities. It's difficult to know who you are after being told by someone else how to feel, how to dress, how to act. It's one of the darkest and most frightening feelings in the world. There are very few facilities that treat these victims or therapists who are equipped to handle these cases. It makes for a long, lonely journey for these victims. Compassionate understanding and education by society is lacking. This novel is dedicated to raising awareness and giving a face to victims of mind control.

1. Every person should have the right to his or her own thoughts, ideology, and identity.

2. Thought reform does not simply exist in cults that are on the news. It can occur in one-on-one relationships and in small groups in your neighborhood

3. In any situation where there is an imbalance of power (priest/parishioner, therapist/client), there is potential for abuse.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

First Review is out!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating and Compelling Look into a Soul Overflowing With Pain, February 20, 2012
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Lunch with a Sociopath (Kindle Edition)
This is not the kind of book anyone would enjoy, but it isn't meant to be. However, Ms. Pawlak is a fantastic writer who is amazingly able to put very difficult feelings and thoughts into words. She is incredibly candid. I read this book in three days because I couldn't put it down. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. I lost sleep over it. This book's intended purpose is to help those people who are suffering or have suffered spiritual abuse and will fulfill it very well. I also believe that it will help the friends and loved ones of these victims, not because it can tell them how to help, but because it will allow them to see inside the mind and soul of someone who is enduring this kind of trauma and will help them to understand what is happening--it did for me. At some point, if she is able, Ms. Pawlak should look for more opportunities to raise awareness of this problem.

Some of the proceeds of this book will be donated to Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, a clinic that specializes in helping victims of spiritual abuse.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    Ditto.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lily FintanFebruary 28, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    Thank you, Ditto Boy! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 24, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Dear Lucie,
    Read your book and I'm so proud of you. Love your family so much. Come see us when you come home for summer vacation.
    God Bless.
    Love,
    Dottie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lily FintanMarch 26, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    Thank you, Dottie! Love you too!

    ReplyDelete

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