Myth of the Evil Eye(Ontario Report)

True Conversions

Study of Mind Development Groups, Sects and Cults in Ontario

PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
DEFINITIONS
THE PHENOMENON
DEPROGRAMMING
THE DEBATE

The Case Against Critics
     Fear Breeds Intolerance
     The Brainwashing Myth
     Deny Hypnotism and Brainwashing
     Practices of Older Religions
     Myth of the Evil Eye
     True Conversions
     The Myth of Unhealthy Heresies
     The Myth of Deception
     The Myth of Subversion
     The Movements as Victims
     Social Benefactors
ONTARIO
RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSIONS

Groups insist there is no scientifically valid evidence to support allegations of brainwashing or hypnosis. However, they contend evidence exists that members undergo true conversions. Judah purported yo demonstrate this. He said the first step in brainwashing, the breaking down of the recruit's beliefs and identifications, was not a factor in conversions among members of several major religious movements he surveyed. Converts had been dissatisfied with their cultur and its religions and disaffected from former associations before joining their movements. They were seeking alternatives and, Judah argued, their entry into their movements must be considered religous conversion. "Their most common testimony," said Judah, "was concerning the lack of purpose and direction in their lives they had experienced before their conversion, and how their conversion gave new meaning to life."

Similarly, most members of various groups in Ontario interviewed by the study said they had come to their movements seeking answers to problems and a more satisfying life-style. About half of them were searching specifically for spiritual experiences.

Many observers and the groups themselves note that most movements, even those reputed to encapsulate members most effectively, have a constant flow of incoming recuits and outgoing drop outs. They say this would suggest that whatever the groups do, which might reflect elements of brainwashing, is not intense. Additionally, though, a significant proportion of those who initially attend a movement's meeting never end up joining. Dr. Glaser of the Addiction Research Foundation said he recalled a research report that suggest only four per cent of those who attended an international religious movement's weeken retreats continued with the group. "That's not very good brainwashing," he said.

History is mottled with religious persecutions based on the belief that members of the hated group are bound to it by evil powers beyond their control.

For a society that professes libertarian values, notions of mind control are an ideal libertarian rationale for the suppression of unpopular social movements and beliefs

Utilizing this rationale, one can apply pressure to religious and political movements and even subject their adherents to forcible confinement and counter-indoctrination without conceding any intention of suppressing a point of view.