Twisted Scriptures by Mary Alice Chrnalogar

Introduction

This is important! This book is designed to restore a loved one's ability to think without being unduly influenced by a particular group. For many, this book will break the psychological control exerted by an abusive discipling relationship or controlling church. That is why there is overlapping of information and repetition of ideas. The victim's strongly biased mind needs this repetition if family, friends, or therapists are to be successful in restoring objectivity.

You may be reading this now because someone close to you suspects you are being hurt, rather than helped, by your discipling relationship. It is normal to feel somewhat defensive or resentful when questioned about the possibility of abuse in our own churches or ministries. Remember, the Apostle Paul tells us, "examine everything carefully" (1 Thess. 5:21). I am not asking you to accept my opinion about your church or group. Instead, evaluate what is happening to you and around you. After reading this book, you should be able to decide for yourself if there is reason to be concerned.

Friends and family: If you have a loved one caught up in what you suspect is a controlling ministry, collect information about the group, then ask the victim to read this book from cover to cover, use the checklists at the end of each chapter as a starting point for conversation. Finally, discuss the information with him or her away from the group and with former members if possible.

Freedom exists through discipline and obedience -- obedience not to yourself or another human, but to God. Many disciples think they are being taught the right way of obedience; but they are deceived into giving up their desires, wishes, and goals for those of another mortal being -- their discipler.

From the Back Cover

You joined your church because of it's intensity for God. Like no other place, it's helped you discover the meaning of obedience, of teachableness, of death to self. If there is one problem, it's the confusion that sometimes comes from your own carnal thinking. But God has given you leaders who can lovingly correct a doubting independent spirit and help you choose God's best for your life.

How can you go wrong with a church like that? Easily. What you just read actually fits the profile of many abusive churches. Twisted Scriptures reveals in depth how the Bible can be distorted in ways that rob you of the liberty Jesus died to give you. You might be shocked at what you discover.

This book uncovers the subtle but powerful techniques by which, in the name of truth, controlling leaders manipulate and intimidate countless believers. It also supplies tools for overcoming persuasive, deceptive teachings and practices.

Thousands of Christians have already moved from struggle to true freedom and hope through Twisted Scriptures. If you truly want to grow in everything God made you to be, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

"I did not realize I was in an abusive ministry until I read Twisted Scriptures. I thought the author had followed me around for sixteen years when she wrote this book. It is so accurate." -- former "disciple," Dallas, Texas

"This is controversial...many sheep will be told not to read it. Anyone told this should read it immediately. This is an important book -- not only to help victims break out of bondage but every pastor should be required to read it." -- Edward J. Green, Ph.D., Guerry Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Tennessee

About the Author

Mary Alice Chrnalogar, a dedicated Christian, has spent more than nineteen years working to rescue victims who are extremely controlled by leaders or destructive groups. Miss Chrnalogar is a respected international consultant in the field of cult education and has assisted with family interventions throughout the United States as well as in Australia, Canada, France, Israel, and Spain.

Her extensive work with those injured by mind control gives her a valuable insight into the thinking of these misguided persons and knowledge of how they keep themselves from thinking critically and objectively. This book is the foundation of the unique program Miss Chrnalogar uses to break the excessive and improper influences of leaders and abusive discipleship.

Miss Chrnaloger states, "It is one of my greatest joys to receive phone calls weekly from individuals who are so grateful to me for writing this book because the information freed them from an unhealthy church. My favourite thank-you was a message sent to me by an ordained minister. He wrote, 'Chrnaloger's book was a god-send to me. I left an abusive system five years ago but her book has given my life new meaning. The Scriptures that used to haunt me no longer do because Miss Chrnaloger places them in the correct context.'"

The author comments, "My greatest happiness in life is knowing that many will be healed after they read this book that the Lord inspired in my heart."

Chapter Titles Include:

Ch. 1 - The Discipleship Game

Ch. 2 - The Discipleship Disaster

Ch. 3 - Authority Unlimited

Ch. 4 - Beyond Accountability

Ch. 5 - The Language of Enslavement

Ch. 6 - Whose Will Is It?

Ch. 7 - Control in Black and White

Ch. 8 - Vicious Information Control

Ch. 9 - Truth or Consequences

Ch. 10 - Confession Confusion

Ch. 11 - Walling Off the World

Ch. 12 - What God and the Discipler Have Joined Together

Ch. 13 - This Can't Be Mind Control, Can It?

Ch. 14 - Collision With Leadership

Ch. 15 - The New Inquisition

Ch. 16 - Boxes Within Boxes

Ch. 17 - The Way to Freedom

Epilogue - Leader of Heaven's Gate Undermined Free Will

Appendix II - Accountability Groups: A Brief History

Appendix III - A Summary of Abuses (114 Abuses Listed)

Where To Get This Book

www.amazon.com

You Thought I Was Finished!

Following is the rest of the list of the “Summary of Abuses” which I posted two blogs back. This list is found in Twisted Scriptures.

For each of the following abuses, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Was this applicable for my group?
2. Did I always think or act this way before I became involved with the group?
3. In respect to this point, what did our group teach that other churches don't normally stress?

In your group, did you see that...

• It was sometimes easier to say yes than deal with the guilt if one said no?
• Discipling was elevated to a place of primacy equal to our baptismal or marriage vows?
• There was a belief that one must be in a discipling relationship for his or her whole life?
• There was sometimes concealment of, or coloration of, the truth about why members left or were asked to leave?
• There was a selective recruitment process – leaders wanted only people who were willing to be totally dedicated to the program leaders?
• Leaders overwhelmed newcomers with love, acceptance, and lots of attention at the onset?
• Teachings used layers of truth, revealing existing policies a step at a time?
• There was a certain order in learning the group’s teachings (for example, one should experience the care of a discipler before learning about commitment to the discipler.)?
• Many members felt pressure to reach unrealistic standards of behaviour?
• Your group had odd traditions such as refraining from giving presents at Christmas?
• There was little respect for diversity?
• Certain kinds of deception were legitimized (for example, Word of God, had front groups such as UCO, MCA, Men’s Breakfast, Delta Chi Rho: when an event was advertised, they often didn’t show Word of God as the sponsor.) ?
• Members were taught that people outside cannot understand what we believe, and it is right not to disclose this information?
• Those who wanted to leave have difficulty in moving out of the group?
• Members’ self-worth and hope for salvation were tied to staying in the group?
• There were often subtle messages like: Are you going to leave after all we have done for you?
• Dying To Self was exaggerated into becoming over-responsible for others and under-responsible for one’s self?
• Teachings about selflessness reinforced the idea of an exaggerated call to sacrificial service?
• Your group stressed looking for opportunities to lay down your life?
• Healthy relationships (with friends in the group) were not to be expected to continue once you left?
• Members were encouraged to make smug remarks about those who left?
• Members were taught to interpret the Golden Rule “Love thy neighbour, forget thy self” instead of Loving your neighbour AS yourself?
• Legitimate goals and dreams of members were often reshaped?
• Assertive women often were turned into doormats?
• The importance of unity was emphasized instead of discovering the value of one’s uniqueness?
• The prevailing attitude was that objections and questions from members stemmed not from reasoned and fairly objective analysis but rather from the person’s spiritual or emotional problems?
• There was extreme teaching on subordination, obedience, submission instead of Matt. 20:25-28, Acts 11:1-4, or Gal. 2:14-21?
• The tendency to listen, believe, and obey resulted in an atrophy of critical and analytical thinking skills?
• Leadership fostered a sense of urgency in order to gain cooperation?
• Dissenting was always bad?
• Group policy of extreme submission often produced oppression of women?
• The group’s ideal of Christian womanhood promoted dependency?
• An overemphasis on subordination of women in order to produce a quiet, gentle spirit contributed to passivity, confusion, repressed anger, depression, and at times, compulsive behaviour on the part of female members?
• In your group, women were not seen as men’s peers?
• Motherhood and home-making were so highly praised as to give the impression that (for females) other interests were far inferior?
• Women who expressed or shared difficulties in their marriages were usually advised to submit, love, serve, and respect their husbands more?
• Members were rarely advised to seek professional counsel?
• It was usually decided that the one who needed to change was the woman instead of the man in order to put the marriage back on track?
• Men were encouraged to “have more distance” from their emotions or not to respond to them?
• The value of feelings and emotions was often disdained when these conflicted with the leader’s point of view?
• The underlying concept was that emotions are not a reliable guide to our actions, even when they are valid?
• Making a choice other than the one recommended by leaders was usually thought unwise or rebellious?
• Husbands were given an all-encompassing responsibility for their households – directing wives in all areas at all times – not just when problems arose?
• Sometimes mistrust was fostered in marriages as the husbands became more trusting of the disciplers?
• Some fathers were told to be “uncompromising” with children without regard to sensitivity to the children?
• This uncompromising attitude often led to emotional distance and unavailability of fathers?
• Single men were called on to give many hours of service?
• The group reduced marriage to merely a functional relationship?
• Friendships between men and women were often discouraged?
• Dating and courtship were highly controlled?
• Most members believed that they were only to date/marry other members?
• Disciplers demanded so much time that little was left to pursue old friendships or families outside the group?
• Some members were disillusioned because they expected as a participant in discipleship that life should go better?
• Many experienced disappointment and anger because compliance and faithfulness to the system went unrewarded?
• Many who once defended and promoted controlling leaders now feel that their integrity was compromised?
• There was a general mistrust of others outside the group?
• There was a general loss of personal privacy?

If you don’t understand how any one of these is detrimental, be sure to talk with an objective person to gain some perspective, otherwise you may miss some essential points.