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The Cult of Synanon, Part 2

Sounds Like A Cult

CHAPTER

Synanon's Authoritarian Legacy

This chapter explores the extreme control measures within the Synanon community, including forced weight loss, public shaming, and mandatory vasectomies imposed by its leader. It also examines the organization's attempts to pivot to a religious identity to preserve tax-exempt status and the resulting public skepticism. Additionally, the chapter discusses the lasting impacts of Synanon's practices on former members and the connections to contemporary organizations like Delancey Street.

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