Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan Cults, Authoritarian Control, and the Fight for Democracy with Sociologist Dr. Stephen A. Kent
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May 5, 2025 Join Dr. Stephen A. Kent, a sociology professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, as he discusses the unsettling links between cults and modern authoritarianism. They explore how cult-like tactics infiltrate societal norms and politics, revealing the impact of disinformation campaigns and manipulative leaders. Kent highlights the risks posed by the internet, AI, and academic censorship. He argues for the importance of former members' testimonies and the need for society to recognize and address the erosion of democratic values.
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Democracies Tolerate Authoritarian Growth
- Democracies are allowing authoritarian and high-control movements space to grow under the guise of religious freedom and NGOs.
- This expansion risks eroding democratic institutions and requires decades to repair if unchecked.
Narcissists Ignore Corrective Feedback
- Narcissistic leaders refuse corrective feedback and act as if every idea they state is inherently true.
- That cognitive isolation makes them particularly dangerous when they gain institutional power.
Use 'Cult' Carefully But Precisely
- Use 'cult' sparingly and sensitively when talking with members to avoid alienation and shut down dialogue.
- But retain the term for analytical clarity when describing groups that exercise excessive control.
