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The Absurdity of Belief with Jon Atack

Apr 9, 2025

Guest

Jon Atack

Jon Atack, a leading expert on authoritarian cult groups and author of "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky," discusses the psychological intricacies of cults and belief systems. He uncovers the bizarre history of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard's dangerous ideologies. Jon emphasizes the importance of critical thinking to combat manipulation and explores the ethical dilemmas faced by cult members. Through anecdotes, he reveals the psychological trauma inflicted on followers and the liberating journey of breaking free from such control.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 2min

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Belief and Its Consequences

02:03 • 23min

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The Dark Side of Loyalty

24:39 • 15min

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The Tumultuous Origins of Scientology

40:02 • 16min

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Exploring Nostalgia and Belief Systems Through History

56:32 • 4min

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The Allure and Risks of Past Life Regression

01:00:24 • 3min

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The Paradox of Specialness and Control in Cult Dynamics

01:02:58 • 5min

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Let's sell these people A Piece of Blue Sky

The Bridge to Total Freedom

L Ron Hubbard

Scientology 8.80

Alfie Hart

Book about Sigmund Freud

Frederick Crews

Hitler in the Age of Horus

Jan van Helsing

Scientology, the Cult of Greed

Jon Atack

The Total Freedom Trap

Jon Atack

The Road to Total Freedom

Roy Wallace

Liber IV, Magic in Theory and Practice

Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley's "Liber IV, Magick in Theory and Practice" is a comprehensive guide to his system of magick, Thelema. It details Crowley's approach to ritual magic, emphasizing the importance of personal development and self-knowledge. The book explores various techniques and practices, including meditation, divination, and ceremonial magic. Crowley's work is characterized by its integration of Western esoteric traditions with his own unique philosophical perspectives. "Liber IV" is considered a significant text in the history of Western esotericism, influencing generations of occultists and spiritual seekers. It remains a challenging and rewarding read for those interested in exploring the depths of Crowley's magickal system.

The Morning of the Magicians

Louis Pauwels

Jacques Bourguet

Through the looking-glass

Lewis Carroll

In this sequel to 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', Alice climbs through a mirror and enters a world where everything is reversed, much like a reflection. Here, she finds herself in a land laid out like a giant chessboard, where she must navigate to the eighth rank to become a queen. Along her journey, she meets a variety of bizarre characters, including the Red Queen, the White Queen, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, and Humpty Dumpty. The story is filled with Carroll's signature nonsensical logic, word play, and imaginative world-building.

Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll

The Occult Roots of Nazism

Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology

Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke

This book provides a detailed account of how Nazism was influenced by powerful occult sects that thrived in Germany and Austria almost fifty years before Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. It traces the intellectual roots of Nazism back to these sects, which espoused a mixture of popular nationalism, Aryan racism, and occultism. The book highlights how these ideas and symbols, filtered through nationalist-racist groups, came to exert a strong influence on Himmler's SS and contributed to the terrifying consequences of the Third Reich. It also explores the broader implications of these occult influences on Nazi policies and the wider historical context.

Spear of Destiny

ARKANE Thriller #13

Joanna Penn

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds

Charles Mackay

David J. Schneider

This book, first published in 1841, is an early study of crowd psychology by Charles Mackay. It chronicles numerous instances of mass hysteria and popular delusions, including economic bubbles like the South Sea Bubble and Tulipomania, the Crusades, witch-hunts, and other peculiar follies. Mackay presents these examples to illustrate how easily the masses can be led astray by various delusions and how human folly remains a constant across different times and places. The book is divided into sections such as 'National Delusions,' 'Peculiar Follies,' and 'Philosophical Delusions,' and is known for its engaging and witty narrative style.

In the latest episode, Rachel had the privilege of speaking once again with Jon Atack, a renowned expert on authoritarian cult groups and the author of several influential books, including "Let's Sell These People a Piece of Blue Sky." Jon has spent decades studying the psychological mechanisms that underpin cult behavior, and his insights are both enlightening and chilling.

One of the most striking aspects of the conversation was John's exploration of the history of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Jon revealed how Hubbard's controversial beliefs and practices have shaped the lives of countless individuals. He shared stories that illustrate the bizarre and often dangerous ideologies that can emerge within cults, emphasizing that these belief systems often thrive on manipulation and fear.

Throughout the discussion, Jon emphasized the importance of critical thinking and education in combating the influence of cults. He argued that many individuals are drawn into these groups due to vulnerabilities and a lack of awareness about the psychological tactics at play. By sharing his knowledge and experiences, Jon aims to empower listeners to recognize and resist these manipulative practices.

Find out more about Jon and his work at:

https://jonatack.co.uk/

Listen and watch the second half of the conversation now at:

⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination

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