The Dark Secrets of Mind Control Techniques...That Are All Around Us. 

the fact that you are a Christian Apologist who upholds critical thinking and calls out cults… so edifying and wonderful to hear. Praying for you! thank you for all you do 💖💖✝️

“If truth harms your beliefs then your beliefs are not grounded in truth”. 💥💥

these are the same tactics the gov. was using during covid, and I was telling people even showing people the tactics of cults and mind control.

I was in a Calvinist church. Authoritarian pastor approach. Illusion of deep fellowship but as soon as I questioned Calvinism (after 17 years being in agreement there) no discussions allowed. I became “divisive, dangerous, etc.” lost every friend after we left… Lied about, slandered, gossiped about etc. very ungodly and sad situation. The saddest is you don’t know this is the reality unless you “fall out of line.”

"nobody tries to counterfeit fools gold" Well put, I'm using that

I am on a similar journey as you described. A couple JWs came to my door and shook me-- not because I believed any of their twistings but because I realized how unprepared I was to answer their twistings--- and that sent me down a spiral to finally start getting serious about scripture and changed my life really! Shout out to the JWs for waking up us sleepy Christians lol.

...AMEN!!!! God took me out of mormonism 18 years ago, led me to His Word, to Him, hallelujah to His High and Holy Name for ever....please pray that our brothers and sisters in all these evil cults will have the thick scales fall off their eyes to be able to logically rationally see and know The One and Only Truth. Amen

You are definitely onto something. During the whole co.vid situation, the way that we were being manipulated, coerced, censored and gaslighted, all just looked to me like an abusive relationship but on a grander scale.

I was a Jehovah’s Witnesses for 7 years till I found out about the Holy Spirit , I’m now born again 😊

2 minutes in, I just wanna say, I’ve been in a “weird-mood” funk lately and your sarcasm makes me happy 😂

That is exactly what our govt in Canada did to us during COVID ....

I come out of a church where the pastor told me, when I started disagreeing, I MUST LISTEN to him, and I was like : no, God is my final authority, not you. But it took me about 4 years to get to that point😢 and by the grace of God I could see what I couldn't see before. So mind control is real, I can totally relate

Great video! You really described our current culture.. based on feelings, not allowed to question, not allowed to disagree, you are told you are racist, and bigoted, even if you are not, they redefine words, cancel and reject anyone who questions the norm, your true identity is found in thinking, feeling and championing the cause of the cultural narrative. Whether social justice, LGBTQ ideology, wokeness... And more! And agreed! We need to watch out for this in the church! The enemy seems to be using this tactic everywhere. Thanks for the great content!

It’s crazy how applicable everything you listed is to the “trust the science” group over the last few years. From the near veneration of Dr. F to the mockery of anyone who dared to raise objections, to the shunning of friends and family. It’s disturbing to witness how effective using fear was at getting people to relinquish their ability and duty to think critically.

As a former Mormon this is so important!

Excellent points. The doublespeaking "think critically" "don't research that" is SO insidious and, unfortunately, effective.

When I became born again Christian my Catholic family shunned me and has treated me as an outsider. When I questioned the unbiblical teachings of a church I attended I was viewed as a trouble maker. It amazes me how “pastors” will continue to teach things not found in scripture but because it’s domination teaches it they accept it as truth and don’t allow anyone to challenge it.

As CIA-director William Casey said to Ronald Regan: "our job is finished, when nothing the public believes are true anymore". They are almost there.

I am an ex JW living in Australia. I was involved in the occult before joining them for 2 years. I studied my way out - that was 25 years ago. I am a christian.

Thanks, your breakdown was 100% correct. I grew up JW. Thank God, I was pulled away from the Cult of JW. It left my entire family broken and segregated. There are aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents that I never had a chance to meet. The organization still has my mother, and it's been decades since we have been able to see each other. Pray for her, I pray she will be freed from the manipulation and control every day. It's been over 20 years, and it still hurts to be considered apostate for my Christian life. But God is good and has given me a new life and family. Bless you all.

What you described is 100% every single MLM company in the world.

This is one of the best videos you have produced. Logic and critical thinking are all but gone these days. Shame, fear and "love bombing" are all over the place. I have experienced these things myself. This stuff is much more common now than it was in previous decades. When I practiced the occult, I used these tactics to manipulate people. Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness and mind renewal. Thank you Jesus for making me a new creation.

Cults like to call other groups cults.

Hello Saints, the truth should not be confusing.

I appreciate the idea of removing cult behaviors from a strictly religious context. I mean, in a sense, even secular groups with cult-like behaviors are a form of religious worship, but you know what I mean.

This reminds me of how my ex was..... manipulative and gaslighting. The truth always comes out. Thank you for sharing the truth about these cults. I recently began writing letters to my uncle who is a Jehovah's Witness. So far Ive shared a gospel tract and he repsonded to my letter so i see that as an open door. Please pray he is receptive. I wrote him back and he should be getting that letter soon 🙏

The method worked wonderfully during the Covid fiasco.

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13) Amen.

I've been noticing this for the past like 2 years and recently had basically the same conclusion that you did. People are cruel to those who don't beleive in mainstream ideas not because they themselves beleive it, but because they are scared of the exil that comes with not just agreeing with non-mainstream ideas, but even being friends with or associating at ALL with different views. They've seen the punishment that occurs when you associates with those who don't agree with the powerful ones. And they are so scared that they convince themselves they beleive mainstream ideas, when really, they probably don't. They're just terrified.

I find this video useful for Christians to watch. I noticed when i got saved i went to an SDA church for a brief period, and they were ecstatic that i hadnt been indoctrinated yet. Which led me to believe they thought i would be easily indoctrinated by them. Unfortunately for them i had already read the Bible and made a commitment to Jesus that i would follow no man but only Him. Great video and God bless!

Thanks for the video. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like things have drastically changed over the last 10 - 15 years.

You just described in perfect detail the world since March 2020

This is a GREAT video. It should be required watching in schools and universities, but for obvious reasons, it won’t be.

Very thorough. One additional "tell" of a cult is an urgent but unreachable goal. The urgency of the goal creates an "ends justify the means" mentality. A common one in Christian cults has been "win the world to Jesus in our generation."

I used to be in a "Christian" cult, the Word-Faith movement. And I occasionally challenged some of their teachings, but they would say that I was not respecting "God's anointed". I could give some examples, but I'll spare the reader.

This is going to be a very odd comment (especially since I'm 28 and you're probably in your 30s) but here we go. Melissa, I wish you could be my mom. I don't currently have a close mom-figure in my life and when I watch your videos, the godliness I see in you just really makes me wish I had someone like you as a mother in my life. May God bless you Melissa.

Thanks for the videos. You encourage me to open the Bible and study once again. I enjoy learning how to better share the gospel. Big thanks

I remember reading "The Mind Benders" by Sparks. At the time the Mooniescwere were Everywhere and even tried to infiltrate our Church. The Berean Call was really helpful too. I can see where Dave Hunt helped to prepare me to recognize NAR teaching. "Study to show yourselves approved"

First time I'm realizing that a lot of this can be found in plain old abusive situations too. Cults just turn abuse to a group and have a bit more documenting perhaps

Melissa, in approx. 28 min you did a great job at laying this down. In my witness to our local cult, I've been accused as a purveyor of hate and a "liar". It's sad and fascinating at the same time. Religious cults are ruled spiritually by a fallen entity of the kingdom of darkness. Make no mistake, they are ruled by that kingdom. The puppet is the charismatic/authoritarian human leader. The victims, the serfs, are the congregants who are lured or born into that false, flawed and fatal system. There is another point concerning cults that is notable; the identities of cult members morph into the identity of their fallen spiritual leader. Cult members become an extension of that dark kingdom; all it takes is a little scratching of the surface and it comes out.

This was a great explanation of cults, and our culture. My brother is a Seventh Day Adventist and it is difficult to have any type of conversation about religion. The upside is that it forced me to really study the Bible so that I could explain why I believed what I believed and where his beliefs are NOT based in the Bible.

Researching MKULTRA's Project Monarch in 2020 is literally what led me to Christ. 🤌🏻✨️ Blessings 💛

Thank you for this shared knowledge. I have been born and raised in the church of Jesus Christ of latter day days. I NEVER considered it a cult. I started reading Isaiah and considered he was talking about our church and poof the spell has been broken. I still consider the BOM a scripture that can stand alone. It really does testify of Christ and actually tells us to read and study the words of Isaiah. That’s why I did. I had this great desire to look up what cults were. I started by watching the documentary on Scientology. Wow that was eye opening. Ever since I’ve been so curious about how human history and our brains work in those ways. It’s been so freeing. I still go to church as of now because it’s such a hard transition when it’s habit and community. My son is committed to another year on a mission but I pray he will meet someone like you to help him see clearly. He knows how I feel. God is working on my husband. ❤️ Pray for us friends in Christ. 🙏🏼 ✝️

This is fabulous. Just fantastic. Well done. Most especially at the end, the way you tie it all together with objective truth. I am 51 and have spent my life searching for truth and found it in Christ (26 years ago). It is astonishing to see how powerful and important the truth is. As you said, all cults are the same, even though they have not colluded with each other. And in their lies, they prove Christ true. Brava!!

This reminds me of the Word of Faith movement. I don't think it's a cult, but it has some similar thoughts. The thought control and control of information reminds me of what we believed. Maybe it wasn't communicated directly, but it was inferred. I know people who have a fear of listening to someone who disagrees with their leaders. There is a fear that if they entertain different ideas or beliefs, something bad will happen to them, or they are showing a lack of faith.

I’m only listening for a few moments here, but immediately I can tell you are giving the real information, on a topic you have some experience with. This is a very serious matter, of course.

I was in a Charismatic, Pentecostal false prophet cult. That started out as a innocent intercessory prayer group. But eventually centered around the individual Mark Vanderstoep as being the. 'New Modern Moses" of a" New Move of God ". Based on sinless perfection. In fact the cult is called" The GROUP ". It is currently in the Arvada Colorado area. It is not a isolated group. But a common cancer in Charismatic Churches. Particularly the Mega Churches. Ie. Churches within the church . Small churches in the pews of Mega Churches. She is talking exactly what I went through for 10 years. I got out, but ended up in 1988. A whole year in the mental hospital. Suffering from schziophrenia. God eventually healed and restored me to sanity in late January, or early February 1989.

As a former Mormon, I read anti-mormon literature (also known as valid history)

The truth doesn't mind being questioned, it's the lie that hates being challenged.

Wow ! I have been learning so much from you. Thank you for all of your hard work on getting your videos out for us. ❤🙏❤

My son is currently going through being indoctrinated and we are desperately trying to get him away. There multiple other factors at play but your video was 🤯🤯 That is exactly what has happened to him. Ty! I’m going to have to refer to this video a lot. We are in the war to save our 15yo son. Pray for us please. Many Blessings

Amen! Sister especially at the end where u wrapped it up, it was a real profound way of simplifying Truth! Was a blessing🙏🏾

Melissa! I love your videos! Your videos and others convicted me that I didn’t know the Bible very well. Over the past 5 years+ I’ve been working to change that. Thank-you!

Thank you for this sis ❤ I love that you still made this video despite your "weird mood". Your humor and realness is a gem, lol.

Thank you for opening my mind...not even five minutes in and I'm learning and rethinking what I know about cults. God bless you

Loved this!! Also wanted to say a massive thank you on your video series on the Jehovah Witnesses. You helped me realize how our call to love our neighbors, looks also like studying more into cults because love rejoices in truth. So now I’ve been far more equipped to love my jehovah witness door knockers and invite them in to become friends and share the truth in love. Also your recommendation for the book ‘Tactics’ by Greg Koukl, I’m super grateful- that’s also been a fantastic tool to have when witnessing! … I’ve also learnt unfortunately, no matter how gently when can share the truth in love, it doesn’t mean we will be treated the same. Unfortunately my last Jehovah Witness friends that came to teach me their bible study reacted negatively, but I pray a seed has been planted and a pebble in their shoe has been placed! It’s great knowing that’s our only job, the Holy Spirit does the rest!

So much of this sounds like what it was like for me in the Hebrew Roots movement.

What an amazing episode. This is such a powerful video it must be viewed by more people. I got your 'koolaid in the fridge' (@2:46) reference. You actually know what you are talking about. Amazing information!

Keep up the good work, speaking truth, and encourageing others to seek it! God bless you and your cute little attitude❤

Hello Melissa, I occasionally listen to your RU-vid presentations, and this one is truly excellent! 🎉 keep up the good work!!!

Great video! Thank you for sharing as this is a major problem in the local Churches. Really think people should wake up to this deceptive control and play on one's emotions.😊

I Agree! And I learned SO MUCH from this ONE ep. Thank you Mrs. Dougherty.

Been on this earth for 71 years. Have seen and been threw alot. But this is the clearest on this subjective heard in a long time. Well done. God bless.

Great stuff! I agree with every word. The enemy does not care if he has to push or pull as long as you wind up in the ditch or broke down.

THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN THINKING FOR 2 YEARS NOW. THANK YOU.

You've just answered a question that I had for a long time. 'Why do every extremist form of government forbidds christianity?' Because mind control doesn't work when you stay in Gods word❤

Your presentation and content is absolutely amazing. It’s a yes for every point you made . Thank you for sharing your view on this topic .

I've been watching your channel for a week or so now and you have become part of my daily routine. You speak well and are very informative. I've seen your lessons on cults and thought I would ask you it you have ever shared Galatians 1:8 and 9 with them. I think this is the best answer for them.

I appreciate this so much! I am an absolute believer in Jesus Christ and I love The Lord. But I can't make myself go to church or to trust church people, and I've always wondered what was wrong with me. The church I was raised in was exactly how you describe a cult! It was called a Baptist church but all of the elements of a cult were there. We were told the preacher was the mouthpiece of God and anything he said was from God. It sounds easy to say, "ok then, now you know the truth, so you can be free from all that". But that's not true at all! I am still very much influenced by this spirit of "what if they were right?", and it's scary! I actually have psychological problems from those yrs. I have huge anxiety issues, including horrible panic attacks because of the picture of God that was ingrained in me as a child. And I see church people as smiling as warm to your face, but demonic and scary with evil motives just below the surface. I wonder sometimes if I'm really saved because it feels like I'm in rebellion to God and the truth because of the things they told me. I remember reading passages like, "whom the son sets free is free indeed" or "you will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee", and thinking, "that's not true!!! My mind is constantly on you and it torments me!" Thank you so much for making this video! I've never heard anybody validate these things. Please pray for me that I can be set free from this evil spirit that is still with me at 60 yrs old! Thank you in advance, ~Tony Phillips

I don't see why I can't click, Like, Like, Like multiple times.

Brilliant discussion on cults Melissa. Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. You made some really good points.

I've just subscribed. This video did it for me in so many ways, relating to myself raised in Mormimism. Brilliant! Facts.

@ the 14 minute... Excellent observation. Well done sister. Edit: The whole video was awesome.

Melissa, your approach, tone and temperament is outstanding. What your channel produces is stellar, I'm certain the Lord's grace is in the work of your hands.

This is so good, thank you, Melissa!! As truth has decayed we really have been seeing such strange behaviors from so many groups. It has become more important than ever to know our Bibles and to discern carefully wherever we go! ✝️🙏🏻🤓

A helpful and educational video. I especially appreciate your discernment to identify that these lies come from the father of lies. It is important to be able to spot lies, inversion, etc.

Being someone who did in fact grow up in a cult(the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement) this video was very interesting

You are an awesome apologist! You and Mike Winger are my favorite to listen too. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Melissa! I have learned so much about cults and narcissists from my own experience of them. I’ve learned cult behaviour goes across all controlling, manipulative, bullying people, whether the cult of one, to work places and groups. I am now seeking to understand God’s perspective in his word. I need to know how to protect myself from these people, who are everywhere!

Thank you very much. You have really helped me. Thank God I have read my Bible multiple times so when someone told me I should thank the cosmos I knew something wasn't right. I wish I new as much as you, I didn't know all this stuff, thanks for sharing.

I think you’re spot-on with everything you’ve said here, Melissa! 🎯💯 Something that I also have noticed recently is that many of these kinds of tactics are being implemented in mainstream conservative evangelical churches as well which is disturbing. We have so many Christians who are frankly just lazy in reading & studying their Bibles, & it’s easier for them to just take the word of their leaders as correct, trustworthy, & Biblical, but even lifelong Christians can be sucked into New Thought & New Age practices because the enemy is subtle, inserting just enough “truth-sounding” into devotional books & “Bible studies” to sound legit & lead people down a wrong path. If those who are aware of these things even dare to mention the dangers or even question, they are often labeled as troublemakers or somehow “less spiritual”, or a conspiracy theorist, or viewed as trying to be a “know-it-all” because certainly these “leaders” know better & are more spiritually mature, etc. It’s almost as if someone’s position in the church makes them automatically infallible in the eyes of the congregation, but if things don’t match up against the standard of the Word, we are to discard it. In the meantime, these leaders end-up leading people down the same wrong path with them because Christians aren’t guarding their own hearts & testing things against the Word in these last days. One area I’ve noticed that is really taking root is all of these people reading the writings of “the desert fathers” & other mystics such as St. Teresa of Avila, Brother Lawrence , St.John of the cross, etc., to be taken as an example from which to model one’s Christian walk. Would you perhaps be able to do a video on this topic of mysticism being embraced in evangelical churches? I think most Christians are unaware of how these false teachings are infiltrating the church & are tied-in with New Thought/New Age/gnosticism/experiential belief over the truth of scripture & Christ alone. Thanks for your consideration for content.💜✝️

Your teachings are so helpful! I thank God for you.

You are are one of the rare lights of the world that God has blessed to be here these last 7 years.

Thank you for the Clarifications. Loved the enlightnment, astute observations & interesting perspectives you provided!

You just described my independent fundamentalist upbringing.

Hi Melissa👋, I’ve heard you speak about the JWs, Mormans, New Age, and other cults. Another cult is The Amish. Eli Yoder would be a good person to interview about people under that cult. 🙏

I enjoy your content so much. You pinpoint many important points and always challenge others to question and study the Bible for themselves. One of my favorite phrases to hear you say is "it's in the Bible or something".. so funny! I've been a born again believer for 30 years, and continue to learn how awesome God is; the bible truly is a living word. God bless you sister in Christ; I look forward to meeting you on the streets of gold very soon!

Watching this brings so much relief! I have been experiencing so much of this in a new town that I moved to where I do not know anyone. Gossip has been a problem and it seems very tribal/territorial. People asked to 'talk' and then I am confronted with the end result of a long telephone game distortion of things that I have 'said'.....it was love bombing, tell us your dirt, and then we create it into something it's not and broadcast a 'reputation' about you..... it is toxic and just like being in an abusive relationship. This behavior is NOT Jesus. I appreciate this video/advice so much, thank you!

This was very informative! Very well presented God bless!

A muslim asked me queations about adam and jesus and this sent me down my journey into apologetics. ❤

What a well timed video: I started researching this yesterday and already follow you. Double whammy bonus.

My oldest friend is mormon and things have gotten to the point that I will no longer discuss our differences because she refuses to look at anything other than the way her leaders allow.

A narcissist with a basic understanding of gnosticism can start a cult with very little effort. They are extremely adept at gaslighting and use people's empathy against them.

Thank you, Melissa, for clearly portraying the truth! Thank you for speaking out against lies. I thank God for you.

Yes! Three cheers for SES….great place of learning! Love your brain, Sister! May our Father richly bless you and yours through Messiah Jesus!

I Love not just what you say, but how you say it. You have a unique, endearing, entertaining style. I very much enjoy and glean a lot from your videos.

I was under really heavy conviction for 2 years. When a couple jehovah's witnesses approached me. I was really impressed that they were quoting so much bible since I was almost totally Ignorant of it. But I quickly told them, " no thanks i'm catholic" And shortly after that I got born again! JULY 4th 1986. I still haven't gotten over it!

Your content is golden, someone on my level is so refreshing!

“ The Truth is inconvenient “ so True . The Truth of how True IS. … that statement is …. when it comes down to those people.

I appreciate you and your videos. You have helped me so much, especially with clarifying issues for me. Thank you!