• Books

Note: These books address cults from sociological and/or theological perspectives. (Understand the difference between both perspectives)

This section is subdivided as follows:
• General information
• Counseling & Support
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See Also:
Books on specific cults, movements, and issues are listed at their relevant entries in Apologetic Index. (See, for example, books on abusive churches/spiritual abuse)

General

Charts of Cults, Sects and Religious Movements "Facts about membership, worship, leaders, and publications are followed by the doctrinal position of each group, which is substantiated by quotes from group leaders and publications. This doctrinal position is then compared with the historic orthodox view."
Churches That Abuse, by Ronald Enroth. Published by Zondervan. Details.
Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steve Hassan. Hassan was a victim of the Unification Church. Now a psychologist, he is internationally recognized as a cult expert. (Read this Review)
Cults Comparison Chart 12-page, folded chart compares the beliefs of 17 cults and world religions with those of biblical Christianity
Cults In Our Midst by Margaret Thaler Singer, Janja Lalich, Robert Jay Lifton
The Kingdom of the Cults Walter Ralston Martin's tome. Current edition edited by CRI's Hank Hanegraaff
The Religious Fringe "A History of Alternative Religions in America." by Richard Kyle. Focuses on historical description of what these groups believe and practice - rather than on sociological analysis or theological evaluation. Highly recommended.
Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change by Flo Conway, Jim Siegelman. The authors have a decidedly anti-religious point of view, but their material on cult mind control provides valuable insights
Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism : A Study of Brainwashing in China by Robert Lifton
The True Believer : Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer
Under the Influence : The Destructive Effects of Group Dynamics by John D. Goldhammer
Unmasking The Cults by Alan Gomes

Counseling & Support

Captive Hearts, Captive Minds : Freedom and Recovery from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Madeleine Landau Tobias, Janja Lalich (Contributor), Michael Langone. "Former cult members suffer from fear, depression, confusion, low self-esteem, and post traumatic stress, whether they were in a group or in a one-to-one abusive relationship. 'Captive Hearts, Captive Minds' provides the hands-on help they need to recover from manipulation and mind control"
Cults: What Parents Should Know Subtitled "A Practical Guide to Help Parents With Children in Destructive Groups." By Joan Ross and Dr Michael Langone
Exit Counseling: A Family Intervention Subtitled "How To Respond to Cult-Affected Loved Ones." Describes the process of exit counseling, a voluntary approach to helping cultists make informed decisions about their group affiliation. Exit counseling is the most effective alternative to the controversial process of deprogramming, which involves coercion. By Carol Giambalvo
Healing Spiritual Abuse: How To Break Free From Bad Church Experiences by Ken Blue
Out of the Cults and Into the Church: Understanding and encouraging ex-cultists By Janis Hutchinson
Recovery from Abusive Groups by Wendy Ford
Recovering from Churches That Abuse, by Ronald Enroth. Zondervan, 1994.
Recovery from Cults : Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse Michael Langone, e.d.
Releasing the Bonds : Empowering People to Think for Themselves by Steve Hassan
(Description)
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse Excellent book by David Johnson and Jeff Vanvonderen. Summary of this insightful book.

See also: Books listed under the Spiritual Abuse entry in Apologetics Index.

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