Recently, I was introduced to a survivor of another cult group. This survivor posts anonymously on a website that serves as forum for present members and survivors of Teen Mania- Honors Academy. The link is here:  recoveringalumni.com. The survivor has given permission to link and repost material from this blog in order to help others know about their experiences and the experiences of others. This is a repost of the first in the series examining the question – Is Teen Mania a Cult?. I read through several posts and noted several characteristics of the group which in my opinion qualify it as a controlling religious group- cult. The original post from June 20, 2009 is found here… http://www.recoveringalumni.com/2009/06/is-teen-mania-cult.html

Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1

Posted by Recovering Alumni | Labels: cult, Honor Academy

This question has come up time and time again. As an intern, we joked about how the townsfolk nearby thought we were a cult. It was funny, because of course we weren’t a cult!

It wasn’t until several years later, when I came across a long list of cult characteristics that I began to seriously ask this question. I was really surprised to find that many of the characteristics on that list were present in the Honor Academy. Unfortunately, I can’t find that exhaustive list, but here is one provided by the International Cultic Studies Association – with my Teen Mania specific comments in italics.

– The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

True. Whether or not its explicitly encouraged by the leadership, interns highly venerate both Ron Luce and Dave Hasz. In fact, I’ve seen an Honor Academy Alumni website forum where interns felt the need to clarify that Ron Luce is not God. Of course, nobody “says” he is God, but his teachings and personality (as well as Dave Hasz, the director of the Honor Academy) have become so synonymous with God and with God’s will that it becomes very hard to make a distinction. If anyone criticizes or questions anyone in leadership, they are immediately pounced on by fellow interns and told they should only speak about it privately to the person in question. The assumption is always that the concerned party must have misunderstood or that the leadership has a valid (unknown) reason for doing/saying whatever they did.

– ? Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

True. This was exceedingly true during my time there. When I brought up legitimate questions about what the leadership was doing, it was made very clear to me that I was “in rebellion” and “not submitted” or that I was “stirring up division.” This kind of attitude further reinforces the point above that whatever the leaders say is God’s will and you shouldn’t go against it.

?– Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

True. Debilitating work routines are the norm at Teen Mania. Nearly every moment of an intern’s day is scheduled, usually leaving less than 6-7 hours for sleep. I wouldn’t say that meditation, chanting, etc were used to suppress doubts so much as the teaching that you need to obey the leadership.

Click to Read: Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 2

____________________________________________________________________________________

   We are not posting the comment string attached to each post as they are lengthy. Please, take time to read them as certain comments are very insightful, some are not. There are four parts to the series and encourage readers to read the series and learn of this group. Here is an update posted form November 2010:

      Update Nov. 2010: After over a year of running this blog, hearing stories from many former interns and dealing with TM leadership, I am more certain than ever that the environment at the Honor Academy is very dangerous – spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.

Teen Mania has repeatedly refused to repent for their past abuses and continues to foster an authoritarian environment where interns are taught to ignore their own discernment and bodily pain. Under no circumstances would I recommend that anyone participate in this program.(emphasis added)

   We will be monitoring the site and post further updates. One of the main features of this site is the stories of survivors of the group. There is much insight to be gained from these stories. We will post further on subjects related to these concerns. Comments from Teen Mania survivors and present members are welcome.

  Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

   Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

    (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 262.