Holly Hope
@holly4hope.bsky.social
Christian. Survivor. Spotlight holder. Micah 6:8. I cope, therefore I think. Or perhaps it is: I think, therefore I cope. Something like that. #metoo #churchtoo
Every single Christian leader and/or affiliated staff member who claimed they knew about Robert’s “sins” and that he had repented, must either:
1) admit Robert lied to them, or
2) admit they concealed and did not report the sexual abuse of a child to authorities.
Which is it?
1) admit Robert lied to them, or
2) admit they concealed and did not report the sexual abuse of a child to authorities.
Which is it?
Robert Morris, the former Texas megachurch pastor and Trump spiritual adviser, has been indicted on child sex crimes.
"After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child," his alleged victim told me.
"After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child," his alleged victim told me.
Robert Morris, Texas megachurch pastor and former Trump adviser, indicted for child sex crimes
Morris is a former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, and Gateway — one of the nation’s largest megachurches — has been particularly active in Dallas-area GOP politics.
www.texastribune.org
March 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Every single Christian leader and/or affiliated staff member who claimed they knew about Robert’s “sins” and that he had repented, must either:
1) admit Robert lied to them, or
2) admit they concealed and did not report the sexual abuse of a child to authorities.
Which is it?
1) admit Robert lied to them, or
2) admit they concealed and did not report the sexual abuse of a child to authorities.
Which is it?
In Christian systems, every time we overlook key sexually predatory indicators & behaviors, every time we minimize or ignore, every time we operate out of supposed mercy for the offender by keeping them on the platform & in a leadership capacity, THIS is what we are enabling:
BREAKING:
IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle groomed & sexually abused 17 women, some of whom were minors, according to an independent investigation released tonight. In some cases, the abuse constituted rape, the investigation found.
julieroys.com/breaking-iho...
IHOPKC founder Mike Bickle groomed & sexually abused 17 women, some of whom were minors, according to an independent investigation released tonight. In some cases, the abuse constituted rape, the investigation found.
julieroys.com/breaking-iho...
BREAKING: IHOPKC Founder Mike Bickle Sexually Abused 17 Women, Investigation Finds | The Roys Report
IHOPKC Founder Mike Bickle groomed, sexually solicited, and engaged in abusive misconduct with 17 women, according to a report by Firefly.
julieroys.com
February 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
In Christian systems, every time we overlook key sexually predatory indicators & behaviors, every time we minimize or ignore, every time we operate out of supposed mercy for the offender by keeping them on the platform & in a leadership capacity, THIS is what we are enabling:
Outstanding must-listen interview with attorney Carol Merchasin and @cultexpert.bsky.social, highly recommended for anyone engaged in the subject of sexual abuse of adults by religious leaders. I especially found benefit in a legal application I wasn’t aware of re: the Federal Human Trafficking Act.
"Taking on Sexual Misconduct in Spiritual Communities with Attorney Carol Merchasin"
Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan @cultexpert.bsky.social
6 Jan 2025 [1:06:08]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/-VmkO6KHVUahUFZq_mJUGQ
Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan @cultexpert.bsky.social
6 Jan 2025 [1:06:08]
#Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/-VmkO6KHVUahUFZq_mJUGQ
This is LEGAL? The SHOCKING Loopholes Cults Exploit to Evade Prosecution with Carol Merchasin
In this episode of The Influence Continuum podcast, Dr. Steven Hassan sits down with Carol Merchasin, a powerhouse attorney dedicated to fighting for survivors of cults and high-control groups. With years of experience uncovering abuse in spiritual communities, Carol shares her journey and exposes the shocking tactics used by manipulative leaders to exploit and silence their followers.
Discover:
🔹 How cult leaders use psychological coercion, authoritarian control, and manipulation to trap victims.
🔹 The hidden legal hurdles survivors face when seeking justice for sexual violence and financial exploitation.
🔹 Why current laws fail to protect victims—and what must change to combat undue influence.
🔹 The role of neuroscience, media, and advocacy in redefining consent and exposing cultic abuse.
🔹 Powerful insights from real cases, including survivors reclaiming their voices and fighting back.
Carol and Dr. Hassan dive deep into the realities of coercion, the illusion of consent, and the urgent need to hold abusive systems accountable. Whether you’re a survivor, an advocate, or simply curious about the hidden mechanics of influence, this conversation sheds light on critical issues affecting countless lives.
🎧 Don’t Miss This Episode
Subscribe to The Influence Continuum for expert insights into cult psychology, authoritarianism, and the fight for justice.
🌟 Learn More & Get Involved
Dr. Steven Hassan’s work on mind control and recovery: [link]
Carol Merchasin’s legal advocacy for survivors: [link]
💬 Share Your Thoughts
Have you experienced coercion or seen someone manipulated by undue influence? Comment below to join the conversation and help raise awareness.
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
Dr. Steven Hassan introduces attorney and cult expert Carol Merchasin, highlighting her work in defending survivors of coercion and abuse in high-control groups.
2:20 From Retirement to Advocacy
Carol shares her journey from corporate law to uncovering sexual violence in a Buddhist community, sparking her mission to fight for survivors.
5:10 Inside the Buddhist Cult Scandal
Carol reveals shocking findings from her investigation into sexual assault within a prominent Buddhist community in Canada.
8:45 Coercion and the Illusion of Consent
How survivors face profound risks—physical, psychological, and social—when challenging cult leaders.
12:30 Manipulation Across Faiths
Exploring abuse and authoritarian control in Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu cults, as well as yoga and spiritual communities.
17:00 India Oxenberg and NXIVM
Dr. Hassan recounts India Oxenberg's chilling experience in NXIVM’s DOS subgroup, where branding and psychological manipulation were routine.
22:15 Gaslighting Survivors in Cults
Carol shares the story of a woman manipulated by spiritual leaders to suppress her accusations in the name of "peace."
28:00 Exploitation Beyond Sexual Abuse
The devastating impact of financial coercion, including a survivor who unknowingly donated tens of thousands to a cult.
31:45 Legal Loopholes Cults Exploit
How cults misuse religious freedom, NDAs, and tax-exempt status to evade accountability for crimes like labor trafficking, fraud, and abuse.
39:00 The Law’s Struggle With Consent and Coercion
Carol and Dr. Hassan discuss why current laws fail to recognize coercion and the urgent need for reform.
46:30 Hope for Survivors
How survivors use litigation to reclaim their voices and challenge abusive systems, despite the trauma of legal battles.
54:15 The Role of Media, Science, and Law in Reform
The importance of collaboration between lawyers, psychologists, and neuroscientists in pushing the law forward.
1:02:00 Call to Action: Fighting Coercion Together
Carol and Dr. Hassan discuss the next steps in creating legal and societal accountability for cults and high-control groups.
#CultSurvivorStories #CoercionAwareness #RedefiningConsent #LegalAdvocacy #SurvivorsSpeakOut #MindControl #SpiritualAbuse #HighControlGroups #StevenHassan #CarolMerchasin #UndueInfluence #drstevenhassan #stevenhassan #cults #mindcontrol #brainwashing #BITEmodel #influencecontinuum
********************************************
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Enroll in our courses -
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Download a .pdf of the BITE model here!
https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/
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Read or listen to Dr. Hassan's books: https://freedomofmind.com/books/
www.youtube.com
January 14, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Outstanding must-listen interview with attorney Carol Merchasin and @cultexpert.bsky.social, highly recommended for anyone engaged in the subject of sexual abuse of adults by religious leaders. I especially found benefit in a legal application I wasn’t aware of re: the Federal Human Trafficking Act.
The problem is, we usually don’t catch them. We promote them, protect them, sacrifice the safety of others for them, and if they are on the pulpit, we heed their words as though God is speaking through them and we exalt them as an idol. Where is the wisdom so many claim to have?
December 19, 2024 at 9:42 PM
The problem is, we usually don’t catch them. We promote them, protect them, sacrifice the safety of others for them, and if they are on the pulpit, we heed their words as though God is speaking through them and we exalt them as an idol. Where is the wisdom so many claim to have?
Reposted by Holly Hope
💥💥💥
“…but soon enough Christians realized that what they thought was a “them” problem was also an “us” problem. The moral high ground slid away. #ChurchToo exposed the right, and the right wasn’t ready to repent.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
“…but soon enough Christians realized that what they thought was a “them” problem was also an “us” problem. The moral high ground slid away. #ChurchToo exposed the right, and the right wasn’t ready to repent.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
The Trouble Began When #MeToo Became #ChurchToo
When did we know that the #MeToo moment was truly over? At its most compelling, #MeToo tried to change a
dnyuz.com
December 15, 2024 at 3:06 PM
💥💥💥
“…but soon enough Christians realized that what they thought was a “them” problem was also an “us” problem. The moral high ground slid away. #ChurchToo exposed the right, and the right wasn’t ready to repent.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
“…but soon enough Christians realized that what they thought was a “them” problem was also an “us” problem. The moral high ground slid away. #ChurchToo exposed the right, and the right wasn’t ready to repent.”
@davidfrenchjag.bsky.social
This Real Crime Profile episode is important for #churchtoo advocates and supporters to check out. As guest Laurie from Ugly Truth Girl Next Door pointed out, 42% of sex trafficking survivors were first recruited by a parent or caregiver. The offender network can include those from churches.
December 6, 2024 at 5:25 PM
This Real Crime Profile episode is important for #churchtoo advocates and supporters to check out. As guest Laurie from Ugly Truth Girl Next Door pointed out, 42% of sex trafficking survivors were first recruited by a parent or caregiver. The offender network can include those from churches.
Reposted by Holly Hope
An outstanding reflection by Ruth Malhotra.
As Christians, we must never confuse wealth, intelligence, or status with godliness, integrity, and wisdom.
As Christians, we must never confuse wealth, intelligence, or status with godliness, integrity, and wisdom.
Frmr billionaire Bill Hwang, a major donor to Ravi Zacharias & other evangelical grps, has been sentenced to 18 yrs in prison.
Victimized by Zacharias, Lori Anne Thompson said it's astonishing that "Zacharias used an actual criminal to fund his campaign to destroy us.”
julieroys.com/poetic-justi...
Victimized by Zacharias, Lori Anne Thompson said it's astonishing that "Zacharias used an actual criminal to fund his campaign to destroy us.”
julieroys.com/poetic-justi...
Ravi Zacharias Donor Who Funded Lawsuit Against Woman Sentenced to Prison
Former evangelical billionaire Bill Hwang, was sentenced to 18 yrs in prison for massive fraud; one woman views the sentence as poetic justice
julieroys.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:08 PM
An outstanding reflection by Ruth Malhotra.
As Christians, we must never confuse wealth, intelligence, or status with godliness, integrity, and wisdom.
As Christians, we must never confuse wealth, intelligence, or status with godliness, integrity, and wisdom.
Whenever a minister uses temporal distancing tactics by claiming the abusive scenario took place XX years ago, my first thought is, why did it take XX years to publicly repent, lament, and step down from ministry? The more years it took to supposedly repent, the worse it looks.
December 6, 2024 at 3:30 AM
Whenever a minister uses temporal distancing tactics by claiming the abusive scenario took place XX years ago, my first thought is, why did it take XX years to publicly repent, lament, and step down from ministry? The more years it took to supposedly repent, the worse it looks.
Reposted by Holly Hope
Adult clergy sexual abuse needs to be addressed in every faith community. Pastors not only abuse their power by sexually exploiting congregation members but sexual violence perpetrated by clergy over their spouses is also a silent issue that people don’t talk about.
November 24, 2024 at 2:06 AM
Adult clergy sexual abuse needs to be addressed in every faith community. Pastors not only abuse their power by sexually exploiting congregation members but sexual violence perpetrated by clergy over their spouses is also a silent issue that people don’t talk about.
Important info for abuse survivors in California.
Adult sexual abuse survivors who were abused in California anytime after January 1, 2009 have until December 31, 2026 to file suit against their perpetrator and/or the organization responsible for failing to protect them.
BozLaw is here to help with professional and compassionate legal support.
BozLaw is here to help with professional and compassionate legal support.
November 13, 2024 at 3:46 PM
Important info for abuse survivors in California.
Hello from the other side. This account focuses mainly on abuse and corruption found in Christian organizations. My hope is for safer, transparent systems, and for survivors to heal and thrive. For those environments that refuse to do the right thing: may they continue to be exposed and torn down.
November 13, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Hello from the other side. This account focuses mainly on abuse and corruption found in Christian organizations. My hope is for safer, transparent systems, and for survivors to heal and thrive. For those environments that refuse to do the right thing: may they continue to be exposed and torn down.