Website owner: James Miller
Propaganda, mind manipulation, and cults
I am going to devote this webpage to the topic of mental manipulation, intellectual error, and cults. In certain domains such as religion and political ideology it seems like error, falsehood and lie are everywhere and it is very difficult to find truth. Part of the reason for this is that people are mostly creatures of emotion and feeling instead of reason, analysis, and critical reflective thought. Most people are quite gullible, easily mislead, easily deceived.
Closely associated with mind manipulation is the idea of indoctrination. Starting at very young ages most people become subject to indoctrination of various kinds — religious and political. A person may be raised in the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, or Russian Orthodox church. Or he may be raised in one of the Protestant sects — or raised as a Moslem, a Buddhist or a Hindu. Every religion has its own assertions, beliefs which its adherents regard as true. In every country school children are taught that their political system is the best one. A great deal of what we are taught as children we accept on faith and trust. Growing up we hear assertions repeated a great number of times and we come to believe them. Obviously, people of conflicting religious or political beliefs cannot all be right. In regard to anything, only one assertion can be true and all assertions to the contrary are false.
Another element involved in the topic of mind manipulation is the power or talent of some people to convince others through public oratory. You see this in hardhitting protestant preachers. You see it in politicians making a lot of assertions and promises in the hope of getting votes.
See
What are the characteristics of a cult?
Why Nobody Wants to Be a Jehovah's Witness Anymore
Top 20 Most Shocking Religious Scandals Ever
6 May 2026
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life