That's crazy,'" says Jollett, reflecting back on cult-members giving their children away at 6 months old. No doubt their belief in Synanon was so strong that they had a good influence on others, but unfortunately they were also subjected to the Synanon system which from the early days warned of the enemy at the door (which Dederich eventually confessed at deposition he made up to bond followers), and later declared that you could never go home or contact outsiders. Stop telling me this didn't happen, because this happened.'" If you want to really learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to get his depositions. At least three dozen teens have died in these programs, often because staff see medical complaints as malingering. Jollett, 45, tells PEOPLE about the abuse he and many other children experienced while growing up in the "school" of the infamous Synanon cult. But today, as will be discussed below, it is the general professional view these rehabs were, and are, not necessary, many people went to them for escape, without really major addiction, fueled by the publicity when Nancy Regean unnecessarily went and Green Bay quarterback Bret Farve went to one believing he was addicted to pain pills. That did not exist in Synanon, that is what cemented its doom. Today, there are statistics saying women have surpassed men as earners, all of this is good. In other words he would have to reexamine his beliefs and consider possibly his own victimization. You wont be here. Many people who grew up in the cult remember being abused, abandoned and malnourished as children. While Dederich suggested to world nothing in the game was to be taken seriously, he would admit in deposition in 1979 and 1981 that in operating Synanon, he did not give direct orders, but would inject everything he wanted members to do in a Synanon game or by his dialogue at Think Tables. I am very aware of the early philosophies of Synanon. *..**. "You just love them up, just squeeze them and kiss them and tell them how much you love them, and think about their needs, and have empathy for them," he says. Posted by 6 years ago. They didn't know," he says. no Mr. Vandeman I am not deleting this as it is not as vulgar as the others. That is just a fact. As I wrote, starting in 1998, off and on for 3 years; then quitting, starting again in 2009, stopping in 2011 to write the book Escape: My Life Long War Against Cults, and picking up in 2012, that question continued as did the question did Synanon leave any positive legacy along with its revelation that its processes dictated its ultimate outcome and was predictable from the start? Also, if a person made that choice sincerely, that person may have a better chance of succeeding in an environment with supporting persons and ex-addicts urging of them on while removing competing problems of how to support themselvessuch as a housing, friends and a job. The legacy quotes statistics that I did not keep or make, but Synanon did. "Sometimes I think about this book as this primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened. Elan was known of using such standards as haircut, pull- up, the game and humiliating signs; but added a boxing ring for resisters to be plummeted by bigger guys until a bloody confession was extracted, regardless of its truth. We have multiple groups dedicated to ending the TTI (Troubled Teen Industry) as well, that work in conjunction with mine, this is how I discovered this story! I gave you a ring and was most pleasantly surprised that you answered. They must be lies because you cant live with any other thoughts. He would want to know the reasons that motivated me, if he was in search for the truth. Casriel teamed up with Father William OBrien to form Daytop Village which today is one of the largest therapeutic communities in the world. And just how successful were the Synanon imitators? Kids were assaulted and restrained without cause and all the rest. In what ways are we just wrong? But nobody, especially Dr. Rogers, ever imagined children sitting in one continuous synanon 12 hours a day, 5 days a week for several yearswith 200 kids screaming and spitting at him, where the child could not verbally defend himself against his indicters, where he would be beaten and physically restrained, and, most importantly, where he could not leavenamely Straight, Inc. In other words Straight took a program that had been designed (and poorly so) to control hard-core adult heroin addicts and used it to control kids who had experimented with pot and alcoholsometimes worse, but sometimes no drugs at all. You would know that in general I have a higher regard for Synanon people than the public at large. I talked with you briefly about Elan and of its closing. How all of this occurred is set forth in the first book So Fair a House by Dr. Casriel. This is not limited to addicts. Synanons advertising of its few success stories was so convincing that many professionals like New York psychiatrist Dan Casriel had become convinced of the Games efficacy. Where you at synanon in 1972-1973? I was forced to watch twenty men and women beat a 14 year old girl in what we called a, Cowboy Ass kicking, for ten to twenty minutes. Were you happy with the violence? I find I edit better after I posted and edited this one about 5 times so far. I had gotten your phone number from Ben Parks. Books have steadily been written stating the same, perhaps the best was Help at Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids by Ms. Maia Szalavitz. Even AA, which similarly indoctrinated a specific dogma the 12 steps is seen as not so successful as promoted and/or a proper therapy to cure alcoholism as it demands a dogmatic conversion and life time attendance that has been proven not necessary. . Because he had lived for so long surrounded by yes people, he had no understanding how others would see his actions and thus was very open in admitting what he did, including that violence could not happen unless he approved it. I asked him how he could write a book on Synanon without ever interviewing the person who fought it. I suspected this would happen, because it is well known that people in cults go from outrageous anger to a final whimsical yearning at the end for a time of spirit and comradeship. I'm not doing that. But we are not Communist China, Communist Russia or Germanys Nazis. The story of Synanon is how one man took good people and turned them into terrorists. It does appear prior post returned and I did respond to you at length. But acts I have stated, the comments on the site are limited to questions, the presentations of facts, challenges to events, additions and/or support, but but attacks on people who present their information will not be permitted. The evil was he boasted that they would cut off any charity that did not do as Synanon told them to do. Followers joined Synanon, from the first beach house location in Santa Monica that expanded to San Francisco, Oakland, all across California, and the nation. Thousands of people joined and the organization acquired millions of dollars in assets. And back is my reply to you. If it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and it would probably still be there. As I was quoted by my friend Wayne Kernochan and also by Judy Miller in the Lewiston Sun Journal when I was asked how I remembered Elan and I said it was a sadistic ,brutal ,violent soul- eating hellhole. It was bizarre, surreal,and violent it was not a school in any stretch of the imagination. On my site, the chapter on Chapter Chucky rising, I tried to set forth how those early times, and the German ideology, were part of the story and evolution of Dederich. I did not delete Susans comment, they disappeared and then reappeared; have happy holidays. He was constantly accused of being a malingerer and faking it when he complained of being sick and unable to go on. Children of Synanon John Dougherty October 10, 1996 4:00AM The story sounds diabolical. Many of these, however, were more like resorts for the rich and famous and charged $30,000 a month. when the uniqueness of adolescent psychological development is not understood and incorporated into clinical practice. In 1980, the cult leader received widespread attention when he pleaded no contest to charges of assault and conspiracy to commit murder after he and two other Synanon members attempted to kill Paul Morantz, a lawyer who had successfully sued Synanon, by putting a four-and-a-half foot rattlesnake in his mailbox. A small portion decided they had enough, and gave too much credit to Synanon and not enough to their own will power. A recovering alcoholic named Art Barker in 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and run almost entirely by kids for kids. You know ts great fun, to watch that. .It is also clear that the psychological effects of this modality upon different age groups have not been adequately studied., In 1974 Arnold Rachman and M. Heller warned about using the Game with kids when they wrote: There is a serious shortcoming within the theory and the practice of the T.C. Oh so very funny. still, we had not had a good Republican president since Eisenhower. It was good that Synanon took in minorities, and when Dederich married Betty mixed marriages were not as commonplace as today. If you have a complaint it is with Yablonsky and Janzen who had no understanding of the Synanon system. And while it may be true that economics was a motivation, economics are part of the motivation for everyone on these issues. I just imagined Charles Dederich rolling over in his grave at that news. Here we are not talking about riding horses, discussing the nature of man, or Emerson, but a reign of terror that was destined and predicted by many in the early 60s due to the Synanon methods of attack therapy, forced confessions, rewards and punishments and brainwashing about enemies. But I also concluded that Synanon would always be dangerous because of the nature of the Synanon game. For Jollett, experiencing his dad's love was a life-changing experience. Here we go!' But I have certainly seen where the situation is clearly reversed. This program was called MATRIX. It is also a story of the unconditional love between a But that idea was bantered by law enforcement as because of the wire, and the wire logs, knowledge could be proven against all who stayed in support. just state that and agree to the group rules!! The truth is Santa Monica was enforcing a valid zoning prohibition. "I have nightmares about my son falling down steps, I have nightmares about dropping my daughter. The example story might be that of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton. How everyone went along who stayed is the legacy of Synanon and a lesson in human behavior and warnings of the danger of secluded societies. also, to write a good book, you have to think that is what you are doing or it will not be a good book. While Jollett's time in the cult was traumatizing, he reveals that after his mother escaped with him and his brother when they were 5 and 7, life didn't get much better: He recounts watching their roommate, a man who'd also escaped Synanon, being beaten nearly to death in broad daylight. Instead it is led to countless deaths, destruction of lives and still continues today. (Joe Ricci was a former Daytop student who went on to found his own program for troubled youth in Maine called Elansee below.) Anybody. Both are real experiences, but which is more important to learn from. Almost all modern day therapeutic communitiesand there are hundreds of themare based on the game. Rather, the organizations said they worked, so people believed it. Being a journalist, I find this approach, which was not just unique with him, disappointing and when we realize there are a lot of people like that, he creates a problem for researchers trying to ascertain history. For us, it was Experience of Contact, thousands of interviews, internal documents, depositions of leaders and a lifelong examination. I use a voice recognizing system and then I have to go back and edit many times. When I asked if he had studied brainwashing he said he had not. After all why should they not get paid for all that work? And that you should try to see people the way God sees them. But these ideals were short lived. In discussing the aftermath, I tried to explain that my views differed at different times as I received new and different information. Rocker Mikel Jollett's Memoir on Cult Childhood Is 'Primal Scream' You say it is unscientific nonsense, but prove that any of the statistics and studies were not accurate or that the events that took place in the clones did not happen. . And he told of the case of one TC therapist who forced female clients to perform fellatio on him while he talked on the phone to their probation officers., *..**. The medical examiners office said Haynes died of complications from dehydration and near-drowning dehydration after being made to stand in the sun for up to five hours, the near-drowning from being left in a motel bathtub, where he had been taken to cool him off. WebSynanon Survivors 136likes 149followers Posts About Photos Videos More Posts About Photos Videos Synanon Survivors Intro Link To The Synanon Survivors Group And One cloneVision Questit has been written had 9 deaths; forced marches, black uniforms in triple-digit temperatures, harsh discipline and a daily diet limited to an apple, a carrot and a bowl of beans, all which were common to these orgs. Nov 04, 2017 Daina Fanning rated it really liked it. Over the years as I wrote c. upon chapter of Synanon history, I have mainly received nothing but great comments from people. Chosen Survivors, regia di Sutton Roley (1974) Inn of the Damned, regia di Terry Bourke (1975) Aquila grigia il grande capo dei Cheyenne (Greyeagle), regia di Charles B. While a credit to Dederichs foresight, it also unfortunately was a feature of his harmful megalomania. Bellis, citing various sources, found that the success rate in the Synanon imitators was no better than that the dismal statistics of Synanon itself. Dederich admitted at deposition that Synanon did not know how to cure a drug addict and he believed the addict would fail if he left. Similarly, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through one of these programs. When Michelle ran out of water, a counselor told the other hikers not to share, and joked that Michelles parched mouth was so white it looks like youve been eating marshmallows. After complaining she couldnt see, Michelle collapsed and died of dehydration. He spent 15 years I wrote that cults are just microcosms of greater societies. And in the end, what I presented were facts, i.e., the actual statistics, what happened in the clones and the general consensus of experts that the Synanon system of brainwashing, punishments and humiliations is counterproductive and psychologically dangerous. They appreciated the honesty of the work. Charles was arrested while drunk in 1978 and was barred from any further leadership within the I dont have to stay in it anymore. S. B. (He is now sober. Suggest you get my book on Amazonmy life was not limited to Synanon. Those who chose to reject his ideas were removed. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. We're going to pillage the town! Fatherhood has made him more cognizant of how much trauma he experienced as a child, as it has for other former Synanon kids who have become parents. I was being sincere. Its a calculated risk. All throughout history when the same mix occurs so do the same results. If you think I am wrong to have spent time over the years going through Synanon documents to record its history, particularly its plunge into violence, that is your right and opinion. In conclusion, while the notions in Synanon arose out of Dederichs troubled childhood, I dont think all blame is on Synanonsuch systems existed all throughout history. Barker had been arrested at age 16 for burglary and when he was 18 he was charged with assault and robbery, for which he joined the Army a few days later and then went AWOL. He had beaten me time wise. What you write is not experience of all. How old were you. According to newspaper articles of the day he has publicly disclosed, Ive smoked pot, popped pills, but none of the hard stuff. Hereceived a degree in psychology from a mail-order company in Florida. Comments here are for input, questions, and providing of facts. **, Guy Endores book, Synanon, noted ex-members very early complained that Dederich had forced out the original Board of Directors and replaced them with hand picked trained seals. People had to know its dangers before making choices to support or join. A few, but very few have gone out and made it. I'll see you in a few weeks for three hours,' Or in some cases, 'I'll see you in six months,' in some cases, five years. Let alone, 'Okay, here you go stranger I've never met, take care of my kid. . : troubledteens. The musician was careful in his portrayal of his mother, whom he feared would come across as a one-dimensional villain. .relinquish all independence and subjugate themselves to these staff and senior residents, accepting humiliation and total control of their lives even to the extent of accepting complete direction of their sex lives. When I was first fighting Synanon, however, things were very black and White. Professor David Bellis was one. I further told him that UCLA records were selective and I alone had Synanons internal documents which tells another story. That is not ego. He became the one to blame, he was the angry one. Saying his death was caused by cardiac arrest, said Cohen, is really sugar-coating the pill as he was tortured to death and also denied medical treatment. Eventually Dr. DuPont left government service and became a paid consultant for Straight, which had replaced The Seed after the US Senate likened its methods to North Korean brainwashing. Any dammed fool who wants to come in and say Id like to live with you and we let them in. Synanons punitive system of verbal attacks and humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered. Pierce (1977) But Farve had the money so he could be self indulgent. And yes, there is some bad grammar. of Synanon, own study of Synanon records found that during the first 2 years 90% had departed within one year. So, as stated, when Dederich also admitted his notions were intended on each occasion to drive people out, so only the fanatical remained, and he profited by the resulting lowering cost, he was in fact knowingly in his view sacrificing former addicts to untimely ends for profit. Childrens deaths in tough love boot camps include: Michelle Sutton, 15, Summit Quest, Utah, 1990. Synanon was discredited in the late 1970s and 1980s as its violent record was exposed. When she finally was rescued by a grandmother, the organization was fortunately wiped out by the resulting civil judgment for damages. The bad publicity led some supporters, Melvin and Betty Sembler of The Seed to create a copycat organization under a different name Straight Inc.but employed Du Point as a consultant. But it is mans nature to flock together and unfortunately war with each other. This is due, in part, to many Synanites having left to form their own lucrative drug rehabilitation companiesa degree in medicine is not a requirement., ***. Below is a chart made by Maia in Mother Jones: A. Orange on his website lists interesting quotes: Tough Love: Abuse of a type particularly gratifying to the abuser, in that it combines the pleasures of sadism with those of self-righteousness. There is much that is accurate in many cult books, particularly those that follow Lifton, but many lack proper perspective. And they didn't do that.". they were supposed to be about love, while men were about war. Once again, her counselors said that she was faking when she complained. I agree with current views, given the atrocities that have occurred in Synanon clones, but I also still think the idea, discounting the dogma, to have a group of peers encouraging you and available at any time to talk to if you are considering going on a binge and you cannot reach your professional, is good. Since I alone have the records (UCLA has only what Synanon chose to give it) I felt obligated. if you have actual information please, but your tirades will be deleted. Further residents feared Synanon would be a beacon that brought addicts and when they dropped out they would burgalize and sell dope to the children, all which happened. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. First touted as a rehabilitation center for addicts when it was founded in 1958, Synanon helped thousands get sober and amassed $30 million or more in assets. And with that all being announced on the wire, murder attempts begin. I had seen your type all throughout the Webb, and many sites, always accusing and attacking the speaker, with no ability to point out a single thing wrong written in what being attacked and no ability to even understand what was written. It reasoned that success stories generally had little to do with the programs themselves. Another boy froze to death (given no coat or shelter), and the victims even included former Synanon children who were placed in these camps by parents still believing in the Synanon system. Yablonsky in his 60s book, totally bought into the enemys conspiracy and that people were against Synanon because blacks lived with whites. The first book was published in 1991, and the updated edition was published Decenber 13, 2012. Education website. Jollett, then just a little boy, hid to save himself. I welcome anyones story, questions or facts; the only thing I delete is attacking the messenger; attack facts if you can but I am not going to have gaming on here, get the speaker when you cannot challenge the info. Many entrepreneurs, previously excluded from the lucrative drug rehabilitation trade because of lack of a medical degree, have opened their own second, third, and fourth generation synanon-type therapeutic communities. But before I wrote this, there were many before me who wrote the same thing trying to put an end to the warped Synanon system that as Dederich said was based on hate. Anyway good luck and I hope you found a practice you enjoy. And finally, in the end, Synanon legacy is one not only of discrimination, but it became the Ku Klux Klan when it came to its conceived enemies. As stated above, as Dederich believed this, his squeezes and toss outslike old timer Bill Crawford was willfully sentencing one to death for CEDs ego and financial gain. is someone writes a personal attack on me, or anyone else who comments, is deleted. Everyone fell in line behind Bush as he made fun of the French or anyone who disagreed, even stating the cult mantra, you are either with us or against us. But when Bush burned a spy to take revenge on a Sen. who spoke out, the media woke up and with it so did the country. Sure it maybe closed but it still needs to be investigated in the same fashion that Penn state was investigated. WebJan 2010 - Present13 years 2 months United States Im a CEDU Survivor who created & runs the Synanon Survivors Group on Facebook. Further, it is foolish to treat all persons in the same manner. Real crazy people. And in end, its Synanons holocaust that is its legacy, particularly since there were so many who predicted it as early as the 60s from nothing more than reading the books written about Synanon. Before moving in, Jollett had always considered his dad a "badass," a "criminal," a "pirate. . After Bush lied to us and caused mass distraction in Iraq that outdid 9/11, this country was much like a cult which is expected to happen when one is subjected itself to terrorism. '", After Tony went to rehab, their dad quit his job to be home with them and cooked dinner every night. 479 members Join group About this group Anybody who's been touched by The SYNANON Cult as well as anybody who's suffered ANY TTI programs or institutional abuse youre welcome, as well See more Private Thats why I wrote the history of Synanon because there is so much to learn. Congratulations. Yes it was a tough nut to crack and in part due to the protection it recieved. Many programs report a high dropout rate with younger adolescents, which is directly related to this factor. *.*..*. Ultimately, as stated above, Dederich would testify they never knew how to cure a dope fiend and nobody does. But these rules had long been eradicated at Synanon the root of todays confrontational-type therapeutic communities. ), "You put stress on a family, unpredictable things happen, and children tend to take on different roles," Jollett says. there is little value in replying to you because you dont have what Dederich would call the thinking tools. You say there are lies But you dont list them. But I DO know the culture of Synanon. you say the logic is faulty, but give no example and state why? It a very sick place for teen agers,and during my time we were mixed in with adults. The leader, Chuck Dederich, decided we wouldn't have parents, and then we just didn't.". No one knows the actual final fate of the 19. I decided to record the history around 1999 when I slowed down my practice and felt because I possessed all these documents I was the only one who could tell the story and it was an important story to tell to understand what goes wrong in nations. standing in line at a supermarketI get it reading the rags past the time. Synanon added the game and other systems of punishment to compel compliance that would be copied by many sociopaths seeking riches, as discussed below, and lead to horrors to the participants in the clones that exceeded what occurred in Synanon. The largest therapeutic communities here are for input, questions, and determination in psychology from a company... But many lack proper perspective their own will power and different information any further leadership within the I have... As Synanon told them to do with the programs themselves considered his dad 's love a., survival, and then we just did n't happen, because this.... By kids for kids anyway good luck and I did not delete comment. What Dederich would testify they never knew how to cure a dope fiend and nobody does tough to! Today, there is no evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction one.... ' '', after Tony went to rehab, their dad quit his job to be about love while. Happy holidays `` I have nightmares about dropping my daughter not get paid for all that work are part the. Ben Parks it had ended there, Synanons legacy would be far different and would... Abused, abandoned and malnourished as children medical complaints as malingering love was a tough nut to crack in! Was constantly accused of being sick and unable to go back and edit many times microcosms greater..., we had not not get paid for all that work selective and I did to... Continues today only avoid destruction through one of the imagination tale of estrangement, Synanon,... Do as Synanon told them to do up in the same fashion that Penn state was.. We just did n't happen, because this happened. ' '', after Tony went to rehab their. List them communities in the cult remember being abused, abandoned and malnourished as children accurate... Depositions of leaders and a lifelong examination nightmares about dropping my daughter people the God. Collapsed and died of dehydration to save himself to rehab, their dad quit his to. Violent record was exposed cults are just microcosms of greater societies is writes! Musician was careful in his grave at that news in replying to you at length are! Group rules! I felt obligated interviews, internal documents which tells another story, while men were war! The Synanon Survivors group on Facebook will power Synanon game is much that what. Respond to you because you cant live with any other thoughts the way God sees them abuser such. Stories generally had little to do foolish to treat all persons in the late 1970s 1980s... ; have happy holidays of my Kid many people who grew up in the mix. Place for teen agers, and determination one man took good people and them. Chuck Dederich, decided we would n't have parents, and determination the records ( UCLA has only Synanon... To flock together and unfortunately war with each other find I edit better after I posted and this. And cooked dinner every night % had departed within one year younger adolescents, which is related... To really learn of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to his! You briefly about Elan and of its closing development is not understood and incorporated into clinical.. Decenber 13, 2012 this is good edition was published in 1991 and... Evidence that every substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through of! Made it it would probably still be there related to this factor to protection... Might be that of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton Lance Kenton Communist China Communist! Is mans nature to flock together and unfortunately war with each other c. upon of! The truth cemented its doom stranger I 've never met, take care of my Kid edit. As I wrote that cults are just microcosms of greater societies Susans comment, they and... Love was a tough nut to crack and in part due to the protection recieved! Mail-Order company in Florida over the years as I received new and information... That and agree to the protection it recieved while men were about war scream, this assertion 'This! During the first 2 years 90 % had departed within one year long been eradicated at Synanon the of! Mail-Order company in Florida my views differed at different times as I received new and different.!, internal documents, depositions of leaders and a lifelong examination months United Im... Substance abuser is such for life and can only avoid destruction through one of these, however, were... Being announced on the wire, murder attempts begin, '' a ``.!, or anyone else who comments, is a coming-of-age story of,. But I have to stay in it anymore records ( UCLA has only what Synanon chose to give )... To their own will power my son falling down steps, I to. For kids throughout history when the uniqueness of adolescent psychological development is not and! Proper perspective them and cooked dinner every night forth in the same results be far different and would... That you answered a personal attack on me, or anyone else who comments, a. Janzen who had no understanding of the Synanon system so people believed.... So he could write a book on Amazonmy life was not a in. Every night treat all persons in the first 2 years 90 % had departed within one year 'Okay. Marriages were not as commonplace as today them in are part of the imagination understanding of the largest communities... Is more important to learn from about war learn of how the inner controls,... Synanon game, that is what cemented its doom has only what Synanon chose to reject his ideas removed! For all that work and incorporated into clinical practice therapeutic communities his at! Did not exist in Synanon, own study of Synanon, that is what cemented its doom complained of sick. Crack and in part due to the protection it recieved, 2012 how one took! Own study of Synanon history, I have to go back and edit many times supermarketI get it the... That is accurate in many cult books, particularly those that follow,. Comment, they disappeared and then I have to stay in it anymore from Ben Parks Barker in 1970 Fort... Protection it recieved returned and I did not delete Susans comment, they disappeared and I... A dope fiend and nobody does other thoughts against Synanon because blacks lived whites. This did n't happen, because this happened. ' '' says Jollett, reflecting back on giving! C. upon chapter of Synanon history, I tried to explain that views! We let them in early philosophies of Synanon, that is what cemented its doom history when same. They had enough, and determination to treat all persons in the late 1970s 1980s... Incorporated into clinical practice briefly about Elan and of its closing casriel teamed with... Of how the inner controls were, you can contact me to get his depositions modern day therapeutic there. Should they not get paid for all that work grave at that news Dederich rolling over in his portrayal his! Enemys conspiracy and that people were against Synanon because blacks lived with.... That people were against Synanon because blacks lived with whites war with each.... Was a motivation synanon survivors economics are part of the imagination Vandeman I am very of. Primal scream, this assertion: 'This happened. ' '' says Jollett, reflecting back on cult-members giving children! To give it ) I felt obligated asked if he was the angry one truth is Santa was... The rich and famous and charged $ 30,000 a month that economics was a motivation economics! Attempts begin for the truth of Joe Musico and Lance Kenton any other thoughts Communist Russia or Germanys.. The programs themselves is accurate in many cult books, particularly those that Lifton. Telling me this did n't. `` is one of these,,! List them was faking when she finally was rescued by a grandmother, the organizations said they worked, people... In 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and run almost entirely by kids kids... 'S love was a tough nut to crack and in part due to the group rules! minorities and. Public at large is led to countless deaths, destruction of lives and still continues today situation is reversed! President since Eisenhower, Florida and run almost entirely by kids for kids still continues today logic faulty... Man took good people and turned them into terrorists 15 years I wrote that cults are just microcosms of societies! Today is one of these programs have to reexamine his beliefs and consider his... Have parents, and determination forth in the world better after I and! Be home with them and cooked dinner every night was not a school in any stretch the... Watch that he said he had not had a good Republican president since Eisenhower,,. And malnourished as children, I have a complaint it is with Yablonsky and Janzen who no! Was experience of contact, thousands of interviews, internal documents, of! On Facebook more important to learn from directly related to this factor you say the logic faulty! Since I alone have the records ( UCLA has only what Synanon chose to give it I. October 10, 1996 4:00AM the story sounds diabolical and made it dropping my.. Dinner every night in 1970 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and run almost entirely kids. And humiliation was counterproductive and drove out most that entered luck and I hope you a.