David Teachout is a licensed therapist specializing in religious abuse, as well as the host of Humanity’s Values podcast and author of Journeys of a Spiritual Atheist. In today’s episode, we explore: what differentiates a religion from a cult? According to David, there’s no clear distinction, but much of it comes down to mind control. How do people who have been indoctrinated into mistrusting their own minds and senses learn to regain trust in their inner guidance? And how does a fervent obsession with moral purity obscure well-intentioned people from recognizing true injustice?David Teachout is a mental health therapist and photographer, focused on and teaching how creativity intersects with mental flexibility in working through the inevitable difficulties in life. David grew up as a Christian fundamentalist, attending a bible college and receiving a bachelor’s in theology and psychology. During his studies there, David de-converted and has been on a journey of appreciating the many faces of humanity. David has a master’s in both forensic psychology and counseling psychology, and is currently at work on a doctorate in clinical psychology. David has been actively working within the field of psychology as therapist, social worker, advocate, and subject-matter-expert, for over fifteen years. In his spare time, David enjoys reading a copious amount, both fiction and non-fiction, exploring perspective through photography, and maintains a blog at www.lifeweavings.com and a podcast at www.humanitysvalues.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @lifeweavings.In this episode several books were mentioned. You can find each of these in my bookshop or by following the Amazon affiliate links below. A small portion of each purchase helps support the show.David Teachout’s own book: Journeys of a Spiritual AtheistJohn McWhorter - Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black AmericaSteven Hassan - Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and BeliefsKatherine Schulz - Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of ErrorFrancis Fukuyama - Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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