Indoctrination

by Rick Nischalke

Indoctrination is a potent form of brainwashing. In today’s culture, it’s one of the most common reasons that parents lose a close and loving relationship with their children.

But there is hope.

Using the tools, strategies and resources you’re about to discover should allow you to make significant progress in your efforts to understand, protect and build a better relationship with your child.

Are you losing the close relationship that you once had with your child because they’ve been subjected to indoctrination by the media, politicians, the educational system or their peers? Do they see you as old fashioned, unenlightened, or worse yet “the enemy”?

Are issues like abortion, gender identification, sexuality, illegal immigration, and other political and social ideology coming between you and your child?

Are your opinions being marginalized or shouted down at family gatherings? Or have they made clear that certain topics are off-limits when in their presence?

Have you been told that you’re no longer welcome at your child’s home because you voted for someone they didn’t approve of, or because of your conservative or Christian views?

As important as it is, this isn’t just about your relationship with your child. This is about their safety, sanity and well-being.

Severe indoctrination can lead to depression, mental illness and suicide. If you have any doubt about that last statement, do the research. The number of young people on anti-depressants has skyrocketed. And teen and young adult suicides are at an all-time high.

I told you that we’re in a battle and that the stakes are high.

These are real examples of the type of fallout families around the world are experiencing from the cultural and spiritual battle we find ourselves in today. But there is hope! Let’s start by defining indoctrination and discovering how to address and in many cases overcome its effects.

One last note before we delve into the process and effects of indoctrination. These techniques are so effective that we suggest assessing yourself to gage how this insidious form of reprogramming may be affecting you, your beliefs, and your world view.

Defining Indoctrination

The Britannica Dictionary definition of INDOCTRINATE
To teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs
Ex: The goal should be to teach politics, rather than to indoctrinate students in/with a narrow set of political beliefs.

Indoctrination is a powerful tool that has been used through the centuries when one group attempts to subjugate and overthrow another. Indoctrination almost always initially targets the youth of the culture being attacked. Targeting later spreads to the general populace after gaining enough momentum and securing positions of authority and influence to propagate their propaganda.

With these strategies in mind, let’s look at some of the powerful sources influencing our culture today.

Influential Sources of Indoctrination

Public school system
Government
Media
Peers
Culture
Religious cults

Indoctrination Techniques

Indoctrination techniques are used by cults around the world with great success. But these same techniques are frequently used by individuals and organizations not recognized as cults wishing to bring about the same results in their followers.

Leaders and influencers dictate how followers should think, act, and even feel.
The group is elitist, claiming a special and exalted status for itself and its ideals.
Many of the group’s ideals are strictly emotional appeals that won’t stand up to critical thinking or dialogue with those outside the group-think environment.
Techniques such as excessive repetition and echo-chamber reinforcement are used to suppress doubts and critical thinking.
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished by leaders or others in the group. In essence, they convince followers to forfeit their critical thinking in return for a sense of belonging, authority and purpose.
The group promotes an “us-versus-them” mentality, which causes conflict and division within the individual’s family and most other members of society.
The group places heavy emphasis on bringing in new members. This brings in additional sources of revenue and support which in turn reinforces that the victim is involved in a legitimate and worthy cause.
The group promotes that its lofty and noble goals justify any means necessary to achieve them, which most followers would have recognized as anti-social, unethical or illegal before joining the group.
The leader and influencers induce feelings of guilt, shame and fear in members to manipulate and control them.
Followers’ loyalty and submission to the group and their ideals causes them to sever ties with family, friends and anyone else that might question or disagree with their programming.
Those that easily succumb to indoctrination usually feel isolated and invalidated by family or society. They have a strong emotional need for acceptance and to be included in a larger group that provides a sense of purpose they’ve previously lacked.
Another personality type that can be attracted to a group using indoctrination techniques are those with narcissistic tendencies that seek the potential power and influence that being a part of this group can offer them.
The victim is taught to look down on anyone that disagrees with them and their ideology. They see these people as inferior, less enlightened or noble than they are.
The victim is taught to question everything. But only outside of the group. Especially long-held traditional values, religious beliefs and social norms. But paradoxically, to NEVER question the group or leaders’ thinking or methods.
Brainwashing includes breaking down a person’s sense of identity and the ability to think rationally. It also appears to offer easy explanations and solutions to all of life’s complex threats and problems.
Many public schools use authority figures such as teachers or counselors to promote and “groom” children to a sexually abhorrent and gay lifestyle. They have been caught sharing inappropriate stories about their own sexual preferences and practices. As well as using what any rational parent would consider pornographic materials showing deviant sexual practices to young children under the guise of sexual education. In the most extreme cases, teachers have become predators and engaged in sex with children.

In the past, most cults had a strong leader that demanded total allegiance and submission to their views and agenda. Although those types of cults still exist, with the advent of social media and the increased power that politicians and educators have captured, many current cults employing the same techniques are more difficult to recognize.

Today, a charismatic leader can be replaced with each member’s own inflated “identity,” which the group celebrates and reinforces. This perceived identity becomes a source of unquestioned authority and a badge of honor. And anyone who does not accept or respect this new identity or authority is marginalized, cut off, or attacked.

Identifying Indoctrination in Your Child

With the previous list of indoctrination techniques in mind, do you see any of the following red flag behaviors or thinking in your child?

Before you review this list, please keep in mind that every child goes through a normal and healthy process of pulling away from their parents as they’re growing up. You’re looking for consistently extreme behaviors and viewpoints that are dividing and threatening your family.

The most dangerous signs of indoctrination include the inability to think critically, dishonoring family members, and if they profess to be a Christian, embracing a secular world view over a biblical world view.

Do you have an open line of communication with your child?
Are there certain subjects that they refuse to discuss with you?
Do certain topics seem to “trigger” an inappropriate level of emotional response or cause them to shut down?
Are they able to have a rational conversation that requires critical thinking and modify their opinion if that’s where deductive reasoning and evidence leads them?
Do they act demeaning or condescending toward others that disagree with their views?
Are they able to have a passionate conversation without resorting to name calling and using demeaning labels to “win” at all costs?
Do you hear them espouse beliefs that are in direct opposition to the beliefs and values they once had?
Have they pulled away from you?
Have they pulled away from what you would consider other positive influences in their life such as church, friends or family that believe in traditional values?
Do they consistently parrot all the latest social media, academic, and government talking points regardless of how radical those views might be?
Have they suddenly told you that they are gay or want to be a transgender?
Have you discovered that your child has been referred to a medical professional by school employees for puberty blockers, surgery or gender reassignment without disclosure or permission from you as their legal guardian?

Fighting Indoctrination

Fighting indoctrination takes time, effort and a multi-faceted approach. And the sooner you identify and address symptoms of indoctrination, the greater your chances of preventing or reversing damage to your child. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for severe signs before acting. The battle will be much more difficult at that level.

Start with prayer. Prayer is your single most powerful weapon against the attack against your child and your family. Ask God for wisdom, discernment and His protection as you seek ways to protect your child and reverse any damage that has already taken place.
Know your bible. Put God’s word and His wisdom above all opposing ideas in your own life. Don’t fall into passivity in the face of evil just because it’s more socially acceptable. Take a stand for what’s right, especially when it’s unpopular with the powerful sources of indoctrination we’ve already discussed. Then teach your child to do the same thing.
As sad as it is, many so-called Christian churches have adopted progressive theology and promote the same socialist ideals that are in vogue in our culture today. If you find yourself in a church like that, run, don’t walk to the exit and find a bible centered church and community to be a part of.
Research sources to find tools and strategies to communicate better without escalating conflict. Get good at asking questions and leading conversations to positive outcomes. Practice using those tools and skills to build the relationship with your child.
Enroll select friends and family, pastors, youth groups, etc. for support.
Educate yourself on the terminology and ideology being used to brainwash your child so that you can more effectively engage and share a different perspective. Surprisingly, you may find that you’ve been influenced to a lesser degree yourself.
Remember, even adults are feeling the pressure to conform to socially engineered progressive ideology. But the pressure experienced by a vulnerable young person is much more intense. They have a deep and appropriate desire to find acceptance and belonging as they enter young adulthood. If they don’t conform and adhere to the groups’ thinking they will be shunned, ridiculed and in some cases physically attacked for non-compliance.
Children are taught to see themselves as either a victim from some real or imagined slight by another group of people, or to become enrolled as “guardians” of another group that is supposedly being treated unfairly by society. Once indoctrinated by this social justice movement they feel free to viciously attack anyone that disagrees with their noble cause.
Develop a plan to intentionally reduce or eliminate sources of indoctrination in every area possible.
Set aside time to consistently meet or spend time with your child. Ideally this should be a mix of fun bonding activities like playing games or hobbies etc., as well as deeper conversations over a cup of coffee or going for a walk. Be creative but intentional about spending quality time with them.
Convey your unconditional love and acceptance of them regardless of the differences coming between you. Let them know that as much as you may disagree about certain subjects, there’s nothing you can’t work through together as long as you both love and respect each other.
Do not expect that your child will abandon their beliefs and behaviors unless they are replaced with something to fill that void. The core needs they are attempting to meet through their allegiance to trending progressive ideals must be met in another way. Needs like acceptance, affirmation, encouragement, a sense of purpose etc.
The most powerful and lasting solution to filling that void is for a child to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A genuine and deep relationship with Him fills us with His Spirit and provides the power and renewing of our minds that only He can provide. Nothing will break the bonds of progressive indoctrination faster than walking with Him and spending time in His written word. God’s word reveals truth will set us free from the lies of the enemy.

Children Living at Home

If your children are still living at home, you have a much greater responsibility to guide, protect and nurture them. But you also have much more influence and many more tools available to protect a child living at home than a child that has moved away.

Some of the following suggestions may seem extreme compared to how your family is used to functioning. But the effects of brainwashing are extreme. What is a healthy relationship with your child worth? What is their safety, sanity and well-being worth?

Let your child see you reading your bible daily. Encourage them to do the same. Start a discussion about a particular scripture verse and ask their opinion about the verse. Start a friendly competition to memorize scripture with a fun prize at the end.
Set appropriate boundaries and use appropriate controls wherever applicable to limit your child’s exposure to sources of indoctrination.
We’ve already identified that the public school system, government, media, peers, culture, and false religious teaching are positioned to most effectively use indoctrination techniques. Determine which of these are having the biggest influence on your child and take steps to minimize their influence.
Do everything possible to encourage your child’s interaction with positive peer influences. Do everything possible to restrict or eliminate bad peer influences from your child.
Remind your child that no one loves or cares about them more than you as their parent. It’s inappropriate and dangerous for anyone to tell them to keep secrets from their parents. Only someone looking to harm or mislead them would do so. This includes friends, family and other adults; even those in a position of authority.
Closely monitor their school curriculum and policies. Find out if your child’s school has a policy of withholding student information from parents. If so, you should consider finding a different school for them to attend.
Find out if your child is seeing a counselor or healthcare worker through their school. Unless you have full disclosure about their counsel or they have already earned your trust, immediately cut off their access to your child. Opt-out in whatever way is required through the school administration. Many parents have lost custody because of these interactions. Or worse yet, children have been surgically and chemically mutilated to reflect a different gender than they were born with without the parents’ knowledge or consent. No one should be counseling your minor child without full disclosure to you as their legal guardian.
Engage your child about their lessons and homework. Probe for insight about their teachers. Ask how their teachers are dealing with trending issues such as sexuality and gender. (An individual teacher might be zealously promoting a progressive agenda even though the school administration is not.)
If you determine that changing their school is necessary, private or charter schools, parochial schools and homeschooling can all be good options. There are many excellent homeschooling options, co-ops and curriculum available these days.
If you’re unable to afford an alternative school, get involved to bring about change in their current school. Report abuse or inappropriate behavior from teachers and counselors. Suggest improvements in curriculum. Demand full parental rights.
Take legal action which can include filing formal complaints with the school board or seeking legal advice about how to best protect your child.
Consider seeking help from a qualified mental health professional. But make sure that they share your values and can be trusted to help your child instead of confusing them further. One that doesn’t embrace progressive definitions of mental illness or therapies.
Begin constructive dialogue with them about trending issues and ask their opinion on these subjects. Encourage them to use critical thinking by asking them questions in a non-judgmental or threatening way. Do your best to stimulate critical thinking process to arrive at rational and truthful conclusions.
Do your best to show them unconditional love, acceptance and a genuine interest in them and their opinions. Draw them out about their friends, their interests and their struggles.
When spending time with your child, share things that you struggled with when you were younger. An example would be being vulnerable and honest about how hard it is for all of us to stand against popular opinion and group pressure. Maybe share a time when you took bad advice or believed a lie from someone you thought was a friend, only to find out that they were wrong or lying. And the pain that it may have caused.
Stimulate their thinking about who they want to be when they grow up. What type of person do they want to be? Do they have any interests or an aptitude or skills they want to develop? Are there any vocations they might want to explore. These are all great conversation starters. If they don’t have an answer today, tell them to think about it for a while and the two of you can discuss it later.
Find out where they’re at in their faith. Are they a Christian? Do you see tangible evidence of their faith in their everyday life? Are they in their bible? Do they attend church? Are they involved in a youth group? Do they have a heart to serve others?
Be careful not to demand them to come to your way of thinking about sensitive and highly divisive topics simply because you’re their parent. Guide them. But give them the freedom to work through the thought process necessary to arrive at their own truthful conclusions about these topics.
Occasionally plant seeds about your perspective on things without necessarily looking for interaction from them. Those seeds will eventually bear fruit later.
Monitor their intellectual and entertainment intake, what they read, computer/phone time, shows they watch in your home. Restrict or minimize negative influences as necessary.

Proactively provide your child with alternative options. Reading and media material with a Godly perspective. These might be movies, sermons, Christian actors, musicians and leaders that would appeal to youth. Social media influencers such as Charlie Kirk, Prager University etc. that intelligently articulate and debate conservative and biblical principles in a hostile culture. This will strengthen their faith and their own ability to stand for truth in a hostile environment.

Indoctrination Deprogramming Process

When someone is subjected to intense indoctrination, they can become unrecognizable and even unreachable. This occurs because the negative influence causes a dissociation from their true self and results in a second “cult” identity being formed.

The deprogramming goal is to reconnect the individual with their authentic identity. But we need to discover what caused their attraction to the cultish belief system in the first place. Those reasons will need to be addressed during the restoration process. Think of your child’s mind as being kidnapped and needing your help to get away from their captors.

Here are several additional strategies to overcome indoctrination:

Encourage critical thinking. Teach your child to question and think critically about the information they receive. This includes encouraging them to ask questions and not accept everything at face value.
Maintain an open and honest dialogue with your child about their experiences, the information they encounter, and the conclusions they’ve drawn. Learn as much as possible about their new belief system without being critical. The initial goal is to discover all that you can about the nature of their programming and how much effect it’s had on their thought process and feelings.
Show an interest in their individual cult identity and what drew them to align with the group’s core mission.Acknowledge the healthy, positive qualities of the cult identity such as the idealism of protecting others that are being mistreated. Use this interest and affirmation as a path to reconnect with their true self. Don’t attack or confront them. When discussing their views, don’t use the word “cult” at all.
Convey your unconditional love and acceptance of them. Your goal is to affirm and reconnect with them at a deep level.
Consistently spend time with your child. Ideally this should be a mix of fun bonding activities like playing games or hobbies etc., as well as deeper conversations over a cup of coffee or going for a walk. Be intentional about investing in the relationship.
Bring up past positive memories and experiences with you and other family members.
Build up and recognize your child for their positive character traits, accomplishments and things that you appreciate about them.
Get support from other sources such as friends, family, pastor or others that your child loves or respects to help the deprogramming and rebuilding process.
Network with other families in the same situation. You may be able to exchange helpful ideas and resources as they help their loved ones break free from indoctrination.
Utilize educational resources that promote critical thinking and expose your child to diverse perspectives. This can include books, magazines, and online resources that encourage critical and independent thinking.
Set appropriate boundaries and expectations with your child for mutual respect when discussing difficult topics.
Research sources to find tools and strategies to communicate better without escalating conflict. Get really good at asking questions and leading conversations to positive outcomes. Practice using those tools and skills to build the relationship with your child.
In severe cases, get help from a qualified mental health professional. If your child lives at home, you can make this decision. If they don’t, you can encourage them to get another perspective from a professional.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully the information we’ve shared with you has been enlightening. Utilizing these tools, strategies and resources should allow you to make substantial progress in your efforts to understand, protect and build a better relationship with your child.

Keep in mind that deprogramming your child from the harmful effects of indoctrination is not an overnight process. It will take time, effort and consistency to see the desired results. And in a perfect world you would be able to set your child completely free of all negative programming. But even if that isn’t achieved, at a minimum you should be able to communicate at a significantly deeper level with much less conflict.

As stated earlier, indoctrination can lead to gender and sexual confusion. In severe cases it can lead to your child declaring that they are transgender. If your child has been affected in this way, go directly to the gender and sexual confusion page of our site for additional help.

Please let us know if this information has helped to restore a positive relationship with your child. Or if you have other ideas or experience that has proven successful that aren’t covered in this material. In the meantime, we will be praying for you and your family!

Recommended resources:

4 Scriptural Strategies for Conflict Resolution

9 Conflict Resolution Tips to Win An Argument Like a Jedi

People Skills: How to Assert Yourself, Listen to Others, and Resolve Conflicts

The Kids Guide to Fighting Indoctrination

The Heritage Foundation

Critical Thinking for Kids

Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith

We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to Our Culture’s Assault on Christianity

Letter to the American Church

How to Win Friends and Influence Enemies: Taking On Liberal Arguments with Logic and Humor

Protect Your Family from Indoctrination: How to Spot and Defend Against Brainwashing Tactics in Politics, Media, and Education

Severe indoctrination can lead to depression, mental illness and suicide. Keeping Families Connected is committed to providing you with the best resources available to reverse the process and bring your child back to safety.