Teen Mania is a multi-million dollar independent religious organization run out of Texas, it’s known for it’s intense stadium events called BattleCry/Aquire the Fire and for it’s in house training program called the Honor Academy and it’s short term mission trips called Global Expedition.
In recent years the organization has come under media and theological scrutiny, and there are plenty of YouTube clips as well as a series of three reports by KLTV TV.
Because Teen Mania is so aggressive in their pitch to churches and individuals, young people and their parents who pay for The Honor Academy are likely unaware of former interns speaking out on the effects of their time in Texas, or about anything the organization doesn’t want you to know about their programs. Even a quick glance at some of the literature or a quick listen to clips reveals the militant dominionist philosophy.
Mind over Mania focuses on former Honor Academy students at various stages of coming to terms with what they experienced. Using Robert Lifton’s Theory of Thought Reform, former interns think through thier time at the Academy and the effect on their lives and faith. Liftons principles:
a)Milieu Control – The control of information and communication.
b)Mystical Manipulation – The manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated.
c)Demand for Purity – The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection.
d)Confession – Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group.
e)Sacred Science – The group’s doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute.
f)Loading the Language – The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand.
g)Doctrine over person – The member’s personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group.
h)Dispensing of existence – The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not.
It can be difficult for Christian parents who are feed a good marketing line and who tend to trust para-church organizations to see the authoritarian abuse directed at young people who genuinely want to serve God. Parents need to do their homework also and look for healthier experiential alternatives for their child.
Teen Mania has been operating in Canada since 2000, and is a nearly million dollar organization. The Canadian branch issued tax receipts for nearly 460 thousand dollars in donations in 2010. While Aquire the Fire stadium events have been held in Hamilton/Toronto, most of the Canadian marketing is directed toward churched kids who are willing fodder for the Texas Honor Academy Texas and Global Expeditions experiences. Plans for Luce’s organization expansion in Canada, remain ambitious.
As a complete aside it is interesting to see a TM Canada trustee, Peter Marshall; is another Canadian involved with Charles McVety. (Launching a Canadian equivalent of the US National Religious Broadcasters lobby group)
While Teen Mania is able to garner shiny high profile fundamentalist endorsements, the over riding concern for any parent is the health and well-being of young people under thier care, not only during the time in Texas, but as Mind over Mania demonstrates, their well-being long after.
The blogger who appears in Mind over Mania runs a site for recovering Academy alumni: My Teen Mania Experience
Teenage Holy War Jeff Sharlet. Rolling Stone 2008
ABC News Nightline 2007
Teen Mania Watch
Teen Mania Canada
Teen Mania Canada Facebook
Teen Mania US
The Honor Academy Facebook
I spent two years there. I can’t speak for everyones experience but I can definately say I would do it again. I do feel like this blog is overreacting and exagerating things quite a bit.
I have a few questions for the author, but first a little background. I myself have never been to the Honor Academy, I know several people who have been, and over all their experiences have been positive. I have been to Acquire the Fire events, and I enjoyed the events I attended. I think Ron Luce is a good speaker with a good message, though I do disagree with some of his doctrine, none of which disagreements are over salvation issues.
Now my questions:
1. Have you, the author, ever been to a ATF/Battlecry event, or the Honor Academy?
I ask this to discover what your source of information is. Is it from personal experience or are based solely on the MSNBC report?
2. This one is much more simple, how do you consider an organization who brought in less than one half of one million dollars last year “a nearly million dollar organization” ?
“Accountabilty”???……- “Teen Mania maintains theological accountability with Jack Hayford Ministries and is also a member with the National Association of Evangelicals.”
Scary!
Fair questions Mike. Take a look at the Rev Can filing. I would think most of the monies raised in Canada are by participants heading to the US or on the Expeditions.
The amount I quoted was what was tax receiptable.
I have not been to an ATF event or to the Honor Academy. The source of my information from this post is from RevCan, MSNBC, the articles, the ABC report, the local TV report, and the blogs mentioned. The point of the post is to let people know MSNBC did a piece on alumni who are coming to terms with their experience.
Oh the sheeple will just chalk this all up to satan doing his dirty deed! I spent my year in the HA, went on mission trips and lots of ATF events. Keep fattening Ron Luces pockets kiddos.
Mike: I’m not a judge not want to be. I think the fact that this ministry is teaching kids to obey their spirits rather than emotions is good, but the way they go about it troubles me. Perhaps this is a message from God for Ron Luce: let the Holy Spirit train in these matters. He is our helper. My opinion. I have never been to Teen Mania. I do know I have never felt led of God to listen to Ron Luce, though. Don’t know why. Also, that elitism that some of the members come out with is scary. I’ve seen it in Toronto and other “super spiritual” places. Spiritual pride is very nasty. May God humble us all so that we love one another, not try to outdo one another.
I am a pastor who spent two summers with Teen Mania in the 90′s and went to several of their events. I saw this story on twitter today and was very surprised by it. I’ve looked at several websites/blogs and read the comment sections and there seems to be a similar reaction from a lot of people. Teen Mania is not what this documentary is making them out to be. I had a great time there and credit my experiences with the organization as some of the formative moments that eventually would lead me to consider full time ministry. Now many years later I am a reformed presbyterian with a decidedly different theology, but I would still let my kids be a part of teen mania if they were interested.
I don’t doubt some people had positive experiences with Teen Mania, I’m not here to negate those who were not harmed.
I’ve seen how bad experiences with the organization have been negated – and that is not acceptable.
People have been victimized, and it is important to understand, accept and acknowledge the pain, and the ongoing pain.
This young woman worked for Teen Mania for two years and says:
This is how Teen Mania perceives those who have been harmed who have spoken up: http://www.honoracademy.com/intern-life/faqs/recovering-alumni-information/
Keith and Frederick:
I commend you for your measured response.
It grieves me that your compassion for the hurt does not extend to the leadership of Teen Mania. While these comments refer to one site, I think it is safe to assume the beliefs extend to other sites, Christian and non-Christian as well as to other forms of media where Teen Mania is examined.
http://www.honoracademy.com/intern-life/faqs/recovering-alumni-information/
I was an intern at the Honor Academy in Garden Valley in 2000. What I can say is that the program is not for everyone but my experience was largely positive. Over a decade has past and I have refined my beliefs but there is nothing that I can point to that would suggest that it was cult-ish. By and large the program is about character development, leadership skills, and a religious aspect that is intimate but not the three ring circus we see with other groups.
Also, I would like to point out that the ESOAL retreat is entirely voluntary. Interns have the capacity to quit the retreat at anytime. I participated in the retreat and made it through the entire event. Not everyone is able to go through it but not everyone can go through Navy Seal training either. I know there is a difference between the two but we don’t criticize people for participating in those attempts at testing the body. There is an expectation by every intern before entering the retreat- no one is blindsided when they enter the retreat.
I would like to add that I think it’s unfortunate that some of the young people had such a negative experience. I have no ties to the ministry whatsoever and my heart goes out to those hurt by their experience. This may be a great opportunity for the ministry to revamp it’s approach in some areas; on the other hand, don’t throw out the baby with the bath water.
Hi Bene,
My kids went on about 12 international trips with TM, and my son attended the “honor academy.” (graduated from HA 1999). MULTIPLE things went on there that were far less than honorable. He and I spoke about this again last night after we watched, “Mind over Mania.” My daughter, Liz, even wrote her master’s thesis on her TM missions experiences, and how it affected her. It’s not “overreacting” nor is it exaggeration to say they (TM, the program and the leaders) cause harm to many participants. When complaints are disregarded, or when the participants are discredited, it shows particular problems with the organization itself.
Thank you for your blog entry about the program. It helps to bring awareness so that parents can be aware of what their teenagers are going through. Parents should not assume that all’s well, just because TM is Christian.
http://www.gabc.sitewrench.com/assets/1485/extremeracerelease.pdf
Knowing that mania is associated with extreme behavior and sometimes psychotic symptoms, check these folk out first. Before handing your kids over to them, check out their disclosures and ministry practices. If you don’t understand the language in their contracts, get representation and clarification. I could not sign my child over to this behavior. I world discourage my child from this treatment.
This all fits into the Dominist/NRA/New Age,mindset & agenda! WACKO
Susan: That disclosure paperwork looks pretty standard to me… in this day and age when organizations have to worry about lawsuit-happy parents, this type of agreement is normal and necessary for function, regardless of religious affiliation.
I went there a year, it was by far one of the best years of my life. I think this article is just another example of bad reporting or faith in it anyway. The first comment says it all, highly exaggerated. Most of the bullet points in this have very little truth. I am not going to blame the writer though, you’re most likely parotting what you heard on TV. If not, stop lying to make a story bigger (if we lived in 1st century Rome you could call it a cult. Christianity is orthodox in America)
Well no Justin, not all branches of Christianity are orthodox in the US or anywhere else.
Teen Mania is dominionist/Joels Army. That is hardly orthodox.
Here:http://www.inplainsite.org/html/teen_mania.html
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/5/16/1040/55082
http://herescope.blogspot.com/search?q=Ron+Luce
If you’ve not had an opportunity to research why many evangelicals take exception to Teen Mania’s theology, (let alone some of the tactics) I hope the links in the post and the ones above are a starting point for you.
Wow! I didn’t even read over the waiver/release form nor my parents because I was too excited to go we didn’t bother, I’m sure if we would have, my mom definitely would not have let me go (she felt weird about it in the first place). . . I just came across this documentary, and my reaction really surprised me. Being that I’ve previously seen the recovering alumni website and just thought ‘these are just wimps, pussies, I did the hardest stuff possible during my two years, didn’t they know it would be military’. . . so, naturally, I thought my thoughts and feelings about this matter would remain the same, but I broke down like crazy when I watched this documentary because I come from the inside like them, and when your personally ‘in’, you get affected WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT. I’ve been brain washed by them up until watching the documentary, and I’ve been ‘graduated’ for almost 5 years now. . . I’m still re-patterning/recovering my mind, will, emotions, ect… I’m encouraged now to really look at my two years, and also write out my Teen Mania Experience… Up until now I was just focusing on the good, and denying the abuse or anything remotely close to horrible. I was in denial until now. My first year starting out with a death, and from there directly to manipulation military style, ect… I will write.
While Teen Mania is taking to in house religious media to repudiate the MSNBC piece (as they have done with other media coverage in the past) I think it’s important to remember Mind over Mania is less about Teen Mania than it is about people who have been harmed in it’s high demand environment, and is about their attempts to recover their lives.
I wish you well as you sort out and work out your experience Ashlee, one thing current interns and recent past interns may not know is the effects of a high environment may not show up in their lives for some time. For you it was five years, and triggers are different for everyone.
I’m glad that resources are available to you, and that you know you are not alone…go under the mercy.
I went to Teen Mania for a year and it was a positive experience for me. I learned so much and enjoyed my stay there. I am thankful for the accountability that I had there. It may be harder for people who may not like confrontation, but it’s only to prepare you. For example, at any workplace there is constant accountability from your supervisors. Or in the family, we often correct our children. I always looked forward to completing my accountability card. One thing that was on the card was for us to do exercise. I’m really glad that it was on that card because I would probably just sleep all day. As far as ESOAL, it’s totally voluntarily and you can quit at any point. If you don’t want to get dirty nobody is going to make you get in the mud. Yes, it’s all in the mind. The leaders try to “discourage” you and try to get you to give up. But that’s the point, in life we will go through trails and tribulations, but we overcome those battles with our mind and not let our emotions take over easily. I completed ESOAL all the way and it was an amazing experience for me. It’s probably not for everyone, but I would recommend it. I admire those interns who are working there bringing thousands to the Lord through their phone calls. Working 8hr shifts was all worth it if it meant bringing hundreds of thousands of people to God. There’s just so much positive that I wish would have been said as well. I do really feel for the few that have been hurt.
First of all, ESOAL, is an OPTIONAL event at Honor Academy. Every person was given the oportunity to leave ESOAL at ANY TIME. They were preparing us for any possible adversity physically, emotionally, and spiritually that we would face in the world over our Christian faith. I firmly stand by Ron Luce, David Hasz, and Teen Mania ministries, and though humans are imperfect, they have done the best they can to help equip this generation to live out their faith for Jesus and share about Him without fear. Jesus said that the world will hate us because it first hated Him. So this news and these testimonies are no surprise to me.
Hi Amy: ESOAL is now PEARL. I think the world has nothing to do with the authoritarianism, cookie cutter programming and harm behind the gates of the Honour Academy.
To perceive a group of people seeking healing as an attack on Teen Mania and to negate the milieu of high demand, peer pressure etc is missing the point.
Spiritualizing leadership decisions doesn’t erase the inevitable fallout of flawed programming.
This is another opportunity for parents and prospective interns to look beyond the pr and make healthy choices as well as for former interns to be aware that they are not alone in what they are experiencing post event.
I admire those interns who are working there bringing thousands to the Lord through their phone calls. Working 8hr shifts was all worth it if it meant bringing hundreds of thousands of people to God.
Shelly, would you do the same shifts knowing that any of your efforts caused harm to even one? Jesus said, “But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6 (American Standard Version)
Pardon me – it looks like my comment appears wrong. I was quoting Shelly’s comment. She said, “I admire those interns who are working there bringing thousands to the Lord through their phone calls. Working 8hr shifts was all worth it if it meant bringing hundreds of thousands of people to God. ”
to which my response is this: Shelly, would you do the same shifts knowing that any of your efforts caused harm to even one? Jesus said, “But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6 (American Standard Version)
BUNK!!!! Bitter people trying to bring down a fruitful ministry. So slanted and one sided. No one is threatening these people to be a certain way, and it’s just down right BUNK!!!!
I’m sorry you feel that way Ken, don’t give yourself a headache.
For the past few days I’ve been reading about Ron Luce and his Teen Mania. I don’t agree with this type behavior. That’t my right to feel this way. Just the same, I can’t help wonder about basic hygeine issues. The emotional issues that are created on this type course are very extreme. What I’ve been reading and watching on this subject, it’s a wonder this type course would be allowed for a teen. A teenager does not have to prove they are devoted to a christian life or endure suffering out of guilt? Why?
Striving,Performance,Wacko theology/Teaching,Sleep deprivation,Jumping thru hoops of fire….It all sounds very Cultic,NRA,Dominist,New Age to me!
Oh, I forgot to mention: Time magazine’s cover art of Jakes was an occultic, cabalistic masterpiece. An Illuminati jewel. Not only is Jakes shown holding a Bible, it appears he has a red horn protruding out of the top of his head (the little horn of Daniel, the antichrist?) Right above that is a square red dot, which, in occult language, indicates the four corners of the Earth, with these two words to the right of it: “Venus Rules!” Venus, of course, in the Illuminist and satanic lexicon, stands for “Mystery Babylon.”
Hi Bene,
As a former intern who has suffered from years as a result of TM’s warped teachings and abusive practices, thank you for posting this! I understand this is a hot-button issue for many. I myself did not even perceive my internship as abuse for many years. It was so painful to deal with depression, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, constantly being on guard and feeling panic, and depsondant, etc. after I finished my year there. There were so many things I didn’t understand and I blamed myself for every bit of it. Now that I see it for what it was, I am also determined to speak out about the truth of TM. Thank you again!
Here were my thoughts that I sent to MSNBC….
Hello MSNBC,
I viewed your “Mind Over Mania” documentary and was very disappointed regarding the lack of objectivity in the media represented. I was an intern at the Honor Academy for two years, just over twelve years ago. The organization is not perfect, most are not, but exploiting activities such as ESOAL, which is ONLY 48 hours or less and clearly stated as an OPTIONAL activity (which was never mentioned in the documentary) to the interns was not a holistic view of the ministry.
Also, for the past two years I have lived in Ch!na, which is the same length of time that I lived at Teen Mania, and I have to say that the document regarding brainwashing in Ch!na as a comparison to Teen Mania is NOT what is happening there. I see the effects of brainwashing on a culture (i.e. limited access to information such as on the internet, not being allowed to travel, not being given passports to be exposed to other beliefs or culture, strict monitoring by the gov’t, etc.) and that is not what is happening at Teen Mania; interns may leave at anytime they choose and talk to anyone they choose.
What I found the MOST disappointing was that only 4 voices out of (as the documentary stated) over 8,000 graduates! The only others interviewed were current interns. There was not a single alumni that was not one of the girls who were upset (I feel bad for them, but clearly, they do not give the whole picture to the ministry). I am also saddened to see how this has brought accusations and doubts regarding the character of Ron Luce and David Hasz.
Thankfully, there are sites such as flourishingalumni.org and supporthonoracademy.blogspot.com being created to give those interested in the “other side of the story” — which then would be an objective point of view (the good and bad). I have also seen on facebook loads of alumni coming forward to talk about their POSITIVE experiences and to encourage Dave Hasz. Next time, please make sure you have ALL the facts and look for an OBJECTIVE point of view if you are going to call it “news.”
Much appreciated,
Holly (omitted my last name for this site)
Ron Luce is a member of NAR – New Apostolic Reformation – that is connected to Kingdom Now Theology. The organization has become increasingly involved in political activism, with many of its leaders supporting the 2012 presidential candidacy of Rick Perry… OOPS.
That says it all.
This has anti religious agenda written all over it. All the girls are overweight sensitive and whiny. It’s no coincidence no guys are whining about ESOAL on here and the girl said she did the cross walk twice……TWICE. Why would you do it twice if you hated it?? So ridiculous.
And the comparison to chinese mind control is so loosely reaching it’s embarrassing for MSNBC. Honor Academy is not for everyone but it’s hardly a cult and these girls are going to have eternal consequences for bashing Teen Mania to serve their own agenda and absolve responsibility for their failure. Most of these girls sound like Athiests that were hoping to be ATF rock stars and were sorely disappointed when it actually turned out to be an academy. And that therapist cream’s himself every time he has an excuse to downplay teen mania, it’s just sad how overly bias this “documentary” is.
But hey I could be wrong, I’m sure it’s just a huge coincidence that a bunch of out of shape girls have a problem with a program that values personal discipline.
holly, 96 hours or less, do your homework 12 years have past.
Jimmy YO:
I don’t know the cost or accessibility of the retreat, or whether or not it was a female only weekend.
That aside, take a look at the ABC report – there are male interns interviewed.
Also read Jeff Sharlets piece and go to the blog mentioned in the MSNBC report, there are male interns commenting.
I sincerely hope you never experience spiritual abuse, or suffer from a chronic illness contacted while working for God.
I also recommend you read up on trauma before you comment on personal looks.
Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks at the heart.
I didn’t know Jesus loved or could only be represented by skinny people.
Nor is serving God about works. Religion is about works, so if the MSNBC report is anti-religious, then good.
Teen Mania responds aggressively to criticism or to anyone pointing out systemic flaws and abuse – and the organization has acknowledged problems these women have had to courage to point out at risk to their friendships and reputations. Courage and meekness are beautiful traits, something the group in the MSNBC report (and others who have spoken up) show in spades.
Jimmy Yo,
How typical it is to pursue one’s own difiniton of what is significant, when defining a christian from the outside appearance? I think those difinitions are like a dime a dozen. In reality, such a strong delusion, judging someones values on the outside, shows others a strong insecurity someone has of themselves on the inside.
These are young girls with feelings. That course is just nasty after all that vomit. The filthy water that is on it, makes me wonder if the parents knew about the potential hazards of health issue related to such exposures.
When you’re young you don’t see things for what they really are sometimes. Young people look up to adults for answers. This course, from my observation, is not the answer.
I was at the Honor Academy for a year as an intern 6 years ago, and I still view it as the most important year of my life. It is not surprising that MSNBC would bias towards a liberal worldview on this documentary, but their lack of journalistic objectivity is astounding. This is blatant picture-painting here.
ESOAL – the Bootcamp-style event they show all over this interview was strictly optional. During my year, most interns did sign up (including me), and I personally never encountered a single disgruntled intern for having done so.
And concerning doctrine taught there: I found no prevalent style or denomination. We were clearly instructed to go and find our own church to attend each Sunday, and creating our own ‘church groups’ that stayed on campus Sunday mornings was not allowed at all. All of us attended and were involved in a wide variety of churches each Sunday. Interns and staff ranged from charismatic to conservative and Reformed types.
Yes, there were people there that I disagreed with, even fundamentally, but the majority, especially the staff, were all great leaders, friends, and associates. I haven’t been back on campus in several years, but I will say it again: it was the most important year of my life. And nobody there is forced to go there or stay, they could leave at any time. Anyways, enough ranting, God bless.
@MSNBC Is Trollin
Could you please provide a complete Doctrinal statement
and a Mission statement aswell…
When I followed the same crowd as Todd Bentley, I thought it was all great. Now that I’m older, and hopefully wiser, I can see the untold damage done by that movement. Ron Luce is a sort of para-brand to the same movement. I can easily understand how people could love it while they were in it, and then despise it later on.
….So true of most Cults/Cultic people, & organizations!
However,He remains FAITHFUL and TRUE
“You will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free…”
Here is Teen Mania’s doctrinal statement, their core values and mission statement.
http://www.teenmania.com/beliefs/
Thanks,
It all looks good and sounds good,
However,”doublespeak”,is extremely dangerous,
Especially with youth!!
A common factor in dominionism,cults…etc,or any “ism”,whatever flavor that might be
Me, I agree, there is a lot of truth to ‘older and wiser’.
If you look at this letter from Teen Mania concerned alumni to potential clients and parents, many have the luxury of time which distances themselves from their Teen Mania experience. Some have only been distanced from TM for a couple of years, and want to caution others.
http://concernedtmalumni.blogspot.com/2011/11/open-letter-to-those-considering-honor.html#comments
Ironically Liftons principles can be applied to this documentary. Documentaries are all about mind control. a. Video editing
b. Asking questions that give the answers sought
c. Teen Mania painted as purely black
d. Mr. Luce didn’t comment (confess his sins) at the end of the doc
to a publicity group MSNBC
e. MSNBC is truth
f. TM flat out labeled as cult
g. The girls were highlighted over other members of TM who’s experiences were positive, which btw is the majority.
h. MSNBC thinks Teen Mania shouldn’t exist.
Hey brano, does that include criticism and rationalism? Clearly you have plenty of the former and not enough of the latter.
Both of our children attended the Honor Academy. The experience was very positive. It was physically and emotionally chalenging. They are better prepared to face the realities of life for it.
Just found this post. Glad to see more attention being brought to this issue.
Those with questions about Teen Mania’s theology might be interested in an article I wrote on my website examining TM’s doctrinal statement and Dave Hasz’s presentation on “the purpose of the Honor Academy.” One quotation: “A life of moral excellence helps you to know God better.” It is a truly astonishing level of blatant legalism and works-based righteousness. I believe the abuses we see in the documentary are symptoms of these pervasive false doctrinal beliefs.
Here’s the link: http://www.ericpazdziora.com/writing/ashamed-of-the-gospel-a-case-study-of-teen-mania-and-works-based-doctrine/
Hi Eric:
Thank you. That is excellent. This struck me among other things:
and
and
and
If those reports were true and accurate, then Teen Mania is a cult. Jesus never yelled at his diciples and told them they were worthless. Jesus does say to seperate ourselves from the ways of the world but not the people. We are to be a shining light to those who aren’t saved and to show the love of God always. The so called teachers of that camp need to go back to the word of God and Repent of their overbearing ways. You never make anyone stronger in their Faith by yelling at them and swearing at them. Also when it says to take up your cross and follow me, it’s talking about following Jesus’s commands; not literally carrying a heavy cross across country. How is anyone going to come to Jesus when all they see is bitterness and rules and regulations?