A Manhattan Cult Story

A memoir

It is fascinating for me to observe the outreach of cults among the educated. Often, the main supporters and audience of cults originates among educated, middle class people. A discussion regarding rational intelligence does not have its place here, as in my opinion, a cult, as a religious awakening, has more to do with the emotional side of intelligence, with the need of belonging, being part of a group offering support and identity.

Manhattan Cult Story is a first person account of Spencer Schneider, a Long Island Jewish attorney who got caught for 23 years into a cult created around the minor actress Sharon Gans. Apparently though, she played the role of her life as a moody, dictatorial cult leader, whose members were awaken from ´sleep´ through lessons inspired by Gurdjieff and Ouspensky. Forbidden to share any information about ´the classes´ with people outside the group, the members were manipulated into sex games, matchmaking and even tax fraud on Gans´ behalf. 

How valuable the knowledge was from the intellectual point of view, it´s doubtful. Gans herself was appropriating Oprah´s quotes. But despite the abuse - verbal and sexual - many, among which the author himself, remained for the sense of belonging.

What I´ve found interesting, was the methods of recruitment into the cult, as sounded so close to any average business connection trick. Something to keep in mind when trying to gain influence, but aware when someone tries to get you into a cult.

The book adds specific information about this cult, but also provides details on the general topic of cults, particularly for researchers looking to gather information about such an actual subject.

Remember Hanau

Six years ago, a German citizen of clear far right orientation killed nine people with migration roots in the city of Hanau. Muffled by the ongoing pandemics and lockdowns, the details of this terrible attack largerly remained confined to the knowledge of survivors and some opinion makers aware of the far right risks in Germany. 

Each year, including yesterday, silent ceremonies were held in the memory of the victims and more social media awareness regarding those tragic events were trending. There are initiatives creates by relatives of the victims and opinion makers aimed to keep talking about Hanau. 

But while listening the audiobook version of the testimony written by one of the survivors, Said Etris Hashemi - whose brother was murdered in the shisha bar the terrorist attacked -, read by Mathias Keller, I just realized that the danger of a similar attack, repeated over and over again doesn´t belong to the past.

From the police officers actively participating to far-right chats to racial profiling and the incoherences of the police proceedings, the leniency towards the father of the terrorist, who keeps threatening inhabitants of Hanau with migration background and the lack of awareness about the weapon purchase, all those details are threatening. 

Sometimes, it is the attitude that may encourage terrorist to keep up with their plans. Hashemi, whose parents arrived to Germany from Afghanistan, outlines that migrants are also part of this country. Which they definitely are, the majority accepts it or not. They are taking care of people in old care homes, they prepare the meals or bring the ready made meals to your door, are cleaning your offices or teaching your children. They deserve the same safety it is granted to the majority, the same right to live and thrive.

This book is a warning but also shows the motivation and determination to stay and do not dispair. The more stories are share, the better, because these stories can provide reasons to be united and keep fighting against evil. Extremism, of all sorts, no matter where it arises, is evil for humanity.

Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review