A Guide for Church Members

What Is the Alice in Wonderland Technique?

The Alice in Wonderland technique is a form of psychological manipulation used by cults and social media to break down people’s ability to think clearly and make independent decisions. Named after Lewis Carroll’s confusing story, this method deliberately creates mental confusion to make people more controllable.

The basic idea is simple but dangerous: If you can confuse someone enough, they’ll eventually stop trying to think for themselves and just accept whatever you tell them.

How Does It Work?

Think of it like this: Imagine trying to have a conversation where nothing makes sense.

The person talking to you:

• Says things that contradict each other
• Changes the rules constantly
• Responds to your questions with unrelated answers
• Acts like nonsense is perfectly normal
• Gets upset when you point out contradictions

After enough of this treatment, most people’s minds just “give up” trying to make sense of things. They become dependent on the manipulator to tell them what’s real and what isn’t.

Real Examples from Cults

Scientology makes new members repeatedly read meaningless phrases from Alice in Wonderland until they stop questioning why. Students must say things like “Do fish swim?” over and over to coaches who respond with random, unrelated comments.

Religious cults teach contradictory Bible interpretations at the same time and punish members who ask questions about the inconsistencies. For example, they might claim to follow the Bible while teaching things that directly oppose Scripture.

Other groups constantly change their rules, give impossible tasks, or demand members believe obvious lies while acting like everything is normal.

Real Examples from Social Media

1. Contradictory Content Streams Social media algorithms deliberately serve users conflicting information within short timeframes. You might see a post claiming one “fact,” then immediately scroll to see the complete opposite presented as equally valid. This creates the same confusion as cult members receiving contradictory teachings.
2. PRIME Information Overload Algorithms amplify “Prestigious, Ingroup, Moral, and Emotional (PRIME) information, regardless of the content’s accuracy” Social Media Algorithms Distort Social Instincts and Fuel Misinformation – Neuroscience News to maximize engagement. This floods users with emotionally charged content that overwhelms their ability to think critically, similar to how cults overwhelm members with intense emotional experiences.
3. Reality Distortion Through Trending Topics When algorithms selectively amplify more extreme political views, people begin to think that their political in-group and out-group are more sharply divided than they really are Social Media Algorithms Warp How People Learn from Each Other | Scientific American. This creates false perceptions of social reality, making users question what’s actually normal or mainstream.
4. Engagement-Driven Confusion Algorithms amplify the very information from which humans are biased to learn, oversaturating social media feeds with what the researchers call Prestigious, Ingroup, Moral and Emotional (PRIME) information, regardless of the content’s accuracy Social media algorithms exploit how we learn from our peers – Northwestern Now. The goal is keeping you engaged, not informing you accurately.
5. Fractionation Cycles Social media creates cycles of outrage followed by relief, similar to cult manipulation. Users experience intense emotional responses to controversial content, then get “relief” content, creating psychological dependency on the platform for emotional regulation.

Warning Signs Someone Is Being Manipulated

If you notice these signs in yourself or someone you care about:

Mental Signs:

• Difficulty making simple decisions
• Feeling confused about basic beliefs you once held firmly
• Being afraid to ask questions or challenge ideas
• Feeling like you can’t trust your own judgment
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly

Emotional Signs:

• Feeling anxious when normal routines change
• Being overly dependent on a leader or group for guidance
• Fear of disappointing authority figures
• Shame about your past involvement with a group
• Feeling “lost” about who you really are

Spiritual Signs:

• Confusion about basic Bible teachings you once understood
• Difficulty trusting God’s character
• Fear of making spiritual decisions independently
• Feeling like you need special revelation beyond Scripture
• Hypersensitivity to any form of church authority

What the Bible Says About This

God’s Word gives us clear guidance about recognizing and resisting deception:

Test Everything Against Scripture (Acts 17:11): The Bereans “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” We should never accept teaching without checking it against God’s Word.

Test the Spirits (1 John 4:1): “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Look at the Fruit (Matthew 7:15-20): “By their fruits you will know them.” Watch how people live, not just what they claim.

Be Alert to False Teaching (2 Timothy 4:3-4): Paul warns that people will gather teachers who “say what their itching ears want to hear” instead of sound doctrine.

How to Protect Yourself and Others

Stay Grounded in Scripture:

• Read your Bible regularly and systematically
• Memorize key verses that anchor your faith
• Test all teaching against God’s Word
• Don’t accept “special revelations” that go beyond Scripture

Maintain Healthy Relationships:

• Stay connected to mature Christians who will speak truth to you
• Be wary of groups that isolate you from family and friends
• Seek accountability from people you trust
• Don’t make major life decisions in isolation
• Develop friendships with believers from other faithful denominations

Use Your Mind:

• Ask questions when something doesn’t make sense
• Take time to think through important decisions
• Don’t be afraid to say “I need to pray about this”
• Trust the wisdom God gave you through His Word and His Spirit

Watch for Red Flags:

• Groups that discourage questions or independent thinking
• Leaders who claim special authority beyond Scripture
• Teaching that contradicts clear biblical truth
• Pressure to make quick decisions about commitments
• Isolation from outside relationships or perspectives

If You’ve Been Affected

Remember God’s Grace: There is no shame in being deceived. Even mature believers can be vulnerable to sophisticated manipulation. God’s love for you hasn’t changed.

Seek Help: Don’t try to recover alone. Reach out to trusted pastors, counselors, or mature believers who understand cult manipulation.

Be Patient with Yourself: Recovery takes time. Your ability to think clearly and trust your judgment will return as you ground yourself in God’s Word and healthy relationships.

Focus on Truth: Immerse yourself in Scripture and sound doctrine. The truth of God’s Word will gradually replace the confusion and lies you’ve been taught.

How Our Church Can Help

If you or someone you know has been affected by cult manipulation:

• Reach out to your Pastor for biblical counseling
• Connect with our prayer ministry for ongoing spiritual support
• Join our Bible study groups for systematic Scripture learning
• Consider professional Christian counseling if needed

Our church is committed to:

• Providing a safe place to ask questions and work through confusion
• Teaching sound doctrine grounded in Scripture alone
• Supporting recovery through biblical community
• Protecting members from deceptive teaching and manipulation

For Family and Friends

If someone you love is involved with a manipulative group:

• Pray consistently for their spiritual discernment
• Maintain loving contact without being pushy
• Ask questions that encourage them to think critically
• Share your concerns with gentleness and respect
• Seek guidance from pastors experienced in cult recovery
• Don’t give up hope…. God can open the most deceived eyes

Remember: Truth Sets Free

Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The Alice in Wonderland technique works by replacing God’s truth with human confusion. But God’s Word is powerful enough to cut through any deception and restore clear thinking to those who seek Him.

Our goal is not just to avoid deception, but to be so grounded in biblical truth that we can help others find freedom as well.