Review of One of Us (2017) by Brendan M — 21 Nov 2017

"One of Us" is a deeply disturbing documentary about the emotional and intellectual toll prescriptive, insular communities take on their members. Although the motivating sources may vary, Hasidism, Scientology, radical Christian, radical Mormon, radical Muslim, and other sects and cults inevitably sacrifice their members to an inflexible doctrine that suffers no questioning. They are simply spiritually-infused variations on autocracies.

Not only do these groups tolerate violence by the powerful within the flock, they limit the education of their children since that might lead to questioning. Through constant indoctrination, adults are persuaded to stay within invisible boundaries of "specialness" that is painted as a refuge. Members are taught to fear and distrust "the other" while clinging to the community that purports to protect them in exchange for some elusive superiority, sense of belonging, or spiritual enlightenment.

As this film makes clear, women are frequently given low status and impossibly rigid rules that were not of their making. In this case, shaving their heads, dressing in 17th century clothing, and most importantly, being subservient to their husbands, even those who are violent. Such group agreement that men are superior and women inferior is taught early through indoctrination as children observe the segregation of roles and listen to whatever justification is given for it. The reading books that blot out girls' faces should leave no doubt about the goal of the carefully prescribed education.

In the U.S., it is essential to keep a separation of "church" and state. The constitution should protect people who have been abused by their communities. New York State has failed to carry out its due diligence in assuring children an education, victims of violent crime justice, and women who wish to divorce fair custody of their children. Whether it is corruption, intimidation, naïveté, or simple ignorance, similar hands-off treatment has allowed Scientology members to be tortured and robbed in the name of "religion". The parallels between "One of Us" and "Scientology the Aftermath" or "Going Clear" are jaw dropping.

Humans are highly susceptible to brainwashing in its various forms, and intentional indoctrination within politics is but another locale. What else can explain the governor of Alabama choosing to vote for a Republican pedophile because a decent Democrat is one bridge too far? This is a grave vulnerability that fundamentally puts democracy and reality-based decision making at risk. Any country without a strong, uncorrupted body of laws and a population that is well trained to understand and uphold civil rights is ripe for destruction by forces that prey on its failings. Highly recommend.