John invites Tom to share his story about a decades-long spiritual journey shaped by personal tragedy, intellectual rigor, and firsthand encounters with authoritarian religious systems. Their discussion begins with Tom’s early experiences in a fundamentalist evangelical campus ministry that began with countercultural fervor but evolved into a rigid and controlling community. Tom reflects on how the group’s authoritarianism and anti-academic mindset drove him away, sparking his ongoing commitment to critical thinking, integrity, and a faith rooted in individual agency. He contrasts this experience with his later involvement in charismatic and New Apostolic circles, where a similar authoritarianism—combined with emotional manipulation—continued to erode spiritual authenticity.br br As their conversation deepens, John and Tom expose the common roots between fundamentalist control and charismatic spectacle. Both recount disturbing parallels: how revival movements evolved into profit-driven enterprises, how emotional highs replaced genuine transformation, and how false leaders exploited followers through mind control, theatrics, and severed consciences. They critique the toxic blend of performance-based religion and spiritual elitism, which trains people to silence their own instincts and replace them with obedience to personalities on a stage. Ultimately, they call for a return to discernment, grounded faith, and service to the marginalized—urging those ensnared in controlling systems to seek wise counsel, think critically, and walk away from religious theater masquerading as truth.br br Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:br Paperback: Kindle: br Tom's Website:br www.TomDooley.orgbr br 00:00 Introductionbr 01:47 Tom’s Background and Spiritual Journeybr 06:22 Authoritarianism in a Campus Ministrybr 10:04 The Jesus People, Shepherding, and Extremesbr 13:12 Elitism, Control, and Damaged Relationshipsbr 16:15 The Merger of Charismatic and Authoritarian Forcesbr 17:59 Oklahoma’s Influence and Prosperity Modelsbr 20:42 Brandham, Entertainment, and Entrapmentbr 24:04 Stagecraft and the Illusion of the Spiritbr 27:10 Reckoning in Leadership and Personal Integritybr 30:08 Emotional Manipulation and Theatrics in Churchbr 33:20 Private Jets, Platforms, and Ministry Egobr 36:00 Severed Conscience vs.