October 11

​Manipulation is a tool that is used by toxic religions. Good and evil are religiously defined under strict guidelines which require a form of perfection that is nearly impossible. The rewards of achieving perfection are said to include such things as enlightenment, heaven, nirvana, and eternal life. When guilt and shame are used as tools to keep their adherents in line and to manipulate behavior for personal gain, that religious institution or leader can quickly slip into abusing people and situations.