UNIVERSITY OF GOCE DELCHEV

Faculty of philology

Paperwork on the subject

American culture and civilization
on topic :

PEOPLE OF THE LIE

by M.Scott Peck, M.D.
Mentor:

Prepared by :

Vladimir Stojanov

PhD Marija Kukubajska

ID No.

May, 2012

16955

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

Content

Abstract..page 2
Introductionpage 3
My review of People of the Liepage 4
Conclusion...page
10
References page 11

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

Abstract

People of the Lie is a book, where the author gives us the first real view of his
interests in demonic possession. His stated goal in authoring this book is to begin a
discussion on the merits of scientific investigation into the claimed phenomenon of
demonic possession. Peck had come to the statement that there were some people,
encountered in psychotherapy, who did not fit into any established psychopathic
category but were nevertheless very ill. He came to believe that some of these people
were themselves evil. With this background he seeks out individuals thought to be
possessed. He finds himself involved with two clients whom he assists to remove the
possession. During these experiences he comes to observe what he believes to be
Satan. In both cases the devil is cast out and the clients enter intensive psychotherapy
to complete their return to mental health. He concludes by discussing group evil
especially in regards to American war efforts and makes some suggestions to move
forward with a scientific examination of evil.

Key words:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Paradox
Evil
Demonic possessions
Recovery

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

Introduction

M. Scott Peck's writing is perfection, in my opinion, not only for the words he
uses but because of the thoughts and ideas behind those words. He is an unlimited
thinker who has the habit of examining every angle of and answer to each question he
dares to ask. At every turn of the page, Dr. Peck provokes one to think right along with
him, making even complicated points easily accessible to understand. The thesis of this
book is that evil can be defined as a specific form of mental illness and should be
subject to at least the same intensity of scientific investigation that we would devote to
some other major psychiatric disease. He believes human evil should be scientifically
studied, diagnosed and treated just as schizophrenia or neurasthenia.
Among the chapters, Dr. Peck takes the reader to his psychiatric practice to meet
a few of his patients and their families, giving a clinical description of an evil personality,
as well as a journey to MyLai, province of South Vietnam, for a view of group evil in wartime as an example and discussion of the group/gang mentality.
The term and title "People Of The Lie" refers to the cover up, pretense and lie of
those who refuse to acknowledge their own imperfections, those who flee the light of
self-exposure and the voice of their own conscience. Those who instead practice
scapegoating, attacking and blaming others, projection, lack of empathy, and judging
others, hoping their own flaws will seem less noticeable. In other words, people of the
lie deceive and lie to themselves to avoid their true selves, which in turn deceives
others. They point their finger at others first so that none can suspect them of a wrongdoing or weakness, believing an offensive attitude, in the guise of respectability, will
prevent the need for defense.

My review of People of the Lie

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People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

This book is not directly about ritual abuse, the topic it covers, the existence of
human evil, is very closely related. The author, Dr. Peck, is a psychiatrist of many years
who early in his therapy took the normal psychological approach to his clients. But over
the years, as he was confronted with both the best and basest in human nature, he
believed that a new diagnosis should be created for the DSM: the category of evil. This
is a bold approach for a clinically based doctor of psychiatry to take. To state that in his
professional opinion, and based on his contact with certain patients, that a true
diagnosis of evil can be made. He uses case studies to underline his argument. These
studies are clear, recognizable, and include one man who made a pact with the devil,
two children with emotionally brutal parents whom Peck considered candidates for this
diagnosis, and others.
I believe that this book is worth reading for the ritual abuse survivor for this one
classic paragraph alone: To come to terms with evil in ones parentage is perhaps the
most difficult and painful psychological task a human being can be called on to face.
Most fail and so remain its victims. Those who fully succeed in developing the
necessary, searing vision are those who are able to name it. As therapists, it is our duty
to do what is in our power to assist evils victims to arrive at the true name of their
affliction. This is the emotional task that every victim of generational occult abuse must
also face, and try to work through in therapy. If only every therapist understood the
reality of evil, the capability that can work through parents to children, as Peck so clearly
does. Peck goes on to delineate the face of evil, to show what evil looks like. His
contention is that evil does not often look like what we expect; those who are most evil
will often appear most together or wholesome at first glance. The picture he draws of
evil people is all too familiar to the child raised in such a home as he delineates the evil
personality disorder:
Peck states:

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

In addition to the abrogation of responsibility that characterizes all personality disorder,

this one would specifically be distinguished by:

Consistent destructive, scapegoating behavior, which my often be quite subtle.

Excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism and other forms of

narcissistic injury.
Pronounced concern with a pubic image and self-image of respectability,
contributing to a stability of life-style but also to pretentiouslness and denial of

hateful feelings or vengeful motives.

Intellectual deviousness, with an increased likelihood of a mild schizophreniclike
disturbance of thinking at times of stress.

I believe that any therapist who works with survivors, and survivors themselves,
should read Pecks classic work. It is an eye-opener to say the least, and will validate
the survivor and their instinctive feelings about their family of origin. And most of all, it
gives a label to what they have endured, at the hands of people of the lie.
Generally, his stated goal in authoring People of the Lie is to begin a discussion on
the merits of scientific investigation into the claimed phenomenon of demonic
possession. Peck had come to the conclusion that there were some people,
encountered in psychotherapy, who did not fit into any established psychopathic
category but were nevertheless very ill. He came to believe that some of these people
were themselves evil. With this background he seeks out individuals thought to be
possessed. He finds himself involved with two clients whom he assists to remove the
possession. During these experiences he comes to observe what he believes to be
Satan. In both cases the devil is cast out and the clients enter intensive psychotherapy
to complete their return to mental health. He concludes by discussing group evil
especially in regards to American war efforts and makes some suggestions to move
forward with a scientific examination of evil.
The devil never comes in with an ugly face. No truer words were ever spoken.
Imagine if you will, meeting someone so charming, enigmatic, and graceful in speech
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People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

and behavior, that they convince you of being completely genuine. Also imagine that as
you get to know this person over months and years you are gradually further seduced
into believing their sincerity. Not an inkling of any debasement presents itself. Imagine
what power that person holds over your life, your emotions, and your soul.
This is someone who is adept at lying, has practiced over a lifetime. It is not
something casually picked up. It is rehearsed, coaxed, and caressed until the lie itself
becomes a living breathing entity. It has a personality cloaked so well, even a person
with above average intelligence will fail to recognize it. They do it for a living. Where and
how it is initially developed is unclear. Perhaps cold and unemotional mothering or
idolatry or over zealous fathers intent on abetting sons in conquest, whether warring
ones or the female kind, produces one so capable of slipping into and out of others
lives, destroying them in their path and finally moving on to their next victim somewhat
or totally unscathed.
It is not labeled a criminal act, unless the lie leads to a crime as so noted in law;
nevertheless it is criminal. What can be done to protect against a crime of this nature
being perpetrated on an innocent? Aside from this, we are all at the mercy of the lie
veiled in order to achieve its own manipulative malfeasance. In no way can someone be
prepared ahead of time. The lie enters so beautifully, so eloquently, essentially drugging
its victim. Once the victim is inebriated, usually by love, the lie is fully in charge to do as
it pleases. The lie will recruit corroborators giving it some validation. They may be
friends, co-workers, and family members. It may lie in moments in time so blissful and
serene that it never reveals its ugly, truthful head. The victim is doomed. Much like a
spider lying in wait to devour its prey, it spins a magnificent web, bejeweled with
droplets of dew, to lure the unsuspecting to take a sip. Once inside, the end is fatally
near.

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

I have learned nothing in nineteen years that would suggest that evil people can be
rapidly influenced by any means other than raw power. They do not respond, at least in
the short run, to either gentle kindness or any form of spiritual persuasion with which I
am familiar. We do not become partners to evil by accident. As adults we are not forced
by fate to become trapped by an evil power; we set the trap ourselves. Vast numbers
may so easily participate with each other in the most atrocious behavior.
We might therefore think of human good and evil as a kind of continuum. Our
capacity to choose changes constantly with our practice of life. Each act of surrender
and cowardice weakens me, opens the path for more acts of surrender, and eventually
freedom is lost. People fail because they do not wake up and see when they stand at a
fork in the road and have to decide. Then with each step along the wrong road it
becomes increasingly difficult for them to admit that they are on the wrong road. We
become evil slowly over time through a long series of choices. We must ultimately
belong either to God or to the devil.
The major threats to our survival no longer stem from nature without but from our
own human nature within. Unless we can now tame and transmute the potential for evil
in the human soul, we shall be lost. We rely on the sane people of the world to preserve
it from barbarism, madness, destruction.
It is vitally necessary that we struggle against evil with all the power at our
command. This idea that Satan despite all appearances, is actually on the run offers a
possible answer to a major question of mine. How does Satan manifest itself? It is
spirit. Satan has no power except in a human body. Satan cannot do evil except through
a human body. In fact, the only power that Satan has is through human belief in lies. I
know no more accurate epithet for Satan than the Father of Lies. Satan can use any
human sin or weakness greed and pride, for example. But its principal weapon is fear.

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

In The Road Less Traveled I defined mental health as an ongoing process of

dedication to reality at all costs. Satan is utterly dedicated to opposing that process. In
fact, the best definition I have for Satan is that it is a real spirit of unreality.
What are we to do with the evil when their masquerade of sanity is so successful,
their destructiveness so normal? First, we must stop buying the masquerade and
being deceived by the pretense. Know your enemy. We must not only recognize but
study those poor, dull, terrified people. And attempt to do what we can to either heal or
contain them. I think we can safely study and treat evil only through the methods of
love.
If we kill those who are evil, we will become evil ourselves. We will be killers. If we
attempt to deal with evil by destroying it, we will also end up destroying ourselves,
spiritually if not physically. Evil can be defeated by goodness. Evil can be conquered
only by love. We must somehow be both tolerant and intolerant, accepting and
demanding, strict and flexible. An almost godlike compassion is required.

People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

Conclusion

I believe this book ought to be required reading for anyone who's considering
becoming a parent, considering being born to a parent or a pair of them, contemplating
being a brother, sister aunt or uncle or maybe having a wife, husband or friend. The
book is about power, manipulation, boundaries, lies and evil as they exist within
ourselves and the people around us. They don't require that we believe in them to exist,
but if we're able to recognize them for what they are it helps. Recognizing it doesn't
make it easy, but it makes it possible.
I generally conclude that, those who are evil are masters of disguise! They are
not apt to wittingly disclose their true colors - either to others or to themselves. It is not
without reason that the serpent is renowned for his subtlety. We therefore cannot pass
judgment on a person for a single act. Instead judgment must be made on the basis of a
whole pattern of acts as well as their manner and style.
Peck's premises mightn't be entirely correct, as some suggest. But whether it's
'evil' or merely something not evil that could get a job being evil if there was such an
occupation, Peck's approach works. I recommend this book for anyone who knows,
loves, cares about and lives with the agonies of the phenomenon Peck calls 'evil'.

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People of the Lie - M. Scott Peck

References

People of the lie M. Scott Peck, M.D.

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