"People of the Lie" by M. Scott Peck

[Spence26]

Which doesn't mean that evil doesn't cause horrific and terrible destruction.  While I'm picking up the shambles of my life brought about by PDs, my hope is in God that He will help me keep moving forward.  But the evil that raised me and the evil that I married had free will and boy, did they use it. 

I found this book so disturbing that my T said it might be best if I stop reading it which I did.  It shook my very core at some points.  Maybe at some point in the future I can read it but not now. 

[1Brightnight]

Which doesn't mean that evil doesn't cause horrific and terrible destruction.  While I'm picking up the shambles of my life brought about by PDs, my hope is in God that He will help me keep moving forward.  But the evil that raised me and the evil that I married had free will and boy, did they use it. 

I found this book so disturbing that my T said it might be best if I stop reading it which I did.  It shook my very core at some points.  Maybe at some point in the future I can read it but not now.

Spence26, I understand fully where your coming from, God knows I do! The "evil" ALMOST consumed me, but I recognized it, can see it for what it is. I know which path I am to choose, direction to follow, how to rebuke it, so to speak. It's truly an eye-opener, surely not for the faint of heart. Your hope is in the right place. May you continue to heal from the inside out. Here's to love, hope, healing!  Blessings to you!!

[eyeofthestorm]

PEOPLE OF THE LIE: THE HOPE FOR HEALING HUMAN EVIL is a brilliant text by Scott Peck, also the author of THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.
I discovered the book before I encountered any mention of BPD as the illness that exists to deny itself -- but I intuitively must have realized the desperate, back-pedaling of those high-functioning who would intimidate, cajole, manipulate by means of revisionist history and shape-shifting.
The mention of the word EVIL is striking, and deliberately so on the part of the author -- but to bring it to our awareness, not to respond with reactionary black and white thinking.

Dr. Peck writes:
"... the time is right,  I believe,  for psychiatry to recognize a distinct new type of personality disorder to encompass those I have named evil. In addition to the abrogation of responsibility that characterizes all personality disorders, this one would specifically be distinguished by:
a) consistent,  destructive,  scapegoating behavior, which may often be quite subtle,
b) excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism and other forms of narcissistic injury,
c) pronounced concern with a public image and self-image of respectability, contributing to a stability of life-style but also to pretentiousness and denial of hateful feelings and motives,
d) intellectual deviousness,  with an increased likelihood of a mild schizophrenic disturbance at times of stress."

I would offer that with such a definition, Evil typically can become a part of the motivation and behavior of those with various personality disorders,  borderline, histrionic and (certainly) narcissistic. And there's a whole lot of overlap, obviously, as the PD individual reaches into the bag of tricks for anything to use at the moment.
It's a gift to the reader that Scott Peck describes his encounters with Evil in his practice as a therapist -- including the momentary sense of losing his bearings when confronted with it. And he brings the word out of a cultural status as vague, dark and unmentionable.
Peck is careful and wise to include the word HOPE in the title. As per his thesis, it's with recognition and bringing to light that the element of Evil can be addressed and dealt with, both therapeutically and interpersonally.

1983, Touchstone Books (Simon and Shuster)
ISBN 0-671-45492-7
ISBN 0-671-52816-5 Pbk.

[Salsera]

I loved this book. I never knew anyone else who read it.

[all4peace]

I'm in the middle of it. Wasn't sure I'd finish it, as I'm way too into all of this topic right now, but I think I will after all.

[LynnJ]

At the suggestion of another member, I've been reading all these posts which are mostly from a year ago.  I'm reading the book and am about half-way thru.  I'm just astonished by the author's descriptions of the people he considers evil, which are a perfect match to my parents.  I have for many years thought that they were evil, without having all the history and insight of this author.  I appreciate the contributions I've read here, and if you are still there, would welcome an opportunity to discuss this further.