cult ← cult recovery 101

Aspects of Recovery

Jan

2013

Recovery from cults is a multifaceted process; initially it is the separation from the group, group practices, and meetings that bound us to the group. Therapy helps address the emotional aspects of group involvement – feelings of betrayal, abuse and vulnerability to recruitment. It helps to develop and understanding of how the group’s doctrine ...

“Cults” and Globalization: Reflections and Questions

Jan

2013

Mike Kropveld Revised from a presentation at the International Symposium on Cultic Studies (Bangkok, Thailand), organized by Graduate School of Philosophy and Religion, Assumption University, Thailand and the Institute of Religious Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China, December 15–16, 2011. In my presentation today, I will give an overview of definitions for cult. Then I will ...

Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups – Revised

Jan

2013

Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. & Janja Lalich, Ph.D. Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and ...

On Using the Term "Cult"

Oct

2012

Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq.Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. Even though we have each studied cults and educated people about this subject for more than 20 years, neither of us has ever felt completely comfortable with the term “cult.” No other term, however, serves more effectively the linked educational and research aims of ICSA (International Cultic Studies ...

The Definitional Ambiguity of “Cult” and ICSA’s Mission

Oct

2012

Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. (This essay is a follow-up to “On Using the Term Cult.”) A central component of ICSA’s mission is to study psychological manipulation and abuse, especially as it manifests in cultic and other groups. Different people, however, attach different and usually imprecise meanings to the term “cult” (On Using the Term Cult). Those ...

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CultNEWS101 Articles: 11/29/2021 (Maharishi Inc., Children of God, Clergy Sexual Abuse, Legal) November 30, 2021
Maharishi Inc., Children of God, Clergy Sexual Abuse, LegalTrustpilot: Every once in a while something resembling a reality-based view of the TM organization properties on Trustpilot leaks through, as in these recent reviews."After decades of persecuting, emotionally abusing, destroying mentally, discarding, or otherwise antagonizing thousands of sidhas, the TMOrg has shriveled down to nothing. Their latest […]
In Clearwater, no clear path for addressing Scientology-related land buys November 30, 2021
City officials express concern but say there’s little they can do. Tracey McManusTampa Bay TimesNovember 29, 2021As companies tied to the Church of Scientology continue to buy more properties around downtown and keep them vacant, City Council member Mark Bunker on Monday proposed that city officials try to “understand what the hell is going on.”The […]
CultNEWS101 Articles: 11/30/2021 (Shincheonji, Korea, Legal, Mother of God, LGBT, Conversion Therapy, France) November 30, 2021
Shincheonji, Korea, Legal, Mother of God, LGBT, Conversion Therapy, FranceBBC: 'Wait a second, am I in a cult?'"There are believed to be as many as 2,000 suspected cults currently operating in the UK and many of them recruit students.Jess, a former physiotherapy student, was recruited into the Shincheonji Church of Jesus on the campus of the […]
Russia comments on US 'religious freedom' claims November 30, 2021
RTNovember 30, 2021Russia isn't cracking down on religious minorities, and claims to the contrary are part of a concerted smear campaign by the US, a senior Moscow diplomat has insisted after Washington added the country to a rights blacklist. “The Americans’ categorical statement on ‘egregious violations of religious freedom’ is outrageous,” Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian […]
Guru-Free: Laura Tucker on Safety for Seekers November 30, 2021
A Little Bit Culty: Episode SevenNovember 29, 2021"In 2009, Laura Tucker attended a Sedona spiritual retreat and sweat lodge hosted by charismatic spiritual teacher James Arthur Ray. It all went tragically wrong, resulting in the deaths of fellow attendees Liz Neuman, Kirby Brown and James Shore. In this episode, Laura chats with Sarah and Nippy […]
Groundbreaker: Moira Penza on Prosecuting NXIVM November 30, 2021
A Little Bit Culty: Episode SixNovember 22, 2021"If you watched “The Vow” or have followed the fall of NXIVM, you know Moira Kim Penza as the prosecutor who brought Keith Raniere to justice. Her accomplishments are mighty: Like Keith’s conviction on all counts including racketeering and sex trafficking and a brisk 120 year sentence. Moira’s […]
Human Trafficking Lawsuit Filed Against Portland Church November 29, 2021
J. WilliamsOregon Faith ReportNovember 29, 2021"A 26-year-old woman filed a lawsuit against a Southeast Portland church and its former pastor, alleging sexual abuse, human trafficking, forced labor and battery.The woman was 20 and just released from rehab when a friend dropped her off at The Living Room Coffeehouse, a business on Southeast Tacoma Street run […]
In Good Spirits November 29, 2021
Carissa Schumacher channels the dead for her A-list celebrity clients.But most days, she’s in the forest. Irina AleksanderThe New York TimesNovember 26, 2021Last Saturday night, a group gathered at the Flamingo Estate in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles to meet the spiritual adviser Carissa Schumacher.At the front of an open-air room, a seat […]
CultNEWS101 Articles: 11/24/2021 (Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church, Sex Trafficking, Philippines, Conservatorship) November 24, 2021
Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church, Sex Trafficking, Philippines, ConservatorshipSFGate: Philippine church leader charged with child sex trafficking"The leader of a Philippines-based church was charged with having sex with women and underage girls who faced threats of abuse and "eternal damnation" unless they catered to the self-proclaimed "son of God," federal prosecutors announced Thursday.Apollo Carreon Quiboloy […]
The QAnon JFK Cult in Dallas Is Tearing Families Apart November 24, 2021
"My sister may be too far gone, but it's not too late to bring awareness to others. Do not fall into this trap."David GilbertVICENovember 22, 2021Katy Garner and her sister grew up in a small town in Arkansas and were always close."We both were cheerleaders in school, made pretty good grades, and loved to just […]
Panama - Seven sect members guilty of demons massacre November 22, 2021
MENAFNNovember 21, 2021A jury on Friday November 19 found six men and one woman guilty of the murder of seven people in El Terrón, Santa Catalina district, in the Ngäbe Buglé region in January 2020.The investigations began after a complaint lodged by residents, who alerted the disappearance of several neighbors.The jury of conscience declared Mario […]
Out-of-state money flows into Clearwater City Council race November 22, 2021
Scientology defector Aaron Smith-Levin says his campaign donations from across the U.S. show the nationwide interest in addressing the church’s impact. Tracey McManusTampa Bay TimesNovember 22, 2021CLEARWATER — Church of Scientology defector Aaron Smith-Levin and community activist Lina Teixeira are running for Seat 5 on the City Council, but the donations they’ve received so far […]
Documentary - The Strange World of Breatharianism November 21, 2021
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWRniMqhr00]2020, RELIGION - 51 MINDocumentary FilmsBreatharianism is a type of belief system started by Jasmuheen… that hypothesizes and claims to prove that humans can live without consuming solid foods. She called the process "Living on Light". She became very popular and a lot of her followers found her through her website.Her beliefs came under […]
Jonestown: How Jim Jones Betrayed All His Followers November 19, 2021
JULIA SCHEERESNewsweekNovember 19, 2021In this series, Newsweek reconstructs the events leading to the Jonestown Massacre as it happened in 1978, day by day.The buildings of Jonestown burned down long ago; all that remains is an overgrown field. The impoverished Guyanese government has considered turning the site into a travel destination to capitalize on the "dark […]
Russia's Top Court Bans Prosecuting Jehovah's Witnesses for Group Prayer November 19, 2021
Moscow TimesNovember 17, 2021Russia’s Supreme Court has banned the criminal prosecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses for joint worship, potentially putting an end to the law enforcement practice of jailing believers for prayer sessions.The ruling could also affect the 152 convictions that have not yet entered into force or are being appealed, the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia […]
U.S. Adds Russia To List Of Nations Violating Religious Freedoms November 19, 2021
Carlie PorterfieldForbes StaffNovember 17, 2021 The United States has added Russia to an index of countries called out over “egregious violations of religious freedom,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, which could have economic policy consequences for nations listed.KEY FACTSRussia was added to the list amid media reports from ABC News, Foreign Policy and […]
Suspension request for former Aum cult withdrawn November 19, 2021
NHK.JPNovember 19, 2021 Japan's public security authorities have withdrawn a request for stricter controls over the group Aleph, formerly known as the Aum Shinrikyo cult. The withdrawal came after the group submitted obligatory reports, although behind schedule.Aum members carried out deadly sarin gas attacks on Tokyo's subway system in 1995. Aleph is under surveillance in […]
This uniquely Canadian conspiracy theory group was on the edges of obscurity. Then vaccine mandates came down November 15, 2021
Alex McKeen Vancouver BureauToronto StarNovember 14, 2021VANCOUVER—It's a rainy Sunday and inside a small church on the east side of Vancouver, talk has turned to mutiny.About 20 unmasked people have trickled into the church's wooden pews for a meeting, eating potluck soup, holding long hugs by way of greeting and chatting about their own version […]
Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei November 15, 2021
DÉBORA REYAssociated PressNovember 12, 2021BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Lucía Giménez still suffers pain in her knees from the years she spent scrubbing floors in the men's bathroom at the Opus Dei residence in Argentina's capital for hours without pay.Giménez, now 56, joined the conservative Catholic group in her native Paraguay at the age of […]