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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 ...

CultNews101.com

Coronavirus Cases Spike in Israeli ultra-Orthodox Neighborhoods March 29, 2020
In Bnei Brak, an eightfold increase in coronavirus cases reported in three daysAaron RabinowitzHaaretzMarch 29, 2020Hundreds of new cases of the coronavirus appeared in ultra-Orthodox enclaves in Israel over a short period of time, internal Health Ministry figures obtained by Haaretz show, revealing a growth rate that far exceeds the national average.These official Health Ministry […]
The Challenge of Cult Recovery During a Time of Crisis March 27, 2020
How former cult members and the families of current and former cult members can address the needs they have along with the additional stress and worry brought on by global unpredictability.Rachel Bernstein LMFT offers:FORMER CULT MEMBER SUPPORT GROUP - Every other Wednesday night in Los AngelesOffice line - 818-907-0036Bernsteinlmft@gmail.comwww.rachelbernsteintherapy.comFacebook- Rachel Bernstein LMFTHost of the weekly […]
The Beatles Ashram in India is popular but might be scamming vulnerable tourists March 21, 2020
Visitors are flocking to northern India to seek spiritual enlightenment but they may be being tricked by unscrupulous gurusLuke TaylorINewsMarch 2020In North India, The Beatles’ quest for enlightenment lives on. But in the midst of the chanting, barter and guitar strumming, does something darker lurk?When local authorities decided to open “The Beatles Ashram” to tourists […]
Two-Week Webinar for Families and Former Members Free! March 21, 2020
ICSA: Two-Week Webinar for Families and Former Members Free!During this difficult time, ICSA is continuing to offer services for former cult members and resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement.We understand that recovery for former cult members is ongoing, and the stress […]
Ultra-Orthodox in Israel ignoring social distancing: ‘We’re not scared' March 19, 2020
SAM SOKOL/JTAJerusalem PostMarch 19, 2020Earlier this week, several prominent rabbinic leaders in Israel announced that they would not comply with government directives, stating that their schools and yeshivas would remain open. “Do you want trouble?” the Hasidic man asked, leaning toward me intimidatingly.“Are you threatening me?” I asked, turning to look at the lean man […]
German police raid neo-Nazi Reichsbürger movement nationwide March 19, 2020
BBCMarch 20, 2020Neo-Nazi propaganda and firearms were seized in the raids, in 10 of Germany's 16 states.The targeted group, "United German Peoples and Tribes", is part of Reichsbürger, whose members reject the German state as a legal entity.The interior ministry said racism "even in times of crisis" would be combated.The statement from ministry spokesman Steve […]
Shadow group weaponizes Scientology in Clearwater election | Editorial March 16, 2020
A political committee with Republican ties unfairly uses Scientology to target a city council candidate. Tampa Bay Times Editorial BoardTampa Bay TimesMarch 13, 2020It’s fair play to point out which candidates in Tuesday’s Clearwater City Council elections have been endorsed by a group of Church of Scientology members. It’s entirely unfair to flood voters with […]
Satanic Panic March 16, 2020
In the early 1990s, a tiny Prairie town was swept up in a wave of extraordinary accusations. Thirty years later, the people involved are still haunted by what happened.Emily Pasiuk, Lisa Bryn Rundle and Ilina GhoshCBC.caMarch 15, 2020In the latest season of the CBC investigative podcast Uncover, host Lisa Bryn Rundle delves into the mass […]
What drove religious elder to leave controversial cult? March 16, 2020
A Current AffairJanuary 20, 2020"The Twelve Tribes is a cult accused of heavy disciplining of children, restricting access to medical care, and tearing families apart. Now for the first time, a former leader has gone on the record."
Justice Dept. Religious Freedom Training Spurs Concern Among Lawyers March 15, 2020
Katie BennerNY Times March 13, 2020The Justice Department this week hosted training for its lawyers on religious liberty laws as part of Attorney General William P. Barr’s push to prioritize religious freedom cases, but the workshops prompted concern among some career lawyers that they were being educated on ways to blunt civil rights protections for […]
Accused Cult Leader Threatened Ex Members After VICE Investigation March 13, 2020
Former students of Twin Flames Universe received letters threatening to reveal "VERY uncomfortable” information if they didn't take back their claims.Sarah BermanVICEMarch 11, 2020A YouTube spirituality school accused of exploiting its members has sent former students a letter threatening them with imminent lawsuits, police investigations, bankruptcy, jail time, and the publication of “VERY revealing and […]
CultNEWS101 Articles: 3/12/2020 March 13, 2020
Jehovah's Witnesses, Twelve Tribes, Australia, Legal, Eliezer Berland, Israel, Child Abuse, Addiction, Edgar Cayce, Psychic, Scam, Jihad, Documentary, Shincheonji, KoreaWales Online: Ex-Jehovah's Witness elder describes how he was abused by fellow worshipper as a boy"For 15 years John and his family were committed Jehovah's Witnesses and highly thought of among the community who would meet at the Kingdom Hall in […]
UK statement on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Russian Federation March 13, 2020
Delivered by Ambassador Neil Bush at the OSCE Permanent Council on 12 March 2020.Delivered on: 12 March 2020 (Speaker's notes, may differ from delivered version)Published 12 March 2020From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Neil BushThe United Kingdom remains concerned about the situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian Federation. The ruling of the Russian Supreme Court […]
CultNEWS101 Articles: 3/13/2020 March 13, 2020
Lawrence Ray, Mindfulness, Conversion Therapy, LGBT, Indonesia Spain, LDS, L'Arche International, France, Shincheonji Church, Corona Virus, Korea, Scientology, Heaven's Gate, ThailandNY Post: Sarah Lawrence 'sex cult' victim overdosed while working for alleged leader"One of the female victims of the alleged cult founded in a Sarah Lawrence dorm room nearly overdosed in North Carolina while under leader Larry Ray's spell, […]
Victims Of Trickery Suspect, Leslie Lee Wanted March 11, 2020
CaseyCanyon NewsMarch 10, 2020HOLLYWOOD─Burglary/Theft detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Area is asking for individuals who may have been victimized by Leslie Lee to come forward. Lee was arrested by authorities for Grand Theft, after operating a psychic reading business in Culver City. She met a victim, a Hollywood resident, several years ago, […]
Cult member describes Daybell Vallow religious views March 11, 2020
Morgan LoewKPHOMarch 11, 2020REXBURG, ID (3TV/CBS 5) - A member of the religious group that follows Chad Daybell is speaking out to CBS 5 Investigates about the group's views, practices and its controversial leader.Chad Daybell was an author of doomsday-themed books who did not have much exposure outside Mormon circles and the community of "preppers," […]
Seoul launches tax audit on real estate owned by Shincheonji religious sect March 11, 2020
Lee Jeong-gyu and Suh Hae-miHankyorehMarch 11, 2920The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched a local tax audit on real estate belonging to the Shincheonji religious sect. The city also plans to exercise its right to indemnity against Shincheonji for the costs of investigating and treating members of the church in connection with the novel coronavirus.The city […]
Transfer fund for LGBTQ BYU students surpasses $35,000 after honor code "bait-and-switch" March 10, 2020
Braley DodsonDaily HeraldMarch 10, 2020A fundraising campaign to provide funds from LGBTQ students transferring from Brigham Young University has topped $35,000, as of Monday afternoon.“We have been blown away by the amount of response and reception that we have gotten,” said John Valdez, the executive director of the OUT Foundation, a group of LGBTQ BYU […]
‘Proselytising robots’: Inside South Korean church at outbreak’s centre March 10, 2020
Today Online March 10, 2020SEOUL — More than 1.2 million citizens have called for the secretive church to be disbanded. One province asked the public to report church members to a hotline for coronavirus testing.Smartphone apps help identify the church’s 1,100 once-obscure facilities in South Korea, most already plastered with “off-limits” signs by disease-control officials.Even before […]