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 ...

CultNews101.com

Convicted cult leader Malachi York files $2 billion lawsuit December 15, 2018
York, the former head of the Eatonton-based Nuwaubian group, is now serving a 135-year sentence on federal child-molestation charges.WMAZ StaffDecember 14, 2018The former head of a Putnam County cult, now serving a 135-year sentence on child-molestation charges, wants $2 billion.And he wants it in 20 days.Dwight D. York filed a lawsuit in Macon's U.S. District […]
Scientologist sues Altru Health, claims hospital discriminated against his religion December 6, 2018
April BaumgartenForum News ServiceDecember 2, 2018GRAND FORKS — A former Altru Health System doctor is suing the Grand Forks hospital, claiming it discriminated against him because he practices Scientology.Dr. Ralph Highshaw, a urologist in Florida, filed the complaint Nov. 20 in the U.S. District Court of North Dakota. Highshaw, who worked for Altru as a […]
Polygamist's retrial date set for trafficking his 15-year-old daughter December 4, 2018
DAPHNE BRAMHAMThe ProvinceDecember 3, 2018James Oler's new trial begins in April with an amicus or friend of the court appointed once again to assist since the former FLDS bishop refuses legal counsel.Convicted polygamist James Oler will be back in B.C. Supreme Court in Cranbrook on April 1, 2019 for the start of his retrial on […]
Soma, It’s Effects and How It’s Produced December 4, 2018
Soma, It’s Effects and How It’s ProducedAt MIU with Keith Wallace in the mid 70s, he played for his biology students every tape he had of Maharishi talking about Soma - the finest product of digestion. Here is a transcript of one of those tapes:Maharishi: It’s very easy to understand about soma, hmm? A […]
Exit Australia December 3, 2018
Exit Australia preventing violent extremism and coercive controlEXIT Australia was founded in 2015 and has since been helping communities, not for profit organisations and schools with prevention methodologies.EXIT Australia now strives collectively with other organisations to support those who wish to leave groups that are of high demand often using coercive control against their members […]
Longueuil man involved in police chase that injured woman is denied bail December 3, 2018
Sébastien Théodore, 40, had posted videos online saying he doesn't respect any municipal or provincial police force.JESSE FEITHMONTREAL GAZETTE November 27, 2018In early July 2018, Sébastien Théodore took to his Facebook page to post a video to his friends and followers.In rambling sentences, Théodore explained how, to him, all provincial and municipal authority figures are […]
Head of secretive North Carolina sect named in fraud scam December 3, 2018
MITCH WEISS and HOLBROOK MOHRFOX CarolinaNovember 26, 2018The leader of a secretive church in North Carolina has been named in federal court records as someone who “promoted” an unemployment fraud scheme involving businesses owned by members of her congregation.Jane Whaley, leader of the Word of Faith Fellowship, was named in a document filed Thursday in […]
Jonestown, Forty Years On December 3, 2018
University of California PressNovember 18, 2018November 18 marks the 40th anniversary of the deaths at the Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana. What more can be said about the Peoples Temple and Jonestown after four decades? A special issue of Nova Religio shifts the focus of the conversation and argues there is a great deal more […]
Transcendental Meditation technique December 3, 2018
enacademicThis article is about the technique. For the movement, see Transcendental Meditation movement.The Transcendental Meditation technique is a specific form of mantra meditation often referred to as Transcendental Meditation. It was introduced in India in 1955 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1914–2008). The meditation practice involves the use of a sound or mantra and is practiced […]
The satanic sex cult in a quiet Welsh village which shocked and horrified a nation December 3, 2018
A depraved sex cult used their quiet seaside homes for the most unspeakable acts towards children over decades. This is the full story of what happenedCaitlin O'SullivanWalesOnlineNovember 25, 2018Clos yr Onnen, with its well-kept homes and neatly manicured gardens, is like thousands of unassuming suburban streets throughout Wales.Just a stone’s throw from the medieval castle in […]
Mom battles school board, saying yoga is against her family's religion December 2, 2018
ISABEL TEOTONIO Education ReporterToronto StarNovember 28, 2018Gina Clarke was furious when her 8-year-old daughter came home from school in tears after doing a wellness day activity in her Grade 3 class.“(My daughter) was very upset,” recalls the Vaughan mother. “She knew she did something she wasn’t supposed to.”That something was yoga.The Clarke family is Roman […]
New Charity Inquiry: Rigpa Fellowship December 2, 2018
Press releaseNew Charity Inquiry: Rigpa Fellowship Charity Commission investigates Rigpa Fellowship.Published 29 November 2018From: The Charity CommissionThe Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, is today announcing that it has opened a statutory inquiry into Rigpa Fellowship (279315). The inquiry was opened on 8 November 2018.The charity, which is based in London, […]
Backstory: Australia's foremost religion journalist Rachael Kohn on why faith still matters December 2, 2018
YOUTUBE: The Spirit of Things: Rachael Kohn interviews the Dalai Lama during a visit to Chenrezig in Queensland in 2011.Rachael KohnABC News`December 1, 2018It was 1993 and I was in Chicago to cover the Parliament of the World's Religions, where 8,000 people from every imaginable religion and country pledged to live in harmony.It was exactly […]
Woman sentenced to 6.5 years for transfer of stolen millions to Church of Scientology November 30, 2018
RAPSINovember 29, 2018ST. PETERSBURG – The Oktyabrsky District Court of St. Petersburg on Thursday sentenced Ekaterina Zaborskikh, who had been earlier convicted of embezzling millions of rubles from real estate investors and transferring the money to the Church of Scientology Moscow, to 5.5 years in prison for a similar crime, the United press service of St. […]
The millions of new yogis in the U.S. should use these tips to avoid injury November 28, 2018
Gabriella BostonThe Washington PostNovember 28, 2018Yoga is known for its many mind-body benefits: It releases tension, prevents injury, creates more flexibility, adds strength and balance, and calms the mind. So, it’s hardly surprising that yoga practice among American adults increased 50 percent between 2012 and 2017, according to a report released this month by the Centers for […]
Police prevent ultra-Orthodox underage wedding in Jerusalem; bride-to-be is 13 November 28, 2018
Authorities say girl had been reported missing by her father 2 months ago, may have been hidden by her mother; 6 detained in raid, including 4 minorsThe Times of IsraelNovember 30, 2018Police halted a wedding between two minors Thursday in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood.Officers detained two women and four minors in a raid on […]
Cops catch Canadian clairvoyant and charge her for creeping on clients November 27, 2018
SEAMUS BELLAMYBoing BoingNovember 26, 2018Our current news cycle pushes out stories, scandals and tales of catastrophe faster than shit through a goose. There's no keeping on top of it all anymore. With this being the case, it's little wonder that we managed to miss the fact that a Canadian woman was charged with what amounts […]
Request for Participates in Research About Abuse Experiences in Group Settings November 22, 2018
We are professors at the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Madrid. Our research group has been studying the phenomenon of cults for years. Currently, we are conducting a study about the abusive practices applied in these groups, and the consequences that their former members can suffer.For that purpose, it is essential a […]
The C-word: what are we saying when we talk about cults? November 20, 2018
All kinds of violent deeds have been perpetrated in the name of religion, from wars to witch-burnings to child sex abuse cover-ups. Why don’t we use the word cult more widely?Laura WoollettThe GuardianNovember 19, 2018Most people have heard of Jonestown and Jim Jones, in some form. Even if the names don’t ring a bell, if […]