Cult News 101 - CultNEWS101 Library

Spiritual Bypassing

2026-05-04T08:35:00.001-04:00

Spiritual bypassing is a term first coined by psychologist John Welwood in the 1980s. It describes the tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or "bypass" unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and fundamental human needs.

It’s a "premature transcendence"—trying to rise above the messy, painful parts of being human before we’ve actually dealt with them.

Common Signs of Spiritual Bypassing

Exaggerated Detachment:

Using "it’s all an illusion" or "non-attachment" to avoid feeling genuine grief, anger, or hurt.

Toxic Positivity: The belief that one should always be "high vibe" or that "everything happens for a reason," which silences healthy venting or necessary boundaries.

Over-Spiritualizing Responsibility: Claiming "I attracted this with my thoughts" or "it’s their karma," which can shift focus away from addressing actual harm or systemic issues.

The "Spiritual Ego": Feeling superior to others who are "unawakened" or "stuck in their ego."

In the Context of High-Demand Groups, spiritual bypass is often a foundational tool for manipulation. In these environments, it takes on a more predatory edge:

Weaponized "Inner Jihad": Much like the concepts you've explored regarding the struggle against the ego, groups may use the idea of "killing the self" to force members to ignore their own intuition or survival instincts.

Dismissing Trauma: When a member raises a concern about abuse or financial exploitation, leadership may frame their complaint as "a lack of surrender" or "attachment to the material world."

Performative Spirituality: You’ve previously noted how spiritual practices can become social signaling. In high-demand groups, "looking" spiritual becomes a requirement for safety and status within the community, effectively masking deep psychological distress.

Why It’s Dangerous

The danger isn't the spirituality itself, but the dissociation it encourages. By labeling "negative" emotions as unspiritual, a person loses the ability to set boundaries. If you can’t feel anger, you can’t protect yourself; if you can't feel sadness, you can't heal.

Cults In The News

2026-05-04T08:35:00.000-04:00

The last week of April and the beginning of May 2026 have seen several significant legal and media developments regarding high-demand groups and controversial movements.

### **Major Police Raid in Crewe, UK**

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, approximately **500 police officers** conducted a massive raid on the headquarters of the **Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light** in Crewe, Cheshire.

* **The Charges:** Authorities are investigating allegations of serious sexual offenses, modern-day slavery, and forced marriage.

* **Arrests:** Nine individuals—including citizens from the US, Mexico, and Egypt—were taken into custody. This follows a March 2026 complaint from a former member who alleged she was raped and abused at the group’s headquarters (a former orphanage) in 2023.

* **Context:** The group is distinct from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and has previously been under scrutiny regarding skilled worker visa usage.

### **New Docuseries: "The Cult of NatureBoy"**

ABC News Studios released a new docuseries on April 29, 2026, focusing on **Eligio Bishop** (known as "NatureBoy") and his group, **CarbonNation**.

* **The Story:** The series explores how Bishop used social media to recruit followers into what he termed a "utopia" in metro Atlanta.

* **Legal Status:** Though the series is new, it highlights the 2024 sentencing of Bishop to life without parole for crimes including rape and false imprisonment. It features new testimony from victims who joined the group while struggling with depression and family issues.

### **Ongoing Focus on the FLDS and Samuel Bateman**

Netflix recently released "Trust Me: The False Prophet," which has brought renewed attention to the **Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS)** splinter group led by **Samuel Bateman**.

* **Latest Updates:** As of mid-April and continuing through last week, news outlets have focused on how Bateman continues to exert control over his followers and multiple wives from behind bars.

* **Naomi "Nomz" Bistline:** A former wife of Bateman has been active in the media over the last few weeks, warning that the "nightmare" of coercive control can happen to anyone and detailing Bateman’s rise following the power vacuum left by Warren Jeffs.

### **"Greggy’s Cult" Legal Proceedings**

Updates continue regarding the federal case against five leaders of an online group known as **"Greggy's Cult."**

* **The Case:** The FBI and U.S. Attorneys have characterized the group as a "nightmare platform" used to exploit and harass minors.

* **Recent Activity:** While the initial charges were filed late last year, the case has remained in the headlines this past week as federal prosecutors detailed the "fansigning" and self-harm rituals the group allegedly used to demonstrate loyalty.

It seems there's a strong focus lately on both the **digital recruitment** of high-demand groups and the **raiding of physical compounds**.

The ‘Temple of Doom cult’ terrifying residents of Crewe

2026-05-03T17:07:57.826-04:00

Arrests after a 500-officer raid on former orphanage shine light on fanatical Islamic religious sect, whose leader claims he is ‘new pope’

Neil Johnston

The Telegraph

May 3, 2026

When those living on a street in the town of Crewe were invited for “beanies and burgers” by their unusual neighbours, they hoped it would be an olive branch.

But their concern has only grown over the odd behaviour of the 150 people living in a former orphanage likened to the Temple of Doom.

Best known for its railway interchange and a Bentley factory, Crewe is now the headquarters of a fanatical Islamic religious sect, whose leader claims to be the “new pope” and the successor to the prophet Mohammed.

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), who dress all in black and wear beanie hats as “religious head coverings”, is led by Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq, a 42-year-old Egyptian-American, who believes he is “the riser” and the self-proclaimed “saviour of mankind”.

But it’s the group’s military-style marches, hovering drones and robot guard dogs have alarmed his neighbours on Victoria Avenue in Crewe.

The married father of four has also said he is the successor to Jesus and his followers believe he can make the moon disappear.

Aliens control US presidents

Members of the sect also believe that George Washington was Adam Weishaupt, who is believed to be the founder of the Illuminati, and that a race of aliens known as “Shfar” control US presidents and world leaders.

The sect’s gospel suggests that George Bush Snr is a “shapeshifting extraterrestrial” who is “under control”.

Bizarre scripture also discusses a planet called Al-Aroos where rabbits are the size of bears while followers have told of Hashem’s “miracles” including bringing a woman in Germany back from the dead and healing blind people.

The sect has been described as a “cult” and on Wednesday 10 people from eight different countries were arrested after a raid involving more than 500 officers from four police forces as part of an investigation into alleged modern slavery.

Dozens of police cars and vans descended on Grade II-listed Webb House before 9am with detectives assisted by a drone squad, a helicopter and a Vulcanair P68R surveillance plane.

The suspects, arrested on suspicion of offences ranging from human trafficking and forced marriage to sexual assault and modern slavery, were released pending further enquiries on Friday.

Cheshire Police said that, in addition to bail conditions, a court had approved slavery and trafficking risk orders against Hashem and four other suspects, which ban them from entering Crewe, contacting the alleged victim or leaving the country.

A further 25 people have been charged with public order offences after obstructing police during the raid, which witnesses described as a “mini-riot”.

Followers living in the £1.5m compound insisted there was no wrongdoing and repeated Hashem’s claim to be the rightful pope.

Raised in Indiana to an Egyptian father and American mother, Hashem initially produced documentaries in which he infiltrated cults but later went on to form his own sect where he declared himself the “Qaim” or the “Mahdi”, a saviour figure from Islamic doomsday prophecy and the successor to Muhammad.

Followers urged to donate earnings

The group has followers around the world and is also known as The Black Banners of the East, the Ansar of Imam Mahdi and the Companions of the Seventh Covenant.

It moved to the UK in 2021 from Sweden, where immigration authorities investigated several companies linked to the sect and issued deportation orders to dozens of its members.

The Home Office is also investigating concerns over visas linked to the community, but Hashem has continued to proselytise online through YouTube, where he has attracted millions of views and TikTok where the group has 96,000 followers.

His “scripture” includes a 628-page book, The Goal of the Wise, which says that his followers have a “duty” to donate their entire salary, other than some deductions for basic living, and to sell their houses or land to fund his mission to create a “divine” state.

“It is the duty of every single believing man and woman in this Call to turn in all of their belongings except for that which they need for basic livelihood, in order to help the Qaim establish his State,” the book states.

Followers say they are misunderstood and mean no harm but their unusual behaviour has triggered concern locally with its activities being compared to a “training camp”.

In one recent TikTok, filmed in January and titled “The True Hajj: The Black Cloud renews its allegiance to the Mahdi”, Hashem was filmed leaving the red-brick building in Crewe and waving to followers, all in black.

To the sound of drums, men carrying black flags march in columns around a football pitch as a man shouts to various “companies” to stand to “attention” and salute while the leader inspects them on the grass, with the gardens of semi-detached houses visible in the background.

Women then carry gold and black balloons and labels reading the “Mahdi has appeared”, before hugging the leader while the men march with their fists in the air and chant loudly.

Like something out of Indiana Jones

Residents who back on to the compound said the parades were a regular occurrence and compared the marches to that of followers of the cult in the 1984 Indiana Jones blockbuster.

“You can hear them marching in the evening,” a resident said. “It’s like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, they have been doing training. It’s a cult and if you do something they don’t like they get aggressive.”

“They have two German Shepherds they walk round and have a drone they fly every night for hours. There are rumours they have been spying on people’s rooms. The leader doesn’t come out, the rumour is he doesn’t come out the compound because he is scared of snatch squads.”

Another resident added: “It started with beanies and burgers day. The week after they had security dogs.”

Others said they were scared to walk past the compound and that “robot dogs” had been used to monitor those passing its gates.

“We’ve been frightened for years, we will not walk down this road,” a woman said. “We’ve seen them all covered in black. If anybody goes to the gate all the security are there with robotic dogs.”

The grounds of the compound have British and US flags at the entrance and a white statue stands in front of the porch.

Inside, the building contains accommodation for 150 people, a studio used for social media output and a Hall of Mysteries, which the sect’s magazine, Divine Just State, said would become “an official tourist attraction in which history is recorded and documented for the purpose of educating the world”.

‘We believe he is the real, true pope’

Members of the sect are also said to have asked people whether they own their houses so they can buy them while other complaints relate to late-night floodlights and security shining torches into gardens.

Lawyers for AROPL said it would not be commenting other than to confirm that it is co-operating with the investigation and was unable to comment further at this stage.

However, since the raid, members of the community have camped outside Middlewich Custody Suite demanding the “immediate release” of those being questioned.

In an open letter addressed to Cheshire Police, supporters said they were staging a “collective protest” and expressing their “profound concern” about the arrests.

They said the raid had caused “significant distress to thousands of followers worldwide” and urged police to conduct their investigation with the “utmost speed and transparency”.

Husam, a member of the sect who said he was part of the outreach team, said there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

“This is way over the top,” he said, pointing at a line of police vans. “I think if you’re accusing a people of something, you should take them to the court, you should call them into the investigation.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense and be cheaper and better that you would call the family that you’re suspecting of having a slave right to the police station. They would rather spend your tax money with all of this crazy insanity and cause a huge fuss online and defame an entire religion. It is inhumane behaviour.”

He said he was aware the group had been described as a cult but said this was unfair and that the term “has been used and abused in so many different ways that you can actually name everything a cult right now”.

“Governments can be labelled as cults,” he said. “You name it, any sort of group can be labelled as a cult.”

He has not heard from Hashem since the police operation began, but said he was “best man alive” and people were wrong to dismiss his teachings.

“We believe that he is the real, true pope,” he said. “I’ve never met a human being like him.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/02/the-temple-of-doom-cult-terrifying-residents-of-crewe/

Honoring Strength on Cult Recovery Day

2026-04-30T18:30:00.000-04:00

## Honoring Strength on Cult Recovery Day

Today, we observe **Cult Recovery Day**—a time to recognize the immense courage it takes to reclaim one's life, identity, and autonomy. Healing is not a linear path, but it is one paved with resilience.

We honor the survivors, the families who never stopped searching for answers, and the dedicated professionals working to provide a safe harbor for those finding their way back.

### Why Today Matters:

* **Raising Awareness:** Shining a light on the dynamics of coercive control to help others spot the signs early.

* **Building Community:** Reminding survivors that they are not alone and that a life of freedom is possible.

* **Advocating for Change:** Promoting education and resources that empower individuals to heal and thrive.

To everyone on this journey: **Your voice matters, your story is yours again, and your strength is remarkable.**

**#CultRecoveryDay #SurvivorStrength #ReclaimYourLife #HealingJourney**

CultRecovery101.com

Crewe religious group raided by police investigating allegations of serious sexual offences

2026-04-29T13:37:35.701-04:00

About 500 officers deployed as part of operation at headquarters of Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light

Maeve McClenaghan

Guardian

April 29, 2026

Police have raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light following an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery and forced marriage.

About 500 officers drawn from across the north-west of England were on the ground on Wednesday morning. Police confirmed nine people had been arrested in relation to the investigation and were being held in custody.

The officers had warrants to enter the group’s headquarters, which is based at a former orphanage, as well as other properties in Crewe, Cheshire.

The arrests come after Cheshire police were alerted in March about a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland, who had made a complaint of being raped and sexually abused at AROPL’s headquarters. The force said the alleged offences took place in 2023 and involved the woman, who was a member of the group at the time.

Police said six men and three women were arrested on a range of suspicions including human trafficking, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage and modern day slavery offences. The suspects are American, Mexican, Spanish, Egyptian, Italian and Swedish.

A further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences that do not relate to the investigation.

After the arrests, police conducted a search of the premises. The road next to the sect’s headquarters was closed off on Wednesday morning as a convoy of police vehicles entered the gated property.

Ch Supt Gareth Wrigley said the police investigation was focused on individual suspects: “While those arrested are members of the group, I want to make clear that this is not an investigation into the religion; this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us.”

Wrigley added: “We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice.”

AROPL is a religious sect that moved its headquarters to Crewe, in Cheshire, in 2021. It blends tenets of Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens controlling US presidents. Followers wear black beanie hats and believe the sect’s leader can cure the sick and make the moon disappear.

AROPL says it is a peaceful, open and transparent religious movement derived from Shia Islam that has faced persecution around the world owing to its belief in equality and human rights. The group has charity status in the UK.

Officers being briefed on the operation. Photograph: Cheshire constabulary

About 150 people live together in the sprawling, grade II-listed building in Crewe. Other followers live elsewhere in the town and around the world. Followers proselytise through slick social media videos, produced onsite at Crewe. The group’s videos on YouTube have had more than 31m views.

About 56 children are understood to be living at the group’s headquarters, where they are home-schooled. Wrigley said the force was working with local partners to put safeguarding measures in place.

In the past, Cheshire East council’s social services twice made inquiries relating to the group or the children. There is no evidence action was deemed necessary.

The Guardian has previously spoken to former members. Some described living in a tightly controlled group and said they had felt pressured to sever ties with people outside the sect. AROPL’s lawyers denied that members were encouraged to ostracise relatives or were tightly controlled.

AROPL moved its headquarters to the UK in 2021 from Sweden. Before that, the group had been in Egypt and Germany.

In Sweden the sect was investigated by immigration forces and 69 members had their residency permits revoked.

In a series of rulings in 2022 an immigration court ordered the deportation of dozens of the group’s members, although most had moved to the UK by the time the judgments were handed down.

AROPL decried the investigations in Sweden as racist and religious persecution.

The Guardian has previously reported that the group was being investigated in the UK by the Home Office over its use of skilled worker visas.

The Home Office’s investigation focuses on visas issued to AROPL Studios, a company set up in 2021 to produce social media and YouTube videos about the sect’s teachings.

AROPL denied using illegal immigration practices. Through lawyers, it said the immigration status of all its members and workers was lawful.

When asked about the recent arrests, AROPL’s lawyers told the Guardian: “Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied.”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/apr/29/crewe-police-raid-ahmadi-religion-peace-light

Investigating the Mental Health Needs of People Exiting High Demand Groups

2026-04-24T11:03:00.000-04:00

Project Overview

This research project, entitled “Investigating the Mental Health Needs of People Exiting High Demand Groups,” is led by Dr. Smart at the University of Victoria. Others who are involved in the project are Rayann Gordon (graduate student at the University of Salford), Nazanin Babaei (graduate student at the University of Victoria), and Amanda Reaume and Sydney Klassen (undergraduate students at the University of Victoria). The study follows a trauma-informed approach to ensure sensitivity and participant well-being, offering breaks, resource materials, and mental health supports as needed. You can contact the lab at smartlab@uvic.ca if you believe you may be eligible to participate.

What is the study?

This study aims to investigate the lived experience of individuals who have exited a high-demand group (or ‘cult’) that was either fully online or hybrid online/in-person. The study aims to learn more about the challenges and needs of people leaving these groups, including their mental health, identity changes, coping strategies, and access to support services. It is hoped that the results of this project will inform ways to improve mental health care and resources for individuals leaving these environments.

Who is eligible?

Adults aged 19+ who identify with having been in a cult (e.g., religious, political, new age, and so on),
Adults aged 19+ who identify with having been in an online high-demand group (e.g., QAnon/RedPill/Incel/Pick-Up, influencer led communities,
Individuals who have been out of their group for between 1 and 5 years,
Individuals who are English speaking, have access to a computer,
Individuals who are not in active crises and who can identify a support person (i.e., a therapist, friend, family member).

What’s involved?

1) You can first reach out to our lab at smartlab@uvic.ca to express interest. The lab will then be sent a brief screening survey that will determine your eligibility.

2) If you are eligible, we will send a link to a 45-minute online questionnaire.

3) If you decide you’d like to participate in a subsequent 60–90-minute Zoom interview, our research assistants will schedule you for one.

4) You will be offered $20 per hour for your participation. For a 60–90-minute interview and approximately 45 minutes of questionnaires, the estimated compensation is $50. If only the questionnaire portion is completed (even partially), you will receive $20. If the interview goes longer than expected, you will be reimbursed in 30-minute increments.

In the Shadow of Enlightenment

2026-04-23T18:21:00.000-04:00

The Ebook version of my memoir is FREE on Amazon Kindle today through Monday, April 27th! go grab your copy.

Here is the book's description:

Growing up in Osho Rajneesh’s commune, a girl confronts the abuse hidden behind the utopian ideals and devotion, to reclaim her voice.

In 1978, nine-year-old Sarito Carroll’s life took an unexpected turn when her mother brought her to India to visit the ashram of guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later known as Osho). What was intended to be a brief trip over her summer vacation quickly became permanent when her mother decided they would stay and join the ashram. Three years later, when Rajneesh relocated to the United States, twelve-year-old Sarito arrived alone to Oregon, becoming one of the first thirty-five settlers at what would become Rajneeshpuram—a bold and controversial city built on the Big Muddy Ranch. The commune soon attracted thousands of devotees, lured by the guru’s promises of love, spiritual enlightenment, and a utopian society free from conventional constraints.

In the Shadow of Enlightenment is the gripping story of Carroll’s childhood inside the Osho Rajneesh cult—one of the most controversial spiritual movements of the 20th century. While in the commune, Sarito was submerged in a world where devotion and freedom clashed with manipulation, sexual misconduct, and neglect. This was the life she knew until the movement collapsed amid scandal and criminal charges in 1985, when sixteen-year-old Sarito was thrust into a society she knew little about.

Decades later, after battling shame, fear, and self-doubt, Sarito breaks her silence to expose the abuse, exploitation, and disillusionment she endured in the Rajneesh community. She stands up against this formidable spiritual institution that promised liberation while concealing dark secrets behind its facade of love and joy. With raw honesty and heart-wrenching clarity, she recounts her fight to reclaim her identity, confront the community’s betrayal, and heal on her own terms. It is a powerful story of survival, resilience, courage, and hard-won freedom.

In the Shadow of Enlightenment is a profoundly moving exposé about the hidden dangers lurking behind charismatic leaders and spiritual movements. It will inspire and challenge you to question where you place your trust.

https://a.co/d/035s8cZ6

Confessions of a Professional Conspiracy Theorist

2026-04-16T07:07:55.253-04:00

Confessions of a Professional Conspiracy Theorist

The incredible inside story of the organised PR campaign to build belief in conspiracy theories.

In the mornings Will Camden sells tea bags and train travel. In the afternoons he sells Aliens and the Illuminati.

Confessions of a Professional Conspiracy Theorist is an eye-opening novel about PR, marketing, psychology, sociology, persuasion, propaganda, and conspiracy culture.

Funny, intelligent, and sharply observant, it explores how narratives are built, how beliefs spread, and why people are more persuaded by emotion and psychology than by facts.

This book is based on real events. Some of the characters and organisations portrayed have been disguised. The facts have not.

https://willcamden.co.uk/product/confessions-conspiracy-theorist/

Fraud godmen: Exploitation behind the veil of faith

2026-04-16T06:39:11.984-04:00

Metro India

April 15, 2026

The challenge is to reclaim the sanctity of faith from those who seek to misuse it and to ensure that spirituality remains a force for upliftment

The recent arrest of a self-styled godman from Maharashtra on charges of sexually exploiting multiple women once again exposes a deeply troubling reality: the growing menace of fraudulent spiritual leaders, strutting with impunity and bawdy bravado, and preying on faith, vulnerability, and trust. The moral compass of these godmen appears dangerously unsteady—a matter of grave concern.

India has a long and rich spiritual tradition, where saints and sages have guided society with wisdom, restraint, and moral integrity. However, the rise of dubious godmen represents a distortion of this legacy. These figures manipulate religious sentiments to construct an aura of divinity around themselves, often presenting themselves as miracle workers, healers, or intermediaries between the divine and the mortal. In doing so, they attract large followings, particularly among those seeking solace in times of distress—be it illness, financial hardships, or emotional turmoil.

What begins as faith gradually turns into blind devotion. Followers surrender not only their belief systems but, unquestioningly, their agency as well. This unquestioning faith becomes fertile ground for exploitation. Women, in particular, are often the worst affected. Many victims are lured under the pretext of spiritual healing, rituals, or blessings, only to be subjected to abuse and coercion, making it difficult for them to speak out, as they are often constrained by fear, shame, and social stigma. Compounding the problem is the immense wealth and influence that such godmen accumulate. Many of them own vast tracts of land, run sprawling ashrams, and live lives of conspicuous luxury—far removed from the ascetic ideals they preach. Their financial empires are often built through donations from followers, who believe they are contributing to a noble cause.

In reality, this wealth not only fuels their lavish lifestyles but also strengthens their ability to evade scrutiny. With money comes influence, and with influence comes the capacity to manipulate systems—whether through legal loopholes, political patronage, or intimidation of dissenters.

Another disturbing aspect is the ecosystem that enables these figures to thrive. Local communities, driven by reverence or fear, often turn a blind eye to questionable activities. In some cases, politicians extend tacit or overt support, viewing these godmen as vote banks with considerable mobilising power. Law enforcement agencies, too, may hesitate to act promptly due to the potential backlash from followers. This nexus of faith, power, and silence creates a protective shield around the perpetrators, allowing their crimes to continue unchecked for years.

The psychological dimension of this phenomenon also deserves attention. In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, many individuals seek certainty, guidance, and reassurance. Dubious godmen exploit this need by offering simple answers to complex problems, often wrapped in spiritual rhetoric. They create a sense of belonging and community, which can be deeply comforting. However, this emotional dependency can quickly turn into control, where followers are conditioned to obey without question.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-pronged approach. The foremost priority must be to foster greater awareness and education. People must be encouraged to differentiate between genuine spirituality and manipulative theatrics. Critical thinking and scientific temper, as enshrined in the Constitution, should be actively promoted. Faith, while deeply personal, must not come at the cost of reason and self-respect.

Secondly, legal and regulatory mechanisms must be strengthened. Swift and transparent investigations, coupled with stringent punishment for offenders, are essential to deter such crimes. At the same time, mechanisms should be put in place to monitor the financial activities of large religious organisations to ensure accountability.

Equally important is the empowerment of women. Creating safe spaces for victims to report abuse without fear of judgement or retaliation is crucial. Support systems—legal, psychological, and social—must be made accessible and responsive. Society at large must shed the tendency to blame victims and instead focus on holding perpetrators accountable.

Finally, there is a need for introspection at a societal level. Blind faith has often been romanticised as devotion, but when it suppresses reason and enables exploitation, it becomes dangerous. True spirituality does not demand submission to an individual; it encourages inner growth, compassion, and ethical conduct.

The arrest of yet another fraudulent godman should serve as a wake-up call. It is not merely an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger malaise. If left unaddressed, such figures will continue to erode the moral fabric of society while inflicting irreparable harm on countless lives.

The challenge before us is to reclaim the sanctity of faith from those who seek to misuse it—and to ensure that spirituality remains a force for upliftment, not exploitation.

https://www.metroindia.net/news/articlenews/fraud-godmen-exploitation-behind-the-veil-of-faith-37991

Vernon Katz and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, writing outdoors surrounded by books and papers

2026-04-14T19:52:32.470-04:00

Anthony Hardy

Guardian

April 14, 2026

My friend Vernon Katz, who has died aged 98, was a childhood Kindertransport refugee from Germany; he escaped the Holocaust and went on to become an Oxford scholar.

His postgraduate studies there in Indian philosophy aroused a strong desire to experience for himself what was described in the literature. That wish was fulfilled when, in 1960 in London, he met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught him transcendental meditation.

The Maharishi invited Vernon to help with his translation and commentary on the Bhagavad-Gītā, published in 1967, which at the time sold more than a million copies and helped to revive Vedic knowledge. Vernon recalled: “The Gītā was translated and discussed on land, sea, and in the air, in townhouses and country houses, by the Thames and by the Ganges, in the Alps, and on the canals of Venice. I had never known such happiness as this work with Maharishi.”

Later he assisted Maharishi in translating the Brahma Sutra, another key text of Indian philosophy. On reviewing the recordings made during their work together, Vernon created two volumes of Conversations with Maharishi, published in 2011 and 2018. In addition he wrote, with Thomas Egenes, The Upanishads: A New Translation (2015).

He also wrote a memoir of his childhood in Germany and early years in Britain, The Blue Salon and Other Follies: A Jewish Boyhood in 1930s Rural Germany (2008).

The son of Emmy (nee Silberbach) and Hermann Katz, Vernon was born in Herford, Germany, into an affluent Jewish family who owned a brushwork factory. He enjoyed a comfortable childhood until the rise of the Nazis in the 1930s. In March 1939 he boarded a Kindertransport train to Britain. He later said: “I thought the people there were angels, they were such good people. I love this country, because it saved my life.” Both his parents, who had been imprisoned, were able to join him in the UK before the outbreak of the second world war and established a knitwear business in London.

In 1947 Vernon began studies in philosophy, politics and economics at University College, Oxford, where his undergraduate tutor was Harold Wilson, the future prime minister. He went on to postgraduate studies in Indian philosophy, and his graduate adviser was Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who subsequently became president of India.

For an important part of his life Vernon lived in London, where he managed his thriving knitwear business – a business partner made it possible for him to travel and engage in his scholarly work. In 2014 he settled in Suffolk.

For many decades he served as a trustee and visiting professor at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, in the US, where he lectured on Sanskrit literature. He was fluent in English, German and Italian, and greatly enjoyed making English translations of ancient Sanskrit texts.

He is survived by seven cousins – Yvonne, Anita and Ralph in the UK, and Stephen, Ralph, Terry and Pam in the US.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/apr/14/vernon-katz-obituary

In The New this week (April 4–11, 2026)

2026-04-11T09:16:00.000-04:00

This week (April 4–11, 2026), cult-related media is dominated by the release of a major documentary series uncovering a "False Prophet," new investigative books exploring the psychology of recruitment, and updates on high-profile cult trials.

Top News & Features

Netflix's Trust Me: The False Prophet: This week’s biggest release, the four-part docuseries Trust Me: The False Prophet (April 8, 2026), exposes the rise of Samuel Bateman. Bateman declared himself the successor to imprisoned FLDS leader Warren Jeffs and was eventually sentenced to 50 years in prison for child sex crimes and kidnapping.
Ongoing Control from Prison: New reports this week highlight that Bateman continues to exert "daily indoctrination" over his remaining adult followers through frequent phone calls from prison, raising concerns about the persistence of his influence.
Survivor Interviews: Survivors like Nomz Bistline, one of Bateman’s former adult wives, have come forward in interviews this week to warn that "it can happen to anyone," describing the psychological isolation and eventual freedom found only after his arrest.

New Books & Investigative Reports

"What Draws People Into Cults?": A widely discussed new book released this week tracks the journeys of two followers to answer why "smart, educated people" fall for high-control groups. It emphasizes that no one "joins" a cult; they join what they believe is an "alternative community" that gradually transforms.
Warren Jeffs Update: On April 11, 2026, People published a deep dive into the life of Warren Jeffs nearly 20 years after his initial arrest, examining how his crimes and the FLDS community continue to impact the public consciousness decades later.

Legal Developments

Hmong Prophet Sentencing: In Northern California, cult leader Vang is scheduled for sentencing on April 14, 2026, after being found guilty of molesting and raping followers in a community he built at the base of Table Mountain.
Kenya Doomsday Cult Trial: Ongoing testimony in Kenya continues for the manslaughter trial of an evangelical pastor whose doomsday sect led to the deaths of hundreds of followers through forced starvation.

In The News

2026-04-11T09:08:00.001-04:00

Last week (the first full week of April 2026), cult-related media focused on high-profile legal sentencing for an extremist leader, critical book reviews on religious control, and the intersection of viral fame with cult-like behavior.

Recent News & Sentencing
Mormon Fundamentalist Leader Jailed: Samuel Bateman, a leader of an FLDS offshoot sometimes called the "Samuelites," was sentenced to 50 years in prison following an undercover investigation. He was convicted for child sex crimes and child abuse involving more than 20 "wives," many of whom were children.

New Evidence in Child Sex Crimes Case: A pastor of an alleged cult in Augusta was recently charged with child sex crimes after the feds searched for more victims

New Books & Commentary
The Oracle’s Daughter: A New York Times book review discusses Harrison Hill's exploration of how "tyrannical utopias" and the desire for religious freedom can transform into oppressive environments that sacrifice collective safety for a leader's control.

Memoirs of "Aggressive Christianity": A recent Guardian interview with Sarah Green detailed her survival within her mother’s cult, describing a regime where members were forced into locked sheds as "divine punishment".

Cultural & Political Analysis
Social Media & Evangelism: Discussions have surfaced about how modern social media platforms act as catalysts for "cult followings" by amplifying aggressive evangelism and making it easier for high-control groups to isolate themselves from mainstream views.

Documentary Releases

How I Escaped My Cult: This Disney+ series has seen renewed interest, providing a lens into modern-day trauma and the investigative work required to take down oppressive leaders.

Imprisoned Leader of Egyptian-Themed UFO-Obsessed Cult Seeks Compassionate Release

2026-04-10T08:35:27.775-04:00

Chris Harris

AOL

April 10, 2026

The leader of a Black supremacist Egyptian-themed cult is seeking early release from federal prison, claiming in papers filed last month that he suffers from a recurring medical condition that causes parts of his body to swell.

Dwight "Malachi" York, a former writer and musician, founded the UFO-obsessed United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors in 1967. He was arrested on May 8, 2002, after authorities raided the cult’s Georgia “Tama-Re” compound, and was accused of molesting dozens of children.

York, now 80, was convicted of transporting minors across state lines for sexual purposes and financial crimes. He has been in prison since 2004, serving a 135-year sentence at the ADX Florence Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.

York's petition, filed February 13, claims he suffers from complications caused by hereditary angioedema, a rare condition that causes severe swelling that can kill if it affects the throat and constricts one's airway.

The filing claimed that the medical treatment York receives at the prison is substandard, at best.

"This motion is not about revisiting Mr. York’s past," his attorney, Judith Delus Montgomery, wrote in her client’s petition. "It is about his present reality: an elderly man with a serious and potentially fatal medical condition who requires care the prison system cannot provide."

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, who was part of the team that investigated the initial claims against the cult, objects to York's release.

“This man here is a serial rapist, a child molester that committed the most heinous of crimes in our society, short of torturous murder, and did it generationally,” Sills told WMAZ. “You don’t get, in my opinion, much worse than that.”

In addition to his convictions, York has also admitted to 40 counts of aggravated child molestation, 34 counts of child molestation, two counts of influencing witnesses and one count of sexual exploitation of a child.

Former U.S. Attorney Max Wood, who prosecuted York in federal court, told the station the petition mirrors a pattern he observed during the original case.

Wood said the York prosecution stands as “the most significant case in Middle Georgia for the last 50 years,” not only for its scale but for what it revealed about how major cases should be built.

“This was huge,” he said. “York was a master of having either a lawyer or a member of his cult just file something as a citizen. They filed all these things in the court system.”

https://www.aol.com/articles/imprisoned-leader-egyptian-themed-ufo-183829838.html

Prosecutors drop Chun Jae-soo Unification Church bribery case over time bar

2026-04-10T08:24:17.796-04:00

Inquiry ends with no charges as investigators cite expired limits and lack of proof; aides face evidence-tampering indictments

Shon Duk-ho, Kim Woo-young

CHOSUNBIZ

April 10, 2026

Prosecutors and police on the 10th closed the case against Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Chun Jae-soo (former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries), who faced allegations of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church, citing expiration of the statute of limitations or insufficient evidence, and concluded it as no right of indictment and no suspicion. Chun was confirmed the previous day (the 9th) as the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for Busan mayor.

The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police probing alleged collusion between state and religion (the Joint Investigation Headquarters on State–Religion Collusion Corruption, hereinafter the "headquarters") announced the results of its investigation that day into the case concerning "alleged acceptance of money and valuables by former and incumbent lawmakers." The headquarters was launched on Jan. 6 and has investigated related cases for three months.

◇On the day the watch was received, Aug. 21, 2018… "Cannot specify the amount," 7-year statute of limitations applies

Chun has faced charges of taking bribes and violating the Political Funds Act on allegations that on Aug. 21, 2018, at the Unification Church's Cheonjeong Palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Chun accepted requests concerning the "Korea–Japan undersea tunnel project" from President Han Hak-ja and others and received one luxury watch and cash worth between 20 million won and 30 million won. The headquarters closed the investigation as "no right of indictment."

According to the headquarters' findings, combining statements from those involved, including former Unification Church world headquarters head Yoon Young-ho, and the results of search and seizure, the time when Chun is suspected to have been provided luxury goods and money, including a Cartier watch worth 7.85 million won, from the Unification Church side is Aug. 21, 2018.

Following President Han, former Unification Church secretary's office chief Jung Won-ju, known as the "No. 2 of the Unification Church," purchased one Cartier watch on Feb. 9, 2018. It was confirmed that an acquaintance of Chun had the watch repaired in July 2019. The current price of this watch is in the 12 million won range.

The statute of limitations for violations of the Political Funds Act is seven years. Seven years after the date money or valuables were received, prosecution is barred even if the crime is recognized. However, if bribery charges are applied, the statute of limitations varies by the amount received: seven years for under 30 million won, 10 years for 30 million won or more and under 100 million won, and 15 years for 100 million won or more.

The headquarters determined that the total value of the watch and cash Chun received from the Unification Church side was under 30 million won and applied a seven-year statute of limitations. In that case, the deadline for prosecutors to indict Chun was last year.

An official at the headquarters said, "Former headquarters head Yoon did not directly witness the contents of the money and valuables delivered, and there is no other basis to specify the amount," adding, "It is difficult to view the money and valuables provided, including the watch, as 30 million won or more, so it is determined that the statute of limitations (seven years) has run." The official also noted that regarding Chun receiving cash, former headquarters head Yoon's statement is effectively the only evidence.

Previously, when the special counsel team of Min Joong-ki investigated various allegations involving first lady Kim Keon-hee, it investigated People Power Party lawmakers, including Kweon Seong-dong, based on former headquarters head Yoon's notes and other materials. However, for Democratic Party of Korea figures, although clues of collusion with the Unification Church emerged, there was no investigation. After the special counsel's activity period ended, the case was transferred to police, and the headquarters investigated after it was launched. The People Power Party criticized that the special counsel and the headquarters were conducting a "lenient investigation."

◇Allegations of requests related to the relocation of Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School found "insufficient evidence," no suspicion

On Oct. 28, 2019, the Unification Church purchased 500 copies of Chun's autobiography for 10 million won. It faced suspicion that this was payment for requests related to the transfer of Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School under the Unification Church, and in March the headquarters additionally booked Chun on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and receiving bribes.

The headquarters concluded no suspicion, determining there were no circumstances to see that the Unification Church side met Chun or made specific requests around the time it bought the books, and that there was insufficient evidence to view that Chun recognized the Unification Church's purchase of the books.

The police investigation team within the headquarters decided not to refer the case, concluding no right of indictment and no suspicion regarding Chun's alleged violations of the Political Funds Act and receipt of bribes. Prosecutors, after reviewing the records, determined there were no illegal or improper aspects and returned the records that were forwarded as a non-referral that day.

◇Chun Jae-soo's aides on evidence destruction charges indicted without detention

The headquarters indicted without detention four of Chun's aides suspected of destroying evidence, saying the charges were substantiated. They are accused of initializing PCs in Chun's constituency office in Busan after media reported suspicions that Chun received money and valuables and when police searches were anticipated.

However, the headquarters said it did not confirm that Chun ordered the destruction of evidence. Chun's side explained, "It was done in the process of an employee organizing personal files."

Former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lim Jong-seong and former United Future Party (UFP) lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan, who faced allegations along with Chun of receiving money and valuables from the Unification Church, also received no-suspicion dispositions.

The headquarters determined that former lawmaker Lim maintained relations with the Unification Church side from 2016 to 2023 and that it is recognized he attended various events. Former lawmaker Kim also maintained relations with the Unification Church side. From 2018 to 2021, he attended various events organized by the Unification Church and its affiliated groups and visited Cheonwon Complex in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on Feb. 8, 2020.

The headquarters concluded that for former lawmakers Lim and Kim, aside from former headquarters head Yoon's statements, there was no other evidence to support suspicions of receiving money and valuables, and that the specific amounts received and the circumstances of provision were unclear, so the suspicions were not substantiated.

President Han and others accused of handing money and valuables to them also received dispositions of no right of indictment and no suspicion.

The headquarters said, "In addition to this case, we plan to conduct strict and swift investigations into allegations raised against specific religious organizations, such as illegal political donations using organizational funds by the Unification Church, forced membership in a specific political party and tax evasion by Shincheonji, and embezzlement in the course of duty."

※ This article has been translated by AI. https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-society/2026/04/10/ENXDSAJY3ZFY7DBHVKEUAKN6SM/

For God's Sake, Recovering from Religious Trauma

2026-04-08T15:34:00.002-04:00

For God's Sake, Recovering from Religious Trauma

Anna Clark Miller, LPC
Sheldon Press, 5th May 2026
Trade paperback $19.99 • 240 pp • ISBN: 9781399828413

“I feel guilty all the time, even when I'm not doing anything wrong...”

Are you navigating fear, shame, and isolation in the aftermath of harmful experiences in religion? Are you so used to suppressing your own needs and emotions that you don't know how to express them anymore?

For God's Sake: Recovering from Religious Trauma offers language to help you understand what you've experienced, process your hurt and anger, and start healing on your own terms. You'll learn how to turn your self-judgment into
curiosity, and your shame into self-compassion. Each chapter includes multiple inventories, checklists, and personal reflection prompts to help you connect more deeply with yourself and gain insight into how religious trauma has impacted you.

Grounded in research and counseling experience, Miller takes a religiously neutral approach to healing. She knows from experience that many religious trauma survivors are understandably anxious about perceived hidden agendas, particularly those tied to religion and spirituality. So whether you're looking to leave religion completely or seek a new, healthier relationship with your faith, For God's Sake can help you recover and explore who you are beyond religious trauma.

About the Author

Anna Clark Miller, LPC, is a licensed counselor, author, speaker, and trainer who
specializes in recovery from religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and cults. Her
passion for healing from high-control religion started with her own experiences in
a fundamentalist belief system. She was raised overseas by evangelical missionaries, educated in religious universities, and worked in religious organizations for 10 years before recognizing the signs of religious trauma. After getting a degree in mental counseling, she started her career in trauma recovery with a focus on adverse experiences in high-control religious groups. She facilitates clinical training for therapists and social workers treating religious trauma and speaks at retreats and conferences for survivors.

For publicity and press inquiries, contact: Cassandra Murphy at Cassandra.Murphy@johnmurrays.co.uk

Health warning issued after sect allegedly told to give up jobs, school, ARVs

2026-04-07T08:56:22.074-04:00

Inside Education

April 6, 2026

A religious settlement in KwaMaphumulo has been accused of urging followers to abandon antiretroviral treatment and other modern medicine, leave school and jobs, and rely instead on faith healing.

The allegations have garnered backlash from the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for health, Nomagugu Simelane.

“If it is true that any person is encouraging followers to stop their ARVs, that behaviour is dangerous and cannot be tolerated. It is, in effect, a way of killing people slowly,” Simelane said.

Such actions amounted to “nothing less than genocide against people living with HIV,” she said.

The allegations were first reported on by the Sunday Tribune and SABC last week.

The Tribune reported that about 100 followers at iKhaya Labafundi in Dabangu had left careers, studies and, in some cases, medical treatment to pursue a faith-led life.

The SABC reported that more than 50 people had joined the group and that members said they did not use clinics or hospitals because it went against their beliefs.

Both media houses also carried accounts from members who said they had stopped taking HIV medication after joining the group.

The Tribune reported that one woman said she stopped ARV treatment in 2024, while SABC News quoted another member as saying she had stopped taking chronic HIV medication after “a spiritual conviction”.

The Tribune also reported concerns from nearby residents over school-age children seen at the settlement instead of in class. congregation.

The reports identified the founder as Vusumuzi Sibiya, who described the settlement as a place for people “separated unto God” and said it sustained itself through farming. He rejected descriptions of the movement as a cult and said people had joined voluntarily.

Responding during the department’s Easter Weekend Church Wellness Outreach Programme at the UCCSA in uMzinyathi, eThekwini, Simelane said the provincial government was not seeking to interfere in matters of faith, but could not ignore reports that people may be abandoning life-saving treatment.

“[W]e have a duty to act when faced with allegations that people are being misled in ways that could cost lives,” she said.

Simelane said the allegations remained unproven in a legal sense, but warned that the conduct described in the reports would be catastrophic if true.

She said the province could not afford to return to the worst years of the epidemic.

“We all remember what HIV did to our communities before the arrival of ARVs, the funerals, the orphans, the wasting away. We will not take our people back to that dark time,” Simelane said.

“Stopping ARV treatment has serious consequences. It leads to viral rebound, deterioration of health, potential death, and increased risk of transmission to others. Spreading misinformation on this matter cannot be taken lightly.”

Simelane also appealed to churches to work with the health department rather than undercut public health messaging on HIV and AIDS.

“Pastors play a big role in our communities. They preach weekly to people who believe in them. If their message on HIV and AIDS is dwindling, that is dangerous. We are willing to train and equip pastors so that they can become our ambassadors in combating HIV and AIDS. The Bible says my people perish because of a lack of knowledge,” she said.

She called for sanctions if the allegations are proved. “Anyone who misleads people by telling them to abandon ARVs must face the full might of the law. That is tantamount to causing harm,” Simelane said.

She told people living with HIV to remain on treatment. “Prayer, rest, and medical faithfulness save lives.”

https://insideeducation.co.za/warning-issued-after-sect-allegedly-told-to-give-up-jobs-school-arvs/

Religious Cult Responsible For Horrific Child Sex Abuse Is The Basis Of Netflix’s ‘Trust Me: The False Prophet’

2026-04-02T06:13:14.611-04:00

Danielle Jennings

Parade

April 1, 2026

When cult expert and researcher Christine Marie and her videographer husband, Tolga Katas, decided to secretly document the aftermath of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) following the imprisonment of former leader Warren Jeffs, they didn’t expect to uncover the horrific child sex abuse hidden beneath the surface.

That discovery is the basis of the upcoming Netflix four-part documentary, Trust Me: The False Prophet, streaming on the platform beginning April 8.

Per Netflix, the documentary, which includes the secret footage recorded by Marie and Katas, “chronicles the rise of Samuel Bateman, the self-proclaimed heir to Jeffs, as seen through the eyes of the couple who infiltrated his inner circle as they gain Bateman’s trust and uncover evidence…revealing the depths of his control and the women brave enough to speak up.”

The director of the documentary, Emmy-award winner Rachel Dretzin, also helmed another Mormon-based docuseries for the streamer with 2025’s Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey.

Dretzin told Netflix’s Tudum that her involvement in the project began after meeting with Marie and Katas, and seeing their disturbing footage documenting the ongoing child sexual abuse of young girls.

“Trust Me offers intimate access to a normally closed world — and in doing so, I hope it exposes both the violence that enforced secrecy enables and what it takes to tell the truth when everything is at stake,” she said.

“What these women did matters far beyond their community. It is a blueprint for how to dismantle even the most entrenched systems of abuse,” Dretzin added.

Polygamist Bateman, who had more than 20 wives, which reportedly included one of his own daughters in addition to several other minors, was indicted in 2022 due to engaging in "group sex" with some of the minor girls and watching them be sexually abused, according to the FBI affidavit obtained by The Washington Post. The minor girls ranged in age from 11 to 16.

He is currently serving a 50-year prison sentence after entering a guilty plea to conspiracy to transport a minor for sex and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, per PEOPLE.

https://www.aol.com/articles/religious-cult-responsible-horrific-child-183811043.html

Spiritual Bypassing

2026-04-01T06:20:38.557-04:00

Spiritual bypassing is a term first coined by psychologist John Welwood in the 1980s. It describes the tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or "bypass" unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and fundamental human needs.

It’s a "premature transcendence"—trying to rise above the messy, painful parts of being human before we’ve actually dealt with them.

Common Signs of Spiritual Bypassing

Exaggerated Detachment: Using "it’s all an illusion" or "non-attachment" to avoid feeling genuine grief, anger, or hurt.
Toxic Positivity: The belief that one should always be "high vibe" or that "everything happens for a reason," which silences healthy venting or necessary boundaries.
Over-Spiritualizing Responsibility: Claiming "I attracted this with my thoughts" or "it’s their karma," which can shift focus away from addressing actual harm or systemic issues.
The "Spiritual Ego": Feeling superior to others who are "unawakened" or "stuck in their ego."

In the Context of High-Demand Groups

Spiritual bypass is often a foundational tool for manipulation. In these environments, it takes on a more predatory edge:

Weaponized "Inner Jihad": Much like the concepts you've explored regarding the struggle against the ego, groups may use the idea of "killing the self" to force members to ignore their own intuition or survival instincts.
Dismissing Trauma: When a member raises a concern about abuse or financial exploitation, leadership may frame their complaint as "a lack of surrender" or "attachment to the material world."
Performative Spirituality: You’ve previously noted how spiritual practices can become social signaling. In high-demand groups, "looking" spiritual becomes a requirement for safety and status within the community, effectively masking deep psychological distress.

Why It’s Dangerous

The danger isn't the spirituality itself, but the dissociation it encourages. By labeling "negative" emotions as unspiritual, a person loses the ability to set boundaries. If you can’t feel anger, you can’t protect yourself; if you can't feel sadness, you can't heal.

Founder of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company gets 9 years in prison in forced labor conspiracy

2026-03-30T19:02:47.530-04:00

AP: Founder of ‘orgasmic meditation’ company gets 9 years in prison in forced labor conspiracy

"The leader of a sex-focused women’s wellness company that promoted “orgasmic meditation” was sentenced Monday [3/30/26] to nine years in federal prison for a scheme that a judge said exploited vulnerable women and coerced them into performing sex acts with the company’s clients and investors.

Nicole Daedone, co-founder of OneTaste Inc., was also ordered to forfeit $12 million, and seven victims were awarded roughly $890,000 in restitution, federal prosecutors said.

“Coercion disguised as wellness or empowerment is still exploitation and it is a crime that causes harm to vulnerable victims,” Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement.

Daedone declined to speak in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday, but one victim told the judge that she had believed in Daedone’s “so-called feminist mission” only to be “left with significant financial damages and emotional harm,” the Daily News reports."

https://apnews.com/article/onetaste-orgasmic-meditation-founder-daedone-sentenced-1fdbf1d4b23078128c7c4f030983d52f

From the Darkroom shows cult leader after deadly bus hijacking

2026-03-30T16:53:44.132-04:00

Springfield-Greene County Library District

Special to the News-Leader

March 30, 2026

In this July 1982 photograph, cult leader Emory Lamb Sr. posed for a portrait to accompany an article on a deadly bus hijacking by a couple of his followers.

Keith and Kate Haigler of Jasper, Arkansas, held 17 passengers hostage on July 3, 1982. The two brandished handguns and a bag of "dynamite" that was later found to be red painted sticks. The Haiglers believed the hijacking would bring attention to their religion and end their lives so they could be resurrected three and a half days later. The couple were shot in the shoulders by snipers, but ultimately, Mrs. Haigler ended both of their lives. None of the hostages were harmed.

A portrait of Emory Lamb Sr. who was the leader of a Jasper, Arkansas based religious cult known as the FOU (Foundation of Ubiquity). Lamb led his followers to believe that he was a reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Two of his followers hijacked a bus with 17 people and killed themselves onboard, no hostages were injured.

The Haiglers were followers of FOU, or the Foundation of Ubiquity, or Father of Us. FOU came to Emory Lamb Sr. in a vision. Lamb owned a store at the time, which he covered in spray paint and signs declaring, “FOU Was Here.”

Keith Hagler, a nomad, was drawn to the store out of curiosity and was given a pamphlet on FOU. Keith and Kate Haigler were Lamb’s only followers outside of his wife and daughter. The bus hijacking drew heavy media attention, though it was often critical of FOU rather than promotional, as the Haiglers had hoped.

https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2026/03/30/from-the-darkroom-ozarks-cult-leader/89323496007/

The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide

2026-03-30T13:20:06.808-04:00

In his seminal 1986 work, The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide, Dr. Robert Jay Lifton explored how educated professionals—specifically physicians—could participate in systemic mass murder.

Lifton’s research, based on interviews with former Nazi doctors and survivors, centers on the psychological mechanisms that allowed individuals sworn to "do no harm" to become "genocidal killers."

Core Psychological Concepts

1. Doubling

This is perhaps Lifton’s most famous contribution from the book. Doubling is the division of the self into two functioning wholes: a "prior self" (the traditional, ethical doctor/husband/father) and an "Auschwitz self" (the killer).

Unlike "splitting," where the self is fragmented, doubling allows both selves to function autonomously.
The Auschwitz self performed the "dirty work," while the prior self remained "clean," allowing the doctor to return home to his family without feeling like a monster.

2. The Healing-Killing Paradox

Lifton identified a distorted "biomedical vision" at the heart of Nazi ideology. The Nazis viewed the German nation (the Volk) as a biological organism.

The Physician as "Racial Hygenist": Doctors saw themselves as "surgeons" for the nation.
Killing as "Healing": To "heal" the Nordic race, they believed they had to "excise" the "cancers" (Jews, Romani, the disabled). In this twisted logic, killing became a necessary medical act to preserve the life of the state.

3. Psychic Numbing

Lifton describes a diminished capacity to feel or react to the surrounding horror. For doctors at the death camps, this was a functional necessity. By "numbing" their empathy, they could process "selections" at the train platforms as a routine administrative task rather than the mass execution of human beings.

4. Derealization and Denial

The doctors employed various cognitive shields to distance themselves from reality:

Euphemistic Language: Using terms like "special treatment" (Sonderbehandlung) or "evacuation" instead of murder.
Bureaucratization: Focusing on the technical efficiency of the gas chambers or the statistics of the "selections" rather than the human reality of the victims.

The Evolutionary Chain of Killing

Lifton traced a clear progression of how the medical profession was co-opted, moving from "merciful" rhetoric to industrial slaughter:

Coercive Sterilization: Preventing "unworthy" genes from passing on.
"Euthanasia" Program (Aktion T4): The killing of the mentally and physically disabled within Germany.
The "Final Solution": Applying the techniques learned in the T4 program (gas chambers and medical supervision) to the entire Jewish population of Europe.

Significance of the Work

Lifton’s disclosure was a warning that genocide is not committed by "madmen" alone. He demonstrated that high-level professionals can be socialized into atrocity through psychological adaptation and a sense of "higher" ideological purpose.

EARLY-BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALEICSA International Conference 2026

2026-03-27T15:26:54.055-04:00

EARLY-BIRD TICKETS NOW ON SALE

ICSA International Conference 2026

The annual ICSA International Conference, brings together researchers, health professionals, service providers and survivors and their families from around the world to engage in open dialogue on the most pressing themes around cultic studies.

Date: 1-4 July 2026

Location: San Diego Hilton Bayfront, San Diego, USA

Tickets: US$375

EARLY-BIRD: US$275

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-annual-conference-general-admission-ticket

Hundreds to rally at Japanese Embassy in Washington in support of Family Federation Japan

2026-03-17T10:36:39.153-04:00

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification USA

RNS Press Release Distribution Service

March 17, 2026

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WASHINGTON — Members of the Family Federation and supporters will gather outside the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 19 at 12:00 PM to call attention to what organizers describe as a serious and historic moment for religious freedom in Japan.

Participants say the Japanese government has dissolved the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, resulting in the closure of 400 churches and offices across the country. Congregations that had existed for decades were forced to shut their doors, and thousands of members were asked to leave sanctuaries where they had prayed, gathered, and raised their families in faith.

“For our brothers and sisters in Japan, this moment has brought deep sorrow and uncertainty,” organizers said. “Communities that have served quietly and sacrificially for decades are now facing the sudden loss of their churches and places of worship.”

The demonstration in Washington will serve as a peaceful appeal for the protection of religious liberty and the dignity of people of the members of the Family Federation. Organizers say members of the global faith community are standing in solidarity with those in Japan who cannot publicly gather in the same way.

“For decades, Japanese members have supported missions around the world, traveling to distant nations, raising families in faith, and investing their lives for the sake of humanity,” organizers said. “Now they are facing hardship, and the global family stands with them.”

The rally comes at a significant moment as Japanese leadership visits Washington this week. Participants say they hope their peaceful demonstration will raise awareness and encourage dialogue about the protection of religious freedom.

Organizers expect approximately 500 participants, including members of the Family Federation and supporters of religious liberty.

“This gathering is not about anger or confrontation,” organizers said. “It is about standing with our family and reminding the world that religious freedom matters.”

Members in Japan are currently unable to gather publicly in the same way due to the closure of their churches. Supporters in the United States say they are using their freedom to speak out respectfully on behalf of those affected.

The event will include speakers and participants holding signs calling for help for their family of faith in Japan.

Event Details

WHAT: Help! Protest for Family Federation Japan

WHEN: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 12:00 PM

WHERE: Japanese Embassy, 2520 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

International Trading Group (ITG)

2026-03-13T13:54:19.166-04:00

The International Trading Group (ITG) office in Fairfield, Iowa, is a significant case study in the history of financial fraud and its intersection with high-control groups.

1. Connection to the Maharishi Community

During the 1980s, ITG operated as a major employer in Fairfield, a city known as the headquarters for the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement.

The Workforce: A large portion of the staff were "meditators" or followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Top Producer: Despite being a branch of a national firm based in San Mateo, California (and later Chicago), the Fairfield office was reportedly the top money-maker for the entire company during its final years.

2. The 1989 Bankruptcy and Fraud Charges

ITG specialized in commodity options trading and became the subject of one of the largest regulatory crackdowns of its time.

The Collapse: In 1989, ITG filed for bankruptcy after federal regulators, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), accused the firm of defrauding thousands of investors.

The Allegations: The firm was accused of "bilking" investors out of more than $450 million. Regulators alleged that the company used high-pressure sales tactics and misleading claims about the risks and profits associated with commodity options.

Impact on Fairfield: When the office abruptly closed following the bankruptcy, many members of the local meditator community were left unemployed and financially devastated, which created a significant ripple effect within the TM movement at the time.

3. Professional Context

Coercive Environment: The Fairfield ITG office is often cited as an example of how a high-control spiritual environment can overlap with professional life, where communal loyalty and shared beliefs can sometimes be leveraged in high-pressure or unethical sales environments.

Recovery: The fallout from the ITG collapse led to a period of "scrambling" for many residents, which is a common theme in the transition and recovery phases you study.

The collapse of the International Trading Group (ITG) in 1989 left a distinct mark on Fairfield, Iowa, particularly because it exposed the vulnerabilities of a community where spiritual and professional boundaries were heavily blurred.

Based on the 1989 case and the subsequent community response, here are the deeper details regarding the legal proceedings and the impact on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement:

1. Legal Testimony & Allegations

The case against ITG was built on the testimony of former employees and investors who described a "boiler room" environment.

The "Scripted" Sales Tactics: Court documents from the CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) investigation highlighted that ITG used highly aggressive, deceptive sales scripts. Salespeople were trained to downplay the extreme risks of commodity options while promising "guaranteed" high returns.

Targeting the Faithful: In Fairfield, there was testimony suggesting that the shared spiritual bond of TM was used to build trust. Salespeople (many of whom were "meditators") were able to leverage their shared language and community values to recruit investors and other employees.

The Regulatory Hammer: The CFTC eventually obtained a permanent injunction against the firm. The legal findings noted that ITG had misappropriated customer funds to cover operating expenses and personal luxuries for the firm's principals, leading to the $450 million loss.

2. The Community Response in Fairfield

The reaction within the TM community was complex, ranging from financial desperation to a defensive "closing of the ranks."

Economic Devastation: Because ITG was one of the town's largest employers of "Sidhas" (advanced TM practitioners), the bankruptcy caused an immediate local recession. Many residents lost their life savings, and the university (then MIU, now MUM) saw a dip in support as many followers could no longer afford tuition or donations.

The "Image of Perfection": Critics within the movement noted a culture of silence. Much like the 2004 campus incidents mentioned in local histories, there was internal pressure in 1989 to avoid "negative publicity" that might reflect poorly on the Maharishi’s teachings. This led to a sense of betrayal among those who felt the movement leadership did not do enough to warn them about the risks of the local "investment boom."

Skepticism & Disillusionment: The ITG scandal is often cited by former members as a turning point. It shifted the town's dynamic from a "Utopian" experiment toward a more cynical reality where the spiritual elite were not immune to white-collar crime.

ITG serves as a prime example of "affinity fraud" within a high-control group. The shared meditation practice created a "shield of trust" that bypassed the normal critical thinking of investors.

Leader of cult-like group charged with murder claimed God spoke through her, former member says

2026-02-06T14:00:21.251-05:00

Clara Harter

Los Angeles Times

February 6, 2026

Shelley Bailey “Kat” Martin taught members of her secretive religious group that she was like the character Neo from the Matrix — awoken from this realm by God and transformed into a perfect being, according to testimony from a former member.

The self-proclaimed “Prophetess” appeared in San Bernardino Superior Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing alongside four other defendants to face murder charges in the death of a 4-year-old boy and a former group member. The other defendants are her husband, Darryl Muzic Martin, 58, current member Rudy Moreno, former member Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. and former member Andre Thomas, prosecutors say.

The Martins are leaders of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies, a religious group that imposed excessive control over members’ lives and finances and operated for years across the Inland Empire, prosecutors say.

Shelley Martin, 62, Rudy Moreno, 43, and Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr., 44, are charged with murdering former member Emilio Ghanem, who disappeared in 2023 shortly after parting ways with the group. Shelley Martin, Darryl Martin and Andre Thomas are charged with murder in the death of 4-year-old Timothy Thomas while he was in the temporary custody of the Martins in 2010, according to the Colton Police Department. They have all pleaded not guilty.

Attorneys representing the defendants declined to comment to The Times or did not respond to requests for comment.

Former group member Kelli Byrd testified for two hours on Thursday, providing a rare glimpse inside the religious group that had operated in secret for decades.

Byrd told the court that Shelley Martin referred to herself as Prophetess Kathryn, claimed she was a physical embodiment of the Holy Spirit and that God spoke directly through her.

When the group gathered for worship a “gift of prophecy” would occur through Shelley Martin. Her body would start thrashing and her voice would become deep and low as she shared “a word from the throne of God,” Byrd said.

Byrd’s description of the powerful prophetess differed dramatically from the sullen appearance of Shelley Martin in court Thursday, where she sat glumly in a forest green jumpsuit, her long blond curls grown out to reveal dark black roots. Her husband and the other defendants in the case watched Byrd‘s testimony in silence from their respective seats.

His Way Spirit Led Assemblies was founded in Nashville in 1998, relocated to California in 2000 and has been located in various homes in the Inland Empire since around 2004, Byrd said.

Former members and law enforcement have described the group as cult-like.

“You had no choices in anything,” Anthony Duran, who told The Times in an interview that he escaped the cult in 2020 at age 20. “You can’t go here. You can’t go there. You can only go to work and come home.” Anthony Duran is the nephew of Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr., who is charged with murder.

The group has a decades-long history in the Inland Empire, where it has been connected to two alleged murders and the disappearance of a third person.

In 2010, 4-year-old Timothy Thomas died of a ruptured appendix while in the custody of the Martins at one of the group’s homes in Colton, authorities said. Anthony Duran said the Martins didn’t believe in hospitals and said God would cure illness.

Colton police suspected that neglect played a role in Timothy’s death and sought charges against the Martins in 2010, but the district attorney’s office declined to file any. At the time, group members were uncooperative and gave conflicting testimony, according to Colton Police Sgt. Shawn McFarland.

Since then, former group members have revised their statements, saying that their initial testimony was made under duress from the Martins, he said.

In 2019, member Ruben Moreno was reported missing from the group’s Claremont home. Then, in 2023, longtime member Emilio Ghanem vanished shortly after severing ties with the group, authorities said.

The investigation into Ruben Moreno’s disappearance remains ongoing, and no charges have been filed in that case, according to Claremont Police Capt. Robert Ewing.

Ghanem joined the group in 1998 in Nashville and followed the Martins to California, where he later worked for the group’s pest control business Fullshield, Byrd testified.

Anthony Duran, the member who said he escaped in 2020, said male members of the group were expected to work long hours at Fullshield for minimal pay. Byrd said in court that the Martins never did any work for Fullshield.

Anthony Duran said he was paid $12 an hour and required to work shifts of up to 17 hours. He said he was paid in checks but was then told he wasn’t allowed to cash them, leaving him without enough money to purchase Gatorade or deodorant. Duran did not testify on Thursday, but shared details of his time with the group in an interview with The Times.

After years of labor, Duran said he was able to persuade the Martins to allow him to finance a work truck in his own name. With a mode of transportation secured, he left under the cover of night in early 2020, eager to live a life free of their control, he said.

Ghanem left His Way Spirit Led Assemblies in April 2023, moved home to Nashville and founded his own pest control company, his sister Jennifer Ghanem told The Times. In May 2023, he vanished in Redlands while visiting the area in an effort to reconnect with former clients.

The truck he had rented during the trip was found burned in the Mojave Desert in 2025, according to the Redlands Police Department.

The group had largely escaped public scrutiny until last year when three police departments — Redlands, Colton and Claremont — realized they each had open cases connected to the organization and doubled down on efforts to solve them, ultimately resulting in five arrests.

The Martins were arrested in December as was longtime member Rudy Moreno, who is the brother of missing person Ruben Moreno, and former member Andre Thomas, who is the father of the boy who died, authorities said. Ramon Ruiz Duran Jr. was arrested in Nashville and extradited to San Bernardino in January, according to the Redlands Police Department.

Anthony Duran said he waited until the Martins were behind bars to say anything about the group because he feared for his own safety.

“I’m so grateful they’re getting what they deserve,” he said, “because they really thought that they could go in and destroy people’s lives, take all their money and take them away from their families and think that they can get away with that.”

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-06/leader-of-cult-like-group-charged-with-murder-claimed-god-spoke-through-her-former-member-says

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