Psychics & Fraud

Legislative & Legal Updates

• The "Deceptive Trade Practices" Shift: More jurisdictions are moving away from outdated "fortune telling" bans (which are often challenged on First Amendment grounds) and are instead prosecuting psychics under Consumer Protection Acts. This focuses on the financial harm and the promise of specific results (e.g., "I will return your lover for $5,000") rather than the practice itself.

• Vulnerable Adult Statutes: There is an increasing push to apply "Elder Abuse" or "Vulnerable Adult" enhancements to sentencing in psychic fraud cases. This recognizes that many victims are targeted during periods of intense grief or cognitive decline.

Domestic & True Crime: Recent Patterns
• The "Curse Removal" Scam: This remains the most prevalent high-dollar fraud. Cases often involve "egg cleansing" or "money purification" rituals where the victim is told their cash is "tainted" and must be handed over for a blessing, only for the psychic to disappear.

• Digital Mediumship Fraud: With the rise of social media, "impersonation scams" have spiked. Fraudsters create fake profiles of well-known mediums to solicit "emergency readings" or "cleansing fees" from grieving followers.

• Asset Recovery Hurdles: A major ongoing legal focus is the difficulty of recovering "gifted" assets. Defense attorneys often argue the money was a voluntary gift for spiritual services, making the "intent to defraud" difficult to prove without extensive documentation.
Research & Science
• The "Barnum Effect" in the Digital Age: Recent psychological studies are looking at how AI and algorithms make "Cold Reading" more effective. By gathering data from a victim's social media, a fraudster can make "hits" that seem impossible, creating a deeper psychological bond of trust.

• The Neurobiology of Grief: Research continues to show how the "executive function" of the brain is dampened during acute grief, making otherwise skeptical individuals highly susceptible to magical thinking and high-pressure sales tactics.

"Red Flags to Watch"
• The "Secret" Requirement: If a practitioner tells you not to tell your family or bank about the payments, it is almost certainly fraud.

• The Escalation: Legitimate spiritual services usually have a set fee; scammers always find a "new, darker curse" that requires more money to break.

• The Physical Transfer: Any request to bring physical cash, gold, or gift cards to be "blessed" or "buried" is a major warning sign.

ED cracks down on “illegal” sale of SRMF properties worth crores

Agency conducts searches in Delhi and Noida in money laundering probe linked to alleged forged documents, fake resolutions and sale of Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation lands across multiple States

The Hindu Bureau

Msy 14, 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched search operations against a syndicate accused of forging documents and impersonating office-bearers to allegedly sell prime properties belonging to the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India (SRMF), the agency said on Thursday (May 14, 2026).

The case involves land transactions allegedly worth hundreds of crores. The agency initiated the investigation on May 7 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and is now focusing on key conspirators.

“The ED’s preliminary investigations have identified G. Ram Chandra Mohan and Akash Malviya as the principal suspects and alleged masterminds behind the elaborate conspiracy. Despite being previously arrested in FIR No. 328/2011 in Chhattisgarh, he (Mr. Mohan) continued his unlawful activities in active connivance with associates,” the agency said.

The ED conducted searches at the premises of Mr. Mohan and Mr. Malviya in Delhi’s Narayan Vihar, and at the premises of one Ram Shyam in Burari. Searches were also carried out at Singhvahini Infra Projects Private Limited in Sector 100 of Noida in Uttar Pradesh and at the residence of its associate, Pradeep Singh, in Sector 105, Noida.

SRMF, a society registered in 1963 under the Societies Registration Act and linked to the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, owns substantial immovable properties across multiple States.

“However, a group of accused persons allegedly used forged authority letters, fabricated resolutions, and fake seals to illegally sell these lands,” the agency alleged.

In one case reported in December 2025, a 3.3610-hectare parcel of land in Gejha Tilpatabad village in Noida was allegedly sold fraudulently by Mr. Malviya using a fictitious entity with an identical name, “The Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India”, to Singhvahini Infra Projects Private Limited for a declared consideration of ₹16 crore, far below the circle rate of ₹33.61 crore, according to the ED.

At least seven FIRs have been registered in Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Dhar and Shajapur in Madhya Pradesh, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh.

In another case in Noida, the same land was allegedly sold again in January 2026 to Vaam Dev Private Limited. The agency alleged that the accused executed a ₹3.48-crore sale using a fake board resolution.

The ED further alleged that 39.96 hectares of land were “illegally” sold in Shajapur, while in Bilaspur, 75 acres were sold through eight “fake” sale deeds in alleged conspiracy with revenue officials.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ed-cracks-down-on-illegal-sale-of-srmf-properties-worth-crores/article70978633.ece?hl=en-US

Gen Z’s "discovery" of Scientology

Gen Z’s "discovery" of Scientology is often viewed through the lens of social media irony, it has evolved into a chaotic mix of viral stunts, digital activism, and heightened security measures at Scientology centers across the country.

The "Scientology Speedrunning" Trend
The most visible interaction Gen Z has with the organization is a 2026 viral trend known as Scientology Speedrunning (or "Scientology Runs").

• The Concept: Drawing from video game culture, participants film themselves sprinting into Church of Scientology buildings—most notably the Information Center on Hollywood Boulevard—to see how deep they can get before being intercepted by staff.

• Viral Mechanics: These clips are often set to high-energy music and edited to look like an "infiltration mission."

• The Reaction: The trend has led to real-world consequences. In April 2026, the Hollywood location famously removed its exterior door handles to prevent "raids." By May 2026, police in New York City, San Diego, and Brisbane had responded to coordinated group attempts to enter facilities.

Post-Irony and Activism
For many Gen Z creators, the interest isn't just about the "meme" of Tom Cruise or Xenu; it’s a form of decentralized, chaotic activism.

• Anti-Recruitment: Many creators use TikTok and Instagram to "live-stream" the famous "Free Personality Test" (the Oxford Capacity Analysis) to mock the results in real-time, effectively "de-mystifying" the recruitment process for their followers.

• Exposing Tactics: Creators often film their interactions with "Sea Org" members to highlight what they describe as "stilted" or "rehearsed" behavior, using the organization's own secrecy as a catalyst for engagement.

The Institutional Pushback
The Church of Scientology has responded aggressively to this new wave of attention:

• Legal Action: Officials have labeled the speedrunning trend as "organized trespass" and "harassment," with some incidents being investigated as potential hate crimes.

• Indoctrination Defense: Critics, including journalist Yashar Ali, note that these stunts may inadvertently help the organization’s internal narrative by proving to members that the outside world is "hostile and violent."

Comparison of Perspectives

Viewpoint
Stance on Gen Z "Discovery"

Participants
A "fun," harmless way to troll a controversial organization and gain views.

Anti-Cult Activists
Divided; some see it as effective disruption, others see it as immature and dangerous.

Church Officials
An illegal, coordinated campaign of religious harassment and property damage.

Follower of alleged cult leader is charged with threatening FBI, prosecutors

Makeda Charles now faces criminal charges for seeking to derail the case against David E. Taylor, who allegedly ran a forced labor call center out of Nelly’s Wildwood mansion.

Ryan Krull

St Louis Magazine 

May 14, 2026

The latest twist in the criminal case against alleged cult leader David E. Taylor is a wild one, even by the standards of the bizarre saga surrounding the self-described “apostle,” whose organization operated 24/7 prayer call centers out of luxury properties around the country, including in Chesterfield and Wildwood.

Last week, charges against 36-year-old Makeda Charles, described as a “long-time follower” of Taylor’s Kingdom of God Global Church, were unsealed in Michigan. According to the criminal complaint,  Charles sent emails and text messages to an FBI special agent, a federal prosecutor, and a federal judge, threatening harm if the case against Taylor continued. The threatening communiques dated back to at least January 2025 but intensified in tone and frequency last month, according to an FBI affidavit.

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In January of last year, according to that affidavit, Charles texted an FBI special agent a photo of herself holding a rifle in front of towering flames. Included with the photo was a text message saying, “You’ll get one bullet and be shot dead if you try that shit again, and General David E. Taylor can choke you to death or pistol beat you to death.” Notably, that threat predated any criminal charges against Taylor, whose indictment was made public in August 2025. 

The pattern of unhinged threats escalated last month. In the course of a few days in April, Charles sent a fax to a U.S. District judge, presumably to the one overseeing the Taylor’s Michigan case, accusing the judge of engaging in human trafficking and “ethnic intimidation.” The next day, she emailed the judge and federal prosecutor saying, “There is a hit on your life.”

The very next day after that she emailed the same individuals again, writing, “Don’t fuck with His excellency General David E Taylor and God’s money, your life will be robbed and you and all your bloody family be together in hell forever.” She also offered to have herself taken to the jail with Taylor, asking to be put in a “couples psych ward” with him. Charles was arrested last week, although she appears unlikely to get her wish when it comes to that placement.

Taylor has, however, been in jail since his indictment. The charges against his acolyte come amid new court filings in the criminal case against him that suggest how the preacher whose visage long adorned a billboard opposite Lambert Airport may have first gotten on the FBI’s radar.  

He and two others are alleged to have run the Kingdom of God Global Church as a forced labor conspiracy, exploiting followers to work grueling hours in call centers across the country, soliciting donations from people who called into a 24/7 “dream interpretation” hotline. Those hotlines were operated out of call centers in multiple states, including several in West St. Louis County, where members rarely left. (A Wildwood mansion previously belonging to rapper Nelly was just one of the sites.) Prosecutors say members who failed to meet aggressive quotas were punished through food and sleep deprivation, humiliation and threats of “divine punishment.”

Taylor, along with his top lieutenant, Michelle Brannon, were indicted in Michigan in August of last year. A third person, Kathleen Klein, who also went by “Prophetess” was charged as part of the forced labor conspiracy in February. 

There was certainly no shortage of red flags surrounding Taylor’s operations. In 2022, neighbors of one house owned by his church in Chesterfield, on Wildhorse Meadow Drive, suspected it was being used as a call center. 

But new court filings in the criminal case indicate that the FBI was being contacted as early as 2024 by people concerned that their elderly and coginitvely-impaired family members were sending large sums of money to Taylor. An FBI document dated January 2024 memorializes an interview an agent conducted with an elderly woman who had been referred to the agency as a “potential financial fraud victim.”

The elderly woman, identified only as K.W., had made multiple large wire transfers to the Kingdom of God Global Church, totalling $263,400. She attempted at one point to send more money, but a bank teller refused to facilitate the transaction. The FBI form states that K.W. had received the money she sent to Taylor from a settlement and that she’d initially reached out to to the church, which operated a 24/7 hotline, because she was suicidal. The woman’s husband, who also spoke to the agent, said that his wife has many medical issues and had been “completely taken advantage of” and “manipulated” by the church. 

Even after the federal charges against Taylor were made public, FBI agents continued to encounter elderly followers of Taylor eager to send their money to him. An FBI interview with a 79-year-old showed that she donated $10,000 to Taylor’s church the month after the indictment was unsealed. She said she was told the money would go toward building a school. She indicated she would be OK if some of the money went toward Taylor’s legal defense, “but not all of it.” 

Court filings in the case also state that agents have uncovered recordings of the calls that came into the church’s call centers and these recordings show that some of the “donors” display a “level of cognition of the donor is notably concerning.”

Taylor and Brannon had originally been represented in the case by noted St. Louis criminal defense attorneys Scott Rosenblum and John Rogers, respectively. However Rosenblum’s firm exited the case in April, with Rogers withdrawing last week. Both Taylor and Brannon are now represented by a firm out of the Detroit metropolitan area. 

The evidence in the case is reportedly massive, including thousands of pages of financial records, 14,000 pages of FBI reports and other documents, and 46 GB of data, including from software used by churches to track donations as well as from Taylor’s iCloud.

https://www.stlmag.com/news/david-taylor-nelly-wildwood-makeda-charles/

Maniac Murder Cult

Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 22-year-old Georgian national known as "Commander Butcher," was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 15 years in prison in a Brooklyn federal court.

Chkhikvishvili was a leader of the Maniac Murder Cult (MKY) , an international neo-Nazi extremist group. Here are the key details from the case:

The Crimes & Sentencing
• Solicitation of Violence: Chkhikvishvili pleaded guilty in November 2025 to soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions for making bombs and ricin.
• The Plot: Prosecutors revealed a horrific scheme to carry out a mass-casualty attack in New York City. Chkhikvishvili attempted to recruit an undercover agent to dress as Santa Claus on New Year’s Eve and distribute poisoned candy to Jewish and minority children in Brooklyn.
• Ideology: The group adheres to "accelerationism," a neo-Nazi ideology that seeks to trigger a racial and religious war through extreme violence and social collapse. Chkhikvishvili authored a manifesto called the "Hater’s Handbook," which encouraged mass murder and ethnic cleansing.

Connection to Real-World Violence
Authorities noted that Chkhikvishvili’s online rhetoric and recruitment efforts on platforms like Telegram were linked to actual acts of violence. Specifically, the group’s influence was cited as an inspiration for multiple real-life attacks, including a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, the previous year that resulted in the death of a 16-year-old student.

Background
Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn in 2022 to scout locations for attacks. He was eventually arrested in Moldova in 2024 on an international warrant and extradited to the United States in May 2025. During the sentencing, Chkhikvishvili claimed he was "ashamed" of his actions, while his defense attorneys argued he had been radicalized as a teenager and suffered from mental health struggles.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. described the defendant as a "hate-mongering menace" and stated that the 15-year sentence "takes a monster off our streets."

Cults In The News - May 14, 2026

International News

• Kenya Shakahola Forest Investigation: Authorities continue to manage the aftermath of the doomsday cult led by Paul Mackenzie. The death toll has surpassed 200, with many victims linked to forced starvation. Government officials have compared the group's actions to domestic terrorism.

• Unification Church (Japan): Legal proceedings are intensifying as the Japanese government seeks a court order to dissolve the church’s status as a religious corporation. This follows long-standing investigations into "spiritual sales" and the group's political influence after the assassination of Shinzo Abe.

• Malaysia & Fiji: Recent reports detail the deportation of "Grace Road Cult" members from Fiji back to South Korea following allegations of ritualistic violence. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, dozens of individuals associated with a local group face charges linked to organized crime and child abuse.

Domestic & True Crime Updates

• Southern California Prosecution: Members of the "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies" in the Inland Empire recently appeared in court. Former members have testified about years of starvation and torture, with leaders facing charges including murder.

• The "Zizians" Group: Investigations are ongoing into a radical vegan group known as the Zizians, which has been linked to several deaths. Trial proceedings have highlighted the group’s high-control dynamics and the challenges witnesses face due to psychological trauma.

• Scientology "Raids": A viral social media trend involving "speed runs" or "raids" on Scientology buildings has prompted the organization to increase security measures in Los Angeles and other major cities.

Culture & Media

• Opera Philadelphia: The U.S. premiere of The Listeners by Missy Mazzoli recently explored the psychological allure of high-control groups, reflecting a continued public fascination with how these organizations recruit and maintain power.

• Historical Context: With the 50th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre approaching in a few years, survivors and journalists are increasingly speaking out about the "cult typology" in media and the warning signs of modern-day extremist groups.

Beyond these headlines, many smaller groups—often described as "under the radar"—continue to face scrutiny for child labor violations and financial exploitation in rural communities across the U.S.

Call for Participants: Survival & Recovery in Victim-Survivors of Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse.

Call for Participants: Survival & Recovery in Victim-Survivors of Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse.  Your story can help shape a better understanding of clergy abuse and contribute to trauma-informed change in faith spaces!

Have you experienced sexual grooming, sexual abuse, or sexual coercion by a Christian faith leader when you were age 16 or older?

You are invited to participate in a confidential research study exploring survival, recovery and growth following clergy sexual abuse.

This research study invites English-speaking adults worldwide to share their experiences anonymously via an online survey (45–60 minutes).

For people subjected to abuse in Australia, there is also an option to participate in a confidential interview.

✅ Must be 18+

✅ Must have been 16+ at the time of the abuse (or if abused continued after age 16).

✅ Your experience must involve a Christian faith leader of any Christian faith denomination.

You will have the opportunity to describe your experience in your own words, using language that feels right to you.  Scan the QR code in the image below to find out more.Or click on the links shared in the comments. 

For further information, please email: Jaime.Simpson@uon.edu.au

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Important privacy notice:

Please note that if you like, share, or comment on this post, your activity may be visible to others or appear on your own or others’ social media feeds.

If you would like to share, please turn off commenting if your platform allows it.

Please note that, due to confidentiality, communication from the researcher will occur only via university email. Direct messaging via social media will not be used.

This study has been approved by the University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee Approval No. H-2025-0335.

CultNEWS101 Articles: 5/1/2026

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.

CultRecovery101.com 

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CultNEWS101 Articles: 5/11/2026

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, FLDS, Scientology 

The Telegraph: The ‘Temple of Doom cult’ terrifying residents of Crewe

"...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."

Rolling Stone: She Survived the FLDS Cult. Now, She’s Healing Through Music

Naomi “Nomz” Bistline was one of Samuel Bateman’s 23 “spiritual wives” — but after a stint in prison, she’s coping with her past, one song at a time.

"Bistline was in a Texas prison serving a 21-month sentence for unlawfully removing minors from state custody — a crime she committed under the direction of Sam Bateman. Bateman is the leader of a small offshoot sect of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) who claims to be a prophet and the heir apparent to Warren Jeffs, the FLDS president who is currently serving life in prison for child sexual assault.

Bistline was the 13th of Bateman’s 23 “spiritual wives” — nine of which were girls as young as nine, and all of whom he sexually abused. After living a sheltered life in a secluded town, followed by a stint in prison, Bistline now finds herself in the public eye, thanks to Netflix’s new docuseries Trust Me: The False Prophet. It tells the story of Christine Marie, PhD — an expert in cult psychology who infiltrated Bateman’s group posing as a documentary filmmaker, ultimately taking him down using footage as evidence against him — and the women like Bistline whom she helped to set free."

ABC7: Video shows mob ransacking Church of Scientology in Midtown

"Detectives are reviewing video after a large group of young people stormed and ransacked parts of the Church of Scientology in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, an incident the church described as a coordinated attack.

The video, captured around 4:30 p.m., shows a crowd moving through Midtown and near East 46th Street, where police say the group broke into the church during a seminar."

News, Education, Intervention, Recovery

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Intervention101.com to help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement.

CultRecovery101.com assists group members and their families in making the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice.

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Remembering the "Satanic Panic"

The recent ​death of psychiatrist Bennett Braun at age 83 has resurfaced the damaging legacy of the "Satanic Panic" era, reports the New York Times.

The Actions: Braun, based in Chicago, was known for diagnosing patients with suppressed memories of horrific, cult-driven torture—memories that were largely fabricated through unethical therapy techniques.

The Aftermath: Braun lost his medical license after it was determined he engaged in unethical treatment that destroyed lives, serving as a cautionary tale on the dangers of manufactured cult hysteria.

The Satanic Panic was a widespread moral panic in North America and parts of Europe from the early 1980s to mid-1990s, characterized by unsubstantiated allegations of widespread Satanic ritual abuse (SRA). Fueled by fear and questionable "recovered-memory" therapy, it led to false accusations against daycare workers, teachers, and individuals, resulting in ruined lives, wrongful convictions, and hysteria over pop culture like heavy metal and Dungeons & Dragons. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Aspects of the Satanic Panic

• Origins: Initiated in 1980 by the book Michelle Remembers, which detailed claims of childhood abuse by a Satanic cult through recovered-memory therapy, a technique now largely discredited.
• Daycare Scandals: Accusations focused on daycare centers, most notably the 1983–1990 McMartin Preschool case in California, the longest and most expensive criminal trial in US history, which ended with no convictions.
• Moral Panic Traits: Sociologists identify it as a moral panic where false accusations stemmed from cultural fears rather than evidence. Over 12,000 unsubstantiated cases of ritual abuse were reported during this time.
• Cultural Impact: The panic spurred unfounded fears that pop culture, including Dungeons & Dragons, heavy metal music, and cartoons, were corrupting youth and promoting devil worship.
• Legacy: The panic faded in the mid-1990s but left a legacy of wrongful convictions and ruined reputations. Elements of the panic have resurfaced in modern conspiracy theories like QAnon, which similarly allege child exploitation by a shadowy elite.
• Modern Echoes: A 2025 analysis suggests a new "Satanic Panic" has emerged, utilizing similar rhetoric to attack LGBTQ+ visibility, gender-affirming care, and education, labelling proponents as "groomers". [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

By the mid-1990s, investigations, including a 1995 report presented to the National Institute of Justice, found that evidence for organized Satanic cult abuse was "scant to non-existent". [1]

Recover News

New Publications & Media

​Book Release: The Oracle's Daughter: The Rise and Fall of an American Cult by Harrison Hill is receiving significant attention today. The book details the history of the Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps, a group founded in the 1970s that utilized extreme physical and mental isolation. Hill is currently discussing the unique challenges of "digital-age isolation" and how modern groups are adapting to an ultra-connected world.

​Media Discussion: Ongoing features on the "Cult of Vulnerability" continue to trend, exploring how modern therapeutic language is sometimes used to establish control within religious and communal organizations.

​Legislative & Legal Updates

​Canada (Bill C-223): The Canadian Parliament is currently debating the Keeping Children Safe Act, which specifically aims to integrate an "evidence-based understanding of coercive control" into family law. The bill addresses how trauma and abuse dynamics should outweigh traditional assumptions about child-parent contact in cases where alienation is alleged.  

​Australia (New South Wales): New legislation was introduced this week (the Crimes Amendment Bill 2026) targeting the "criminal misuse of tracking devices" and the weaponization of technology in stalking. This is being hailed as a landmark move to close legal loopholes often used by high-control perpetrators to monitor victims covertly.  

​Surrey Sentencing: A significant case concluded in the UK this week where a perpetrator was sentenced to prison for a "prolonged campaign of emotional and financial abuse." The court's ruling emphasized that coercive controlling behavior (CCB) is being more robustly prosecuted as a standalone criminal offense.

​Research & Academic Updates

​University of Groningen Study: Researchers in the Netherlands have issued a new call for participants for a study exploring the long-term social and emotional consequences of leaving high-control religious movements.  

​Neurobiology Focus: New workshops have been announced for later this year focusing on the neurobiology of sexual abuse within cults, specifically looking at how high-control environments impact the nervous system and how body-based therapies can assist in rebuilding a sense of agency.  

Study Days: Faith, Religious Bigotry and Manipulation

Study Days: Faith, Religious Bigotry and Manipulation.

The Valdese Faculty of Theology proposes a moment of theological reflection to analyze the delicate boundary between the experience of faith and the dynamics of manipulation.

Through a multidisciplinary approach involving theology, social psychology, and law, the course explores the theme of spiritual abuse and bigotry, offering tools to understand and respond to these contemporary challenges.

This is a study opportunity open to anyone who wants to deepen the dynamics of religious relationships today.

➡️ Where: In person in Rome (Room B, via Pietro Cossa 42) or online on the ZOOM platform.

➡️When: The 22nd and 23rd of May 2026

➡️Registration deadline: before May 18, 2026.

➡️Costs: €60 listeners; €30 LSBT students; Free for LT/LST students.

➡️Credits: The event entitles 4 CFUs (replacing the LSBT Intensive Session).

➡️For reservations: Contact the secretary at segreteria@facoltavaldese.org .

Giornate di Studio: Fede, Fanatismo Religioso e Manipolazione.

 

lL Facoltà Valdese di Teologia propone un momento di riflessione teologica per analizzare il delicato confine tra l'esperienza della fede e le dinamiche di manipolazione.  

Attraverso un approccio multidisciplinare che coinvolge teologia, psicologia sociale e diritto, il corso esplora il tema dell’abuso spirituale e del fanatismo, offrendo strumenti per comprendere e rispondere a queste sfide contemporanee. 

E' un’occasione di studio aperta a chiunque voglia approfondire le dinamiche delle relazioni religiose oggi.

➡️ Dove: In presenza a Roma (Aula B, via Pietro Cossa 42) oppure online su piattaforma ZOOM.

➡️Quando: Il 22 e 23 Maggio 2026

➡️Scadenza iscrizioni: entro il 18 Maggio 2026.  

➡️Costi: 60 € uditori; 30 € studenti LSBT; Gratuito per studenti LT/LST.

➡️Crediti: L'evento dà diritto a 4 CFU (in sostituzione della Sessione intensiva LSBT).  

➡️Per prenotazioni: Contattare la segreteria all'indirizzo segreteria@facoltavaldese.org.  

Cults & High-Control Groups News

Cults & High-Control Groups News

​Date: May 6, 2026

Edition: Late April / Early May Report

​The world of high-control groups and "cult" movements has seen significant legal and social developments over the past 10 days. From police raids in Southeast Asia to landmark legal rulings, here is the essential update.

​1. Major Raid: "Black Magic" Encampment in Thailand

​In a story that has gripped international headlines over the last week, Thai authorities conducted a massive raid on a remote forest encampment.

​The Incident: Investigators discovered a group practicing "corpse meditation," where followers were encouraged to meditate alongside human remains to achieve "clairvoyance."  

​The Fallout: Over a dozen sets of remains were recovered. The leader, a self-proclaimed "spiritual master," is currently facing charges related to the illegal handling of bodies and operating an unregistered cult.

​2. Legal Precedent: Catholic Church Liability Ruling

​A significant legal development occurred on April 30, 2026, that is reverberating through discussions of institutional accountability.

​The Ruling: High courts have issued a landmark decision regarding the "duty of care" religious institutions owe to those in their charge.

​The Impact: This ruling makes it easier for survivors of abuse within religious sects and high-control groups to sue parent organizations, even if the specific perpetrators were not "directly employed" in a traditional sense. Advocacy groups are calling this a "death knell" for the legal shields often used by secretive organizations.

​3. Global Updates & Investigations

​Papua New Guinea: On May 5, 2026, police in the North Fly District confirmed the arrest of three individuals for "cult activities." The group, operating under the guise of a Christian ministry, allegedly used animal bones and "deceitful magic" to manipulate villagers, leading to violent clashes.

​Australia: University campuses in Sydney and Melbourne have issued fresh warnings this week regarding Shincheonji, a Korean doomsday group. Former members are actively lobbying the government for stricter "coercive control" laws to prevent the deceptive recruitment of students on dating apps and at Bible studies.

​North Korea Analysis: A new historical study released this week has sparked debate among sociologists, claiming the North Korean "personality cult" was structurally modeled after 19th-century missionary movements, using religious architecture to enforce state loyalty.  

​4. Ongoing Trials: The Shakahola Massacre

​The trial of Paul Nthenge Mackenzie continues to move through the Kenyan court system.

​The Context: Mackenzie is accused of inciting over 400 followers to starve themselves to death to "meet Jesus."  

​Recent News: New witness testimony provided over the last few days has detailed the "enforcer" wings of the cult, which allegedly used physical force to prevent followers from breaking their fasts, further complicating the "voluntary" defense used by the leadership.

​Resource Spotlight: "Children of the Cult"

​A new documentary and accompanying memoir by survivor Sarito Carroll have gained significant traction on streaming platforms this week. It explores the lasting psychological impact on children raised in the Osho Rajneesh communes, sparking a global conversation about the rights of children born into high-control environments.

​Safety Note: If you or someone you know is concerned about a group’s recruitment tactics or a high-control environment, resources such as the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) offer confidential support and educational materials.

​Stay Informed. Stay Vigilant.