India in a Mind’s EyeTravels and Ruminations of an Ambivalent Pilgrim

Publication Announcement

[Relevance: Cultic Studies]

 

India in a Mind’s Eye

Travels and Ruminations of an Ambivalent Pilgrim

 

By Steven J. Gelberg

 

India in a Mind’s Eye: Travels and Ruminations of an Ambivalent Pilgrim is a work which should be of particular interest to cult-watchers and other observers of the contemporary religious scene. The author, Steven J. Gelberg, is a former member of ISKCON (the Hare Krishna Movement) and author of several important works on the Krishnas, including the widely-influential essay “On Leaving ISKCON.”*

        On one level a colorful and eventful journey through India, both modern and traditional, the book also serves as an honest, thoughtful and eloquent critique of a religious movement in crisis - beset by scandal, power struggles and growing disillusionment. Written not long before Gelberg left the organization, it presents the deeply personal musings and insights of one still following a spiritual path, yet questioning his continued commitment to an organization in decline. Neither “anti-cult” polemic nor cult apologetic, India in a Mind’s Eye provides a unique, nuanced view into the complex, many-layered process of religious doubt and disaffiliation. Originally self-published in 2012 in a limited edition, India in a Mind’s Eye is now available in a fully revised edition from Monkfish Publications.

* https://surrealist.org/cults/gelberg1.html

 

 

“An extremely interesting book ... His observations in this memoir are tinged with the ‘mind’s eye’ of a skeptic, albeit one laced with dry wit and humor. ... As a travelogue detailing that vast fascinating country, Gelberg’s vivid descriptions reminded me of Paul Theroux’s classic first travel book, The Great Railway Bazaar. Anyone interested in India or Eastern thought or cults, or just fascinating travel writing, will enjoy this wonderfully written and insightful book.”

—Marcia Rudin, International Journal of Cultic Studies

     [Vol. 4, 2013]

 

“[A] transcendent travelogue that offers insight into an uncommon religious experience.”

       Kirkus Reviews

 

_____________________

 

Praise for India in a Mind’s Eye:

 

“During the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, tens of thousands of young Americans, inspired by utopian dreams, found themselves attracted to Hindu spirituality in one form or another. But over time, and perhaps especially after visiting India, the homeland of those utopian dreams, many developed a nuanced and less gullible understanding of the movements they had joined. Gelberg has provided an excellent book based on his travel journal, recording the landscapes of India, as well as his own 'mindscapes' as he came to terms with his growing disillusionment with the Hare Krishna movement and its leaders. This is a deep dive into skepticism as a necessary aspect of the spiritual path."

— Dr. Dana Sawyer, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and World Religions, Maine College of Art & Design. Author, The Transcendental Meditation Movement.

 

“Not unlike a snake charmer, Steven Gelberg entices you into his mind’s eye as he journeys around secular and holy sites of India. Part travelogue, part thought-provoking spiritual exploration, and illustrated with sensitive portraits of fellow seekers on the path, this is a voyage that offers the reader a glimpse into understanding how and why a ‘Hin-Jew’ could become both enamoured of an 'alien' belief and disillusioned by the organisation/people ostensibly embracing its way of life. At times comical, at other times moving, but always engaging - if you have something urgent to do, don't open this book.

— Dr. Eileen Barker OBE FBA FAcSS, Professor Emerita, London School of Economics and Political Science.

 

“Gelberg has the perspective and temperament of a scholar who appreciates his in-group but is increasingly impatient with that group’s divisions and dictates. He is especially drawn to women devotees who display typically mystical qualities in their demeanor, conversation, and lifestyles. Gelberg doesn’t state this outright, but perhaps he was drawn to these women because they pointed to a purer and cleaner way of devotion that the international movement had seemingly lost sight of during the internecine conflicts among competing gurus.”

— Dr. W. Michael Ashcraft, Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions [Vol. 18, No. 3 (February  2015)]. Author, A Historical Introduction to the Study of New Religious Movements.

 

“It is Gelberg’s ability to speak clearly about his ambivalence that gives this book its historical importance, since the 1986 trip took place during the critical period of numerous leadership failures and conflicts when many other devotees were going through similar uncertainties about their involvement in ISKCON. Gelberg is now able to view that period from a more mature perspective and give an eloquent voice to the mixed emotions so common at the time – an important contribution to the historical record, and a needed supplement to the numerous writings about the period by former or current devotees that tend to be either accusative or defensive.

       . . . Purely as a travelogue, it stands alongside the best ever written. It is much more than that, however, and is – as Gelberg recognizes in his title – a journey of the spirit that helps us understand the ups and downs of ISKCON’s first fifty years. It does not claim to provide a comprehensive history of those years, but it is a valuable contribution to the history that is yet to be written. Anyone who wants to understand India or ISKCON should read it.

— Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins, Journal of Vaishnava Studies [23.2 (Spring 2015)]. Author, The Hindu Religious Tradition.

 

"This illuminating memoir from 'ambivalent pilgrim' Gelberg ... invites readers into [his] journeys throughout India, whose culture, history, and spiritual traditions have long fascinated him and shaped his life. India in a Mind's Eye explores the evolution, over many 'pilgrimages, ' of this former Krishna devotee's understanding of spirituality, identity, and the gap between idealism and reality. ... Gelberg now sees his youthful zeal to convert to Hinduism as 'a quest (however naively idealistic) for radical psychic liberation' and writes with tender frankness of his years with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), demystifying and honoring the Krishna experience while reporting disillusionment with a system affording so much power to all-too-human gurus. Throughout, Gelberg writes with warmth, intelligence, and an engaging conversational tone that makes his deepest reflections a pleasure to connect with ... including marvelous scenes depicting a woman touched with 'insights and ecstasies most devotees can only theorize and pontificate about.' ... Despite Gelberg’s piercing disappointment in the reality of ISKCON ... he movingly celebrates 'Indian pessimism, ' that 'abiding insight into the insubstantiality of the perceived world, the mutability and ephemerality of everything we see, and the centrality of suffering in human experience.' Gelberg makes that beautiful and inviting."

  - Publishers Weekly/Booklife [Editor's Pick]

 

_______________________

* Published by Monkfish Publications / Red Elixir

* Publication date: Sept 15, 2026

* Available from Amazon US:  https://amazon.com/dp/1966293496

    and other booksellers.

CultNEWS101 News: 9/21/2026

Culture & Media

New Podcast

jon atack, family & friends: moving beyond the guru - with Joe Kelly

In this interview, Joe Kelly recounts his nine-year involvement with Transcendental Meditation (TM) and his subsequent transition into cult exit counseling. Raised in a conservative Catholic environment, Kelly was drawn to TM in the early 1970s, inspired by the Beatles and the era's counterculture movement. Seeking alternative consciousness and world peace, he quickly escalated from a student to an active volunteer and instructor, interacting with diverse groups of professionals drawn to TM's promised pragmatic and spiritual benefits.

After fourteen and a half years involved in TM and another group, Kelly describes the profound disorientation of leaving his high-demand environment and returning to a normal life. This transition involved moving back with his confused parents and attempting to rebuild his independence from scratch. He also details participating in a lawsuit against the TM organization, which ultimately concluded with an out-of-court settlement that refunded his financial investments.

Following his exit, Kelly attended a Cult Awareness Network conference where he connected with exit counselor Kevin Garvey. Under Garvey's mentorship, Kelly began using his own experiences to assist others in leaving large group awareness training, eventually becoming an established interventionist and exit counselor himself.

Updates

Legislative & Legal

SocialCare.Today: First national call for evidence on spiritual and cultic abuse The UK government is facing pressure to launch the nation's first call for evidence regarding spiritual and cultic abuse, following an open letter submitted by survivors and advocates. Spiritual and cultic abuse involves coercion, exploitation, and manipulation within religious or spiritual groups, often slipping through the cracks of current protective systems. The campaign, spearheaded by Surviving Universal UK, seeks to understand the true scale of the issue rather than restrict religious freedoms.

According to a survey by the charity, 75% of the groups reported for abuse were registered charities, and nearly 90% were active places of worship, with Black communities being disproportionately targeted. The campaign draws inspiration from a recent parliamentary inquiry in Victoria, Australia, which resulted in 98 findings and 39 recommendations to combat harm in high-control groups. Supporters, including local politicians and child safety campaigners, emphasize that an urgent national inquiry is a vital first step to provide adequate support for survivors and hold abusive organizations accountable.

Courthouse News Service: 10th Circuit affirms dismissal of Mormon church tithing fraud class action as too late A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit accusing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of tithing fraud. Plaintiffs alleged the church misled donors by funneling charitable contributions into a $100 billion investment slush fund, utilizing $1.4 billion to develop a commercial shopping mall in Salt Lake City. The 10th Circuit panel ruled that the plaintiffs missed the statute of limitations to file their claims. The court determined that widespread national media coverage of a December 2019 IRS whistleblower report should have provided sufficient notice to donors regarding the potential misuse of funds. While the court did not explicitly rule on whether the church committed fraud, the decision emphasizes the legal expectation for plaintiffs to act promptly when allegations of institutional financial misconduct enter the public domain. 

LawNews: The Latter-Day Saints Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Could Backfire in Ways Nobody Expected The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against John Dehlin, host of the Mormon Stories podcast, alleging the unauthorized use of logos and branding. The church claims the podcast’s marketing deceives listeners into believing it is an official church product, though Dehlin maintains his status as an independent pundit. In a surprising counterattack, Dehlin’s legal team is challenging the church’s intellectual property rights directly. They have requested the court revoke eleven of the church’s trademarks, including the term "Mormon," arguing that church leadership publicly abandoned the term years ago and fraudulently claimed active use to the US Patent and Trademark Office. Legal experts and the ACLU suggest the church’s attempt to enforce these trademarks could backfire. If Dehlin successfully invalidates the trademarks, the church could lose its exclusive legal claim to a term used by communities across North America for generations. 

ChosunBiz: Lee Man-hee denies intent in 7.5 billion won tax evasion trial in South Korea Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman Lee Man-hee has formally denied the charges brought against him in his first trial concerning a massive tax evasion case. South Korean authorities allege that the controversial religious leader actively evaded approximately 7.5 billion won in taxes. During the court proceedings, Lee’s defense maintained that there was no deliberate intent to evade taxation, challenging the prosecution's narrative regarding the organization's internal financial practices. The trial brings renewed legal scrutiny to Shincheonji, a group that has frequently faced public, legal, and governmental pushback over its high-demand operational tactics and financial transparency.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components

Position on whole blood transfusion unchanged

WARWICK, N.Y. (September 18, 2026)—The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced on Friday that the decision to accept red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets from another person’s blood is a matter of personal conscience. Likewise, each Witness must decide whether or not to donate blood for the clearly expressed purpose of providing components or fractions for use by another person.

The long-standing refusal of whole-blood transfusions on religious grounds, a core teaching based on the command to ‘abstain from blood’ (Acts 15:20), is unchanged.

“Blood remains sacred to Jehovah’s Witnesses, who continue to regard life and blood as precious gifts from God,” Paul Gillies, international spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses at their World Headquarters, said. “We recognize that medical decisions involving blood components are a matter of conscience between each Witness and their God, Jehovah.”

The adjustment follows earlier updates regarding blood fractions and the use of one’s own blood during medical procedures. Since the Bible does not comment on such decisions, they are a matter of individual conscience. That same reasoning has now been extended to the four main components of blood.

Jehovah’s Witnesses love life and want the best available medical care. They do not practice faith healing, and they seek out doctors who can provide effective treatment in accord with their wishes, values and beliefs.

“Congregations do not involve themselves in personal decisions that rest with the individual conscience. We will continue to respect and support the personal decisions of our fellow believers,” Mr. Gillies said. “We are grateful, too, for the many skilled and compassionate physicians who provide quality medical care that respects our personal wishes regarding blood.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses number over nine million worldwide, in congregations across more than 200 lands.

Media Contact: pressroom@jw.org

JW.ORG® / OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Healing from Emotional, Anger, and Relational Trauma Educational Support Group

 Start Date: Monday, September 28, 2026

Schedule: Mondays at 12:30 PM ET and Wednesdays at 7:30 PM ET (Ongoing, with scheduled breaks)
Platform: Zoom (Link provided upon registration)

Group Overview

Offered by Queens Long Island Community Services (QLICS), this educational support group provides a safe space for former cult members and anyone seeking to recover from relational harm. Facilitated by Dr. Paul Engel, DHL, LCSW, and supported by dedicated QLICS staff, the group helps participants gather, build community, and develop actionable strategies to integrate meaningful change into their lives.

Core Focus Areas

• Emotional Regulation: Learning to cope more effectively with anger and intense emotions.
• Understanding Manipulation: Navigating the impacts of coercive control, traumatic narcissism, and gaslighting.
• Healing & Recovery: Navigating grief, practicing forgiveness, and releasing yourself from emotional pain.

Registration & Contact Information

• Registration: Access the sign-up page.
• Email Contact: paul.engel@flushingjcc.net
• Phone Contact: 516-547-4318

CultNEWS101 News: 9/18/2026

Culture & Media

New Docuseries

Medical Daily: Coercive Control Warning Signs: Mica Miller and the Netflix Series The deeply tragic and highly publicized criminal case of Mica Miller has thrust the incredibly insidious nature of coercive control into the national public spotlight, prompting urgent and renewed societal discussions about complex psychological abuse.

Unlike overt physical violence, coercive control operates quietly through a highly systematic, calculated pattern of emotional manipulation, forced social isolation, and relentless intimidation designed explicitly to strip a victim of their personal autonomy. Critical warning signs of this abuse often include extreme and irrational jealousy, strict financial restriction, constant monitoring of digital communications, and actively alienating the targeted victim from their protective support networks.

A recent, highly popular true-crime Netflix series has further amplified widespread awareness of this critical issue. The program provides global viewers with a chilling, accurately dramatized look at exactly how domestic abusers slowly and methodically dismantle their partners' independence over time.

Advocates and lawmakers are now actively using the intense public momentum generated from Miller’s heartbreaking case and the series to aggressively push for much stricter legal definitions and concrete protections against emotional abuse. Mental health professionals continually emphasize the absolute importance of early intervention and widespread public education to help vulnerable victims safely recognize and escape these dangerous dynamics.

Reviews

When Prophecy Fails Review – Gripping Dive Into a Doomsday Cult

Published by The Guardian on August 30, 2026, this article reviews a new physical theatre production by the Scottish company Groupwork that explores the true story of a 1950s Midwestern doomsday group. The play is based on the landmark sociological study of Marian Keech, an alias for a woman who believed she was channeling extraterrestrial messages and the voice of Jesus Christ. Keech successfully cultivated a following of seemingly ordinary citizens who became entirely convinced that the world was on the brink of an apocalyptic end, yet held out hope that they would be rescued by aliens from the planet Clarion.

The review highlights how the production effectively captures the eerie ordinariness of the group's followers, demonstrating that susceptibility to undue influence and extreme ideological shifts is not limited to societal outliers. By focusing on the psychological dynamics that allow a charismatic leader to exert coercive control over a dedicated sect, the play serves as a striking reflection of the exact mechanisms researchers and interventionists study in high-demand environments today. It underscores the profound cognitive dissonance that occurs when deeply held prophecies inevitably fail, and how members often double down on their beliefs rather than abandon the group. This theatrical adaptation offers a compelling, real-time exploration of human vulnerability, the mechanics of social fraud, and the enduring nature of radical group indoctrination.

DVD Review: How a Cult's Recruitment of Jeremy Spencer Shaped Fleetwood Mac's Future The sudden, highly unexpected, and deeply shocking departure of talented guitarist Jeremy Spencer in 1971 definitively remains one of the most pivotal, transformative, and utterly bizarre moments in the extensive history of the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac.

While actively on a demanding concert tour in Los Angeles, Spencer uncharacteristically left the band's hotel simply to run a quick afternoon errand and mysteriously never returned to his bandmates. He had been randomly approached on the street and rapidly, intensely recruited by the Children of God, a highly notorious and manipulative religious cult. He entirely abandoned his rapidly rising music career and his closest friends without any prior warning or explanation.

His unprecedented disappearance instantly threw Fleetwood Mac into a state of severe, immediate operational crisis, desperately forcing them to scramble to fulfill their lucrative touring obligations. The highly traumatic emotional event deeply fractured the band's original, traditional blues-rock lineup.

Ultimately, this chaotic, deeply painful rupture inadvertently and permanently paved the way for the band's spectacular future commercial evolution. Spencer’s exit forcibly required Fleetwood Mac to continuously reinvent their core sound, eventually directly leading to the historic recruitment of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

Updates

Legislative & Legal

Seoul Economic Daily: Unification Church Leader Faces Verdict in Political Funding Case 

A Seoul court is preparing to deliver its verdict on Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church, who faces serious charges of political-religious collusion with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Prosecutors are seeking a 13-year prison sentence for Han for violating the Political Funds Act and anti-graft laws.

The allegations center around church funds being illegally funneled to politicians. Working with top church officials, Han allegedly delivered 100 million won to a prominent People Power Party lawmaker in 2022 to secure the administration's support. Furthermore, they are accused of using "split donations" to distribute another 144 million won to various politicians, effectively bypassing legal disclosure requirements.

In a highly publicized detail, the church leadership is also accused of gifting an expensive Chanel handbag and necklace to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. These luxury items were reportedly passed through a known shaman to gain political favor.

The sweeping judicial proceedings also extend beyond the church. The article highlights the upcoming trials of former military leaders involved in a controversial martial law declaration, as well as a critical impending vote by creditors on the financial rehabilitation plan for Homeplus.

Ongoing Focus

Yahoo News: 42 Years Ago Today, A Cult Poisoned Oregon Salad Bars In America's First Major Bioterror Attack 

Forty-two years ago today, the United States experienced its first and largest major bioterrorist attack when a religious cult intentionally poisoned unsuspecting citizens in Oregon. Followers of the Rajneeshee movement deliberately contaminated the salad bars of multiple local restaurants in the small community of The Dalles with Salmonella typhimurium.

The massive biological attack successfully sickened more than 750 people, leading to numerous hospitalizations, though miraculously resulting in no fatalities. Investigations ultimately revealed that the poisoning was a calculated trial run for a much broader, sinister plot.

The cult's leadership orchestrated the contamination to incapacitate local voters and suppress turnout in an upcoming election. By making the voting population too ill to cast their ballots, the Rajneeshees hoped to win county elections and seize political control of Wasco County to prevent interference with their nearby commune.

Today, the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack remains a chilling historical landmark. This anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the extreme lengths to which radical groups will go to manipulate democratic processes, cementing the event as a pivotal moment in the history of American domestic terrorism and cult violence.

AI Research Disclosure: To bring you the most relevant stories, parts of this newsletter use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to search the web, source articles, and help curate content. This content is for informational purposes only; we recommend verifying critical facts independently.

CultNEWS101 News: 9/17/2026

Updates

Legislative & Legal

SBS News: Shincheonji Simon Tribe Official Indicted Without Detention for Mass Democratic Party Enrollment An official from the Shincheonji religious group's Simon Tribe, a theology department head named Heo, has been indicted without detention for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Heo allegedly organized the mass enrollment of about 30 Shincheonji followers into the Democratic Party. This action was reportedly requested by a supporter of a candidate in the Goyang mayoral primary, who in return promised to help resolve civil complaints for the group.

This incident follows earlier controversies involving the religious organization, including the June detention of Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, who is accused of forcing over 56,000 followers to join political parties to influence elections. 

ZENIT - English: Court Excludes Spiritual Direction from the Legal Protection Afforded to the Sacrament of Confession The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that not all confidential religious communications qualify for legal protection under clergy-penitent privilege. In a case involving a former Baptist pastor and an accused abuser, the court determined the conversation didn't serve the function of a confession.

This sets a precedent that could impact the Catholic Church, as it suggests non-sacramental pastoral discussions, such as spiritual direction, may not have the same legal immunity as formal confession.

The ruling comes amid ongoing legislative debates in Arizona over mandatory reporting laws for clergy regarding suspected child abuse.

U.S. Catholic: How justice movements deal with legacies of abuse Social justice movements are increasingly confronting the "tainted legacies" of abusive leaders, such as Cesar Chavez of the United Farm Workers, who reportedly engaged in sexual abuse and harassment.

These leaders often use their power and charisma to evade accountability, leaving victims silenced by the movement's culture or their own reluctance to harm the cause.

Experts stress the need to shift focus from "lone savior" figures to empowering communities, centering survivor voices, and reforming the systemic issues that allow abuse to flourish. 

Research & Academic

Psychology Today: What Drives Conspiracy Theories and the Psychology Behind It Research indicates that belief in conspiracy theories is strongly linked to extreme overconfidence and a mistaken belief that others share these fringe views.

Psychological factors like cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias reinforce these beliefs, as individuals seek validating information while ignoring contradictory evidence.

Counteracting these entrenched beliefs requires providing objective evidence to stimulate critical thinking.

International News

AP News: What to Know about Mount Kailash, a Sacred site for Pilgrims Missing after Floods in Nepal and Tibet Devastating seasonal floods have aggressively swept through the rugged Himalayan mountain region bordering Nepal and Tibet, tragically leaving dozens of devoted religious pilgrims missing near the sacred site of Mount Kailash.

Mount Kailash is widely revered globally as a profoundly holy and spiritually significant site in several major world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Every single year, thousands of dedicated devotees undertake the incredibly arduous physical journey to circumambulate the jagged peak, an ancient ritualistic act deeply believed to bring spiritual purification, enlightenment, and enduring good fortune to the practitioners.

The recent sudden disaster was triggered by unusually severe and relentless monsoon rains that caused massive flash flooding and catastrophic landslides. These violent natural events quickly washed away vital trekking trails, destroyed essential bridges, and entirely isolated remote, high-altitude pilgrimage base camps.

Rescue and recovery operations have been severely hampered by the extreme, dangerous altitude, ongoing harsh weather conditions, and the total destruction of local communication infrastructure. Authorities in both Nepal and the Chinese region of Tibet are desperately coordinating emergency response efforts, deploying military helicopters and specialized search teams. This tragedy starkly highlights the increasing vulnerability of high-altitude religious tourism to climate change.

AI Research Disclosure: To bring you the most relevant stories, parts of this newsletter utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools to search the web, source articles, and assist with content curation. This content is for informational purposes only; we recommend verifying critical facts independently.

Cults, Conspiracies, and the Complexities of Belief (In Person)

Cults, Conspiracies, and the Complexities of Belief (In Person)

In times of cultural upheaval, the search for meaning and belonging can leave people vulnerable to powerful narratives, charismatic leaders, and manipulation. New York has long been a crossroads for spiritual, religious, and wellness movements promising transformation, salvation, and purpose. This panel brings together authors who have experienced the seductive pull of cults and those who have investigated them to explore why ordinary people are drawn into these movements and the complexities of belief. Featuring Sarah Edmondson, Harrison Hill, Priya Hutner, Melissa Duge Spiers, and moderator Ru Marshall.

September 23, 2026, 7:00 pm​, St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church – 157 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 1120​1

https://brooklynbookfestival.org/event/cults-conspiracies-and-the-complexities-of-belief-in-person/

Psychopathological Profiles in Members and Former Members of Abusive Groups: A Clinical Case–Control Study

Psychopathological Profiles in Members and Former Members of Abusive Groups: A Clinical Case–Control Study

Abusive groups (AGs) often rely on coercive strategies that gradually undermine members’ psychological well-being. Research has documented negative consequences for former members, but only a few studies have used standardized assessments with clinical populations who are actively seeking help. Psychopathological symptoms and self-esteem in individuals currently or recently involved in AGs were examined, using a clinically validated case–control design. Participants were recruited from a specialized mental health service, where they underwent structured clinical interviews and completed standardized self-report measures. The total sample comprised 71 participants (57.7% women), with a mean age of 36.4 years (SD = 13.7). The sample included 41 AG members and 30 matched controls from the general population. Their profiles were compared with those of the matched control group from the general population. Assessment tools included the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Group Psychological Abuse Scale (GPA-S). The AG group reported higher levels of psychological distress across all SCL-90-R domains, with particularly pronounced differences in depression, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism. Self-esteem was also markedly lower. Longer exposure to the group predicted higher psychoticism scores, pointing to a possible dose–response relationship. Taken together, these results strengthen previous evidence of the psychological harm associated with AGs, while extending it by including clinically assessed individuals who were either still involved or had recently left. The findings underscore the need for systematic clinical screening, specialized treatment strategies, and broader public awareness of the risks posed by coercive group environments.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10926771.2026

The Ultra-Strict Sect Where Leaving Means Losing Your Family | Brethren Church |

ENDEVR Documentary: 
​This ENDEVR documentary provides an intimate and harrowing look inside the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, also known as the Exclusive Brethren. Former members share their personal stories of growing up inside the highly secretive, fundamentalist sect, which enforces a strict "doctrine of separation" that prevents congregants from interacting meaningfully with the outside world. Followers are forbidden from attending university, consuming mainstream media, or working for non-Brethren companies.
​The core conflict of the film revolves around the severe psychological toll of the church’s disciplinary practices. Members who question leadership or break the extensive rules are often "shut up," effectively quarantined within their own homes and forbidden from speaking even to their spouses or children. If they refuse to conform or choose to leave the sect altogether, they face complete and permanent excommunication, resulting in a total loss of their family and support network.

​Furthermore, former members criticize the modern iteration of the church for increasingly prioritizing wealth and business success over spiritual values. Despite the devastating consequences of mandated shunning and the immense difficulty of rebuilding their lives from scratch, the survivors express profound relief at escaping the group's control, emphasizing that the freedom they gained was ultimately worth the painful sacrifice. #ExclusiveBrethren #CultSurvivors #MandatedShunning #ENDEVR
​https://youtu.be/5I6GhaLXgWE?is=7gQKyV7RarW-zKdM

South Korean prosecutors seek 27 years for JMS cult leader in sex crime case

The Straits Times: 

​South Korean prosecutors have officially sought a 27-year prison sentence for Jeong Myeong-seok, the 81-year-old leader of the controversial religious sect Jesus Morning Star (JMS). During a final hearing at the Daejeon District Court, authorities argued that Jeong repeatedly leveraged his absolute authority as a religious figurehead to exploit and sexually assault 16 female followers on approximately 80 different occasions between 2018 and 2021.

​The prosecution emphasized that Jeong engaged in extreme psychological manipulation, successfully indoctrinating his young congregants into genuinely believing he was the "Messiah." This intense conditioning created an environment where the victims were left completely psychologically paralyzed and entirely incapable of resisting his advances or recognizing the abuse. Prosecutors also requested that Jeong wear an electronic monitoring device for 20 years and be permanently barred from working with vulnerable populations.

​Jeong, who is already serving a separate 17-year prison sentence for similar sex crimes against international followers, vehemently denies all the current charges, insisting that he never had physical contact with the women. A final court verdict is scheduled for early October as authorities seek to hold the cult leader fully accountable for his decades of predatory behavior. #JMSCult #Justice #SouthKorea #CoerciveControl
​https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korean-prosecutors-seek-27-years-for-jms-cult-leader-in-sex-crime-case