PublicationsProject MUSE: Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States by Steven J. Gelberg (review)
In a recent book review published in Nova Religio, Scott Lowe examines Steven J. Gelberg’s Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States. The text explores the vital intersection of music and entheogen-enhanced spiritual experiences, blending theoretical perspectives with practical, applied guidance for modern consciousness explorers.
The review notes Gelberg’s unique background, transitioning from a counterculture teenager to serving as an intellectual informant for ISKCON (as Subhananda Das) for 17 years, before returning to study psychedelic mysticism. The first section reviews literature from classic writers like William James, Aldous Huxley, and Alan Watts, discussing how entheogens and music can facilitate "dehabituation" and expand sensory awareness, akin to the perennialist "reducing valve" theory of consciousness.
The second half of Gelberg's work provides a practical guide to the genres of music commonly used to assist guided psychedelic therapy sessions. Highlighting that music choice is highly subjective, the book evaluates classical, world, and ambient music and ultimately offers carefully curated playlists to help facilitate psychological insight and spiritual growth.
Legislative & LegalSearchlight Magazine: Neo-Nazi Cult ‘Forced Girls to Perform Barbaric Sex Acts’
An alleged neo-Nazi online network is facing scrutiny in a Paris criminal trial over accusations that its members sexually exploited, tortured, and psychologically manipulated underage girls. Searchlight Magazine reported on 9 October 2026 that the case concerns an alleged international network whose leader could face a life sentence if convicted.
According to reporting on the case, the alleged leader, Rohan Rane, operated a network identified as CVLT. Investigators allege that girls, including children as young as 12, were recruited online and coerced into abusive acts, self-harm, and sexual exploitation. The alleged victims came from multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
The case also highlights how extremist ideology can intersect with online grooming and coercive control. Allegations describe the use of manipulation, threats of exposure, and demands designed to establish power over vulnerable young people. Investigators reportedly uncovered videos and material documenting methods of psychological manipulation.
The proceedings are a reminder that online extremist networks can present risks beyond ideological radicalization, particularly when perpetrators exploit anonymity, social isolation, and young people's vulnerabilities. Distinguish allegations from proven findings, as criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Ongoing Focus
NewsPeople: What Happened to Televangelist Jim Bakker After the Fall of His Religious Empire?
Jim Bakker rose to prominence as one of America's most influential televangelists, building a multimillion-dollar religious broadcasting empire with his first wife, Tammy Faye Bakker. Their PTL ministry included the popular television program The PTL Club and Heritage USA, a massive Christian resort and theme park. At its height, PTL generated enormous revenues, much of it from viewer donations.
Bakker's career collapsed in the late 1980s amid allegations of sexual misconduct and financial wrongdoing. The scandal surrounding Jessica Hahn and the misuse of ministry funds led to a federal investigation. In 1989, Bakker was convicted on 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 45 years in prison. He ultimately served about five years before being released in 1994.
After prison, Bakker returned to religious broadcasting, eventually launching The Jim Bakker Show with his second wife, Lori Beth Graham. His later ministry emphasized prophetic and apocalyptic themes. He generated additional controversy by promoting products and making claims surrounding disasters and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting a product as a treatment for the virus. Legal action followed.
Bakker died October 5, 2026, at age 86. His life remains a significant example of the rise, collapse and attempted revival of a powerful American televangelist
Massive Magazine: Falun Gong Club Established at Massey University
A new Falun Gong-affiliated student organization, the MUM Falun Dafa Group, has been officially established at Massey University’s Manawatū campus in New Zealand. The club describes Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, as a spiritual practice centered on meditation, gentle exercises, wellbeing and self-cultivation.
The new club has attracted attention because Massey’s student association previously faced controversy over Falun Gong-related promotional material. In 2024, a Chinese student complained after seeing Falun Gong posters approved for display on campus. The association subsequently removed the posters and said it did not support statements it regarded as homophobic or racist.
Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi has made controversial religious claims, including claims concerning supernatural abilities and healing. The article also discusses teachings attributed to Hongzhi that have been criticized as discriminatory toward homosexuality and interracial relationships.
Te Tira Ahu Pae, Massey’s student association, says affiliation does not mean endorsement of a club’s beliefs. It states that affiliated organizations must comply with university policies, association rules and New Zealand law, including restrictions on discriminatory, hateful or harmful conduct. The association says complaints can be investigated and that a club's affiliation can ultimately be suspended or withdrawn if violations are substantiated.
The club itself did not respond to Massive Magazine’s request for comment.
British authorities have alleged that Andrew and Tristan Tate used a “lover boy” model to recruit and exploit vulnerable women. According to court documents released in the United States as part of the brothers’ extradition proceedings, investigators allege that the men established romantic relationships with women before persuading them to travel to Romania with promises of relationships and opportunities to earn money through webcam work.
British police allege that once the women arrived, some became financially dependent on the brothers and were subjected to controlling conditions. The prosecution case reportedly includes allegations that passports were confiscated and that threats, intimidation and violence were used to compel women to produce increasingly explicit online pornography.
The “lover boy” method generally involves presenting oneself as a romantic partner in order to establish emotional dependence before exploiting the relationship. Investigators say the women targeted by the Tates were sometimes particularly vulnerable because of previous abusive relationships, social isolation or low self-esteem.
The Tates have denied wrongdoing. Their attorney has challenged the prosecution's case, arguing that the identities of complainants have not been disclosed and that this prevents the allegations from being meaningfully tested.
The brothers were arrested in Miami after Britain requested their extradition. They face British allegations including rape and human trafficking, while separate investigations have also taken place in Romania.
The Telegraph: My wife died because we were told the Bible banned blood transfusions
Alvin Shipperley, a former Jehovah’s Witness, is speaking out after the religious organization recently changed its longstanding doctrine banning blood transfusions. In 2003, Shipperley's 36-year-old wife, Angela, tragically died after refusing a blood transfusion following the premature birth of their son.
At the time, both Alvin and Angela were devout members of the faith. Fearing she would be "disfellowshipped" and shunned by her community for sinning, Angela rejected the life-saving treatment recommended by doctors and subsequently suffered a fatal heart attack 12 days later. While Alvin initially supported her choice out of religious devotion, his perspective shifted years later.
After being disfellowshipped himself over a minor issue in 2013, Alvin began researching the religion's history and realized the deep flaws within the organization. He ultimately left the church in 2014. Now, with the Jehovah's Witnesses declaring that receiving certain blood components is a matter of "personal conscience," Alvin is considering legal action, devastated that his family was torn apart over a policy the church has since quietly reversed.
Business Hallmark: Art of holy scam: how gullible Nigerians pay millions for 'miracles' that never comeReligious swindles have taken many forms over the years, often involving brainwashing and hypnotism. While historical tragedies like Jim Jones and David Koresh were driven by psychosis and messianic complexes, contemporary religious scams in Nigeria are primarily motivated by money. Charlatans across faiths exploit the vulnerable by selling success, protection, and breakthroughs through "anointed" items or expensive spiritual rites.
These modern scams have evolved into sophisticated mind games that combine psychology, illiteracy, and manipulation. Fraudsters often gather secret information on new, wealthy members to deliver fake prophecies, targeting those seeking marriage or success.
One victim, Fisayo, shared her experience of being targeted by her pastor due to her large tithes. The pastor used fake prophecies and demands for church projects to extract hundreds of thousands of naira from her. He eventually gained such control over her finances that he used her debit card for his family's personal expenses, turning her into a "family ATM" until her uncle intervened.
The Spinoff: Gloriavale report: Have we learned nothing from Centrepoint?
A powerful report from The Spinoff draws alarming parallels between the ongoing abuses at the Gloriavale Christian Community and the historical atrocities of Centrepoint, New Zealand's notorious sex cult.
For former members who survived Centrepoint, the recent investigations into Gloriavale represent a tragic repetition of history, highlighting how high-control groups systematically exploit vulnerable individuals.
The article explores the vicious tactics used by both groups' leadership to close ranks, control complainants, and apply immense pressure to silence anyone who attempts to speak out against the leadership.
The comparison emphasizes the disturbing similarities in how both cults utilized sexual pressure, with Gloriavale pushing women to produce children early and Centrepoint demanding rampant promiscuity.
The author asks why the devastating lessons from the Centrepoint experience have not translated into stronger, more decisive government action against similar coercive environments today.
This analysis underscores the urgent need for regulatory bodies to actively protect citizens from psychological and physical harm within isolated, authoritarian religious communities.
The piece ultimately serves as a stark reminder that without proactive intervention, the abusive dynamics of historical cults will continue to resurface in modern high-control groups.
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.
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