"Research into people's experiences of so-called conversion therapy in the UK has been buried, campaigners say.
A report - commissioned over two years ago - hit ministers' desks last December, the BBC has discovered, but has yet to appear.
Boris Johnson has promised to ban what he called the "abhorrent" practice of conversion therapy.The government says the study will be published shortly when a consultation is launched.Conversion therapy is defined as an attempt to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a document signed by a number of health groups.The prime minister said in July 2020 he would put a stop to the practice.In the same interview, he said a study was examining "how prevalent" it was, adding: "We will then bring forward plans to ban it".Research funded by the Government Equalities Office was commissioned when Theresa May was in Downing Street.It was led by Adam Jowett, of Coventry University's Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences department."
PART NINE - Is this a cult? How do you leave?"Thousands of women gave up everything to follow Mother Teresa, joining her storied Catholic order, the Missionaries of Charity. But some found that life inside this fiercely private religious order was not what they'd imagined. Former sisters who worked closely with Mother Teresa describe her bold vision and devotion to charity and prayer. But they also share stories of suffering and forbidden love, abuse and betrayal. If you make a lifelong vow, what does it mean to break it? What is the line between devotion and brainwashing? Can you truly give yourself to God?"
Brain-based technologies of spiritual enhancement can induce mystical experiences in many people on demand. What does this mean for spirituality today?
" ... There are lots more of these spiritually potent technologies, including high-tech ways to enhance spiritual togetherness and virtual-reality experiences that create something like a psychedelic experience without any drugs. They are arriving thick and fast, and the landscape can feel confusing. So, let's close by considering two common concerns.
Are tech-assisted spiritual experiences authentic? Judging from the reports of people who have experienced both tech-assisted and no-tech spiritual experiences, we think the answer is usually yes. They are the real deal, potentially. But they create opportunities for exploitation by unscrupulous companies who would take advantage of spiritual questers for a quick buck. Our advice: make sure you know who is making these products and why.
Are tech-assisted spiritual experiences safe? So far, the answer seems to be yes, but there are dangers. Just as intense tech-free meditation experiences can skittle the psychic stability of some people and bring on psychosis, so tech-assisted spiritual experiences might be unhealthy for some people. Similarly, any technology can be abused and used to harm people. So, if you want to go this way, be a smart consumer, just as you study the safety features of a car before committing to buy.
Mystical experiences on demand? Apparently, yes. But while you're worrying about authenticity and safety, don't forget to pause and ponder the possibilities of setting loose in the world the kinds of experiences that routinely change priorities and values in the direction of the good, the true, and the beautiful."
" ... Our central purpose is striving to assist those individuals who have noticed their increase in violence and are now seeking a safe exit away from this, we also collectively work with other organisations to support those wanting to leave groups that are of high demand or using coercive control against their members.
Our current board is made of members who all have lived experience from high demand groups, Our team are all from professional backgrounds which include formers, psychologists, academics, veterans, occupational therapists and connected not for profits.
The Exit team assesses via intake the safest options for our clients, through our trusted partners we find the best support, whether that's via intervention, mental health support, counselling for family and friends, adjusting within the community or legal assistance.
Exit also continues its assistance with a collective of organisations, domestically and internationally, including not for profits, academia, businesses, affording aid with research, education, monitoring and creating pathways in preventing people from recruitment, radicalisation or self/ group conditioning towards violent extremism or an act of terrorism.
Step one in evaluating the credibility of a news story is: Consider the source? To help fight fake news, we've compiled an index of untrustworthy sources.
Goals
- Compile the most complete, up-to-date list of active fake-news sites.
- Make the list dynamic, auto-adding new sites and removing inactive ones.
- Build a blacklist for advertisers to keep their ads off bogus sites (and for researchers who study disinformation).
News, Education, Intervention, Recovery
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 make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice.
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Cults101.org resources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics.
Selection of articles for CultNEWS101 does not mean that Patrick Ryan or Joseph Kelly agree with the content. We provide information from many points of view in order to promote dialogue.
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