Jul 23, 2025

CultNEWS101 Articles: 7/23/2025 (Jehovah's Witnesses, Shunning, Video, Opus Dei, Podcast, Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, LDS)

Jehovah's Witnesses, Shunning, Video, Opus Dei, Podcast, Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, LDS

"Alissa Watson was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 35 years. But, once she became a mother, her mounting doubts over her religious upbringing eventually motivated her to break the cycle and protect her children."


"Who are the two men behind the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light? Their past reveals an explosive secret to their cult-building success. It began in the late 1990s in Mooresville, Indiana, a small town suburb of Indianapolis. Hashem and McGowen attended the local high school and bonded over filmmaking, comedy, and esoteric ideas. They soon became best friends. Hashem then went to Indiana University for comparative religions, and McGowen attended nearby Ivy Tech, studying sociology. The young men would share a strange destiny.

In 2003 Hashem wrote and directed a 50-minute comedy movie called "Apache Tears," and it played at the local Regal Cinemas. One of the stars was a 22 year-old Abbi Crutchfield, who would go on to be a well-known comedian and TV personality, appearing on Hulu and NBC, among others. She told a local reporter the film 'has a lot of twists and turns...and deals with dark matters in a light way.'"

What percentage of Mormon converts leave the faith
Research indicates that **about 50% or more of Mormon converts leave the faith within a year of their baptism**[7][8]. This high rate of attrition is acknowledged by both church leaders and independent studies, with the sharpest dropout occurring in the first months after conversion[3][8].

Longer-term retention rates remain low, with multiple sources confirming that only about **25–30% of converts remain active in the church over time**[3]. This means that **70–75% of converts eventually become inactive or leave**.

These figures reflect a significant challenge for the LDS Church in retaining new members, despite ongoing efforts to improve integration and support for converts[3][8].

Citations:
[1] Ex-Mormon - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex-Mormon
[3] Why Some Dropped Out | Religious Studies Center https://rsc.byu.edu/mormons-piazza/why-some-dropped-out
[4] A Portrait of Mormons in the U.S. - Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2009/07/24/a-portrait-of-mormons-in-the-us/
[5] Are More People Leaving the LDS Church? - Leading Saints https://leadingsaints.org/are-more-people-leaving-the-church/
[8] Trends in LDS Member Activity and Convert Retention - Cumorah.com https://www.cumorah.com/articles/lawOfTheHarvest/7


News, Education, Intervention, Recover


CultMediation.com   

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.

CultNEWS101.com news, links, resources about: cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations, and related topics.

Facebook

Flipboard

Twitter

Instagram



The selection of articles for CultNEWS101 does not imply that Patrick Ryan or Joseph Kelly endorse the content. We provide information from multiple perspectives to foster dialogue.


No comments: