Science
Skeptical Inquirer: The Nature of Pseudoscience, How to Fight It, and Why It Matters
"...Skeptics have a bad reputation, rooted in the dictionary definition of the word: “a person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions.” But that’s not really what the word originally meant. The English term comes from the Greek skeptikos (pl. skeptikoi), meaning “inquirer” (which is why the ongoing joke with the editor of SI is that the title of this magazine is redundant: “Inquirer Inquirer,” like ATM machine).
In other words, skeptics are not people who are inclined to disbelief. On the contrary, they are prone to inquiry and therefore to adjust, or proportion, their beliefs to the available evidence—which just as importantly means that true skeptics are always open to changing their mind should the evidence warrant it."
"...[P]eople have been doing skepticism for a long time, and arguably the first book on pseudoscience was written in 44 BCE by Roman philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (see Damian Fernandez-Beanato 2020). Called On Divination, it was a systematic takedown of astrology and other types of future-telling. In book one, section 7, Cicero wisely writes: 'To hasten to give assent to something erroneous is shameful in all things.'"
Research
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
Domestic & True Crime Updates
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.
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.
BackgroundChkhikvishvili 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."
St. Louis Magazine: Follower of alleged cult leader is charged with threatening FBI, prosecutors
The article from CultNews101 (originally reported by St. Louis Magazine on May 14, 2026) details the federal charges against Makeda Charles, a 36-year-old follower of alleged cult leader David E. Taylor.
Key Details of the Case• Threats Against Officials: Charles is charged with sending threatening emails, faxes, and text messages to an FBI special agent, a federal prosecutor, and a U.S. District Judge. Her goal was reportedly to derail the criminal case against Taylor.• Nature of the Threats: The communications included a photo of Charles holding a rifle in front of flames and messages claiming there was a "hit" on the lives of the judge and prosecutor. She warned that they and their families would "be together in hell forever" if they interfered with "General David E. Taylor and God’s money."• Request for Jail Time: In a bizarre turn, she requested to be placed in a "couples psych ward" with Taylor, who has been in jail since his 2025 indictment.Background on David E. Taylor
The article provides context on the broader investigation into Taylor’s organization, the Kingdom of God Global Church:• Forced Labor Allegations: Taylor and two lieutenants are accused of running a forced labor conspiracy. They allegedly operated 24/7 "dream interpretation" call centers out of luxury properties (including a mansion formerly owned by the rapper Nelly).• Abusive Tactics: Members were reportedly forced to work grueling hours to meet donation quotas and were punished with sleep deprivation, food restriction, and threats of "divine punishment."• Financial Exploitation: The FBI began investigating Taylor in early 2024 after reports of him exploiting elderly and cognitively impaired individuals. One victim reportedly sent over $263,000 to the church after contacting their hotline while feeling suicidal.
Status of the CaseThe evidence against Taylor is described as massive, including 46 GB of data and thousands of pages of financial records. While Taylor remains in custody, his long-time follower Makeda Charles was arrested last week following the unsealing of the threat-related charges in Michigan.
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.
CultNEWS101.com news, links, resources about: cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations, and related topics.
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.
Please forward articles that you think we should add to cultintervention@gmail.com.
Thanks,
Ashlen Hilliard (ashlen.hilliard.wordpress@gmail.com)
Joe Kelly (joekelly411@gmail.com)
Patrick Ryan (pryan19147@gmail.com)
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