EventCults, 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 11201
New PublicationsEngelsberg Ideas: Robert Bly and the cult of men's inner workIn the late twentieth century, poet Robert Bly emerged as a leading figure in the American men’s movement, famously arguing that the Industrial Revolution fractured traditional masculinity. By moving fathers into factories and away from their sons, modernity inadvertently severed the crucial bonds of male initiation and mentorship.
Bly’s 1990 bestseller, Iron John: A Book About Men, encouraged men to reconnect with the "Wild Man" archetype, a primal, deep-rooted masculine energy. This philosophy sparked a widespread wave of men-only woodland retreats featuring drumming, poetry, and emotional vulnerability, meticulously designed to help participants escape what Bly viewed as the overly feminized landscape of modern society.
He categorized men into two distinct archetypes: the aggressive, emotionally distant "fifties man," whom he blamed for societal ills like the Vietnam War, and the softer, emotionally attuned "seventies man," who sought to appease feminism but ultimately felt unfulfilled.
Interestingly, Bly's mythopoetic movement predominantly attracted these progressive, anti-war "seventies men." Rather than seeking political dominance, these followers used Bly’s "Bro-Science" and inner work to privately reconcile their masculine identities within a shifting cultural landscape, establishing a foundational precursor to today's modern ma
Legislative & LegalScience in Poland: Spreading conspiracy theories 'builds inter-group hatred' A recent study by psychologists from the Polish Academy of Sciences highlights the severe social and psychological damage caused by the spread of conspiracy theories. Researchers found that these narratives are a highly effective mechanism for fueling hostility and hatred between different social groups, while simultaneously increasing individual feelings of threat, fear, and deep-seated paranoia.
Conspiracy theories often act as a coping mechanism for individuals struggling with anxiety or a low tolerance for uncertainty. By providing simple, albeit false, explanations for complex global events, these theories offer a false sense of predictability. They allow believers to quickly identify an alleged "enemy" responsible for their personal or societal hardships, driving further xenophobia and isolation.
To combat this growing threat, scientists emphasize the need for better public communication and emotional support systems. Instead of simply simplifying data, experts must transparently explain the scientific process to rebuild public trust. Furthermore, equipping individuals with tools to better manage stress can significantly reduce their susceptibility to manipulative, pseudo-expert narratives.
Research & AcademicObservatorio Terrorismo: Analysis of far-right violence extremism July 2026The July 2026 report from the Observatorio Internacional de Estudios sobre Terrorismo (OIET) highlights the escalating global threat of extreme right-wing violence. The analysis emphasizes that neo-fascist and white supremacist movements are presenting a complex, rapidly evolving challenge to international security and global peace.
In the United States, the neo-fascist organization Patriot Front demonstrated its growing mobilization capabilities. Hundreds of masked members marched through Washington, D.C., on the Fourth of July, aggressively chanting white nationalist slogans. Additionally, severe domestic threats persist, as evidenced by a Pennsylvania white supremacist indicted for threatening lawmakers and minority communities, alongside rising antisemitic incidents in New York involving local political figures.
The violent extremism threat extends significantly across Europe as well. In Sweden, the judicial system recently sentenced a man for his active involvement in the Maniac Murder Cult (MKY), a notorious accelerationist neo-Nazi group known for extreme violence.
Meanwhile, in Germany, authorities have accused leaders of the far-right "Kingdom of Germany" movement of integrating into criminal gangs. These interconnected events globally underscore the urgent need for heightened international collaboration, robust policymaking, and increased public awareness to effectively combat the rising tide of right-wing extremism.
Ongoing Focus
For many individuals trapped in secretive cults, indoctrination begins at birth. Allison Eames, a survivor of the polygamous fundamentalist Mormon sect known as the Kingston Group, recently shared her disturbing childhood experiences on social media. As the 97th child of her father—who had 14 wives and over 160 children—Eames was raised in a severely restrictive and incestuous environment.
Even at the young age of 11, Eames recognized the absurdity of her upbringing. She was forced into intensive marriage preparation classes alongside her sisters, taught by various mothers and sometimes her father.
The curriculum in these classes was highly archaic and unsettling. Young girls were instructed on how to budget for massive families, maximize their fertility windows, and determine whether their life directions aligned with God's will.
Furthermore, they were taught to be submissive wives based on outdated templates from an era before women could even hold bank accounts. Instructions included always wearing makeup, ensuring a quiet house, and suppressing their own problems so their husbands could vent. Fortunately, Eames successfully escaped the cult at age 16 before facing an arranged marriage.
International News
Ynetnews: 'Sex was presented as spiritual purification': the dark reality behind Israel's secretive cults Experts are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in abusive cults operating across Israel, with the Israeli Center for Cult Victims estimating that at least 200 such groups are currently active, ensnaring roughly 10,000 children. These organizations often mask themselves as legitimate yoga classes, religious communities, or spiritual retreats, only later revealing a system of absolute control, financial exploitation, and severe social isolation.
Survivors recount horrifying details of emotional and physical abuse, detailing how their entire lives were gradually consumed by the group. In one harrowing account, a woman described how sexual relations with the cult's leader were manipulated and presented as acts of necessary spiritual purification and higher mission, binding followers through deep psychological trauma and forced secrecy.
Recovery from these high-control environments is described as a lifelong process, as victims often exit with no money, ruined careers, and shattered social networks. Advocates are urgently calling on the Israeli government to establish dedicated investigative units and clear legal frameworks to recognize psychological abuse and protect vulnerable citizens from these predatory groups.
News, Education, Intervention, Recovery
Intervention101.com helps families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement.
CultRecovery101.com helps 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 articles selected for CultNEWS101 do not imply that Patrick Ryan, Joseph Kelly, or Ashlen Hilliard endorse the content. We provide information from multiple perspectives to foster dialogue.
Please forward articles you think we should add to cultintervention@gmail.com.
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