EventsDecult 2026: Voices of Courage, Pathways to Healing and Justice (October 24-25)
International and local experts, educators, advocates and storytellers will come together for two powerful days — live-streamed worldwide, with additional online programs for North America and Europe. Voices of courage from mental health to human rights will take center stage.
RNZ (Radio New Zealand): Ryan Carey on leaving Geelong Revival Centre - the church he'd known all his life
In a segment from the RNZ program Nine To Noon, published in October 2026 (with timestamps for both 13 October 2026 and 10:05 am on 14 October 2026), host Kathryn speaks with Ryan Carey about his experience growing up in and eventually leaving the Geelong Revival Center, a Pentecostal church in Australia.
Carey was born directly into the religious community, where his father served as the church's second-in-command. According to the program summary, the Geelong Revival Center operated as an environment marked by fear and control, where the church's authority influenced nearly every aspect of members' daily lives.
After knowing the church for his entire life, Carey ultimately left the group in 2020. Following his departure, he and his wife, Catherine, transitioned into advocacy work to support individuals who have experienced abuse within similar religious organizations. Together, the couple co-founded the advocacy group Stop Religious Coercion Australia.
The article notes that the campaigning efforts led by Ryan and Catherine Carey helped prompt a formal parliamentary inquiry in the Australian state of Victoria focusing on cults and organized fringe groups. The inquiry released its landmark report in July, putting forward 39 recommendations. Among those measures was a specific proposal to criminalize group-based coercive control.
Carey's appearance on Nine To Noon to discuss his background with the Geelong Revival Centre and what it took to leave comes ahead of his scheduled speaking engagement at New Zealand's DeCult conference later in October 2026. For listeners and readers seeking support or more details, the RNZ page notes that DeCult offers a list of help resources.
New PublicationsThe newly revised edition of "India in a Mind’s Eye," authored by Steven J. Gelberg, offers readers a profoundly thoughtful exploration of religious doubt and institutional disaffiliation. Gelberg, a former deeply committed member of the Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON), meticulously chronicles his extensive travels through India while honestly grappling with his rapidly growing disillusionment with an organization plagued by public scandal and internal power struggles.
Rather than resorting to simple, one-dimensional anti-cult rhetoric or overly defensive apologetics, the compelling book offers a nuanced, deeply personal account of a dedicated spiritual seeker questioning his long-term commitment. Gelberg’s reflections perfectly capture the extreme emotional complexity of leaving a high-demand religious group, emphasizing the intense internal conflict between maintaining pure spiritual ideals and confronting stark institutional realities.
Reviewers and academic scholars universally praise the work not only as a vivid, highly engaging travelogue but also as an incredibly important historical document. It critically sheds light on a pivotal period of internal crisis within ISKCON, offering invaluable insights for anyone interested in the psychological intricacies of cult involvement and spiritual autonomy.
Legislative & LegalThe Herald: Women who killed a cult leader released pending appeal
Two women recently convicted of murdering the manipulative leader of the Kutná Hora sect in the Czech Republic have been released from prison while they eagerly await a final decision on their legal appeals. Magdalena Šifferová, a local dentist, and Irena Stejskalová, a retired physical education teacher, were initially sentenced to nine and twelve years, respectively for their direct roles in the 2022 killing of Richard Šiffer.
During the trial, the court heard that the murder was conducted strictly as a bizarre ritualistic act; the women deliberately injected Šiffer with an anesthetic and cut him, genuinely believing his physical body would vanish as he returned to a parallel dimension. The defense attorneys strongly argued that the women were acting under extreme psychological manipulation and were not sane at the time of the crime.
The controversial sect had previously been linked to intense mental and physical torture, including the horrific deaths of other devoted members subjected to brutal conditions. The Supreme Court's highly unusual decision to suspend the women's prison sentences underscores the complex psychological grip of coercive cult environments.
Money Talks News: Your Friend Says She's Making Good Money With Multi-Level Marketing. The Government Disagrees
Multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes often promise lucrative income and the flexibility of being your own boss, leading many individuals to enthusiastically share their alleged financial success with friends and family. However, the reality of these business models frequently contrasts sharply with the glowing testimonials shared on social media.
According to government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), most participants in multi-level marketing programs actually lose money. MLMs require participants not only to sell products but also to continuously recruit new members into their "downline." This structure inherently disadvantages those at the bottom, making it mathematically impossible for most people to achieve the wealth top-tier distributors often advertise.
Consumer protection organizations continuously warn the public to thoroughly investigate any MLM opportunity before investing time and money. While your friend might genuinely believe they are on the path to financial freedom, statistical data and government reports indicate that true financial success in these structures is exceptionally rare. Stay skeptical of income claims and carefully calculate the real costs of participating in such ventures.
MinistryWatch: Former Remnant Fellowship Leader Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud
Dr. Helen Boerman, a Brentwood, Tennessee optometrist and former leader of the Remnant Fellowship, has pleaded guilty to a $7 million healthcare fraud scheme. She has been sentenced to 42 months in prison and ordered to pay $6.97 million in restitution.
Boerman used her practice, Brentwood Eye Care, to submit false claims through Medicare, TennCare, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Between 2020 and 2024, she created fake claims for nonexistent office visits and duplicated bills for single-use products. Audits revealed she was the top prescriber nationwide for amniotic membrane grafts, raising red flags that led to her conviction. While her defense claimed the actions started as a way to assist patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prosecution emphasized that it was a deliberate scheme to fund her lavish lifestyle, which included building a $7 million home.
Boerman was deeply involved in the controversial Remnant Fellowship church, founded by the late Gwen Shamblin. The church, which has faced numerous allegations of cult-like behavior and heterodox theology, has not publicly commented on Boerman’s conviction. Her husband remains associated with the optometry practice, adding to the ongoing scrutiny of the organization's leadership.
Research & AcademicThis article, published in the International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation, analyzes conspiracy theories surrounding Hillary Clinton during the 2016 American presidential campaign. The authors, Susan Raine and Kilian LaBonte-Bon, explore these theories through the lens of historical witch hunts, gender dynamics, and conspiracy culture.
The research focuses on the characterization of Clinton in these conspiracies, where she was frequently depicted as an evil, Satan-worshipping witch involved in child predation and the murder of her political enemies. The study connects these modern political attacks to centuries-old narratives used to marginalize and condemn women in power.
By examining these conspiracies, the authors aim to illuminate underlying societal anxieties about women, power, sexuality, and social order. The article suggests that the vitriol directed at Clinton was not merely political but deeply rooted in gendered tropes that have historically been used to undermine female authority and agency.
Ara. cat: Terribas returns to attack Opus Dei
Journalist Mònica Terribas has once again turned her critical lens toward Opus Dei, sparking intense discussion with the release of the new documentary series "El minuto heroico" (The Heroic Minute). The series delves deep into the inner workings of the highly secretive Catholic organization, exposing its practices and the profound impact it has on its members' lives.
Opus Dei has long been controversial, often facing accusations of cult-like dynamics. Former members have frequently spoken out about the organization's intense demands for extreme obedience, rigid control over daily life, and aggressive recruitment tactics. The documentary amplifies these voices, shedding light on the psychological pressures and spiritual manipulation that critics argue are institutionalized within the group.
By bringing these testimonies to the forefront, Terribas challenges the organization's carefully curated public image. The investigation highlights ongoing concerns regarding transparency and accountability within powerful religious institutions, prompting a broader conversation about the ethical boundaries of faith-based communities.
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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