Scientology, Guru Jagat, Documentary, Witchcraft, Australia, Solar Temple
ENDEVR Documentary: The Dark Side of the Scientology Cult
"It is one of the world's most secretive and controversial cults… brought to light by one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Tom Cruise. Since its creation in 1953, Scientology has won millions of disciples, up to 40,000 in France alone, according to its leaders.
Scientologists follow the teachings of a former bestselling Science Fiction author, L. Ron Hubbard. They believe in reincarnation and undergo extraordinary practices to gain enlightenment. Scientology is also an institution plagued by headline-grabbing scandals when former members go public about their experiences with the sect. While it is recognized as a religion in some countries, others consider it a dangerous cult.
How does this organization, often convicted of fraud, manage to recruit and retain followers? What are its beliefs? Who was L. Ron Hubbard, its charismatic proto-messiah? How did Scientology become a recognized religion in the United States? And what influence does it have in France? Join experts and former high-ranking scientology members as they unmask one of the most powerful self-proclaimed religious organizations on the planet… the church of scientology."
"In a spiritual world dominated by men, a young girl from Colorado was determined to be her own guru, and that's what she did… Katie from the suburbs became Guru Jagat. Having been anointed by a spiritual Kundalini master, Guru Jagat was ready to change the world. She wrote a book, spoke at Harvard, and was CEO of 7 businesses - including three global yoga studios where Hollywood housewives and celebrities like Kate Hudson and Alicia Keys flocked. But somewhere along the way, the girlboss facade began to fade… This is a story about luxury, fraud, businesses becoming massive empires, a cult-like work environment and much more… This is the story of a guru's fall from grace."
Daily Mail: Horrifying cult 'massacre video' shows final moments of mass-murdering leaders and their disciples
News AU: Modern-day witchcraft is on the rise in Australia as support for organised religion plummets
" ... The cult drew people in with slick propaganda videos showing families enjoying simple lives on an idyllic farm in Canada, while other videos featured Jouret, who regularly did speaking tours, pontificating on the benefits of 'dying to be reborn'.
OST convinced many of its more than 600 followers that they could live in a utopian community and when the time was right shed their Earthly bodies to be reincarnated on an unnamed planet orbiting the Dog Star, Sirius.
But in reality, many handed over their life savings to Di Mambro and Jouret, with the sect's conniving leaders living off their followers' wealth as they lived frugal lives.
'While the followers were breaking rocks and growing lettuce, the leaders were really enjoying themselves,' Swiss journalist Arnaud Bedat, who worked extensively on the case, told the BBC documentary.
'They travelled first class, they went to beautiful hotels, famous restaurants. For more than ten years the cult leaders lived in opulence, accumulating villas all over the world, collecting Ferraris and Lamborghinis with the followers' money,' he said.
But the early 1990s, the mask began to slip. Cult members began to leave, and many wanted the money they had invested back.
One of the key members to turn his back on the cult was Tony Dutoit. He had been loyal to Di Mambro for some 15 years and served him as a special effects technician, turning ceremonies into mystical experiences to trick the cult's followers into believing their 'masters'' powers.
Before he left, he revealed the truth to Di Mambro's son Elie, who went on to confide in other cult members and was branded a traitor by his father.
Di Mambro went into a 'paranoid spiral', insiders said, and started monitoring everyone, even wire tapping their phone calls.
'Those who were living their lives with the followers' money knew that they had to be held accountable and that they couldn't do it anymore,' Swiss police chief Pierre Nidegger said."
News AU: Modern-day witchcraft is on the rise in Australia as support for organised religion plummets
A new "religion" is rapidly becoming mainstream, with tens of thousands of Australians suddenly embracing the exploding trend.
"Dressed head-to-toe in black, Owlvine Green's fingers hover over a steaming cauldron as a cat looks on, ominously.
Candles flicker, casting eerie shadows on the wall. Incense smokes, and a spell book — filled with mystical, arcane symbols — is laid open in front of her.
It's a scene that wouldn't look out of place in a Harry Potter film. But this isn't a movie. This is an unassuming home in suburban Melbourne, and Owlvine is a real-life witch.
"We're everywhere — young and old, in the inner city and out in the middle of the bush," the 36-year-old told news.com.au.
"You could be sharing a desk with one of us, or living on the same street."
From the Wizard of Oz to The Craft, the black-caped, cackling witch has been a fixture in popular culture — sand a subject of fascination and fear — for centuries. But if you think that these magical beings belong only within the pages of a storybook or on the big screen, think again.
Today, tens of thousands of Australians identify as witches and globally, we're in the midst of a bona fide witchcraft boom."
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