cult
Carrie Sheffield’s journey to forgiveness after childhood in cultlike family
By Kathryn Post — March 5, 2024
(RNS) — In ‘Motorhome Prophecies,’ Sheffield chronicles her path toward forgiving her father, a self-declared Mormon prophet.
Kenya doomsday cult pastor and others will face charges of murder, cruelty and more
By Tom Odula — January 16, 2024
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Survivors told investigators the pastor had instructed them to fast to death before the world ends so they could meet Jesus.
In new Bob Jones University podcast, former students and faculty blast ‘insular’ culture
By Kathryn Post — September 12, 2023
(RNS) — 'Surviving Bob Jones University: A Christian Cult' aims to show how alleged patterns of conformity, isolation, information control and surveillance impacted members of the Bob Jones ecosystem.
NXIVM sex cult member who cooperated avoids prison time
By Associated Press — July 29, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — A former member of NXIVM leader Keith Raniere’s inner circle avoided prison at sentencing Wednesday after prosecutors cited her extraordinary cooperation.
NXIVM guru to pay for victims’ brand removal as restitution
By Tom Hays — July 21, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — The unrepentant former leader of the cult-like NXIVM group was ordered on Tuesday to pay $3.5 million to 21 victims.
Actor Allison Mack gets 3 years in NXIVM sex-slave case
By Tom Hays — June 30, 2021
NEW YORK (AP) — TV actor Allison Mack, who played a key role in the scandal-ridden, cult-like group NXIVM, was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday on charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for the group’s spiritual leader. Mack — best known for her role as a young Superman’s close friend on […]
‘Snapping out’ of a cult and sharing her healing with others
By Tracy Simmons — June 29, 2021
(RNS) — Since finding her way out, a cult survivor has a fierce drive to share her story and help other cult survivors share theirs.
Ole Anthony, longtime critic of prosperity gospel televangelists and head of Trinity Foundation, dies at 82
By Bob Smietana — April 18, 2021
(RNS) — Anthony came to fame after his investigation of televangelist Robert Tilton was featured on ABC News' Prime Time Live program.
Former employee sues Dave Ramsey’s company for alleged religious discrimination, ‘cult-like’ atmosphere
By Bob Smietana — April 15, 2021
(RNS) — The lawsuit claims employees have to submit to Ramsey as a spiritual leader and agree with his views on COVID-19, with no questions allowed.
Cult leader executed for Japan sarin attacks still a mystery
By Mari Yamaguchi — July 6, 2018
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga confirmed doomsday cult leader Shoko Asahara was executed Friday (July 6).
Tom Brady, Alex Guerrero and Apocalypse Meow — when weird belief turns harmful
By Bob Smietana — January 4, 2018
(RNS) — A few years ago I went to the grocery store and ran into some cultists.
Finding God at CrossFit
By John Van Sloten — July 17, 2017
CALGARY, Alberta (RNS) — As a preacher, I felt a bit awkward walking into Calgary’s Victoria Park Crossfit gym that morning.
Pastor, victim’s father among 7 charged with teen’s death at NY church
By Reuters — November 25, 2015
One teen was fatally wounded and his brother injured during hours of beatings during a "counseling" session at the secretive church, police said.
Satanist dismisses claims of accused Craigslist killer
By John Bacon — February 19, 2014
(RNS) "There is a secular idea that 'the devil made me do it' that has turned into 'satanism made me do it,'" says Lucien Greaves, spokesman for The Satanic Temple, which has a few hundred members. Accused killer Miranda Barbour is not among them
COMMENTARY: 35 years after Jonestown
By A. James Rudin — November 14, 2013
(RNS) Even as the Peoples Temple massacre 35 years ago fades into history, Jonestown is a bitter reminder of what happens when people surrender their emotional and moral independence and become spiritual slaves to evil leaders who guarantee salvation, eternal life and utopia either here on earth or in the great beyond.
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