The first part of “The Elected of the Dragon” describes how a chaste girl was turned into a sex magic initiate and a lover of Satan.
Massimo Introvigne
In Search of China’s Secret Societies. 2. The Origins of the Tiandihui
The most famous “secret society” was discovered in Taiwan in the 18th century. It was probably born as a group saving funds for weddings and funerals.
The Ninth Circle, QAnon, and Clotilde Bersone: A New-Old Conspiracy Theory. 2. The Book “The Elected of the Dragon”
A key source of contemporary Ninth Circle conspiracy theories, “L’Élue du Dragon” had a convoluted story leading to its publication in 1929.
In Search of China’s Secret Societies. 1. Matgioi and the Esoteric Connection
The old Western notion of “Chinese secret society” owes much to a French esoteric author who died in 1939, Albert de Pouvourville.
Los testigos de Jehová y el ostracismo: 6. ¿Por qué respetarlo?
El ostracismo forma parte de enseñanzas y prácticas típicamente religiosas en las que las autoridades laicas no deberían interferir.
The Ninth Circle, QAnon, and Clotilde Bersone: A New-Old Conspiracy Theory. 1. What Is the Ninth Circle?
New conspiracy theorists have revamped an old story about Freemasonry, the Illuminati, and Satanists, accusing among others Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth.
Nicaragua: Persecution of Bishops and Silencing of Catholic Media
Bishop of Matagalpa, in “permanent fasting,” says the regime wants a “dumb church”—and is harassed by the police.
Los testigos de Jehová y el ostracismo: 5. ¿Es el ostracismo “ilegal”?
Tribunales de todo el mundo han llegado a la conclusión de que la libertad religiosa protege la enseñanza y la práctica del ostracismo. Tienen toda la razón.
Los testigos de Jehová y el ostracismo: 4. ¿Qué ocurre con los menores?
Los opositores argumentan que “incluso los niños” son expulsados. Llaman “niños” a jóvenes de 17 años, y hacen de un hecho raro (pero lógico) una cuestión importante.
Los testigos de Jehová y el ostracismo: 3. El ostracismo en la teoría y en la práctica
Existen algunos mitos sobre el ostracismo. Hay excepciones, como en el caso de los familiares convivientes. Es doloroso para ambas partes. El objetivo es proteger a la congregación y ayudar a los pecadores a arrepentirse.
Massimo Introvigne
Massimo Introvigne (born June 14, 1955 in Rome) is an Italian sociologist of religions. He is the founder and managing director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), an international network of scholars who study new religious movements. Introvigne is the author of some 70 books and more than 100 articles in the field of sociology of religion. He was the main author of the Enciclopedia delle religioni in Italia (Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy). He is a member of the editorial board for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion and of the executive board of University of Pennsylvania Press’ Nova Religio. From January 5 to December 31, 2011, he has served as the "Representative on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination, with a special focus on discrimination against Christians and members of other religions" of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). From 2012 to 2015 he served as chairperson of the Observatory of Religious Liberty, instituted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to monitor problems of religious liberty on a worldwide scale.