Scholars of new religious movements succeeded in marginalizing mind control theories applied to religion. U.S. courts of law said they were right.
Massimo Introvigne
Mongolia, the Forgotten Genocide: Part I
To understand what Communism does to independent Buddhist societies, we should remember what it did to Mongolian Buddhism in the 1930s.
How “Brainwashing” Theories Were Applied to Religion
Originally, Russian and Chinese Communists were accused of using mind control techniques. Some mental health professionals extended the accusation to religions.
Testing “Brainwashing” Theories: CIA and the MK-Ultra Experiment
Having invented the theory, the CIA believed its own propaganda and tried to “brainwash” “volunteers” in Canada. It did not work.
Xi Jinping’s “Common Prosperity”: Back to Socialism
“Socialism” is in, “Enrich yourselves” is out. Where did we hear this before? Chinese “capitalists” may learn some lessons from Bukharin.
“Brainwashing”: A False Accusation Against Unpopular Minorities
Periodically, books and media revive the old discussion on “brainwashing.” There is only one problem about it, it does not exist.
Statue of First Sikh Maharaja Vandalized in Pakistan
The attack on the memorial of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at the Lahore Fort generated widespread emotion in Pakistan and India.
Film on Lawyer Who Molested Refugee Clients Honored Internationally
Attorney David Bitel died five years ago. “Devil in a Lawyers Suit”, the movie that premiered on Bitter Winter, is now winning awards.
French Law on Separatism: “Yes, But” Says Constitutional Council
French Law on Separatism: the Constitutional Council declares one provision unconstitutional, asks to apply others with moderation.
Les Témoins de Jéhovah dans le rapport français de la MIVILUDES : Cinq erreurs
Sans surprise, la méthodologie de la MIVILUDES conduit à des erreurs systématiques.
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 California 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.