From Hong Xiuquan’s 1837 vision, a full-blown religion was born. Soon, it acquired an army and declared war to the Qing dynasty.
Massimo Introvigne
William Kurelek, A Painter’s Fight for Religious Liberty
An outspoken and controversial conservative Catholic, the Ukrainian Canadian artist picked up some memorable fights for freedom of religion.
Brainwashing Theories: the Myth and the History of “Mind Control”
Brainwashing theories: origins, application in the military field, and to religious groups, up to their discredit. Are mind control theories making a comeback?
The Taiping Mystery. 2: Hong’s Heavenly Vision
The Taiping, “the most important movement of the 19th century,” can only be understood in religious terms. It originated from a mystical experience.
Did Zorro Fight for Religious Liberty?
Modern scholars and novelists have included freedom of religion among the causes the masked avenger supposedly fought for.
The Taiping Mystery. 1. Why Is the CCP Honoring a “Cult” Leader?
Hong Xiuquan, who led the Taiping Rebellion, may appear as the quintessential xie jiao leader. Yet, he was praised by Mao, and is still honored in China.
FECRIS ammette che la causa persa ad Amburgo contro i Testimoni di Geova è stata “una lezione”
Benché la sconfitta legale sia stata presentata come una vittoria, alla propria Assemblea Generale l’ente ha descritto la questione in modo diverso.
Pakistan: Hindus Beaten, Tortured for Getting Water from Mosque
The incident happened in the Rahim Yar Khan area, notorious for violence against religious minorities. Members from a Hindu family were beaten and tortured.
2010: The First Tai Ji Men Report at the UN’s Human Rights Council
An important passage in the history of the Tai Ji Men case highlights the pioneer role of the Association of World Citizens.
Will Bukhara Jews Continue to Exist in Bukhara?
The unique culture of Bukhara Jews is at risk of being lost forever–although it continues abroad, mostly in Israel and in New York.
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.