African Americans had to struggle to have their own independent Shrine. Some took the Arabic references so seriously that they converted to Islam.
Massimo Introvigne
What is the Shrine? 2. The White Shrine
During its long history, the Shrine met with problems and scandals but became also extremely popular for his philanthropic activities.
What is the Shrine? 1. The Origins of a Para-Masonic Order
Supplementing “Bitter Winter” series on Freemasonry, a look at an organization about which little is known outside the United States,
Norway, Jehovah’s Witnesses “Fully Vindicated” By Appeal Court
A wrong decision denying state subsidies and registration to the organization because of its policy towards excluded ex-members has been overturned in appeal.
The Persecution of Yiguandao in China and Martial-Law Taiwan. 3. A Comparison with Other Instances of Anti-Cult Repression
While Yiguandao’s persecution ceased, other groups had problems in post-authoritarian Taiwan. In China, Yiguandao was never really free.
Russia Bans Local Church Publication as “Extremist”
Banning the founder Witness Lee’s edition of the Bible may open the way to liquidating the movement itself.
Emil Bisttram: Between Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, and Prophecy
The Hungarian-born American painter was an important figure in several esoteric societies, and produced works that he believed were “portals” to enter the New Age.
China Insists It Should Control Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama
Answering a new book by the current Dalai Lama, Beijing insists the CCP should control reincarnation of Tibetan lamas. It will find one for the Dalai Lama when he dies.
Bail Denied to Ahmadis Arrested in Pakistan for Praying on Friday
Under the pressure of the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, members of the Ahmadiyya community are now prohibited even from praying in their own houses of worship.
The Persecution of Yiguandao in China and Martial-Law Taiwan. 2. Repression in Taiwan, 1951–1987
Many Yiguandao followers escaped to Taiwan fleeing Mao’s persecution. But the Kuomintang regime persecuted them, too.
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.