An effort by the movement led by the Swiss Markus Josef Odermatt, who claims to be Pope Peter III, concluded with the mysterious (but probably accidental) death of a baby girl.
From the World
Othello and Iago in Japan: Why Yamagami Killed Abe
In Shakespeare’s and Verdi’s story, Iago did not kill Desdemona but poisoned the mind of the assassin. Sounds familiar?
Denmark’s Investigation Ends, Tabloid Is Criticized, but Campaign Against Jehovah’s Witnesses Persists
A careful analysis concluded that the Witnesses do comply with Danish law. The Danish Press Council stated that their critics at “Ekstra Bladet” violated the Press Code.
Grant Wallace: Psychic Art, Theosophy, and Spiritualism
From his cabin in California, the artist believed he could communicate with deceased, extraterrestrials, and higher beings through a “mental radio.”
The Politics of Apostasy: Defaming Religious Liberty
In a provocative new book, Mirjam van Schaik argues that the real problem today is not “defaming religion” but “defaming freedom of religion or belief”.
Blasphemy on Prime Time TV: “Case No. 9” Dares to Show Pakistan’s Darkest Truth
A popular television series confronts viewers with the forbidden theme of false accusations of blasphemy and the risk of being lynched by mobs.
“The Serpent’s Tale”: Kuṇḍalinī Without a Leash
Sravana Borkataky-Varma and Anya Foxen refuse to tell us what Kuṇḍalinī “really” is. And yet we may end up knowing more about Kuṇḍalinī than we ever dared to ask.
Victoria, Australia, Inquiry on “Cults”: Moral Panics About “Cults” on Campuses
Australian universities’ warning students about “cults” may end up making them more dangerous for anyone who identifies with a religion.
Eight Suzuki and Abe’s Widow’s “Apology”: When Hatred Becomes Moral Vandalism
The anti-cult journalist believes that Akie Abe should have offered “something akin to an apology” to her husband’s assassin.
Yamagami and the Evil Teachers: The Cult of Not Calling It Terrorism
A homemade gun may have killed Abe but a manufactured moral panic pulled the trigger. It was a textbook case of anti-cult terrorism.









