A tabloid’s campaign led the Ministry of Churches to start a “supervision case” based on accusations already judged ill-founded almost everywhere in the world.
From the World
The Theological and Esoteric Debate on the Existence of Vampires (17th–19th centuries). 3. Rationalist, Theological, and Esoteric Interpretations
Antoine Faivre, the father of “vampire studies,” distinguished between Enlightenment-inspired, demonological, and “Paracelsian” positions.
The Theological and Esoteric Debate on the Existence of Vampires (17th–19th centuries). 2. An Epidemic of Vampirism in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Between the end of the seventeenth century and the third decade of the eighteenth century the possibility that vampires exited was first admitted but finally ruled out by the imperial authorities.
The Theological and Esoteric Debate on the Existence of Vampires (17th–19th centuries). 1. Dead People Chewing in Their Graves
In the seventeenth century, the German “nachzehrer” and the Greek “vrykolakas” were precursors of vampires that started interesting theologians and scholars.
The Bordeaux Videos: Spotlight on the Unification Church and Japan’s Religious Liberty Crisis
At the CESNUR 2024 conference, scholars, attorneys, and members of the church presented papers and testimonies. Videos are now available (with Japanese subtitles).
Religious Minorities in the Eye of Media Cyclones: From BAYS to MISA
The Latin American Parliament in Panama hosted one of the most important gatherings on religious liberty in recent times. Fautré told the attending politicians, diplomats, and scholars how media cooperate with biased prosecutors in spreading fake news about groups stigmatized as “cults.”
Blood Transfusions and Jehovah’s Witnesses: Why the European Court of Human Rights Ruled Against Spain
The Grand Chamber unanimously ruled that a competent adult patient has the right to refuse any medical treatment, including blood transfusion.
Japan and the Unification Church: The Duval Report. 5. State-Sponsored Deprogramming
Children whose parents are NRMs members are dealt with by anti-cult “counselors” in their schools.
Japan and the Unification Church: The Duval Report. 4. Enactment of New Laws
After the Abe assassination, statutes limiting the freedom of “controversial” religions to solicit donations further endangered religious liberty.
Universal Peace Federation and Women’s Federation for World Peace Take Japan’s Religious Liberty Crisis to the United Nations
In Geneva, a special briefing and two oral statements at the UN Human Rights Council reminded the international community that what is happening is a serious threat to freedom of religion with global implications.