The “cult” rhetoric obscures what happened in Jonestown, the Solar Temple, Heaven’s Gate, and Kanungu—and why.
Testimonies Global
Religion, Esotericism, and Suicide. 3. Jain Sallekhana, Buddhist Self-Immolation, Islamic Suicide Terrorism
While Jains seek spiritual liberation at the end of life, Buddhist self-immolation and Muslim suicidal bombing are different forms of politico-religious actions.
Religion, Esotericism, and Suicide. 2. Masada Jews and Hindu Widows
Two very different cases of self-immolation: Jewish warriors at Masada, Indian women in the Sati ritual.
Religion, Esotericism, and Suicide. 1. Religions Against Suicide
Almost all religions condemn suicide. Why, then, does “ritual” suicide also exist?
Russia: A Letter from Vissarion
The leader of the Church of Last Testament, sentenced to twelve years in a penal colony, managed to smuggle a letter out of his jail. It is his version of what happened.
Putin’s Global Casting Call: How Slave Soldiers Ended Up on the Russian Front
Recruited in their countries and told they will work in construction or domestic security, deceived immigrants from Africa and Asia are compelled to fight in the Ukrainian War.
The Anti-Unification Church Movement in Japan. 3. Why the Dissolution Order Now
Causes include the lack of scholars sympathetic to new religious movements and the post-Cold War political situation.
The Anti-Unification Church Movement in Japan. 2. Left-Wing Forces
The Unification movement’s International Federation for Victory over Communism greatly upset the Socialists and Communists. They reacted.
The Anti-Unification Church Movement in Japan. 1. Christian Pastors and Opposing Parents
Clergy who viewed Unificationists as heretics and parents who thought their children had been brainwashed formed the initial opposition.
AROPL and the Rise of New Age Anti-Cultism 5. “New” and “Old” Anti-Cultists
There are signs that “traditional” anti-cultists are ready to enroll even the most lunatic “New Age” figures in their crusade.