The June 2025 issue of the magazine “Seiron” allows the church leader to present his version of the facts. “Bitter Winter” publishes an English translation of extensive excerpts from the interview.
Testimonies Global
PierLuigi Zoccatelli, CESNUR, and the “Encyclopedia of Religions in Italy”
The late scholar’s “crazy idea” was to create an interpretative rather than merely descriptive tool encompassing the entire Italian religious landscape.
The MISA Case: Georgia Bows to French Pressures and Extradites the Stoians
The two yoga teachers are accused of the imaginary crime of brainwashing for having taught students the movement’s sacred eroticism theories.
The Fragile Balance of Press Freedom and Religious Liberty: The Harmful Impact of the Stigmatizing Language
Media often remain silent on religious persecution and discriminate against unpopular groups by calling them “cults.”
The Jesus Christians. 10. The Return of Deprogramming
The experience of two young members of the group demonstrates that deprogrammers are still very much active.
The Jesus Christians. 9. The Human Trafficking Case in Argentina
A moral panic about “cults” practicing “human trafficking” also hit the Argentine branch of the group. But they won the court case.
The Jesus Christians. 8. “Kidneys for Jesus”
The group is primarily famous for its altruistic donations of kidneys to patients whom donors do not know.
The Jesus Christians. 7. The Whipping Trials
In an idiosyncratic application of the Christian theology of “vicarious atonement,” group members agreed to be whipped in three cases for the sins of others.
The Jesus Christians. 6. Accusations of “Kidnapping”
Like other religious movements, the group was accused by its opponents of luring and “brainwashing” prospective converts.
The Jesus Christians. 5. Answering the “Left Behind” Book Series
By publishing novels of their own, challenging the famous end-of-the-world franchise, the group presented its post-tribulationist millennialism.