CELEBRITY NUTRITIONIST OPENS UP ABOUT HER DARK CHILDHOOD IN A CULT

High-profile nutritionist Rosemary Stanton reveals her unhappy childhood in the Exclusive Brethren sect. "I've been brought up in this very strict religious sect," she told A Current Affair. "It's really wrong to subject children to that."

Members believe they are chosen by God and are waiting for the Rapture - a moment when the 'saints on earth' will be moved onto the next life, while those who aren't pure remain on earth.

Believers live in constant fear of the 'wrath of God' from a young age and cannot have toys, pets or association from people from other groups.

'It was a very exclusive group, we weren't supposed to have anything to do with other people,' she said, explaining that they couldn't grow up with other children.

'We weren't supposed to read books, we didn't have make-up, we had to have long hair, we weren't allowed to wear boys clothes like jeans or long pants or any of those sorts of things.'

"Females were not allowed to attend university and all females wore a ribbon, bow or scarf across their head from a young age to signify 'you accept the headship (authority) of men."

http://ow.ly/ZP4P8

We at FACT would like to thank all of the ex-members...

We are pleased to report that the FACT / CBS exposes released about Guy Miller Ministries have effected positive change in McKeesport, PA, according to an ex-member:

"On behalf of everyone, I cannot thank you guys enough for all of your hard work...I know that this has already done a great deal of 'damage' against him in the community because of the leverage the media expose had. People have opened their eyes and started talking about him, so that is amazing in its own sense."

We at FACT would like to thank all of the ex-members who have courageously come forward to take a stand, speak up and voice their experiences, as difficult as it was to do.

"...it only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche.” - Dianna Hardy

WHEN ORGANIZED RELIGION BECOMES A CULT

"Any religious community can become a cult. It's not about how faith is expressed in a community but more importantly how people are treated if they want to leave and disbelieve."

"In order to prevent crossing the line from religion to cult, communities need to purge themselves of dogma, intolerance and ostracizing those with different beliefs, so their adherents have true choice on how to live their lives."

http://ow.ly/YZmSh

HOW ISIS RECRUITS CHILDREN, THEN KILLS THEM

ISIS is recruiting child soldiers at an unprecedented rate. A new study tracks dozens of child fighters who have died for ISIS and warns about an alarming new trend of recruitment and indoctrination.

http://ow.ly/YZpKE

I USED TO BE IN A CULT AND HERE’S WHAT IT DID TO MY BRAIN

I USED TO BE IN A CULT AND HERE’S WHAT IT DID TO MY BRAIN:

An interesting TED Talk about the psychology of cult manipulation and indoctrination.

"If we hope to prevent extremist terrorism we have to begin with understanding the mental condition of extremist leaders. We also need to understand the mental condition of those most vulnerable to extremist tactics. Finally, we need to understand manipulation, the vehicle that connects the extremist leader and it’s victims."

RABBI CONS WOMAN OUT OF $214,000

According to published reports, Rabbi Chaim Sharabi has successfully styled himself as a clairvoyant, selling everything from promises of wealth and marriage to lucky amulets.

One woman got her heartstrings played by this grifting Jewish mystic, who promised to find her a husband and three lucky magic Torahs for a payment of $214,000, a new lawsuit claims.

Cecilia Lifschitz says she handed over the huge sum in a desperate bid to find a life mate — but the hustling holy man never came through with what he promised.

“Defendants had every reason to know Plaintiff would do anything, including paying a large sum of money, to get married,” the lawsuit states.

http://ow.ly/ZS70P

LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH (LCLC) - INVESTIGATION UPDATE

LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH (LCLC) - INVESTIGATION UPDATE:

We contacted CBS News in Pittsburg, PA to alert them about another church in their area that is allegedly manipulating, exploiting and controlling members and breaking up many families. CBS has agreed to do a report on the LCLC and we are working closely with their lead reporter and the alleged victims to bring the truth to light about this organization.

Numerous ex-members have come forward to take part in the investigation / on-air expose, and we at FACT thank them for their courage to tell their stories on camera in an effort to expose and effect change.

If you believe you've been victimized by the Lakeview Christian Life Church (or know someone who has been) and would like to take part in this investigation / expose, please contact FACT immediately via this link.

FEDS DEAL DOUBLE BLOW TO FLDS AND THE JEFFS BROTHERS

The U.S. Justice Department dealt a double blow to FLDS leadership on Monday:

In Phoenix, a federal jury found that church leaders controlled the municipal governments of two cities that discriminated against nonbelievers. And in Salt Lake City, a federal magistrate ordered Jeffs' brother, Lyle, the so-called bishop of the two towns, to remain behind bars as he awaits trial in an alleged food stamp swindle and money laundering scheme.

Three Jeffs brothers -- Warren, Lyle and Seth -- are now behind bars, creating what would appear to be a leadership vacuum in the FLDS. Warren Jeffs continues to hold sway over the sect from prison, according to testimony at the civil trial in Phoenix.

Amos Guiora, a law professor at the University of Utah stated, "It signals that we are not going to tolerate intolerance," Guiora said. "We're not going to tolerate crimes committed in the name of religion."

http://ow.ly/Zzbz0

publlix

CULT LEADER / PREDATOR KATSURA KAN HIRED AGAIN TO TEACH STUDENTS

CULT LEADER / PREDATOR KATSURA KAN HIRED AGAIN TO TEACH STUDENTS:

We've just learned that Katsura Kan has been hired to teach a workshop to students in Kyoto, Japan from March 24-27, 2016. (For those unaware, Kan is responsible for the death of Sharon Stern, a student of his that he manipulated and exploited physically, mentally, sexually, and financially.)

We are sending detailed warning letters with evidence to the organizers of the 'Kyoto Experiment' who hired Kan, to the local press in Kyoto, and also to city officials and other important relevant entities in an effort to safeguard students from this predatory teacher.

If you would like to help us in our efforts:

1) Please create a new Gmail account to send from (without any personal identifying information)
2) Copy and paste the brief email below and send it to: info@kyoto-ex.jp

------------

Dear Event Organizer,

Katsura Kan is a known sociopath and predator in the USA; he uses his position as a Butoh teacher to manipulate and exploit his vulnerable students, especially young females. One of his past students is dead as the result of his influence and he is currently being sued by her estate (in the middle of the litigation).

Please don't allow any more students to be harmed by Kan. I ask that you please fire him from his position and never hire him again in the future. After what he has done, he should never be allowed to teach and/or interact with students again.

Sincerely,

First Name, Last Initial

------------

Guy Miller Ministries Exposed - CBS NEWS REPORT

CHURCH MINISTRY EXPOSED: Guy Miller Ministries

Our recent online expose about Guy Miller Ministries led to a CBS News investigation which aired just last week.

Over a dozen ex-members contacted us, claiming to have experienced and/or witnessed acts of child abuse, member abuse and exploitation, financial exploitation, shunning, and more. Since the airing, many more victims have come forward confirming the terrible allegations against Miller’s church.

COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST - LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH

COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST 'LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN LIFE CHURCH'

LOCATION: 1 Lakeview Pl, Bridgeville, PA 15017
LEADER(S): Pastor Norman H. James II, Pastor Christopher Otis
EIN: 25-1250678

We've received some complaints about the Lakeview Christian Life Church that claim this church is being run like a cult group. The pastors leading the church are allegedly controlling the lives of congregants, breaking up families, exploiting members financially and more.

If you would like to file a formal complaint or have any relevant information to share about this organization, please contact us immediately at: http://ow.ly/ZjYXt

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – CONCLUSION

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – CONCLUSION

Location: Monterey Bay and San Francisco, CA
AKA (Personal): Marc Winiarz, Mordechai Gafni
AKA (Business): The Center For World Spirituality, The Center For Integral Wisdom
Websites: www.marcgafni.com, www.centerforintegralwisdom.org
EIN: 46-1051882

It’s incredible that with so many strong allegations and evidence against Marc Gafni that somehow he is able to continually move on, reinvent himself and convince new supporters that he is actually the victim. However, we believe it is getting to the point where it will be too difficult for him to continue to pull the wool over people’s eyes. Consider the words of one of his ex-wives, who arguably would know him better than anyone.

“On New Year’s Day, one of Gafni’s three ex-wives posted a Times of Israel blog post. In it she pleaded: ‘Please God, help Marc Gafni undo himself. Let his inner demon loosen his grip. Let it end already. For the sake of his victims, past and future, for the sake of his own broken inner-innocence… And help the rest of us – his victims, his critics, and even his hoodwinked supporters. We have all failed. We failed by praising his genius while ignoring his demons… We failed by honoring the powerful while silencing the victims.”

If you would like to join FACT in support of these victims and in our efforts to stop Marc Gafni from potentially exploiting and abusing again, please start by signing this petition:

https://www.change.org/p/whole-foods-www-esalen-com-stop-marc-gafni-from-abusing-again

It was created by a group of more than one hundred rabbis saying “We, along with all who sign this petition, stand together with those who were his victims and call upon those who support Marc (Mordechai) Gafni to cut all financial and institutional ties with him. As of now the petition has garnered over 3400 online signatures and includes comments from people claiming to have had “unfavorable contact” with Gafni.

“Unfortunately so many victims staying quiet over the years, combined with Gafni’s ability to use his considerable charm and intellect to impress and manipulate others, have allowed him to maintain a life-long cycle consisting of repeated acts of predatory behavior, discovery and scandal, image-rehabilitation, and leadership comebacks unabated. We believe it is time for this pattern to finally stop.” - Gafni victim coalition
For more information on how you can help in this effort, please contact us directly. Thank you for reading, liking and sharing our expose on Marc Gafni with others.

-The FACT Team

http://www.timesofisrael.com/controversial-ex-rabbi-gafni-and-an-alleged-victim-square-off/
https://www.change.org/p/whole-foods-www-esalen-com-stop-marc-gafni-from-abusing-again

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE - PART 4

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE - PART 4

AKA (Personal): Marc Winiarz, Mordechai Gafni
AKA (Business): The Center For World Spirituality, The Center For Integral Wisdom
Location: Monterey Bay and San Francisco, CA
Websites: www.Marcgafni.com, www.centerforintegralwisdom.org
EIN: 46-1051882


Due to the numerous surfacing allegations against Marc Gafni, already some 25 New Age leaders — including Deepak Chopra, the best-selling author; Andrew Harvey, founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism; Craig Hamilton, CEO of Evolving Wisdom; author Jean Houston; and Stephen Dinan, CEO of The Shift Network — have signed a public statement disavowing themselves from Gafni. The leaders, who sent out their statement to 180,000 subscribers to The Shift Network, said they had “concluded, based upon direct experience, investigation, or conversation with trusted allies, that we cannot endorse Marc Gafni as a teacher in any way.”

One of Gafni’s biggest supporters however has decided to remain by his side. John Mackey, founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods market, considers Gafni to be “a bold visionary.” He is a proponent of Marc Gafni’s philosophy of “conscious capitalism” and the chairman of the executive board for Gafni’s center.

We at FACT have personally reached out to Mr. Mackey, asking him to join us in showing support for the dozens of alleged victims of Gafni. As of now we have yet to hear a response from him. If you would like to read our letter, please find it below on this post.

Also, a group of more than one hundred rabbis has launched an online petition, demanding that Whole Foods sever ties with Gafni. As of now the petition has garnered more than 3400 online signatures and includes comments from people claiming to have had “unfavorable contact” with Gafni. The petition can be found here:

https://www.change.org/p/whole-foods-www-esalen-com-stop-marc-gafni-from-abusing-again

Monday we will be concluding our expose on Marc Gafni, so stay tuned…

Sources:
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/national/gafni-faces-fallout-new-age-community
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/us/marc-gafni-center-for-integral-wisdom.html?_r=0

______________

Dear Mr. Mackey, 

My name is Tibor Stern and I am the president of Families Against Cult Teachings, F.A.C.T., a 501c3 non-profit organization I founded after my daughter tragically committed suicide. Her death was the result of the manipulation, exploitation and abuse brought upon her by a corrupt teacher / guru. Since then I have made it my life’s mission to stop predators like this from victimizing followers and destroying families. Judging from what I have read about you, I believe that you are a very intelligent man who not only cares about the planet but also about its people. As such, I invite you to show your support for the many victims of corrupt spiritual leaders and gurus who manipulate and take advantage of those who believe in them.

A little about us: our organization’s work is to investigate, monitor, and fight cult groups / leaders, rescue victims and aid in their rehabilitation, in addition to educating and bringing awareness to the public.

Unfortunately the problem is widespread, as evidenced by the thousands of support requests and complaints received by our organization from all over the country. It is truly a “hidden epidemic” within our society with more than 5,000 different cult groups possessing over 6 million members.

If you are willing, I would like to speak with you sometime to discuss the issue more in depth. My family has been destroyed by my daughter’s death and I am asking you to show your support for the victims of spiritual leaders (like the victims of Marc Gafni). Please join us in whatever way you wish to help prevent future abuses and tragedies from happening to any more people and families. 

Thank you for your time and consideration with this very important matter. 

Sincerely, 


Tibor Stern
President of F.A.C.T.

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – PART 3

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – PART 3 - Bayit Chadash

Location: Monterey Bay and San Francisco, CA
AKA (Personal): Marc Winiarz, Mordechai Gafni
AKA (Business): The Center For World Spirituality, The Center For Integral Wisdom
Websites: www.Marcgafni.com, www.centerforintegralwisdom.org
EIN: 46-1051882


On May 9, 2006, three young women filed complaints of abuse with the Israeli police against Rabbi Gafni, who was then head of Bayit Chadash (The New Home), a Jewish spiritual community in Israel. The women were his students and each had suffered through periods of abuse and trauma, thinking she was the only one, and after finally speaking out, became aware there were others who had also been harmed in similar ways. From the article written in Haaretz, "The women's complaints say that the Rabbi exploited them sexually by abusing his authority over them." Less then 24 hours after being told about the complaints filed with the police, Gafni fled Israel never to return. Soon after the head of the foundation decided to fire Gafni from all his positions. According to the head of the foundation, as written in the article, "We have no doubt that these women are speaking the truth." The article also states that Gafni does not deny the allegations. In a public letter sent May 15, 2006, Gafni took responsibility for his actions, apologized, and acknowledged that he was sick. He also said he would stop teaching, and made a commitment to get serious treatment at an in-house facility immediately. He has since expressed regret for his public apology, has revoked any claims of sickness, and, rather than taking responsibility, has been trying to portray himself as an innocent victim.

Gafni's letter to Aleph (Alliance for Jewish Renewal) and his public statement can both be found here: http://nhne-pulse.org/rabbi-marc-gafni-sexual-improprieties/

From his letter to Aleph: "I must act now to discover what led to me to make these damaging choices that hurt people I care about, hurt my community, and hurt the people who have supported me for years in building Bayit Chadash. In light of all that has happened I am leaving all of my rabbinic teaching capacities."

According to the Gafni victim coalition, since May 2006, dozens of women and men have come forward and shared their till-then undisclosed stories of manipulation, exploitation, and emotional and sexual abuse at his hands over the years. In addition, he has been removed from at least nine organizations where he was a teacher and/or leader, every time due to abuses in the areas of power and sexuality. These are the places they are aware of; there may be others as well:

o JPSY (Jewish Public School Youth), New York
o Boca Raton Synagogue, Florida
o Tzufim settlement, West Bank, Israel
o Kfar Saba settlement, West Bank, Israel
o Isralight, Jerusalem
o Livnot U'Lehibanot, Jerusalem
o Melitz: Center for Jewish Education, Jerusalem
o Milah: The Jerusalem Institute for Education
o Bayit Chadash, Tel Aviv/Jaffa


One of his earliest victims who has been outspoken against Gafni states, “Every time a story comes up about him he just moves on to another community. He just keeps moving.”

PART 4: Tomorrow's focus is on the co-founder of Whole Foods, John Mackey, who maintains his support for Gafni in the face of the numerous allegations and our effort to reach out to him.


Sources:
http://nhne-pulse.org/rabbi-marc-gafni-sexual-improprieties/
http://jewschool.com/2006/05/10587/gafnis-letter-to-aleph/
http://jewishsurvivors.blogspot.com/2006/05/call-to-all-survivors-of-rabbi-marc.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/controversial-ex-rabbi-gafni-and-an-alleged-victim-square-off/
Haaretz article (not online)
Maariv article (not online)

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – PART 2

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – PART 2

AKA (Personal): Marc Winiarz, Mordechai Gafni
AKA (Business): The Center For World Spirituality, The Center For Integral Wisdom Location: Monterey Bay and San Francisco, CA
Websites: www.Marcgafni.com, www.centerforintegralwisdom.org EIN: 46-1051882

For ex-rabbi turned guru Marc Gafni, the last 30 years of his life have been filled with scandal and controversy. Complaint after complaint has been filed against him, especially regarding sexual abuse (including with minors as young as ages 13 and 16).

The allegations started when Gafni was 19, where he had repeated sexual encounters over a nine-month period with a 13 (and then 14) year old girl. Mr. Gafni was quoted as saying that they had been in love and that “she was 14 going on 35, and I never forced her.” In a recent interview, the victim, who asked not to be identified, said that the encounters were not at all consensual. She publicly testified that he repeatedly and forcibly molested her, while Gafni stated that he was physically intimate with her but claimed that the relationship was based on consensual puppy love. “He believed it was a mutually consensual relationship,” she said. "Which was really horrifying because it was sexual violence, it was physical."

Later, when Gafni was 26 and married, he was accused of molesting a 16-year-old girl. When she spoke up at the time about what happened, he discredited her calling her a liar, and then persuaded prominent leaders to sign documents saying he was innocent. He said that it was “a one-time event” and that she, who was “highly initiatory,” came on to him. “I never initiated anything with him,” she said. It started with compliments and extra attention, eventually leading to the night when the rabbi appeared in her basement bedroom. “You look like you need a hug,” he told her. Gafni wound up on top of the stunned 16-year-old, his hands wandering under her nightgown, despite her repeated protestations, she said. Their second encounter went further, with Gafni removing their clothes before he “took my hand and forced me to help him climax. I had never even seen a man naked before.”
She said the abuse left her suicidal. “I was a victim of this horrible man’s sexual, emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse,” she stated in a recent petition started against Gafni. “The reason nobody else talks about it is because they are petrified of him. He’s a sociopath, there’s this fear of him.”

For these poor victims there is no closure and no chance for true justice (statute of limitations). They must live with the horrors inflicted upon them for the rest of their lives. We certainly applaud their courage to stand up against Gafni in an effort to educate and warn potential victims. So few victims do, allowing their perpetrators to continue exploiting and abusing others.

PART THREE COMING TOMORROW on the “Bayit Chadash” scandal. Stay tuned…


Sources:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3253650,00.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/us/marc-gafni-center-for-integral-wisdom.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/marc-gafni-denies-sexual-misconduct-allegations-article-1.2483567

Guy Miller Ministries CBS Expose Airing Tonight!

GUY MILLER MINISTRIES EXPOSE on CBS News Airing Tonight at 6pm EST.

Check out the preview here: http://ow.ly/YZSPR

Once it airs, it will be available on their website for viewing in a few days (supposedly).

MARC GAFNI EXPOSE – INTRODUCTION

EXPOSE on MARC GAFNI – PART 1 - INTRODUCTION

AKA (Personal): Marc Winiarz, Mordechai Gafni
AKA (Business): The Center For World Spirituality, The Center For Integral Wisdom Location: Monterey Bay and San Francisco, CA
Websites: www.Marcgafni.com, www.centerforintegralwisdom.org EIN: 46-1051882

Exactly who Marc Gafni is varies depending on who is answering the question. To his supporters he’s a spiritual visionary; to his critics and alleged victims, he’s a sexual predator. For those unfamiliar with him, he is a self-proclaimed spiritual leader and teacher of concepts such as “Outrageous Love” for humanity and the world and “Conscious Evolution”. Unfortunately however, there is a great hypocrisy between what he teaches vs. what his actions are in the real world.
Recently our organization received an influx of complaints about him from victims, which prompted us at FACT to get involved. In an effort to prevent any more people falling victim to his manipulations, exploitations and abuse, we have put together this five-part expose.

According to religion journalist Mark Oppenheimer, the victim allegations include “assault, statutory rape, emotional abuse, and exploitation of the counselor-student power dynamic.” There are also sexual abuse allegations from female victims as young as 13 and 16 years of age.

Many new age spiritual leaders, such as Deepak Chopra, have renounced their support, as well as over 100 rabbis including Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, who ordained Gafni, but later rescinded the ordination.
Despite the dozens of allegations against Gafni, he still retains some major supporters. One of his strongest proponents is John Mackey, the founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods. FACT personally contacted Mr. Mackey concerning his support for Gafni. We asked him to reevaluate his position and instead to support the dozens of alleged victims of Gafni. We have yet to hear a reply.

“Having first-hand experience of Gafni’s dangerous proclivities, as well as being very familiar with the strategies he uses to convince others he is harmless, we feel a moral obligation to break our silence, in order to help insure that no one else is exploited and abused due to lack of information.” - from the Marc Gafni victim coalition

Tomorrow we’ll dig into his dark past, shedding light onto who Marc Gafni really is. Stay tuned…

BREAKING NEWS: Grand Jury Finds Widespread Child Sex Abuse By Almost 50 Priests For Over 40 Years

"Hundreds of children in western Pennsylvania were sexually assaulted by about 50 Roman Catholic priests over four decades while bishops covered up their actions, according to a state grand jury report released on Tuesday."

"The heinous crimes these children endured are absolutely unconscionable," Kane told reporters in unveiling the report, based on a two-year investigation. "These predators desecrated a sacred trust and preyed upon their victims in the very places where they should have felt most safe."

"The report found that former Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Bishop James Hogan, who died in 2005, and his successor, Joseph Adamec, who retired in 2011, worked to cover pedophile priests' tracks and that some local law enforcement agencies also avoided investigating abuse allegations, said state Attorney General Kathleen Kane."