The F.A.C.T. 2016 Year-End Report

Dear Supporters,

We are proud to report that FACT has been very successful this year in all areas of our mission, but especially with victim support and suicide prevention. Our coordinated efforts with families who requested our help have led to the recovery of many children and loved ones. We have also seen great progress in our fight against destructive groups all around the country. Our coordination with the proper enforcement and legal entities, in addition to our exposure efforts, have pressured cult group leaders to stop manipulating, exploiting and abusing their members, even resulting at times in the shutting down of group operations, the release of victims and many other positive outcomes.

We wish we could share with you all the details of our success stories, but unfortunately due to the legalities involved with our work we must keep all casework information confidential. We would like to share with you however just some of the communications FACT has received this year from ex-members of cults, families, and the public this year: 



Our outreach, education and awareness efforts have also more than doubled this year, primarily through our extensive online efforts to reach more people with information about currently active destructive groups. As a result, we have received thousands of support requests and cult complaints via phone and email, and have done our best to help everyone in need considering our budget restraints. As such, we have prioritized our support resources for children, elderly and suicidal victims, and also for those in immediate danger. Here are some examples from recent complaints we have received:

"They are after my possessions, my money, and have told me if I can't pay them they will force me into prostitution for their financial gain. Meanwhile, the demeaning activity continues, the physical abuse is a daily occurrence I have told all my family and friends and police. I have reached the end of my rope with them. I need help ASAP.” - Elderly Cult Victim

"A few months ago we found out he [preacher] was having sex in front of a 14 year boy while the boy played with his self. I have been told this is sexual child abuse, I have tried to report it to the authorities but as of right now nothing has been done.”  - Cult Victim

"I was introduced to this cult at the age of 8 when my parents joined the Church of God. I have been on disability for 12 years, suffering from PTSD, among other health issues because of my religious trauma… As a child I was subjected to physical/emotional abuse, bribes to comply, no food or electricity for punishment and isolation from peers. I have had psychiatric treatment since age 15 without ease…" - Cult Victim

We are fundraising for next year and need your immediate support in order to continue with our important mission. Please know, we are the only non-profit of our kind that exists within the anti-cult community doing this kind of work. All of our financial support goes toward education, prevention and intervention efforts to save lives, and we must consult with and hire on a consistent basis professionals from around the country, such as psychiatrists, educators, lawyers, private investigators, not to mention the qualified staff that keep our organization running strong.

Needless to say the expenses add up significantly and we need your generous support now to continue operating full steam ahead for 2017. Please know that 100% of your donation will be tax-deductible and will go entirely toward our mission.

We are hopeful that with your help we will be able to reunite many more families next year. Please help cult victims and families everywhere get the help they need by making your year-end contribution now.

Thank you for your support,

The F.A.C.T. Team

LEAH REMINI CALLS SCIENTOLOGY’S BLUFF: If I lied about anything, sue me

In a interview on Larry King Now, reformed Scientologist Leah Remini challenged the church’s criticism of her reality show 'Scientology and the Aftermath', arguing if they want to call her and her fellow defectors liars, “they should sue.”

Remini noted Scientologists are “not a group that is scared of a lawsuit.” “They’re a litigious group—so if that were true, they would simply sue us and I welcome them to do that,” she said. “What I’m not going to stand for is an organization with this kind of money to continue to do things like that, and to bully people, and to harass people, to defraud people out of their lives, their money, but more importantly their families, and I’m just not going to sit around and watch it happen.

http://ow.ly/nws0307sA11

Complaint Filed Against House of Prayer Christian Church - HOPCC

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST 'HOUSE OF PRAYER' HOPCC LOCATION: Hinesville, GA WEBSITE: http://houseofprayerhinesvillega.strikingly.com/

We are looking into a complaint that alleges this church is forcibly relocating children around to different churches within the organization and separating families. The complaint further states that marriages are being torn apart (by the will of God), that members are being manipulated and exploited financially to the point of poverty, and that all members have been commanded recently to get passports in preparation for a mass move to Jerusalem.

If you would like to file a formal complaint against this group as well, or have any relevant information to share about them, please contact us immediately via this link: http://ow.ly/ZjYXt

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST Ordo Templi Orientis O.T.O

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O)
LOCATION: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
WEBSITE: http://www.swirlingstar-oto.org

We are looking into a complaint that alleges this group destroyed a man's family, separating him from his beloved wife and three children.

Prior to involvement with this group, the victim states that his spouse was very devoted and loving and totally committed to their relationship and family. The allegation further states that after this group recruited and indoctrinated his wife, she left him to go live permanently with members of this group, taking their three young children with her. This group is alleged to be involved in satanic sex and pedophilic rituals according to the victim.

If you would like to file a formal complaint against this group as well, or have any relevant information to share about the O.T.O, please contact us immediately.

DO YOU HAVE A KID IN COLLEGE?

If so, our FACT Sheets are the perfect educational materials to share with them. Your kids will learn all about how cults recruit and indoctrinate members, and how they can protect themselves against destructive groups looking to manipulate and exploit them. 

To download and print our free FACT Sheets.

STORIES FROM THOSE INVOLVED IN CULTS

Thousands of people responded to a blog post asking this question: Have you ever been involved with a cult? What was your experience?

"I was given to men by request. I was once held down by 4 men, while a group of maybe a dozen other men exorcised me. They believed I was possessed by a demon because of my inability to be like them, to "get with the program". I was spanked, beaten, and whipped most my life. Simply put, I was terrified my entire childhood. I lived every second of my life in fear."

"I was born and raised in a cult, and considered myself a member up until I left my parents' home at the age of 18. The group I was associated with is not well known, but the effects on the members are tragic and undeniable. We were literally brainwashed."

"I have been locked in rooms for 3 days and night to "fast and pray". I've been denied contact with other humans for weeks, or even months, to get closer to God."

"I was born and raised in a small communal Bible-based cult in the US. I was a part of the cult until I was 27. Daily life revolved around a church and the pastor's wife, who ran the cult. The children were raised to be workers in the church and to give their lives for what the leader wanted... We were not allowed to have friends outside the church, to live anywhere except a church-owned house, or leave the church without escort or express permission. As kids grew up and went to college, they were discouraged from getting jobs to pay for school, but instead heavily encouraged (coerced) to max out student loans and give the money to the church. Student's class schedules were denied or approved, as the leadership saw fit. The single family unit was destroyed and everyone was pressured into viewing the group as one big family."

http://ow.ly/qiKx303tmWn

HOW DANGEROUS CAN DESTRUCTIVE GROUPS GET?

Learn about seven of the most notorious #cults of all time:

WHAT COMPRISES A CULT?

10 WARNING SIGNS OF A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE GROUP OR LEADER:

• Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.

• No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.

• No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget or expenses, such as an independently audited financial statement.

• Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.

• There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.

• Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.

• There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the group/leader.

• Followers feel they can never be "good enough".

• The group/leader is always right.

• The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

GODS OF THE NEW AGE

This film explores the eerie world of ego-maniacal gurus and their Western counterparts, known as "New Agers". In a series of exclusive, candid interviews, you will share the thoughts of the Hindu "Master", and witness the blind devotion and unquestioning obedience of his disciples.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST Grace Communion International

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST ‘World Wide Church of God / Grace Communion'
LOCATION: Hickory, NC
WEBSITE: https://www.gci.org

We are looking into a complaint that alleges this church is being run like a cult. The victim claims that as a child she was brought into the cult by her parents, then physically and emotionally abused while in the group, isolated, punished cruelly and more. Now as an adult she suffers from PTSD and other mental health ailments from her trauma, and is estranged from her family.

If you would like to file a formal complaint against this group or have any relevant information to share, please contact us.

Leah Remini reveals she's being stalked by Scientology

LEAH REMINI reveals that she’s been stalked during production of her new TV series:

“I’m used to people following me. But I’m used to them being paparazzi. They’re people who have cameras in their hands, and you know what they want. I’ve never been a fan of the paparazzi. But this was different,” she says. “I want to expose the private investigators that Scientology is sending to follow people like me. This causes me some concern. I have a child. And if you’re a cop who became a dirty cop, I have an issue with it.”

Leah Remini’s A&E television series about the Church of Scientology premieres on November 29, 2016. 

For more information about this story or about Scientology in general, please visit Tony Ortega's excellent website that 'tells all'. http://ow.ly/p5Hh305WJ7U

'HOMESTEAD HERITAGE' CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

Ex-members of the Homestead Heritage Church community talk about their horrible experiences growing up in this group, in Part Two of the WFAA ABC news report.

Veteran investigative journalist Brett Shipp says, in his entire career, he’s never had to work so hard to corroborate allegations of an important story:

“What started out at a lone complaint from a former member (who later decided it was too risky to continue providing me with information) evolved into a laborious quest to track down and authenticate allegations of abuse.” he says. “So many people who started to tell their stories backed out for fear of severing ties with family and friends within the compound … many took months to convince to talk … Some would only talk on background, others were able to provide me with compelling evidence but wished to remain anonymous. Only the extremely brave or determined dared speak out.”

Jerry Stocking Investigation

JERRY STOCKING, sex coach / guru and practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming (a form of hypnosis), who has written numerous articles focusing on the importance of sex in a relationship (and how to improve it), is all of a sudden writing about love without sex and deemphasizing its importance.

It is very odd to us that he would be changing his position now when FACT is looking into all complaints made against him regarding allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. A coincidence perhaps, but we believe it is due to our investigation of the very serious sexual misconduct allegations against him.

JERRY STOCKING

JERRY STOCKING, sex coach / guru and practitioner of Neuro-linguistic Programming (a form of hypnosis), who has written numerous articles focusing on sex in a relationship (and how to improve it), is all of a sudden writing about love without sex and deemphasizing its importance.

It is very odd to us that he would be changing his position now when FACT is looking into all complaints made against him regarding allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. A coincidence perhaps, but we believe it is due to our investigation.

abc news investigation uncovering child abuse at the Homestead Heritage community

Cult affiliation primarily affects three groups of individuals: the cult member, the immediate family (parents and siblings) and the children of the member, who are considered the most susceptible to the worst kind of abuses.

To understand just how terrible it can be for a helpless child growing up in a destructive group, watch this recent news report about a church community called Homestead Heritage. Ex-members who were raised as children in the community reveal the behind-the-scenes truth of growing up in such a horrible environment.

Part One of this ABC News WFAA Investigation.

Is STEFAN MOLYNEUX a cult leader?

Many of his ex-follwers seem to think so, and have published many videos, blogs and websites stating their experiences and reasoning. One of the best websites in our opinion to really break it all down, both positively and negatively, is this one:

http://thoughtsonliberty.com/the-truth-about-stefan-molyneux

"I see how he uses his prejudices to make himself money, destroy other people’s relationships and lives, and lead them to conclusions which are not based in critical thought..."
Also, this youtube search is filled with not so favorable video testimonies and commentaries about him:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Stefan+Molyneux+cult

If you are considering following him or are already a follower, we urge you to review the information and watch the videos published about him, then judge for yourself.

LEV TAHOR RESETTLES AGAIN AFTER RAIDS FROM CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

The leader of the Lev Tahor community, rabbi Uriel Goldman, said his people are moving to a village in eastern Guatemala because of "harassment" including a raid of the group’s buildings on September 13 on the outskirts of the capital.
Guatemalan authorities said that search was carried out at the request of Israeli authorities to search for a girl who was barred from leaving Israel. The raid was also aimed at investigating allegations of child abuse, the Guatemalan authorities said. The community includes some 150 minors.

http://ow.ly/EAPe305BM1T

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST SAI MAA

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST 'SAI MAA'
LOCATION: Denver, CO
http://www.sai-maa.com/en/about-sai-maa

We received a complaint about Sai Maa that alleges she is running her group like a cult. The victim claims that she had to drop out of school due to psychological and emotional issues that resulted from her involvement with Sai Maa's organization.

Also, the victim states that Maa is manipulating and exploiting members sexually and that families and friendships are being broken up by her influence.

If you would like to file a formal complaint or have any relevant information to share about this organization, please contact us.

To clarify the importance behind the wrongful death lawsuit against Katsura Kan

As a follow-up to our post yesterday about the hiring of Katsura Kan by the Vangeline Theater in NYC, we would like to clarify the importance behind the wrongful death lawsuit currently in action against this sociopathic predator.

There are over 5000 cult groups / leaders in the U.S. alone, not to mention the many thousands of other individuals who seek to manipulate, exploit and harm innocent people for their own selfish gain. We at FACT are following this lawsuit very closely and sharing all case updates and information available in an effort to not only educate and prevent future victims, but also to warn all guru predators out there who brainwash and exploit people without worry of any legal repercussions. This case will set a very important legal precedent that can be used against other conniving and abusive cult leaders, so please stay tuned for all the latest developments.

If you would like to help us in our education and awareness efforts, please like and share yesterday’s post in addition to this one to help us expose, educate and prevent more victims of Katsura Kan and like-minded cult leader gurus.

Thank you,

The FACT Team

EVIL GURU KATSURA KAN HIRED BY NYC THEATER

Katsura Kan, the self-declared guru master of the controversial, sad, painful and destructive dance of Butoh, has surfaced again to teach a workshop to students at the New York Butoh Institute (affiliated with the Vangeline Theater in Brooklyn, NYC). The workshop will be held on Nov. 17th - 20th, 2016.

For those unaware, Katsura Kan is a very dangerous cult leader responsible for the death of one of his followers, namely Sharon Stern. His corrupt influence has also caused many others to develop severe mental issues, including becoming suicidal. The Sharon Stern Estate is suing Katsura for Sharon’s wrongful death in the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida, and he is currently in the middle of the litigation.

We believe no theater in their right mind should ever hire a teacher like Katsura Kan, whose agenda, according to the evidence, is to manipulate and exploit young female students (especially sexually and financially). For Vangeline to allow Katsura’s workshop to continue we believe speaks volumes about her character and true intentions. It seems that Vangeline, in our opinion, would rather ignore the hard evidence and facts in order to continually hire Katsura for the pursuit of profit and to further promote the dark and destructive dance art of Butoh, which is rooted philosophically in pain, suffering and death. In our opinion this is of course absolutely unacceptable, not to mention morally reprehensible.

Katsura Kan’s modus operandi is to teach Butoh dance at different universities, theatres and studios around the world, and utilizes this platform as teacher to manipulate and brainwash his vulnerable trusting students. He then controls and exploits his new followers for his benefit, especially sexually and financially. Katsura once proudly admitted to having sex with over 160 of his young female students (while being much older and married during this time), which in our opinion is terribly sick and the earmark of a sociopathic predator.

Moreover, the dark philosophy Katsura uses, as part of his brainwashing technique, is very destructive (especially on young impressionable minds). He teaches students to go “back to the womb to darkness" and to eradicate any life dreams, identity, authenticity and ego; essentially, to erase themselves. When the now deceased Sharon Stern at the end of her training (and in a very disturbed mental state) asked Katsura, “What comes after the deconstruction of your body, mind and ego?” he had no answer to give. As the Stern family tragically found out, the obvious answer to this question, to the radical deconstruction and unraveling of the mind, is death by suicide.

Please find attached just some of the evidence in our possession showing the destructive influence Katsura is capable of, including a psychologist’s report, a letter from two of his victims, and details on the active lawsuit against him.
Please note: FACT has nothing against Vangeline personally or her theater, directly or indirectly, nor the New York Butoh Institute or any of the principle owners. It is incumbent upon us at FACT to educate and make people aware of Katsura Kan’s destructive character and influence, and also to expose those who support his evil agenda. We feel it is our duty and responsibility, for which we received our non-profit status, to warn and educate students especially, who might become victims of Kan’s massive self-serving manipulative and abusive behavior.

To read the full story and evidence of how Kan manipulated and exploited Sharon Stern, click here.

Berlin bombing suspect radicalized by imams in Germany, brother says

TEEN GIRL DIES FROM RELIGIOUS FAST PRESCRIBED BY GURU

A 13-year-old girl in India took part in an extreme religious fast and died after over two months of not eating and having almost no sleep, according to reports. After calling off the fast, she fell into a coma and after two days, she died of cardiac arrest on Oct. 4th.

The parents - Laxmi Chand and Manshi Samdariya - have been booked under culpable homicide [causing death by negligence] and Juvenile Justice Act [cruelty against minors]," the spokesperson said.

"The entire nation should be ashamed that such a practice still exists. Her father's guru advised the family that if she fasted for 68 days, his business would be profitable," activist Achyut Rao told BBC Hindi."

http://ow.ly/WVLl305cbEo

21 Nigerian schoolgirls are released by Boko Haram in first breakthrough since April 2014 kidnapping

Fugitive preacher Victor Barnard will spend the next 30 years in prison

Fugitive preacher Victor Barnard will spend the next 30 years in prison for raping teenage girls entrusted to his care.

Barnard, who fled halfway across the globe to avoid prosecution, made a surprise confession in a Pine County courtroom Tuesday, accepting a plea agreement on two counts of felony sexual assault against young women he isolated from their families and molested for years.

Barnard, 55, accepted two consecutive 15-year sentences that almost guarantee that the leader of the cultlike River Road Fellowship will spend most or all of his life behind bars.

MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE by LOUIS THEROUX

"Louis Theroux's My Scientology Movie pulls off the neat trick of finding a revelatory approach to a topic that's been well covered of late: the Church of Scientology."

Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie pulls off the neat trick of finding a revelatory approach to a topic that’s been well covered of late: the Church of Scientology. For longtime Scientology obsessives, the last few years have puked up a glut of Scientology exposés. Paul Thomas Anderson downplayed similarities between The Master and the early years of L Ron Hubbard’s group, but the film still gives a good idea of how it may have developed. More worrying for Scientology and its leader, David Miscavige, was Lawrence Wright’s Going Clear – rich in accounts from church apostates, lawyered-up and fact-checked to the nth degree – and the no-less-excoriating Alex Gibney documentary based on it. Both book and film were devastating for Scientology’s reputation.

We would like to thank Walter G. "Skip" Campbell...

We like to promote outside professional providers who support our organization, especially when they display a high standard of excellence in their field.

As such, FACT would like to thank Walter G. "Skip" Campbell of the prestigious Krupnick Campbell Malone law firm for his great help and support with FACT. His firm handles personal injury, wrongful death, and many other areas of practice.

For more information about Mr. Campbell and his law firm, please visit his website at: http://www.krupnicklaw.com

CULT LEADER DIMAS ENDS HIS MYSTICAL JOURNEY IN DETENTION:

Dimas was a cult leader who claimed to have the ability to multiply banknotes. His supposed mystical power attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of supporters, who regularly gathered at his secluded residence. Surprisingly, among his followers was a US doctoral graduate who once led the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI).

Dimas was arrested for allegedly ordering murders of two of his followers and fraud...

http://ow.ly/Ko0Q304R7m3

Maoist cult leader arrested

Maoist cult leader who raped two of his followers and kept his daughter a 'slave' for 30 years is jailed - Daily Record

How Well-Meaning, Intelligent People End Up in a Cult

EnlightenNext was an organization, founded by self-styled guru Andrew Cohen, that aimed to facilitate spiritual awakening. Cohen’s most devoted students meditated for hours—at times, months—on end, were often celibate, and lived together. However, what started as an idealistic venture quickly turned into a complicated, often-sinister world that revolved around Cohen.

The story of EnlightenNext’s rise and fall begs a deeper question: How do otherwise well-intentioned and rational people end up in a cult? In this documentary, The Atlantic talks to former members, as well as Cohen himself, about their stories in order to uncover the life span of a new religious movement that, after 27 years, collapsed nearly overnight.

Over the phone support services at FACT

FACT is offering over the phone support services for families and friends of cult members. If you feel you need someone to talk to for help and advice regarding your loved one and their situation, our trained experts are just a phone call away.

Dial 1-877-360-3228 Ext. 2

We are a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization that works with people of all religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Support calls cost $50/hr in the form of a donation.

For more information, please visit: http://www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org/Support/

Forced into his cult-like Ontario church as a teen and abused, woman spent years exposing ‘The Prophet’

"Following in the footsteps of his father, Fred King led a church near Owen Sound where members were beaten and humiliated by the man they called the prophet. The law finally caught up with King last week, but it was a hollow victory for the woman who blew the whistle on his abusive practices.

In the end, the decision whether to accept a plea bargain for the abusive leader of a Southwestern Ontario church was put in the hands of the woman who suffered some of his cruelest blows."

http://ow.ly/P0vb304CTUB

A FAMILY TORN APART BY SCIENTOLOGY

An excellent video that breaks down in simple terms the hypocrisy within Scientology and its destructive effect on families.

The Church of Scientology has a cruel doctrine that has ripped thousands of families apart while seeking to extort family members of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Worse is this church uses tax payer money to accomplish this spreading its hate and demonstrating their compulsion to impose mind control on both members and non member family. This white broad video shares one such struggle by a semi=retired father who after 35 years of no contact with this church has found himself locked in a battle to reconnect his family and bring justice to this evil cult.

Support Services Available For Families and Friend of Cult Victims

FACT is offering support services for families and friends of cult members and former cult members. We are a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization that works with people of all religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. 

For more information, please visit our support page.

How To Spot A Spiritual Sexual Predator

Specifically one who is dressed in the garb of a guru, religious leader, or activist: A guide for Jewish women (and other women too).

An essay by Chaya Kurtz, published on Hevria.com



The talk of the town last week was about a New York Times profile of an (accused) rapist/serial womanizer/wife-abuser ex-rabbi who essentially got kicked out of the Jewish world and has successfully resurrected himself as a new-age guru. His name is Marc Gafni, and I actually know/know-people-who-know women whom he messed with. I heard about him years ago at a Shabbos table — some people who had left his sphere of influence were discussing his move to Boulder and said, “I don’t know why he keeps trying to work in the Jewish world. He should go to the new age — they don’t care about sexual propriety.” Apparently he had the same idea.

It surprises me not an iota that a sexual predator would become a prominent new-age guru. The guru-student relationship is fertile land for sexual misbehavior to flourish in. There are too many guru sexual predators to list, but I’ll highlight a few who were exposed relatively recently: John Friend of Anusara Yoga, Bikram Choudury of Bikram Yoga, Eido Shimano Roshi of New York Zen Studies Society, Joshu Sasaki Roshi of Rinzai-ji, Swami Shankarananda of Shiva School Of Meditation And Yoga, and Doug Phillips of Vision Forum.

They’re not just gurus. There are also mystics, sensitive new age guys, extremely “spiritual” people who are actually lowlifes, and activists/idealists who are in it for the booty. There are certain things they do; certain men they are. Look out for:

The Spiritual Man Who Thinks You’re Special: You are a light in the darkness to him. He is your teacher, and he sees soooooo much brilliance and potential in you. You are what he needs, and he is what you need — spiritually, of course. Or he wants to personally help you. You, more than anyone, are worth his precious spiritual energy and time.

The Spiritual Man Who Wants To See You Outside Of Class: Why would a charismatic, “enlightened” man want to see you outside of class? Why would he invite you into his home, into his inner-circle, into his family, or to his most exclusive retreats? Because he wants to do something inappropriate and he’s getting you used to being alone with him.

The Man Who Wants To Spiritually Connect With You — Through Your Body: This guy can take any scripture of any spiritual tradition and twist it to convincingly to mean that spiritual connection is best experienced through sexual connection. Selling teenagers into prostitution? Having multiple wives and mistresses? He’s got scripture to back it up.

The Spiritual Man Who Pierces You With His Eyes: His gaze is unbelievably powerful. When he looks at you, you swear he can see right to your soul. Why do they always pierce you with their eyes? It’s a move of control and dominance. I once had a creepy swami try to pierce me with his eyes, and I left his ashram within 10 minutes.

The Spiritual Man Who Wants To Touch You: Eyes on you turns into hands on you. He’s so spiritual that he wants to heal you hands-on. Or he invites you in for a private session only to reach up your shirt. Since he thinks he’s G-d, he feels entitled to your body. Question what he’s doing and he’ll back it up with scripture, or explain to you that it’s part of the teacher-student relationship.

The Spiritual Man Whose Love And Non-Attachment Are Superior To Everyone Else’s: He challenges you to be strong enough to handle his love. He’s not sure if you have what it takes to be loved by him, and he wants you to prove it. And/or he is a master of non-attachment. He wants to prove how good he is at not getting attached by getting intimate with you and not giving a crap. He convinces you that you are weak because you have human feelings, and he is strong and enlightened because he is a master of non-attachment. He’s not a womanizer — he’s just really good at not getting attached!

The Humble Man Who Talks About Himself — A Lot: I’ve met way too many of these guys. All conversations lead back to him. He is so humble that he doesn’t even have his own possessions or home — instead, he’s going to mooch off of you and other women. Counter something he says, and he’s going to throw the humble card at you: If you don’t agree with him (or you don’t flatter him), you’re arrogant. Since he is so humble, you are assaulting him by disagreeing with him.

The Very, Very Sensitive New Age Guy: This man has feelings. His feelings are very strong. You must never hurt his feelings, though he is free to hurt yours. He is a master of using psycho-babble and “non-violent communication”. You make him feel a certain way — he is never responsible for controlling his own feelings.

The Religious Man To Whom The Rules Don’t Apply: He sure knows all the rules. He can recite them backward and forward, in multiple languages (Sanskrit! Hebrew! Hindi!). He is fastidious in tiny details that inconvenience other people (his special way of washing his hands! his special diet!), but when it comes to, you know, like, not raping people, the rules don’t apply to him. His spiritual position entitles him to exploit you however he wants to!

The Crusader For Justice Who Makes You Feel Dumb: This man knows everything about justice. He knows the key to world peace. He quotes Marx, Mandela, and Maimonides in the same sentence. He knows Angela Davis personally. If there was a big protest, he was not only there but he was on the front lines fighting the cops and he has a scar on his inner thigh that he wants to show you to prove it. This man is committed to The Cause above all. So lofty is his goal that he doesn’t need to be nice to regular people like you. He can be nasty, denigrating, rude — all in the name of The Cause. Call him out on it and you’re siding with the oppressor.

The Married Man Who Tells His Marital Problems To You: This spiritual master has a spiritual advisor — a very famous guru — but even that guru can’t empathize with his marital problems. Thank the goddess that you can, though. It turns out that in every way that his wife lacks, you are just brimming over. Why can’t his wife be more like you, he asks you.

The Enlightened Man Who Tells You All About How Men & Women Are Supposed To Relate To Each Other/How Women Should Be: This guy is an expert on gender. He knows every religious or spiritual reason why women should be subservient to men. He presents his “knowledge” as absolute truth. If you don’t relate to him on his terms, he’ll educate you on how to be a better woman. He’s on a special mission to teach very young women (even girls) how to be women.

The Clergy Man/Guru Who Wants Your Money: He can convince almost anyone (and especially women) to financially support his “mission”. If it’s not by promising salvation if you give him money, it’s by inviting you to very, very expensive retreats. Want private healing sessions or lessons in spiritual practice? One way or another, you’ll pay for them.

Anybody Who Ideologically Justifies Polyamory: If he’s really “progressive”, this man can quote The Ethical Slut. And since his predecessors in his spiritual lineage had multiple wives, certainly he should have them. While he is free to enjoy his spiritually-sanctioned dalliances, you’re in big trouble if he even thinks you’re cheating on him. After all, it’s Tantra! Or it’s Christianity! Or Abraham had more than one wife! He has so much spiritual mojo that he is simply gifting it to all the women he’s intimate with. How dare you refuse his gift!?

The Healer Who Has A Special Treatment Just For You: This man has identified that something is wrong with you. There is something wrong with you that only he has identified because he is so enlightened. It is critical that he, and only he, heal you. What? Having sex with him is part of the treatment? How surprising!

A final word: These creepy guys are out there in droves, and almost everyone who is involved in religion and/or spirituality will meet one at some point. Nobody who is on a high spiritual level will pressure you for sex. Period. People who are genuine spiritual teachers or activists will speak to you respectfully. Full stop. There is a big difference between being wowed by the intelligent way a man speaks and being treated respectfully by that man. Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, get out.

WE RECEIVED THIS COMPLAINT REGARDING 'THE TWELVE TRIBES'

COMPLAINT: "I am looking for help, however that may happen. We engineered a web site called www.question12tribes.com and we are seeking to network with the anti-cult movement community. 

We are working overtime to bring the deep secrets of The Twelve Tribes to light, and have so far amassed 200 articles, another 150 in other languages, and 20 videos professionally done, and an new documentary on the way... we are aware of criminal activity, and we are seeking to just talk about what can or can not be done. We are a group seeking direct action. Can you pass on our website to your networks? Emails, newsletter, etc.

There are children in The Twelve Tribes getting abused hard-core. Thanking you in advance for any help you can offer."

We are currently looking into this complaint. If you or anyone you know is, or has been, a victim of The Twelve Tribes organization, or if you are involved somehow with the anti-cult community and would like to connect to help expose this group, please contact us.

COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

At the University of Arizona, current students, alumni, family members of former students, and even an ex-pastor of the church are filing complaints against Hope Christian Church with ASU. The church has been operating on the ASU campus for over 10 years.

The victims of this church have created a website with detailed information about the alleged abuses, which states, “Over the years, hundreds of ASU students claim various abuses from their time at Hope- some of their stories are here. Roughly 30-40 other ministries in the Phoenix area have confronted Hope about their practices, but to no avail.”

For more information and/or to file a complaint, please visit their website at: http://ow.ly/BpTV304dAXB

HOW I LOST MY DAUGHTER TO RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM

"It began during Jenny’s last year of undergraduate studies, when she told me she was selected to take a weekly class in Judaism. As it turned out, what my daughter was studying was a different kind of Orthodoxy. 

Her rabbi followed a fundamentalist ultra-Orthodox sect that saw any other way of life as empty and godless. It also taught that in order to be a good Jewish woman, our daughter had to disconnect from her past and everything associated with it."

http://ow.ly/pnX1303Opyt

THE SEARCH FOR A SPEEDO-WEARING GURU:

For 22 years, Will Allen filmed at the side of a man he called Teacher. From this footage, he created a fascinating documentary film entitled 'Holy Hell', which just premiered on CNN yesterday night. 

The film reveals the dark side of Allen's guru and explores the pull that kept Allen there all those years.

For more info: http://ow.ly/dTBY303QR6T

ESSAY FROM A FATHER WHO LOST TWO DAUGHTERS AND A GRANDSON AT JONESTOWN

“Our Daughter is in a Cult! What Can We Do?” by John Moore

John and Barbara Moore lost two daughters and a grandson in the Jonestown tragedy. According to John's essay, there are various ways we can relate to children and friends who are in relationships or groups, which we consider harmful.

Read here: http://ow.ly/Gxbo303OhaL

ACTOR CARMEN LLYWELYN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT WHY SHE LEFT SCIENTOLOGY:

Known for such movies as 'Chasing Amy', 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back' and 'Never Been Kissed', Carmen was a Scientologist for 8 years. 

"According to the written doctrine of Scientology, Suppressive Persons must be destroyed if the religion is to continue saving the world. This is why it’s difficult to look at these nice and sweet celebrities and ever imagine they could be full of such rage and hate. But they’ve actually been hardwired, slowly and over a long period of time, to fanatically believe in this."

"A Suppressive Person is the worst thing you can be in Scientology. This label is reserved for anyone who is opposed to, speaks out about, or leaves the religion. Scientologists believe that such a person, like an ex-Scientologist who speaks out about their former beliefs and/or who doesn’t disconnect from one who has, will make everyone around them sick. They’ll ruin everyone’s lives with whom they come into contact and must never be socialized with again."

"The backstabbing and creative deceitfulness I experienced in Scientology were what wounded me the most. Faux friends have no problems betraying you."

http://ow.ly/uUOj303NQMd

HOW A CULT LEADER TORE APART A MARRIAGE

"We got involved in a small Baptist Church about 17 years ago. The so called Pastor was a Sociopath. He wanted complete submission with threats of Hell or shunning if one didn't do everything he wanted. He created problems in marriages by offering private council to wives and would eventually convince wives that their husband was abusive when they were not.

This so called pastor convinced my wife to get a restraining order on me because I raised my voice during an argument which is typical with most couples. He then convinced everybody I was not a Christian because by then I figured out he was a Sociopath and started standing up to him. He convinced my Wife that she had to obey God first then him as het Pastor. He helped her with money and gave her special attention that my Wife embraced due to her low self esteem from a very abusive childhood. He told my Wife not to sleep with me or listen to me since I was not a CHristian which was a lie.He did the same with some other couples I know.

I warned my Wife and others he was a Sociopath. By then It was too late. He had a large influence on local Judges and Politicians. He intimidates many people and has a huge ego. He used repetition of certain Bible verses to control my wife. Such as Hebrews on obeying those who have authority over you. He also used private things my Wife told him to black male her.

Finally moved away and came to find out why my wife pulled away from me. Put a wall between us, refused to sleep or have sex with me, began cutting herself spoke of suicide. This fat Bastard who is 30 years older than her was manipulating her to have sex with him for two years. Now I'm fighting to get my old Wife back. Years of him convincing her I was no good, using mind control methods and trigger phrases. My Children are afraid to go to school and trust anyone so they are home schooled. My Wife cannot sleep with me. This was afar right conservitive church. This guy is Demonic. Using God's word to manipulate.

People this stuff is real. I thought taking my Family to a small consevitive Church was the right thing to do but it destroyed us especially my poor Wife. Sociopaths often gravitate to Church leadership positions or Politics. The need to control and fuel narcissic supply. Bet this guy the OP speaks about was having sex with her daughter all signs are there. I still love God but will never trust a Church leader."

Yet another tragic example of how cults manipulate / exploit members and break up families, and what we at FACT work daily on -- to stop cult group manipulation and abuses, reunite families, and educate the public.

HOW A CULT STOLE MY LIFE:

Author Taylor Stevens was raised in a sect where beatings, starvation and sexual abuse were everyday events. Forty years later, can she leave her cult behind her?

http://ow.ly/xA3x303tnCF

I GREW UP IN AN APOCALYPTIC CHRISTIAN CULT

"All my life I had been taught that constantly moving was part of our family’s duty to God. I had lost count of how many places we had lived. I wanted to be normal, so I convinced my parents to let me enroll in Rowland High School... At 15 years old, it was my first day at any school, anywhere, ever."

" I wasn’t allowed to leave without permission. If I did, I would be banned from ever returning and doomed to eternal hell and condemnation in the afterlife. My parents and the other adults I lived with told me that I was allowed to leave, but if I did I’d be giving up my birthright as one of God’s 144,000 chosen and would forfeit my spot in heaven come the apocalypse in 1993."

http://ow.ly/IYbb303tnoz

FROM THOSE INVOLVED IN CULTS

Thousands of people responded to a Reddit post asking this question: Have you been involved with a cult? What was your experience?

Snippets from some of the posted stories:

"I have been locked in rooms for 3 days and night to "fast and pray". I've been denied contact with other humans for weeks, or even months, to "get closer to god". I was given to men by request. I was once held down by 4 men, while a group of maybe a dozen other men exorcised me. They believed I was possessed by a demon because of my inability to be like them, to "get with the program". I was spanked, beaten, and whipped most my life. Simply put, I was terrified my entire childhood. I lived every second of my life in fear."

"I was born and raised in a cult, and considered myself a member up until I left my parents' home at the age of 18. The group I was associated with is not well known, but the effects on the members are tragic and undeniable.
We were literally brainwashed."

"I was born and raised in a small communal Bible-based cult in the US. I was a part of the cult until I was 27. Daily life revolved around a church and the pastor's wife, who ran the cult. The children were raised to be workers in the church and to give their lives for what the leader wanted... We were not allowed to have friends outside the church, to live anywhere except a church-owned house, or leave the church without escort or express permission. As kids grew up and went to college, they were discouraged from getting jobs to pay for school, but instead heavily encouraged (coerced) to max out student loans and give the money to the church. Student's class schedules were denied or approved, as the leadership saw fit. The single family unit was destroyed and everyone was pressured into viewing the group as one big family."

http://ow.ly/qiKx303tmWn

UNDUE INFLUENCE

An excellent blog post on UNDUE INFLUENCE:

"New thoughts on high conflict in families", including information on the three recent UK initiatives that tackle aspects of undue influence or coercive persuasion.

http://ow.ly/ERiR303tjOX

EX-MEMBERS ACCUSE BOULDER'S RESURRECTION CHURCH TO BE CULT-LIKE

"The Boulder church, which recruits CU students and holds Sunday services at New Vista High School, is an offshoot of a University of Arizona campus ministry that faced scrutiny last year after a Tucson newspaper published former members' accounts of physical, emotional and financial abuse."

"...the church has a say in every decision student members make — who they date, how much time they spend with members of the opposite sex and under what circumstances, what kind of cars they buy, what majors they choose."

http://ow.ly/nD2W303prWV

CULT BLAMED FOR COUP IN TURKEY

Inside The Secretive #Religious Movement That Is Being Blamed For The Attempted #Coup In #Turkey  
http://ow.ly/nSNs303mX0m

FOX NEWS INTERVIEW WITH CULT EXPERT

WHAT WOULD MAKE AN ‪#‎AMERICAN‬ CITIZEN WANT TO JOIN ‪#‎ISIS‬ ?
http://ow.ly/HOmb303iLVa

UNDUE INFLUENCE PRESS CONFERENCE

Great info on tackling‪#‎terrorism‬ and ‪#‎extremist‬ groups by psychological methods http://ow.ly/SbJl303g2F2

Clergy Abuse Victim Wants Priests Publically Named

‪#‎ChildAbuse‬ ‪#‎Survivor‬ Susan Blum of New Freedom, talks about discovering her abuser for the first time. http://ow.ly/nbnp3039gCR

REPORT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON CHILD SEX ABUSE INVOLVING DIOCESE CLERGY

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, PA on Tuesday was in the news amid a report regarding child sex abuse within its ranks.

A report by The York Daily Record indicated that the diocese named 15 priests who have been accused of sexually abusing children and who had worked in the 15-county diocese.
http://ow.ly/52183039ezk

UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF A NARCISSIST DURING A DIVORCE OR CUSTODY BATTLE

Through deception, projection, control and delusion, narcissists are skilled at twisting reality. They leave you anxious, confused and questioning your own sanity. Learn how to ignore the crazy-making and stand firm in your truth.

Hosted by LoveFraud.com Tuesday, Aug 9, 8 PM EDT 1 hour of online instruction • $25

For more information: http://ow.ly/ujqE3032Np3

CALL ME billboards erected by desperate parents elicit response

"CALL ME" billboards erected by desperate parents elicit response from disconnected daughter in Scientology:

“She said that if we wanted to have a relationship with her and Michael again I’d need to do three things. One was to stop the billboard in Clearwater from going up. The second was to back out of the television series that we’re going to appear in. And three was to never criticize Scientology or them ever again.”

"Phil [father] tells us he told his daughter that he was willing to do those things — but only if Scientology canceled its disconnection policy against all families, and not just their own. She said this was just between her and me. I told her no…I could never abandon all of those others who are suffering from Scientology’s disconnection.”

“It went back and forth like that for a while as she got a bit more heated. I tried to calm her down but in the end she hung up on me. As much as we love our kids and want them back, how would I be able to face anyone if I was that selfish as to agree to those terms and leave everyone else behind? It was so nice to hear Emily’s voice. It’s been a few years. Sadly, it may be a few more at this point.”

http://ow.ly/x1P8302tdke

FUGITIVE RABBI SUSPECTED OF SEX OFFENSES FINALLY CAPTURED

Fugitive Breslov Rabbi Eliezer Berland, 79, was successfully extradited from South Africa to Israel on Tuesday morning, with the Israel police arresting him upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of various sex offenses. Berland, the leader of the Shuvu Banim community of the Breslov Hassidic sect, fled Israel after claims of sexual abuse were made against him by several women, including a 15-year-old girl.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Fugitive-rabbi-wanted-for-sex-offenses-arrested-upon-arrival-to-Israel-460799

WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN CULTS?

Cult expert Steve Guziec met with reporter Katrina Milton to discuss the dangers of cults, why people join them and how cults can- and do- exist in your neighborhood.

"Not all cults use pentagrams and animal sacrifices in the forest during the middle of the night. Current cults may seem glamorous, flashy and full of attractive young people from the outside. On the inside, members are emotionally, mentally and physically abused. If members of a cult attempt to leave, they are ostracized by their group, shunned and ignored as if they do not exist."

http://ow.ly/azgI302poat

NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT COERCIVE CONTROL

"Lisa Fontes’s ex-boyfriend never punched her, or pulled her hair. But he hacked into her computer, and installed a spy cam in her bedroom, and subtly distanced her from her friends and family.

It was only after doing research on emotional abuse that she discovered a name for what she experienced: Coercive control, a pattern of behavior that some people — usually but not always men — employ to dominate their partners. Coercive control describes an ongoing and multipronged strategy, with tactics that include manipulation, humiliation, isolation, financial abuse, stalking, gaslighting and sometimes physical or sexual abuse."
‪
#‎MaybeHeDoesntHitYou‬

http://ow.ly/AmDp302mztA

Former FLDS members bring lawsuit against leader Warren Jeffs and his law firm

"A group of former members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is suing Warren Jeffs and a Salt Lake City-based law firm, alleging that lawyers helped Jeffs establish an appearance of legality so he could enforce the unlawful marriages of underage girls and child labor."

http://ow.ly/3YHF302iqh7

Study: Five more Idaho children died when religious beliefs blocked treatment

"A new government task force report finds five more Idaho children who died because their parents’ religious beliefs interfered with them seeking medical treatment.
All five who died in 2013 were newborns. Causes of death included birth-related respiratory ailments, intestinal blockages, and sepsis.

The CFR Team determined that each of these deaths may have been prevented with proper and timely medical treatment, the report states."

http://ow.ly/UHrR302g7Gy

POLYGAMIST CULT LEADER ESCAPES FROM FBI

"FLDS cult leader Lyle Jeffs escaped from house arrest last month; according to police, he may have gotten away with the help of a popular cooking agent."

"Lyle Jeffs is not like a normal crook that, say, robs a gas station and takes off in an old, beat-up car and has little money and not much help," he continued. "He has thousands of people who would die for him, unlimited money, and unlimited resources, so he's well set-up."

http://ow.ly/YwCy302dAUN

A Workplace, an Ashram, or a Cult?

A Workplace, an Ashram, or a Cult? Inside the sexual harassment lawsuit against#Jivamukti #Yoga. http://ow.ly/H4Dq30224uU

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN AMERICA'S SCHOOLS

The U.S. Department of Education released 'Human Trafficking in America’s Schools', an expose on a growing issue affecting the most vulnerable members of our community of all races, genders and socio-economic backgrounds. “Once they feel like they have the child’s trust, love and affection and loyalty, that’s when the exploitation begins..." "Kids with low self-esteem, kids who are looking for family, love, looking for affection, looking for friends...these master manipulators prey upon the most vulnerable." http://ow.ly/lhUn301YPU0

For those wishing to understand the concept of 'Radicalisation'

For those wishing to understand the concept of 'Radicalisation', this website is an excellent resource. The site "gathers high-quality academic research on radicalisation and makes it easily accessible for policymakers, journalists and anyone else..." http://www.radicalisationresearch.org/

Know the warning signs of brainwashing and mind control (undue influence)

"Undue Influence can occur between individuals and / or within groups, and in many cases the person being influenced does not have or need direct contact with the influencer, although direct contact usually creates greater susceptibility. Each situation in which undue influence occurs is unique and the outcome will be the result of a number of combining factors.

There are however common features of undue influence, which usually co-exist. These include:

Unwavering commitment
Elitism
Changes in Character
Loss of critical thinking / inability to assess information
Black & White Thinking
Shunning, in any scenario
Attack of the critic, not of the argument
Dismissal of external authority"
Many more..."

Click here for more information: http://ow.ly/krbX301R2lo

Loretta Lynch Lobs Love Bomb at Radical Islamic Terrorists

Is "love" the most effective response to combat ISIS radicalization efforts and terrorism? Our U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch seems to think so.

After meeting in Orlando, FL with law-enforcement officials investigating ISIS terrorist Omar Saddique Mateen’s June 12 massacre, Mrs. Lynch told journalists, “Our most effective response to terror and hatred is compassion, unity and love.” 

After an interval of astonishment, Representative Jeff Duncan (R., S.C.) expressed his dismay at Lynch’s words. “‘All you need is love’ may be a great Beatles song, but it’s a terrible foreign policy,” Duncan declared. “She further proves that this Administration has no idea what it takes to fight Islamic terrorism.”

http://ow.ly/XBLz301LtR8

Leah Remini is shooting a TV series about Scientology

Leah Remini is shooting a TV series about Scientology and how this "church" rips apart families - Disconnection

Read about it here: http://ow.ly/U2jn301JlvY

Ride for the Child

Last weekend our founder, Tibor Stern, participated in "Ride for the Child" to benefit the CASA organization (Court Appointed Special Advocates). He rode 30 miles on the Sopris Century in Carbondale, Colorado, a "hard course for the serious rider. Most of the riding is done at an altitude between 6-8000 feet and includes 7000 feet + of vertical climbing, with grades ranging from 4-8 %, punctuated by bursts of 10 % or more!"

The CASA program’s goal is to "support a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every child it serves" - a wonderful mission very close to our hearts at FACT. Well done TIbor!

For more info about the event, click here: http://sopriscentury.com/details/event-description/

If you were a victim of brainwashing and mind control, how would you know?

Steve Hassan explains the BITE model of mind control that he developed and published in his books. he described the four components: behavior control;information control;thought control; and emotion control in his first book, Combatting Cult Mind Control but he didn't put it in that order.

Please see http://freedomofmind.com/Info/BITE/bitemodel.php for specifics.

Predators on campus: An inside look at cults

Cults are probably the last thing on your mind when considering a place of higher learning for your son or daughter, but these groups regularly use college campuses to enlist kids aching for a sense of community far from the glare of discipline.

“The myth most people have is that people that join cults are looking to join a cult,” says William Goldberg, a licensed clinical social worker with a private practice in Englewood, New Jersey, who co-leads a support group for ex-cult members. “It’s usually not the case. Cult recruiters are predators and learn how to be good conmen. Healthy kids are more likely to get involved because they feel ‘if I don’t like it,’ I can leave.”

That’s not always so easy, as cults smother new recruits with affection to convince them to stay, a tactic known as “love-bombing.” This behavior often escalates to manipulation, threats, intimidation and mind control. Eventually they cut the person off from friends and family so the cult remains the driving influence.

They even have it down to a science – Goldberg says the cult blankets an area by fundraising or proselytizing there, and then sets its sights on bright students who are in a period of transition. Colleges are ripe with them.

Individuals believes they are being invited to join a religious, political or social group, but the cult often hides their true intention and the degree they’re going to attempt to take over a person’s life.

According to Rick Ross, of the Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey, groups called “cults” that have a history of recruiting on college campuses include the Unification Church, International Church of Christ, University Bible Fellowship, Transcendental Meditation, Scientology, Soka Gakkai International, Dahn Yoga, International Society of Krishna Consciousness, Kabbalah Center, Falun Gong, National Labor Federation, the Lyndon LaRouche Executive Intelligence Report (EIR), Prem Rawat/Elan Vital formerly known as Divine Light Mission, Twelve Tribes Messianic Communities, the Brethren led by Jim Roberts, Sri Chinmoy organization, Humana People-to-People associated with Tvind and Xenos Christian Fellowship.

And time has not slowed the proliferation of groups that lure young souls.

“Eighteen to 26-year-old college students have historically been the most targeted single demographic group,” Ross says.

He adds that there are cults operating on virtually every college campus, with Jersey as no exception, but the colleges aren’t likely to acknowledge such activity.

Both experts agree – to protect yourself, realize your own vulnerability and though it’s easy to be swept up in the intensity, make sure you thoroughly research an organization before moving forward.

During his tenure at Rutgers University in New Brunswick from 1989 to 2001, Father Ron Stanley, O.P., a former campus chaplain at the Catholic Center, says he became aware of a religious group, Campus Advance (part of the ICC) using high pressure and deception to take control of students’ lives. As a result, their recruits utilized the same unethical methods to scout for additional members and bring money into the cult.

An interfaith group of clergy stepped in and sponsored a panel, “Cults on Campus” that garnered sufficient publicity.

“We were able to get Rutgers to prepare and distribute a leaflet entitled, ‘Responding to High Pressure Groups on Campus’ and to include a skit on high pressure recruitment as part of its orientation for incoming students,” Stanley says.

Steve Hassan spent two years as a Unification Church (Moon cult) leader while a student at Queens College in the ‘70s and that early involvement left an indelible mark. Fresh off a breakup, three women claiming to be students approached him during a lunch break. He asked if they were part of a religious group and Hassan says, “They flat out lied.”

A leading cult expert and licensed mental health counselor, Hassan has studied the phenomenon of free will for more than 30 thirty years and believes that through unethical deceptive recruiting and mind control techniques, including hypnosis and sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation and environmental control – a person can be reprogrammed to have a different belief structure and even a different identity.

“When I was in the ‘Moonies,’ my cult identity would suppress any negative thoughts against the group and re-label my feelings towards my family as satanic,” Hassan says.

Can such brainwashing be reversed? Hassan says if a person has a monumental dissolutive experience, one may wake up to how one is being bullied - but more commonly, an erosion of the cult identity leads someone to incrementally question what’s going on.

He typically does three to five interventions a week and holds steadfast to the belief that making a difference in the lives of those affected by cults is possible.

With counseling, they’ll understand the issue of social influence and it will minimize any sense of guilt or embarrassment that they got involved with the group. Hassan also tries to connect them with ex-members, so they can talk to people who relate and won’t look at them and say, “They did what” or other less than helpful responses.

He offers some words of advice:

• Remember that cult recruiters are attractive, intelligent, nice people and they don’t have a sign on them that reads, ‘cult member.’
• Be wary of instant friendships; real friendships take time – and don’t disclose too many personal details with a stranger because they could use that information to manipulate you.
• Many abusive relationship situations look like cults, except they’re just cultic personalities, religious cults.
• Legitimate groups and people stand up to scrutiny.

Above all, Hassan says, “trust your gut (and) trust your inner voice.”

BY JILLIAN RISBERG

For more information:

William Goldberg or www.blgoldberg.com; Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey or www.rickross.com; Freedom of Mind or www.freedomofmind.com

Who Is Vulnerable to Mind Control...

Cult expert Steven Hassan (with over 40 years of experience in the field) believes everyone is vulnerable to undue influence (the legal term for mind control). Find out why in this video.

FBI releases full transcript of Orlando nightclub shooting call:

For anyone still in doubt about the motivation behind the Orlando shooting, the release of the full uncensored call transcript makes it very clear that radicalization (brainwashing / mind control) by ISIS was a primary factor.

http://ow.ly/yn7N301v4Lb

New Research Shows ISIS Recruitment Driven by Cultural Isolation:

"The Muslim populations most likely to join ISIS are not in the Middle East or Africa. Rates of ISIS recruitment are highest in highly developed western countries, the ones with cultures you might least associate with radical Islam. The finding is consistent with several other studies that have found overwhelmingly negative views of ISIS is majority-Muslim countries."

Is there a relationship between ISIS recruitment and cultural factors?

http://ow.ly/Pu6o301nJ7V

Public response to our press release

We would like to thank the public for their tremendously positive response to our recent press release -- proposing education as the only reasonable solution to combat radicalization by terrorist groups.

Imagine if the FBI, when investigating the killer for that 10 month period prior to the attack, had incorporated an educational program to try and counter the ideas of radical Islam/terrorism that were obviously festering in Mateen's mind... perhaps those innocent people would still be alive today.

If you believe in what we are trying to accomplish through our anti-cult education efforts, please simply like our Facebook page and share it to spread the word.

OBAMA CONFIRMS RADICALIZATION OF ORLANDO SHOOTER FROM ONLINE ISIS PROPAGANDA

"President Obama said Tuesday that the gunman “was an angry, disturbed, unstable young man who became radicalized.”

“It is increasingly clear, however, that the killer took in extremist information and propaganda over the Internet,” said Obama, who plans to travel Thursday to Orlando. Obama said that the Islamic State, a militant group also known as ISIS or ISIL, has made its propaganda “pervasive and easily accessible…"

http://ow.ly/p4kk301iB5S

Coercive Persuasion by ISIS Led Orlando Shooter to Kill Innocent People

The Orlando shooting was an absolutely horrific tragedy, and our hearts go out to all of the victims and their suffering families. As a response to this terrorist attack, F.A.C.T. will be issuing this press release to the media.

The public needs to be educated now on a large-scale if we're to have any hope for possibly preventing tragedies like this in the future. Please share it with everyone you know.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Coercive Persuasion by ISIS Led Orlando Shooter to Kill Innocent People

Hollywood, Florida, 13th of June 2016 —

Presently we are facing the most profound terrorist threat arguably in the history of our great nation. The development of terrorist cults, like ISIS, and their sophisticated recruitment tactics has brought the issue of undue influence to a new level of attention and urgency.

The Orlando shooting was the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11, which killed 49 innocent people and wounded at least 53 others. According to an article published by CNN, Omar Mateen's parents, who are from Afghanistan, said “he'd expressed outrage after seeing two men kiss in Miami, but didn't consider him particularly religious and didn't know of any connection he had to ISIS”. Perhaps if his parent’s knew the red flags regarding cult recruitment and indoctrination and had a safe agency they could have reached out to for help with their son, this tragedy might have been prevented. Family members and friends are the early warning system for radicalization, yet most are not educated about the dangers of brainwashing and mind control, nor would they feel safe to tell authorities for fear of having their loved ones arrested or watched. Ultimately, people need a safe place to go to for help and specialized education on the subject.

A non-profit organization called Families Against Cult Teachings, Inc. (FACT) works with other related organizations and cult experts, such as Steven Hassan who runs the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, to educate and bring awareness to the public regarding the recruitment efforts and methods of manipulative and exploitive cult/fanatical groups, as well as providing a safe place for people to reach out to for help. Right now there are probably hundreds of other potential terrorist scenarios that might be preventable with a large-scale mobilization of specialized education and resources to the public. It is safe to presume that, like Mateen, more and more people have and will be pledging their allegiance to ISIS. F.A.C.T.’s mission is to create an empowerment movement for everyone to understand how people can be radicalized, and also what they can do about it (besides just utilizing law enforcement, like with Mateen who was later dismissed by the FBI as a non-threat).

According to experts there are over 5000 cultic groups in the U.S. with more than 6 million controlled victims, including radical Islamic groups. The overwhelming need to combat the systematic brainwashing and mind control tactics of their cult recruitment and indoctrination is direly evident. F.A.C.T. believes the lack of public education and awareness on this issue is what is ultimately empowering these radical destructive groups to grow and flourish. It is a misunderstood threat by most, with little to no educational resources or support available. This leaves family members and friends oblivious and/or in denial about the recruitment, indoctrination and exploitation of their loved ones, causing indecision and hesitation to act when it is most crucial. It is FACT’s mission, in alliance with related organizations, to educate and generate awareness in the public in order to empower them to make the proper educated decisions to prevent any future tragedies.

For more information, please contact F.A.C.T. at 1-877-360-3228 or email support@familiesagainstcultteachings.org

40 percent of respondents say there are cults that are active on their college campuses...

U Magazine, a National College magazine, surveyed its readers (college students) about the existence of cults on college campuses. In their latest poll, "40 percent of respondents say there are cults that are active on their college campuses."

WANT TO DONATE TO F.A.C.T. VIA PAYPAL?

Some of our donors have asked us about a Paypal option for making a donation. If you would like to donate via Paypal, please click this link: http://ow.ly/rYpK3016CWQ

Remember your donation will always be 100% tax-deductible, even through Paypal. Thank you so much for supporting our mission. We cannot do it without you!
If you are not familiar with F.A.C.T. and are looking to donate to a worthy charity, please click here to learn more about our organization:http://ow.ly/Cf4b3016CRk

Thank you again, The F.A.C.T. Team

IMPORTANT NEW MODEL THAT OFFERS LEGAL GUIDELINES FOR CASES INVOLVING UNDUE INFLUENCE:

"Using his legal expertise and an understanding of cult tactics, Emeritus Santa Clara law school professor Alan W. Scheflin proposes that the term “undue influence” can be used in cases related to cult issues.
Scheflin has formulated what he calls “The Social Influence Model (SIM).” This model, which is for use in courts, provides an easy way of measuring the different factors that contribute to undue influence by addressing these six categories:

- INFLUENCER (Identity and Status) - INFLUENCER’S MOTIVES (Purpose) - INFLUENCER’S METHODS (Techniques) - CIRCUMSTANCES (Timing and Setting) - INFLUENCEE’S RECEPTIVITY/ VULNERABILITY (Individual Differences) - CONSEQUENCES (Results)

The approach is scientific and evidence driven. If used on a mass scale, the SIM could make it easier for victims of cults to get the help they need. Lives could be saved and cults could be fought in a legal way."

VIDEO: http://ow.ly/vfkS301405X

For more information, visit Steven Hassan's blog at: https://freedomofmind.com/blog/

WONDERING WHAT COMPRISES A SAFE GROUP OR LEADER...

How can you tell the difference between a destructive group and a safe one?

PARENTS, DESPERATE TO SPEAK WITH THEIR DISCONNECTED CHILDREN, ERECT BILLBOARD IN LAST DITCH ATTEMPT TO RECONNECT WITH THEM:

After decades, Willie and Phil Jones left the church of Scientology and as a consequence haven't been able to speak to their daughter Emily or their son Mike for over two years. They've been "disconnected", which is what Scientologists call their choice to cut off communication with people outside the church.

"We know what the conditioning is and what goes on there. It is a form of hypnosis. We've experienced it, we went through it. We were in that mindset for years," Phil Jones said.

Willie and Phil decided to reach out to their children through a billboard after they raised enough money to keep it on display for one month. The billboard was posted on busy Glendale Boulevard and it's estimated that 1 million people will see it. It reads, "To my loved one in Scientology...Call me."

The parents said they decided to post the billboard after conventional methods for reaching their children failed. "Calling every week, showing up at the doorstep of the church, and we've been flat out told that we're not welcomed," Willie Jones said.

STEVEN HASSAN ON THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE:

Joe Rogan (News Radio, Fear Factor) interviews cult expert and counselor Steven Hassan, who explains the difference in layman's terms between a positive group and a destructive one, the various facets of currently active cult groups, his opinion on altered states, his experience with the Moonies, and many more topics covered.

Steven Hassan Celebrates 40 years of deprogramming and activism

Our friend and professional advisor, Steven Hassan, is celebrating his 40th anniversary of deprogramming (and 40 years of activism). We thank him for his incredible work over the years helping victims (and families) who have suffered from involvement with high control/demand destructive groups, not to mention all of his tremendous educational work in the field.
If you have not read his books yet, we highly recommend them, especially his latest entitled "Combating Cult Mind Control: 25th Anniversary Edition". If you have just left a destructive group or are considering joining a new group of some kind, or have a family member trapped in a cult group, the information contained in this book could just save your life or that of your loved one.

To learn more about Steven Hassan and his books, please visit his website: http://ow.ly/xv3j300RtNh

RUSSIAN CITY BANS YOGA, CALLING IT A CULT:

Is yoga a spiritual practice or physical exercise? Depends on who you ask. But some Russians believe it's a cult and, taking the lead of Vladimir Putin’s revanchist movement, have outlawed it.

DID YOU KNOW F.A.C.T. HAS A YOUTUBE CHANNEL?

The F.A.C.T. Youtube channel is all about creating original content and republishing videos about destructive groups, for the purpose of public education and awareness.

Check out our channel at: http://ow.ly/CYiK300MoP0

NEW DOCUMENTARY BEING RELEASED CALLED -- HOLY HELL:

A new film called "Holy Hell", executive produced by Jared Leto, documents a spiritual community named Buddhafield, that was formed in California in the 1980s. Many of its members left feeling abused and exploited in various ways.

Shot over a period of 22 years, the documentary has been put together by Will Allen, a former member of the group, who was the informal house videographer.

A CULT IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS FOLLOWING

"The Path", the latest TV show on the subject of cults, deals with a family at the center of a controversial cult struggling with relationships, faith and power.

The show stars Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Michelle Monaghan (True Detective), Emma Greenwell, Rockmond Dunbar. Are you watching it? Let us know your thoughts.

DAVID MISCAVIGE'S FATHER EXPOSES SCIENTOLOGY'S CRUELEST POLICY

"In Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me (St. Martin's Press), Ron Miscavige paints his son — the leader of the Church of Scientology and the successor to founder L. Ron Hubbard — as an abusive tyrant who has transformed a once-useful religion into a cult devoted to worshipping him, squeezing every possible cent out of church members and treating those who devote their lives to the church like sharecroppers whose measly wages will never get them out of debt at the company store — or off the church’s palatial plantation.

And if they do try to leave, the elder Miscavige says, they are typically tracked down and brought back by a combination of force, coercion and psychological intimidation.
For the very few who do manage to escape and forge a new life outside the church, there awaits a special form of punishment: disconnection. That’s the church’s policy of requiring its members to shun family members who dare to leave the church or even criticize it."

THE COST OF SILENCE -- Hare Krishna Child Abuse

Historically, the Hare Krishna Movement has had an unacceptably high tolerance for child abuse. As a consequence, generations of children have suffered. Krishna's Children is a project that attempts to address and raise awareness on this complex and challenging issue.

Please help support this group by watching their video and signing the petition below.

Petition = bit.ly/krishnakids

Wellspring Weekend Recovery Package

WELLSPRING WEEKEND RECOVERY PACKAGE: AUGUST 26, 27, 28, 2016

An Introduction to Recovery
Wellspring is offering a weekend introduction to recovery for survivors of cultic abuse. Generous donors have provided 90% of the funding for this program.

Cost
*3 day package = $350
Fees cover materials and Administration Cost.
Meals and lodging are not included in this package.

Package includes:

Educational Workshops.
DVD’s and Books to take home (educational tools to use in your continued recovery) Handouts for all workshops.
A total of six group sessions with a Cult Recovery Specialist.

Weekend Itinerary:

Friday
10:00 am-12:00pm: Orientation and Opening Session
12:00pm-1:30 pm: Lunch on your own.
1:30pm-3:00 pm: Workshop “The Wave”
3:00 pm-3:30pm: Break
3:30 pm-5:00pm: Workshop Continued
5:00 pm: Free Time Evening Homework

Saturday
10:00am: - 12:00pm: Consultation Group
12:00 pm- 2:00pm: Lunch on your own
2:00pm - 4:00pm: Consultation Group
Evening Homework

Sunday
10:00pm – 12:00pm: A Class Divided
12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch on your own
1:00pm: – 3:00pm: Consultation Group – Closing Thoughts on the Road to Recovery

Additional counseling time and workshops are available upon request (additional fees apply). Extra sessions will need to be scheduled and paid for prior to arrival. Additional workshops and counseling sessions may be scheduled for future weekends.

Groups for the recovery weekend will be kept small. No more than 10 client’s per weekend. Book early to reserve your spot!
*$350 fee is required to reserve your spot for the weekend.*

Deposit must be made no later than August 20, 2016.

For more information, please visit their website.

FROM NPR- RUSSIA TO POSSIBLY BAN JEHOVAH WITNESSES

FROM NPR: Russia's Jehovah's Witnesses Fight 'Extremist' Label, Possible Ban

Russia's top prosecutor is threatening to ban the Jehovah's Witnesses for alleged "extremism."

The religious denomination has faced growing pressure in Russia over the past several years, with church members arrested and confiscations of church property.

Russia is the only country that bans the Jehovah's Witnesses website, according to the church. The ban is based on allegedly extremist content. Regional courts in Russia have also banned more than 30 pieces of the church's literature for the same reason.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

FACT HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PLATINUM LEVEL FROM GUIDESTAR

Guidestar, the first company ever to provide a central source of information on U.S. nonprofits, has recently added a new rating level called 'Platinum'. This is now their highest level possible, and we at FACT are very happy to announce that we've just been awarded it!

From Guidestar to FACT: “Congratulations on achieving a Platinum level with GuideStar. This is a testament to your organization’s commitment to data transparency and integrity within the non-profit sector.” GuideStar also serves to verify that a recipient organization is established and that donated funds go where the donor intended. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GuideStar)

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our great Board of Directors, committed hard-working staff members and of course our wonderful supporters, without which we would not be here today to fulfill our important mission.

GET A FREE COPY OF ETHICS and the MODERN GURU with your DONATION

SPRING 2016 FUNDRAISING DRIVE UPDATE:

Our good friends, Steven and Debbie Van Neste, have created a special commemorative edition of their e-magazine called "Ethics and the Modern Guru", in memory of Sharon Stern for our fundraising drive.

It tells the tragic story of what happened to Sharon from the corrupting influence of cult leader Katsura Kan, in addition to other very interesting articles about cults.

If you would like to receive a copy of this enlightening e-magazine, please make a minimum donation of $10, and where it says, "I want my donation to be dedicated:" please type the name "Sharon Stern".

Click here to donate: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/fact

Thank you Steven and Debbie for all of your generous hard work to make Sharon's special edition possible.