BEHIND CLOSED DOORS OF AN ELUSIVE AND ABUSIVE CULT

CBS News just contacted FACT, asking us to share info about their upcoming '48 hours' episode. Here is their letter:

Dear FACT,

"I wanted to reach out in regards to an upcoming episode of 48 Hours airing this Saturday, on CBS nationally at 9/8c. It depicts the lives of children who were raised in a cult in Australia led by Anne Hamilton-Byrne. The children were starved, beaten, and even given the mind altering drug, LSD. Anne Hamilton-Byrne fled Australia and hid out in the Catskill Mountains of New York State to avoid charges of fraud and abuse.

With the help of your organization, we are hoping to amplify the amount of voices and resources that cater to those who are involved or have been involved with cultic teachings.

We would love if Families Against Cult Teachings and Abuses could help us promote this conversation by tweeting along, posting on Facebook, etc. We are happy to share with you some of our material for the episode that you can use to spread awareness for the upcoming show in any way you see fit."

Here is the sneak peak sent to us: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/sneak-peek-the-family/

This special "48 Hours" airs Saturday, April 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Today is the Anniversary of Sharon Stern's death

Dear FACT Supporters,

Today is the anniversary of our founder’s daughter’s death, Sharon Stern. Five years ago she committed suicide as a result of her horrible experience with cult leader and abuser Katsura Kan, who manipulated and exploited her physically, psychologically, sexually and financially for four long years. Unable to escape the undue influence Kan had over her and seeing no other way out, she tragically ended her life.

Tibor Stern, the father of Sharon, decided to found FACT shortly thereafter in order to combat the threat of destructive cult leaders who seek to manipulate and use innocent people for their own selfish desires.

Please take a moment to remember Sharoni, who was an incredibly nice, sweet, intelligent, sensitive and talented person in so many ways. If you would like to say something to the Stern family, please send it via this form.

If you are not aware of what happened to Sharon, please click here to read her story.

May her passing bring light to others.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST 'WORLD MISSION SOCIETY CHURCH OF GOD'

LOCATION: The University of Texas, San Antonio, TX
WEBSITE: usa.watv.org

We are looking into a complaint alleging that WMSCOG recruiters are targeting students on campus who are walking alone at night. The complaint filer has been approached over and over again, and states, "...I found out that they target white people. An ex [WMSCOG] member said that it's because white people are thought to have more money..."

This international church is considered a destructive cult by numerous WMSCOG ex-members and also by leading cult experts in the field. This website is an excellent resource for those who wish to learn more: http://www.examiningthewmscog.com

We will be contacting the university to alert them about this organization and their on campus recruitment efforts.

If you have any relevant information to share about this organization, please contact us immediately.

Ex Jehovah's Witness Story

Ex Jehovah's Witness and Freedom of Mind team member, Steve Guziec, discusses his journey out of the Watchtower Society. http://ow.ly/G0Ci30aSNMn

South Dakota lawmakers have decided against studying a secretive polygamous sect

South Dakota lawmakers have decided against studying a secretive polygamous sect's outpost in the western part of the state.

Republican Rep. Tim Goodwin proposed looking into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' compound near Pringle. Goodwin wanted to look at issues including whether polygamy or sex trafficking are taking place there.
Lawmakers instead voted to study a water issue and workforce housing.

http://ow.ly/nhHA30aZUaB

STORIES FROM VICTIMS OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES 'CULT'

Jodi was abused by a church elder and his daughter when she was eight years old. When she was 13 she mustered up the courage to report the abuse to church authorities but was not believed and branded a liar.
"They preach love but they don't show love," she said.

"They love bomb you. They sell you this vision of a perfect community. It is anything but. It's indoctrination. It's a cult, it really is. But they convince you it's a religion."

Shine Lawyers principal Lisa Flynn specializes in institutional sexual abuse and describes the culture of Jehovah's Witness church as deeply problematic.

"The Jehovah's Witnesses have many practices and policies which create a perfect storm for child abuse," she said.

Ms Flynn describes the organization as "controlling, insular and isolating".
"Anyone who complains faces the risk of being shunned and isolated from their families and friends and the way of life they have known," she said. "That makes people very reluctant to report abuse."

And those who do report face hurdles such as the "two witness rule" which requires two eye witnesses to an allegation, having to confront the alleged abuser and giving evidence to a panel of male elders.

"It's often the case that no action is taken," she said. "That leads to a climate where a perpetrator is free to go off and continue perpetrating."
http://ow.ly/Tkr430aXRKV

RUSSIA’S MINISTRY OF JUSTICE MOVES TO BAN JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA

"Russia’s Supreme Court has [recently] heard the testimony of four former members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses who said they were subjected to ‘total control’ by the organization and brainwashed against receiving higher education or starting a family.

In its lawsuit to outlaw the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Justice Ministry pointed to various violations in the organisation’s activities revealed during a surprise inspection, including breaches of the Law on Counteracting Extremist Activities.

The ministry has asked the court to declare the organization and its 395 local branches as extremists, ban their activity and seize property."

http://ow.ly/GpcW30aVAju

Please help F.A.C.T. reach more victims and families by sharing our Facebook page

Please help F.A.C.T. reach more victims and families by sharing our Facebook page with all your friends and family, and asking them to share as well.

Information about our 501c3 non-profit can be found here on our Facebook page or through our website at: https://www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org

We thank you for your support.

-The FACT Team

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY CAN “DESTROY PEOPLE’S LIVES”

Remini said her mission in the hour long show is to “continue to tell these people’s stories until somebody steps in to do something about it.”

She might be close to achieving her objective. Mike Rinder, another ex-Scientologist who also participates in the show, said lawyers were working hard to bring action on the church.

“They’re reviewing all the facts, reviewing the stories of the victims and reviewing the law,” he said. “It’s looking very hopeful.”

http://ow.ly/MqIN30aOCbM

7 SPIRITUAL IDEAS THAT ENABLE ABUSE AND SHAME THE VICTIM

There are some spiritual beliefs and principles that, when taken too far, can be distorted to blame or shame victims of abuse or other forms of trauma, proving harmful and limiting to the healing journey. It’s important to shed light on spiritual frameworks that may hinder or impede a survivor’s journey to authentic healing and can perpetuate a larger victim-shaming discourse in society. Here are seven spiritual philosophies that can be misused to blame the victim and enable abuse.

FACT office reopened

The FACT Team is back in action at the office. Fyi, if you would like to contact us, our normal operating hours are Monday - Friday 10-6pm EST, or you may contact us via our website at any time.