Jailed FLDS cult leader Warren Jeffs is hospitalized. A mother convicted together with her husband for the faith healing death of their young son starts her prison sentence.
Also: Fred Phelps, the founder the Westboro Baptist Church is near death (and was reportedly excommunicated from the hate group).
Plus: Pilgrims are drawn to a glowing Virgin Mary statue . And more….
Is Dr. Craig Stasio running a doomsday cult? Parents of the young people he has surrounded himself with think he has brainwashed their daughters, who refer to him as “the prophet.”
Plus: a poll shows that increasing numbers of Americans don’t consider religion all that important. Russians, on the other hands have become more religious — and religion plays an important role in the current Russia – Ukraine conflict.
Also: Christians urgently need to gain an understanding of Islam.
Bill Gothard, founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, has resigned in the wake of an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse.
Sometimes the Prosperity Gospel scam does work. But guess who gets rich of it?
A former Aum Shinrikyo cult member who surrendered after 17 years on the run has now been sentenced to 9 years in prison for his participation in three cult-related crimes.
Cult leader Victor Barnard, who faces abuse charges, is missing.
Plus: The fictional True Detective series may have been inspired by the Hosanna Church child abuse case.
A recently filed civil lawsuit and a 90-minute documentary released online today allege that decades ago members of Jesus People USA, a Christian commune in Chicago, engaged in abusive behavior.
Also: Bill Gothard, founder of the Basic Institute in Life Principles, has been place on administrative leave by the organization’s board of directors.
Plus: the Scientology cult does what it does best: spew hatred regarding an ex-member.
The ‘Church’ of Scientology, among other things known for tearing relationships apart, is delighted that two of its members in the UK have finally been able to marry in one of the cult’s ‘chapels.’
We also highlight a couple of other cases in which human rights and religious freedom interact.
False prophet Bob Jones has died — again. And a snake-handling preacher known from the reality TV show ‘Snake Salvation’ has died after he was bitten by a snake.
A recently-married teenage mother claims she is a Satanist who has murdered more than 20 people. And the Son God Movie can count on sold-out theaters. Here’s why…
Inside this issue of Religion News Briefs: items on Scientology, the International Cultic Studies Association, the Plymouth Brethren (which you know as the Exclusive Brethren), and more.
Also: the Book of Mormon vs DNA. And Saudi Arabia’s religious police. As always we include a modicum of opinion, as well as links to research resources.
A 26-year-old woman who joined a cult-like church after ‘running away from home’ has been seen in public.
Doctors are not liable for the death of a Jehovah’s Witness who refused a blood transfusion.
Do Muslims prefer to see — or not see — a woman’s face while she is out in public?
A couple belonging to a church that eschews medical care in favor of faith healing is facing manslaughter charges in the death of their 12-year-old daughter.
Christmas is all about the birth of Christ, but that event has long ago been overshadowed with commercialism — and is now celebrated by those who dismiss him entirely.
Also: a priest who ministers to wealthy, busy businessmen.
A couple whose 11-year-old daughter died of diabetes because they chose of treat her with prayer instead of securing proper medical help has lost a final appeal of their separate convictions.
At a January hearing a judge will decide wether the couple will have to serve jail time as stipulated in their unusual sentence.