There are three kinds of Muslims, former Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali says, and moderates are not among them. The outspoken Islam critic calls for a reformation within Islam.
Also: Former members of a church in Palmerston, New Zealand, say they were suicidal, depressed and in need of counselling after leaving the “cult-like” church and being shunned by their friends and family.
In this issue: cult leader Debra Burslem, of the Magnificat Meal Movement, has fled Australia for the island nation of Vanuata. An Australian current affairs program tracked her down and confronted the ‘prophetess’ with claims that she has misused funds provided by her followers.
Plus: Does evangelist Reinhard Bonnke perform miracles?
Also: next month marks the 20th anniversary of doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo’s sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway.
And and in-depth look at the apocalyptic theology that fuels ISIS and other Muslim radicals around the world.
Many more religion news items…
A former Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult member awaiting trial after 17 years on the run is still brainwashed.
Also: Destiny Church’s controversial, self-appointed ‘bishop’ Brian Tamaki told his devoted followers that God wanted them to give high-denomination bills to his church.
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.
Doomsday cult member Makoto Hirata is charged with involvement in the 1995 abduction and death of a notary official.
Hirata, who in January 2011 handed himself in to police after 17 years on the run, is also charged with involvement in the firebombing of a Tokyo condominium.
Cult leader Peter Moses has been sentenced in the murders of a 4-year-old boy and a 28-year-old woman.
Jailed former members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult can testify in open court against another Aum cult follower. And the parents of a girl who died when they prayed for her healing rather than provide medical care have lots their appeal again their sentence.
Three men who were sentenced to death for their part in the Aum Shinrikyo cult’s 1995 Sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway may be called to testify in the trial of fellow cult member Makoto Hirata.
Hirata faces trial for the fatal abduction and confinement of a notary clerk.
Also: ‘Hot Yoga’ guru Bikram Choudhury faces a sexual harassment lawsuit. Plus, more trouble for Narconon Arrowhead: Lawsuits allege its counselors traded sex for drugs.
Plus: Citizens of a polygamous cult’s town are being watched by surveillance cameras.
Eighteen years ago today, the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult released Sarin, a deadly nerve gas, on five subway trains during Tokyo’s early-morning rush hour.
A handful of misguided sociologists of religion traveled from America in defense of the cult.
A court has ruled that the Tokyo Metropolitan government must pay damages, and apologize, to Aleph — the successor of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult — for suggesting Aum was responsible for the attempted murder of Japan’s national chief of police.
Aum Shinrikyo is best known for its March 20, 1995 terrorist attack on the Tokyo subway system, during which cult members released nerve gas.
A breakaway Amish groups considered by prosecutors to be a cult goes on trial today for hate crimes. Also: A young man convicted for his involvement in a vampire cult murder wants to have his sentence reduced.
Plus: In Spain a fresco of Christ, disfigured in a botched restoration attempt, draws throngs of tourists (and is a worldwide internet sensation).
The murderous Aum Shinrikyo cult, best known for its nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway system, is still recruiting new followers. And cult expert Steve Hassan has written
