“Oprahism”?
According to one religious scholar Oprah Winfrey has crossed the line from celebrity to religious icon. Kathryn Lofton, speaking at an annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion...
View ArticleDid CNN fall for “slick con” and give away network time for a “cult”...
Michael Guillen, the so-called “independent journalist” recruited by Clonaid CEO and Raelian bishop Brigette Boisselier to verify her clone claims, turns out to be an old friend, reports the Boston...
View Article“Cult apologists” defend Raelians
Some religious scholars don’t like the word “cult” and prefer the more politically correct term “new religious movements” (NRMs), reports ABC News. ABC said such scholars say “just because a belief...
View ArticleScholar or paid apologist?
J. Gordon Melton in apparently now promoting the seventh edition of his book called the “Encyclopedia of American Religions.” But don’t expect to see any meaningful critical analysis or fact-driven...
View Article“Occult expert” offers strange evidence in court
In Pretoria South Africa an “occult expert” testified during the trial of an alleged “Satanist,” accused of subjecting children to sexual abuse and religious rituals. During her testimony the expert...
View ArticleWhy did Jehovah’s Witnesses pay the largest cash settlement in its history?
The largest settlement ever paid in the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses occurred this past October, but no news outlet has yet reported it. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which is the umbrella...
View Article“Cult apologist” comments in Smart news story
Another well known “cult apologist” has surfaced in news coverage of the Elizabeth Smart abduction. Rodney Stark, a professor of sociology at the University of Washington, was quoted in the Desert...
View ArticleIs Dick Anthony a full-time professional “cult apologist”?
Apparently “cult apologists” are concerned about the Elizabeth Smart case. They seem to feel a need to dismiss any claims that the kidnap victim was “brainwashed.” Veteran cult defenders James...
View ArticleTragic death linked to New York “cult”
An apparent suicide took place almost one year ago directly linked to Executive Success Programs now known as NXIVM, a privately owned for-profit company that has been called a “cult.” Kristin Marie...
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