Cult News

The most recent celebrity to be exposed regarding controversial religious ties is actor Mel Gibson. He is involved in a schismatic “Catholic” group that considers the official Roman Catholic Church, not “Catholic enough,” reports the New York Times.

Gibson’s group rejects modern changes in the church since the second Vatican Council.

Another example of such a group would be the Society of St. Pius X, though it seems to be considerably more moderate than Gibson’s church and the more radical, schismatic group called “The Apostles of Infinite Love.”

Gibson’s father raised his family within this rather strange religious milieu and apparently deeply indoctrinated his children.

His father bragged in a recent interview, ”Mel wasn’t raised in the [official Roman Catholic Church], and he wouldn’t go for it anymore than I would. I’ve got to say that my whole family is with me — all 10 of them.’

The elder Gibson also discussed his belief in various conspiracy theories, which seems to include anti-Semitic themes such as worldwide Jewish plots. He also denies the Holocaust and sees Hitler in a somewhat softer light than history.

Now Mel Gibson is putting up the money to match his mindset and has spent $25 million dollars on an unusual film project. He is producing a movie about the death of Jesus with all the dialogue spoken in the languages of Aramaic and Latin.

Reportedly the film will reflect anti-Jewish sentiments, regarding who is to blame for the death of Jesus.

No doubt the elder Gibson and others on the religious fringe will be happy to see the film released, but it seems destined for a very small audience. It certainly won’t be another “Braveheart.”

Mel Gibson’s commitment to this film seems to reflect his early and intense indoctrination, rather than any business savvy or artistic interest.

However, it should be understood that Gibson, like other children raised within controversial religious groups, had no choice. His parents instead made that choice for him.

In this sense he is not unlike Lisa Marie Presley, who was raised as a Scientologist by her mother.

Presley has been plagued by divorce. And Scientology was recently cited as one cause by her latest husband Nicholas Cage. Ironically, her father Elvis reportedly detested the group.

The actor River Phoenix spent his early childhood within a group called the “Children of God.” And not unlike many other young people with that background he turned to alcohol and drugs, which led to his tragic death at 26.

But none of these celebrities actually initially chose their religion. And the likable Gibson is just one more example of this reality.

Of course parents rarely give children the option of choosing a church, but most kids are lucky enough to have less controversial and perhaps more benign choices made for them.

Postscript: See this follow-up regarding the marketing of “Passion” and its message.

It seems the Watchtower Bible and Track Society, also known as “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” is becoming increasingly concerned about potential lawsuits and its public image.

So much so that it now sounds like leaders are equivocating regarding long-standing organizational rules about blood transfusions.

It looks like Jehovah’s Witnesses will now be able to use some blood byproducts in life threatening circumstances, reports the San Bernardino Sun.

The blood byproduct PolyHeme, which helps to replace lost hemoglobin, was recently used by a Witness in a California hospital, reports the San Bernardino Sun.

A Witness official said, “When blood is fractionated beyond those primary components and other blood derivatives, we feel that it is an individual decision. If an individual’s conscience will allow him to accept the product, then that would be up to that individual. That is between himself and his God.”

However, the same spokesperson stated, “We feel that the Bible clearly indicates that blood is sacred and it is not to be used for human consumption.”

Historically many Witnesses have died rather than use blood products.

Previously Witnesses were not allowed to accept organ transplants and this also led to many deaths. But that policy was eventually abandoned through a supposed new revelation.

Obviously, there is some blood residue within a transplanted organ, just as there certainly is within blood that has been fractionated to create a byproduct like PolyHeme.

Never mind.

Scientific details regarding such matters don’t seem to concern Witnesses. The real issue is, does the hierarchy of the organization say it’s OK?

Witnesses essentially do whatever their leaders tell them. And apparently they don’t concern themselves with the inherent contradictions posed by a sudden shift in policy.

It is sad though; that so many Witnesses have died due to previous policies now rescinded and/or revised.

However, if this recent shift regarding the use of blood products represents a gradual move towards a more medically sound and safer situation for millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses, it certainly is a healthy development.

Addressing a gathering of his followers this month at an Arlington, Virginia hotel Rev. Sun Myung Moon went into an anti-Semitic rant. At one point the leader of the Unification Church claimed Hitler’s murder of 6 million Jews was the fulfillment of “the principle of indemnity,” reports the Unification News.

Moon called upon Jews in his audience to “raise [their] hands” and told them, “Jewish people, you have to repent. Jesus was the King of Israel. Through the principle of indemnity Hitler killed 6 million Jews. That is why. God could not prevent Satan from doing that because Israel killed the True Parents. Even now, you have to determine that you will repent and follow and become one with Christianity through Rev. Moon.”

Of course Moon believes everyone must follow him.

The self-proclaimed “messiah” also told the gathering, “If you follow Rev. Moon, you will not go down. In the future those who hear my words and believe will go to heaven, those who don’t will not.”

Uh huh.

Moon also alluded to the political party he will soon launch in Korea, reports the Korea Herald.

He stated, “To unify Korea we must unify church and state. We must establish a political party and then unify church and state.”

I wonder who Moon thinks should run this hoped for theocracy? Something tells me he thinks it should be him.

Some say the 82-year-old “cult leader” is senile and often incoherent. However, he still maintains absolute control over his followers and a vast financial empire.

Moon continues to control the Washington Times and United Press International and has courted substantial influence amongst prominent senators, congressmen and religious leaders such as Rev. Jerry Falwell.

A man who recruited former members of Amish sects to become his followers was sentenced to a 15-year prison sentence for sexually abusing a minor child, reports the Holland Sentinel.

Wilbur Eash 50 claimed he had “supernatural powers,” but relied upon the power of influence over his followers to target and prey upon children. The leader reportedly sexually abused three boys.

In 1990 Eash and his group drew publicity when an Amish family hired a “deprogrammer” in an effort to free one woman from the cult leader’s control. That effort failed.

At the time other groups called “cults” launched a nationwide campaign to discredit the deprogrammer Ted Patrick, falsely claiming he had attacked the Amish and their beliefs.

However, Eash’s followers were clearly only former Amish and not in any way affiliated with a recognized Amish sect.

Now Eash is no cause for press releases claiming he is somehow a victim of “religious intolerance” and/or “persecution.” And it is obvious that the family’s fears about his character and conduct more than a decade ago were justified.

When sentencing Eash the judge sternly said, “At least while you’re down there (in prison), you won’t harm any other little boys.”

The sexual predator may be 65 upon release. It is doubtful he can effectively run his “cult” from a prison cell.

Leader of the “House of Prayer” Arthur Allen Jr. and two of his followers, failed to show up at court yesterday, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Warrants were subsequently issues for their arrest.

But it looks like Allen and two members of his group may have skipped town.

The three were sentenced to probation for the brutal beatings of children within the church, but failed to meet the requirements of that sentence.

Allen appeared arrogant during trial, often stating his practices were somehow “God’s” ways and that he would never submit to any worldly authority, such as the laws of Georgia.

It now looks like he was serious.

The two parents also convicted for “child cruelty” and placed on probation said not allowing them to whip children violated their “religious convictions.”

It appears that Allen and his devoted disciples may soon be practicing their faith behind bars. And the worldly authority that might eventually govern their daily lives could be prison guards.

An old “Moonie brainwashing camp” was sold by the Unification Church of Rev. Moon in northern California, reports The Press Democrat.

The church led by the self-proclaimed “messiah” sold Aetna Springs resort, in a deal last month to a developer. The isolated site was once used to indoctrinate recruits through a process many see as “brainwashing.”

Attorney Ford Green was once held in Boonville a similar retreat. He said, “Aetna Springs for years was one of the Moonie brainwashing camps.” Ford says such camps are “pretty tough to leave,” adding, “I’m sure that was the desirable feature of the Aetna location — its isolation.”

The developer who bought Aetna Springs plans to turn it into a four-star resort.

Green said, “To have one less public health hazard in Napa County can’t be anything but good.”

Rev. Moon once spent time in a North Korean prisoner camp. Some say he may have learned about many of the techniques later used to “brainwash” recruits at his own camps largely through that experience.

Robert Jay Lifton, a noted psychiatrist, described those techniques in his book “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism,” first published in 1961. The book would later be used as a means of explaining cult “brainwashing” to members during “deprogramming.”

Rev. Moon has become a powerful political figure in Washington since the days Aetna Springs was a thriving “Moonie” camp. He now owns the Washington Times newspaper, United Press International wire service and has close ties to the Bush family.

Arthur Allen and two of his followers from the “House of Prayer” have a deadline to meet today. They must appear in an Atlanta court at 1:00 PM or warrants will be issued for their arrest, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Allen and a married couple from his church were convicted of criminal “child cruelty,” due to the beatings children endured within the controversial Georgia group. They received jail time and probation.

Conditions of that probation include attending anger management classes and signing a written agreement not strike children with objects.

The parents refused to sign the document. Now they must come to court and comply or their probation will be violated.

In recent years there has been a crackdown on religious groups that abuse children.

Children were removed from a group in Canada called “The Church of God Restoration,” as a result of beatings. Parents from a branch of that church in California were arrested for medical neglect.

Dwight York, the leader of another group in Georgia named the “Nuwaubians,” was arrested and prosecuted for more than 200 counts of sexually abusing minor children in his group. York signed a plea agreement and is now serving a prison sentence.

Polygamist groups in Canada and the United States are being scrutinized for their treatment of children and some of their members have also been prosecuted for abuse.

Increasingly in North America authorities seem to be determining a boundary between legitimate religious practice and criminal child abuse.

Today with tension mounting between the United States and North Korea, what can be done to promote better relations?

How about children called “Little Angels” performing precision drills to John Phillip Souza? And what if they did a rendition of “Amazing Grace” woven into a medley of Korean songs?

These are some of the routines a troop founded and still funded by Rev. Moon of the Unification Church can do. They recently went to Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital as “ambassadors of peace,” reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The general director of “Little Angels” is the daughter of an old follower of Rev. Moon, but claims, “There’s nothing religious.”

However, given the history of the Unification Church and its hundreds of front organizations used for recruitment and to advance the personal agenda of its “messiah,” it is difficult to believe these “little angels” are totally innocent.

The children might be earnest, but Moon has used sincere people in the past to advance his purposes, which don’t appear angelic at all.

Landmark Education, which runs a controversial large group awareness training (LGAT) program called the Forum, is encouraging its graduates to devote time to community service projects.

In the past the private for-profit company has generated many negative news stories, serious complaints and lawsuits, but now it seems to be looking for some good press.

Some Forum participants have linked breakdowns to the intense pressure, catharsis and stress within the long weekend seminars.

But despite that history the organization is reaching out within communities, perhaps to burnish its image or maybe to stimulate interest and enrollment in its courses.

Two such efforts recently popped up in local newspapers.

A Landmark devotee is staging community dances for seniors. She says it’s “one of her assignments from the Forum,” reports the New Jersey Express-Times.

Another Forum graduate started a quilting project. She said it is “a requirement for a self-expression and leadership class she is taking through the Landmark Education Corporation,” reports the Pioneer Press.

So the lucrative San Francisco based business founded by Werner Erhard and once called “EST” has apparently decided to become known for good deeds instead of controversy.

Well, maybe.

But it looks a bit contrived to be an expression of genuine altruism.

Why not help out community charities with much needed cash during these difficult times?

Landmark certainly seems to have plenty to spare, it takes in more than $50 million annually.

In New Jersey a woman is accused of leading a “cult” based upon “Palo Mayombe,” a religion with roots in West Africa, reports The New York Post.

The alleged “high priestess” was arrested in connection with human remains stolen from cemeteries, which are then supposedly used for rituals and incantations.

Sounds strange, but the courts are now involved. The “priestess” plead innocent and is now being held in jail pending $500,000.00 bail.

Certainly families of the deceased and the public want to be assured that the dead rest in peace. But let’s hope this doesn’t degenerate into a modern day witch-hunt and/or sensational Salem-like trial.

If the excessive bail set is any indicator, the matter may have already drawn a disproportionate amount of attention.

Certainly the alleged crime is distasteful and offensive, but no one has been charged with murder or a violent crime.