The Cult News Network

The history and science behind why we’re all vulnerable to brainwashing

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Brainwashing, coercive persuasion, research, thought reform

We tend to associate “brainwashing” with cults and hostages, but author and science historian Rebecca Lemov says it can happen to anyone. Her new book “The Instability of Truth" explores the history and science of brainwashing and what it can…[Continue Reading...]

Joint Investigation Team Questions Unification Church ‘Vault Keeper’

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged cult leader, cults, Hak Ja Han Moon, money in safe, South Korea, Unification Church

A joint investigation team (JIT) probing alleged collusion between the Unification Church and political circles recently questioned A, a close associate of Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, according to legal sources. According to the legal community on the 16th, the…[Continue Reading...]

8 Memoirs Exploring the Damage of Purity Culture

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged books, former members, Purity culture

Purity culture. The more Christians begin deconstructing their religious beliefs—often ones imposed upon them as children—the more the subject surfaces. Below, I’ve picked out eight eye-opening memoirs exploring the damage of purity culture. It began as an Evangelical Christian movement…[Continue Reading...]

‘Apocalyptic Christian cult’ Shincheonji using ‘special force teams’ to spread across the country

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Australia, cult leader, cults, Lee Man-Hee, Shincheonji

A former follower of a fringe Christian organisation says "special force teams" are recruiting members in Ballarat, Bendigo, Darwin, Geelong and Melbourne to expand its church's reach. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has been described as an "apocalyptic Christian cult",…[Continue Reading...]

Religious group that some ex-members describe as a ‘cult’ sees its footprint grow in Chicago area

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Chicago, cults, Illinois, World Mission Society Church of God, Zahng Gil-jahcult leader

While the World Mission Society Church of God has strongly rejected that label, a number of former congregants say the organization appears to be financially driven, has falsely predicted the end of the world and has isolated members from non-believing…[Continue Reading...]

Are You an “Echoist?” Here’s what you need to know about the people-pleasing trait, and why it could make you more vulnerable to narcissists.

Published January 15, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged coercive control, narcissist, people pleasers

When Emma Davey looks back, she can see that her abuser was “molding” her very quickly. “It went from 0 to 100, he told me he loved me within the first week [and] wanted to marry me within the first…[Continue Reading...]

Joint probe searches Cheonjeonggung, questions Unification Church figure Yun Yeong-ho

Published January 15, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged government search, headquarters, South Korea, Unification Church

The joint investigation headquarters on corruption involving collusion between religion and politics has begun an investigation, meeting with Yun Young-ho, the former head of the Unification Church world headquarters, who has been identified as a key figure in alleged lobbying…[Continue Reading...]

Is It Pathological to Believe in Conspiracy Theories?

Published January 15, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged conspiracy theorists, Conspkracy theories, delusional thinkingl, psychological research

About 20%-30% of the population express belief in at least one conspiracy theory, according to Thomas Fuchs, MD, PhD, psychiatrist and philosopher, Karl Jaspers Professor of Philosophy and Psychiatry at the Department of General Psychiatry, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. He…[Continue Reading...]

The Simpsons Star Nancy Cartwright Awarded Huge Scientology Accolade

Published January 15, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged mega-donaor, mutli-million sollar contributor, Nancy Cartwright, Scientologists, Scientology

An iconic voice actress has been recognized for her life within Scientology. Nancy Cartwright received the Freedom Medal at this year’s International Association of Scientologists (IAS) gala. The woman famous for voicing Bart on The Simpsons, among her many roles,…[Continue Reading...]

Unification Church, Shincheonji face probe over possible disbandment

Published January 15, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged government investigations, Shincheonji, South Korea, Unification Church

With joint probe underway, experts question efficacy of revoking religious foundation’s registration Investigations into the Unification Church and the Shincheonji Church of Jesus — two religious groups widely regarded as cults — which could result in their dissolution, began this…[Continue Reading...]