The Cult News Network

Editorial: The Unification Church dissolution ruling in Japan solves nothing by itself

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged church dissolution, cults, Japan, Unification Church, victims compensation

The dissolution order against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church, has been finalized. Japan's Supreme Court dismissed the group's special appeal and upheld the Tokyo High Court decision ordering its dissolution. But…[Continue Reading...]

‘Same old stuff’: Gloriavale leaver raises concerns with new doco series

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult TV Tagged abuse, cults, Gloriavale, New Zealand

A Gloriavale leaver says he doesn't think a new documentary is neutral, and is borderline sympathetic to the cult. The West Coast religious sect has granted documentary producer Dame Julie Christie rare access for new series, Devotion: The Gloriavale Story.…[Continue Reading...]

Cult leader and wife guilty over death of woman whose body was pulled from harbour

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged criminal conviction, cult leader, cults, Kaixiao Liu, New Zealand, The Ark

The leader of a religious cult and his wife have been found guilty of all charges in relation to the death of a woman who had travelled to New Zealand to seek religious teaching. It has been 840 days since…[Continue Reading...]

Good-faith lawsuit? LDS church in fight with podcaster over Mormon name

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Mormons Tagged John Duhlin, lawsuit, LDS, Mormon Church, podcaster

Trademark changes and copyright infringement disputes take many forms. Dunkin’ Donuts changed its name to Dunkin’ because Donuts did not suggest the vigorous, on-the-go attitude the coffee company wants to project. But what happens when a church changes its name,…[Continue Reading...]

The Hidden Control Behind Love Bombing

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged abusive controlling realationships, coercive control, love bombing

Key points What feels like profound connection may actually be the start of hidden, destabilizing control. 12-step communities can unintentionally enable narcissistic abuse by misapplying recovery language. High-empathy individuals are especially vulnerable to their attunement being exploited. “The problem is,…[Continue Reading...]

People Magazine Investigates Explores the Soulaire Allerai Cult

Published June 30, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged Allerai, cults, Minnesota

People continues its dive into cults with People Magazine Investigates: The Cult of the Soulful Journey. The special presentation focuses on self-help guru Soulaire Allerai, who set up a commune in Minnetonka, Minnesota, promising her followers spiritual growth. Investigation Discovery…[Continue Reading...]

Best of Asking Eric: I’m caught in a cult and don’t know how to get out

Published June 28, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged advice, cults, leaving cults

Dear Eric: Twenty years ago, I found myself a part of a group that initially started as a gym buddy group. I was brought inside the circle by the “leader”, aka the one who initiates and makes plans. Since the…[Continue Reading...]

Gaslighting Doesn’t Always Look Like What You Think It Does

Published June 27, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged abusive controlling friendships, coercive control, gaslighting, mystical manipulation

I recently met up with one of my friends for coffee and a good chat session. When I sat down at the table, she pointed at her cup and exclaimed, “The barista totally gaslit me. Do you see how they…[Continue Reading...]

South Korean ex-first lady sentenced to 7 years for bribery scandal

Published June 27, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Uncategorized Tagged criminal conviction, cults, Kim Keon Hee, prison sentence, South Korea, Unification Church

SEOUL, South Korea — The wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday after a court convicted her of accepting luxury gifts from businesspeople and others seeking political and business favors.…[Continue Reading...]

Polygamous sect leader convicted of abuse charges after girls found in trailer

Published June 27, 2026 By admin

Categorized as Cult Crimes Tagged Arizona, criminal conviction, cult leader, Polygamist cult, Samuel Bateman

PHOENIX -- A polygamous sect leader already serving a 50-year federal prison sentence for orchestrating sex involving children was convicted Friday on state child abuse charges after girls were found in an unventilated trailer he was hauling through Arizona. Someone…[Continue Reading...]