Showing titles in Cults

Teenager Lucas Leonard made shocking admissions in front of the altar - he'd practiced witchcraft, conspired to murder his parents, and committed unspeakable crimes. The confessions earned him a brutal beating by a gang of angry church members, including his parents and sister. Lucas was brought to the hospital dead, awakening the sleepy community of Chadwicks, New York, to the horror that had been lurking next door. Nine members of Lucas' church would eventually find themselves facing murder-related charges. But how did they get to that point? And what made Lucas confess?

How did Charles Manson inspire his "family" to launch a campaign of murder? What twisted ideology lay behind horrific events like the Waco Siege, Aum Shinrikyo's poison-gas attack on the Tokyo metro, and the mass suicides and murders of Jonestown? Why did the suicidal adherents of Heaven's Gate believe doomsday was at hand? How did the idealistic commune of Rajneeshpuram collapse into shocking controversies, involving biological terrorism and attempted murder? The shocking truth about some of the most disturbing criminal cults that have ever existed are discussed in this audiobook.

Mania surrounding messianic prophets has defined the national consciousness since the American Revolution. From Civil War veteran and virulent anticapitalist Cyrus Teed, to the dapper and overlooked civil rights pioneer Father Divine, to even the megalomaniacal Jim Jones, these figures have routinely been dismissed as dangerous and hysterical outliers. After years of studying these emblematic figures, Adam Morris demonstrates that messiahs are not just a classic trope of our national culture; their visions are essential for understanding American history.

Discover a story of healing and personal transformation. Marlena’s childhood was full of contradictions. Her father was both a heroic doctor for people with leprosy and an abusive parent. Her Mennonite missionary community was both a devoted tribe and a controlling society. And Marlena longed to both be accepted in Paraguay and escape to somewhere new. In Nothing Bad Between Us, follow Marlena’s journey as she takes control of her life and learns to be her authentic self, scars and imperfections included.

Belief and Cult argues that belief isn't uniquely Christian but was central to ancient Roman religion. Drawing on cognitive theory, Jacob Mackey shows that despite having nothing to do with salvation or faith, belief underlay every aspect of Roman religious practices—emotions, individual and collective cult action, ritual norms, social reality, and social power. In doing so, he also offers a thorough argument for the importance of belief to other non-Christian religions.

Wage War Against Spiritual Foes Do you constantly feel like you can’t catch a break? Are you tired of feeling defeated? Do you get the sense that you’re always facing spiritual attacks?It’s exhausting, and you’re probably one of the many thousands of people who have a deep desire to start living a free and victorious life. Damien K. H. Nash offers a compelling look into spiritual warfare and the concept of deliverance by merging the mindsets of athletes and spiritual warriors. As a former collegiate basketball player, Nash demonstrates lessons learned from coaches during pregame; ...

La Luz del Mundo has been called the world’s largest cult that no one has ever heard of. Sochil Martin grew up inside it. Her harrowing true story to escape and seek justice is an epic that exposes alleged crimes of biblical proportions.

Cyrus Teed was a charismatic and controversial guru who at the age of thirty had been "illuminated" by an angel in his electro-alchemical laboratory. At the turn of the 20th century, surrounded by the marvels of the Second Industrial Revolution, he proclaimed himself a prophet and led 200 people out of Chicago and into a new age. Or so he promised.

Daniel Allen Cox grew up with firm lines around what his religion considered unacceptable: celebrating birthdays and holidays, voting in elections, pursuing higher education, and other forays into independent thought. Their opposition to blood transfusions would have consequences for his mother, just as their stance on homosexuality would for him. But even years after whispers of his sexual orientation reached his congregation’s presiding elder, catalyzing his disassociation, the distinction between “in” and “out” isn’t always clear.

A forbidden tome of potent Enochian chants, designed to unleash the wrath of Shax, the Demon of Chaos and Destruction. This is not for the faint of heart. This Grimoire contains raw, untamed energy, channeled through the ancient language of the Angels, and imbued with the destructive power of Shax. Within these pages, you will find: Potent Enochian chants specifically designed to summon Shax and harness his chaotic energy. Powerful invocations to evoke Shax's destructive force, unleashing chaos upon your enemies, institutions, or any obstacle in your path. Rituals of destruction, meant to ...

At the age of six, Tim Guest was taken by his mother to a commune modeled on the teachings of the notorious Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Tim and his mother were given Sanskrit names, dressed entirely in orange, and encouraged to surrender themselves into their new family. In 1985, the movement collapsed amid allegations of mass poisonings, attempted murder, and tax evasion, and Yogesh was once again Tim. In this extraordinary memoir, Tim Guest chronicles the heartbreaking experience of being left alone on earth while his mother hunted heaven.

At age 14, Wendy Gossard was drawn by the tranquil blue eyes and personal magnetism of a man known as Yahowah, leader of a spiritual group called the Source Family. Fleeing her own family and becoming a fugitive from justice in the state of California, Wendy followed the 1970s cult group across settlements in California and Hawaii on a quest for spiritual direction, communal harmony, and basic survival. Growing up, the teenager, called Mushroom by Yahowah, had questions about her pregnancy, relationships, and place in the universe.

Have you ever run into a King James Onlyist? If not, you might someday, and here is what they may tell you: “Modern Bible versions are of the devil! They have been concocted by evil people who want to corrupt the faith of all Christians. You must use the King James Version of the Bible. That is the version that God has put his stamp of approval on. It is the only Bible in the entire world, in any language, that is one-hundred percent accurate. You aren’t saved unless you use a King James Version!” KJV Onlyists have troubled the hearts of many a Christian and have split churches in ...

The world is ruled by very different forces than what is commonly imagined. Political leaders who parade themselves in front of us each have their own position in the public political hierarchy. Business leaders have a similar public corporate hierarchy. However, behind the curtains, there is an international and highly organized network to which many of these leaders belong.

You joined your church because of its intensity for God. Like no other place, it’s helped you discover the meaning of obedience. If there’s one problem, it’s the confusion that sometimes comes from your own carnal thinking. But God has given you leaders who can lovingly correct a doubting, independent spirit and help you choose God’s best for your life. How can you go wrong with a church like that? Easily, because it fits the profile of many abusive churches.

In the tantalizing "Cimejes Necronomicon," readers are beckoned into an arcane realm where the esoteric powers of Enochian magic merge with the enigmatic practices of the infamous Cimejes. Within the pages of this captivating grimoire, the secrets to unlocking forbidden knowledge and untold power are revealed, offering a gateway to hidden dimensions and a shift in consciousness. Immerse yourself in the shadowy world of ancient grimoires, where the enigmatic language of Enochian is masterfully employed. Step by step, detailed rituals and incantations are meticulously crafted, offering ...

A lack of love in an authoritarian household sparked Andrew’s lifelong search for love and belonging. His AA sponsor introduced him to A Course in Miracles, which Andrew studied deeply for twenty years. Then a celebrated spiritual teacher invited him to edit his first book and join his community. Andrew had been led to believe that he was chosen to find the Love of God. After a heart-rending parting from his family, he moved to Utah and joined the community.

As an obsessed scholar of esoteric knowledge and ancient rituals, I have meticulously compiled an Enochian Grimoire that unravels the mysteries of Astaroth Transformation Magick. Within these pages, one will discover a comprehensive guide on performing these powerful metamorphic rituals. Delving into the realm of Astaroth, a potent and enigmatic entity, this grimoire unveils the intricate steps needed to undergo transformative experiences. From invoking Astaroth's essence to harnessing its energy, this grimoire provides practitioners with the tools to unlock immense power and inner growth. ...

Stephen Mansfield, the acclaimed New York Times best-selling author, has highlighted the growing popularity of Mormonism—a belief system with cultic roots—and the implications of its critical rise. Mormons are moving into the spotlight in pop culture, politics, sports, and entertainment via presidential candidates like Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, media personality Glenn Beck, mega-bestselling Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, and The Book of Mormon, the hottest show on Broadway.

Osho responds here to a question relating to meditation, a space of "no-mind": "...meditation covers a very long pilgrimage. When I say 'meditation is witnessing', it is the beginning of meditation. And when I say 'meditation is no-mind', it is the completion of the pilgrimage. Witnessing is the beginning, and no-mind is the fulfillment. Witnessing is the method to reach the no-mind. Naturally you will feel witnessing is easier. It is close to you. But witnessing is only like seeds, and then is the long waiting period."