Featured Article

There are ’secret’ plans to build a giant replica of the Rio de Janeiro statue Christ the Redeemer near the summit of Primrose Hill in London to promote the 2016 Olympics.
The project, funded by the Brazilian government, has already divided opinion in the celebrity neighbourhood, amid fears it will ruin the view.
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Fearing ‘cult’ brainwashing woman crashed car in attempted suicide

Convinced her children were about to be brainwashed by their “cult leader” grandparents, a young mother in Australia decided her family’s only salvation lay in death.
Last April she placed her three children, aged 16, 10 and 2, in the family car and crashed head-on into a tree at 100km/h.
Religion News Blog

Apocalyptic Warren Jeffs ‘revelation’ ad runs in newspapers across country

The polygamous sect led by Warren Jeffs has taken out apocalyptic quarter-page newspaper ads all over the country.
In contrast with previous Jeffs “revelations,” which have foretold earthquakes, fire and tidal waves, the ad is fairly short and does not predict any specific biblical consequences or threats. It does contain an order form to [...]

Sudan Threatens to Arrest Church Leaders

Sudan’s Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments has threatened to arrest church leaders if they carry out evangelistic activities and do not comply with an order for churches to provide their names and contact information.
The warning arrived a few days after Sudan President Omar al-Bashir told cheering crowds that the country’s constitution will [...]

Somali Convert from Islam Whipped in Public

A Somali convert from Islam was paraded before a cheering crowd last month and publicly flogged as a punishment for embracing a “foreign religion,” sources said.
Sofia Osman, a 28-year-old Christian from Janale city in Somali’as Lower Shabelle region, had been taken into custody by Islamic extremist al Shabaab militants in November; the public [...]

Ex-cultist arrested for harboring Aum Shinrikyo’s Hirata

A former AUM Shinrikyo follower who turned herself in to Tokyo police early Tuesday was arrested later in the day on suspicion of harboring Makoto Hirata — a former senior member of the cult, who was apprehended on New Year’s Day after surrendering to the police.
Religion News Blog

Imprisoned Ex-Aum Shinrikyo cult members questioned over Hirata’s role in 1995 case

Tokyo police have questioned a former AUM Shinrikyo cult member as part of their investigation into a case involving another former leading member who turned himself in to police over the weekend after almost 17 years on the run.
Other convicted Aum members are being questioned as well.
Religion News Blog

Destiny Church town plan draws cult accusations

Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church’s plans to build a ten-acre ‘town’ in South Auckland, New Zealand, has many describing the movement as a cult.
Tamaki has long been controversial for among other things his high life style, his demands for loyalty, and his promotion of un-biblical theology.
Religion News Blog

Calvary Chapel congregation stunned as Chuck Smith announces that he has lung cancer

The congregation at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, were stunned last Sunday when Pastor Chuck Smith, its senior pastor, announced during his Sunday morning services that he has lung cancer and will have a biopsy on Tuesday and surgery the following week.
Chuck Smith, now in his eighties and the father of the Jesus [...]

Former Aum fugitive says cult leader should hang; cult victim says he should not

Aum Shinrikyo fugitive Makoto Hirata, who turned himself in to police late Saturday believes guru Shoko Asahara should hang for his crimes.
But one of the cult’s victims has called on the Japanese government to abandon the looming execution of the group’s leaders.
Religion News Blog