The Cult Around the Corner is dedicated to bringing reason, understanding and open communication to an often explosive subject: the involvement of oneself, a friend or loved one in a group that might be called a "cult."

This is the story of a young man who was raised as a Jehovah's Witness, seemingly destined to spend the rest of his life following the instruction of God's 'Spirit Directed Organisation'. He soon came to discover however, that things were not as they had first seemed. Following a patch of doubt and subsequent in-depth investigation into the religion, the young man began to realise that the things he had previously accepted without question no longer made sense. His eyes were opened to the various powerful methods that were, and still are being used to control the minds of the faith's followers. The story contained within these pages describes the author's life, from his upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness, his struggles along the way, and the challenges he faced as he tried to break free. His extensive research into the religion's history is also documented, including apparent accounts of questionable teachings and manipulative methodologies.

This book is the true account of how I gave my life to a cruel and criminally insane cult leader, and how I was miraculously able to take it back and emerge a stronger and more compassionate person. Escape is the first book that tells an insider's story of daily life ruled by a psychopathic cult leader. The book shows how easy it is to become brainwashed by a charismatic personality into thinking that torture, starvation, and complete isolation are essential to a spiritual life. It is also a cautionary tale for the parents and family members of anyone belonging to a cult, and for people recovering from cults, extreme religions, or abusive relationships.

Since its first publication in 1623, no alchemic tract has been more widely read than The Hermeticum Arcanum, and no other has been so often reprinted, in Latin, German, French and English - to include a preface by William Wynn Westcott in this edition -

On the morning of November 19, 1978, the bodies of over 900 Americans were found scattered all over a small commune in northwestern Guyana, South America by the Guyana Defense Force. It was clear that Jim Jones and his followers had committed what he called "revolutionary suicide" the night before in the single greatest loss of civilian life in American history, bested only by the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Among the dead were over 250 children. How could something that started out with such good intentions end so badly? If you are already familiar with Jim Jones and Jonestown, this book is going to be a refresher course and quick reference guide to the group. It is intended to be a primer, a springboard towards other research, not an exhaustive book on the subject.

This research explored how identity transitions are accomplished when individuals experience distress in relationship to the social systems in which they are embedded. Study participants grew up in cultic groups, where they were parented by committed members. Twenty-two people who chose to leave or were ejected from 12 groups provided low point, high point, and turning point stories for an exploratory narrative analysis. Life story narratives revealed a jarring disconnect between what participants were expected to believe and become and how they experienced themselves. The research interviews provided richly textured data about the experience of growing up cult, the process of leaving, and what helped or hindered as participants navigated new social contexts. A categorical content analysis showed that participants experienced pressure and a sense of isolation. Adverse events such as neglect, abuse, and violence were reported. Many experienced the loss of family and friends as the exit cost for leaving. The research showed that a crystallization of discontent motivated participants to leave despite resource deficits and considerable uncertainty. During the process of constructing identities more congruent with an emerging sense of self, participants rejected worldviews inculcated during childhood. Results challenge theories that situate identity negotiation as a stage-specific dilemma that occurs during adolescence. The analysis indicates that exposure to diverse views and role models; exploration of personal truth and experimentation; and skill development in critical thinking and reality testing were important to successful adaptation. A key finding suggests that existing therapeutic approaches grounded in cult education and recovery from abuse would benefit from a complementary focus on identity development.

A book that questions whether the current activities and practices in the Osho International Ashram in Pune, India are what Osho would really sanction today.

Essays In Occultism, Spiritism, And Demonology

The first critical treatment of Scientology that seeks to identify and correct what is wrong with it rather than to merely expose or advocate against the subject. A handbook for former, current and prospective members. The book can help to heal any damage done by misuse while rehabilitating any positives derived from Scientology. The book also serves to proof up an individual against being harmed by misapplication of Scientology in the future. As the first simple, accurate description of the philosophy from its introductory to its most advanced levels, the book will inform those interested in Scientology as no other available work has.

Let's sell these people a Piece of Blue Sky: the new, unexpurgated, unabridged version of the classic history of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Exposing Hubbard's false claims to be a war hero, a nuclear physicist, an explorer and a protege of Eastern gurus, and showing the true malevolence of Scientology. "Invaluable for its history and insight into the character of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard." Lawrence Wright, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief "If you only have time to read one book about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, this landmark work is the one." Miles C. Ferguson "This is the best book I have read about Scientology." Steve Cannane, ABC Lateline, Australia "A Piece of Blue Sky is the standard reference among serious students of authoritarian belief systems. Newer books about Scientology have been released, but none reproduce the detail and narrative clarity of Atack's book." Christian Szurko, DialogCentre UK "Since 1976, I have met, interviewed and counseled countless former officials and ex-members of Scientology. Of everyone I have ever met, and every book I have ever read, Jon Atack is the definitive resource of all things 'Hubbard.'" Steven Hassan, author Freedom of Mind "When I first read Jon Atack's amazing book A Piece of Blue Sky it was a series of revelations. I had been on the receiving end of the false promises, heavy ethics pressures and greed-motivated financial stresses for decades without being able to reconcile these things with Hubbard's writings. Jon's book gave me considerable relief as to what was really going on behind the facade" Michael Pattinson, ex-OT 8. "As someone who has been at the top of organized scientology, and seen much of what really went on there, I would like to express my appreciation for what Jon Atack has done to get out the truth when it was not safe to do it." Denise Brennan, former Watchdog Committee Member "Throughout my professional life, I have seen so many victims of poisonous ideologies from communism and scientology to Saddam Hussein's "return to faith" and Al Qaeda's "martyrdom." In my attempts to help those sufferers, I applied a lesson learned from Jon Atack's writings that freedom cannot be delivered, granted, or enforced. The true and complete freedom comes only with the freedom of mind and Jon Atack's book is the best guide for all who want to achieve that freedom." Professor Khapta Akhmedova, expert on terrorism "Honestly written, amazingly accurate, and beautifully assembled, which is why it stood the test." Gerry Armstrong, former Hubbard aide "This book is fascinating.... and fresh. I've read every expose and this one is on the top of my list." Paulette Cooper, author The Scandal of Scientology "A Piece of Blue Sky was my first introduction to the real truth about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. It's still the most reliable of the many books on the subject. No one seems to have worked harder to get things right by relying so carefully on rare and crucial documents that spell out the history of Scientology's abuses." Tony Ortega, former editor, Village Voice "All future scholarship on Scientology will build upon his contribution." Professor Stephen Kent "When I first read A Piece of Blue Sky, it became more than instrumental in helping me to understand my experiences and put them into a meaningful context that changed my life." Bonnie Woods, ex-OT3 "Atack's book displays mastery of his material and subtlety of analysis and discussion that would be praised at the typical final doctoral examination." Richard de Mille, ghost author of Hubbard's Science of Survival "This book delivers like none other. We used it extensively during the fifteen years we helped families retrieve their loved ones from the cult of Scientology, and we still recommend it today to those who want to know the truth about Scientology." Jerry Whitfield and Hana Eltringham Whitfield

Flying Free thoroughly covers the background of the Worldwide Church Of God (WCG) cult - its history, leadership, doctrines, beliefs and its membership. This book contains never previously published research explaining Herbert Armstrong's Holiness Quaker upbringing. It also includes extensive research on the WCG's comparison to a cult, and the characteristics that actually define a cult. Flying Free documents the impact of the Armstrong teachings on individual lives, but then goes on to show a priceless freedom - found in life beyond fundamentalism. Flying Free is a valuable, practical resource for ex-WCG members and for relatives or friends attempting to come to terms with the reality of loved ones joining a cult. It should serve as a warning to those contemplating entering a fundamentalist church. The book also includes a balanced assessment of the origins of the Bible, the authority of the Bible, and an appraisal of organised Christianity's influence on the individual Christian.

Mitt Romney's run for President of the United States created enormous interest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In spite of enormous media focus during the so-called Mormon Moment, coverage was often shallow and misleading, even from the LDS Church. Few reporters dug deep enough to deal with the evidence that the Mormon Church is in a deep crisis, not only because of members leaving but because of increasing proof of lies, fraud, false teaching, and criminality at the start of Mormonism. James Beverley tells the Mormon story as few can. He has studied Mormonism for over 35 years and has consulted frequently with other experts on Mormonism, both LDS and outside the LDS Church. His research trips to Utah have included interaction with polygamous Mormons, major LDS scholars, and the Attorney General of the State of Utah. Mormon Crisis deals with major issues about Joseph Smith, the first LDS prophet, provides sustained critique of Mormon Scripture, examines flaws in the LDS understanding of Church leadership, and probes unique doctrines and practices, including the secret temple ceremonies. The book offers a serious indictment of the current LDS belief system but also a way out of the current crisis facing one of Americas most famous and controversial religions.

What sets this book apart from the many books on cults and controlling relationships, is the focus on the heart of the individual caught up in the control of others and the steps needed to rebuild life once the person has the courage to leave. The author lived for 24 years inside the Watchtower as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her story is not unique, but her ability to rebuild her life and move into relationships of the heart instead of rules to obey is an encouragement to everyone who is either in a similar situation or who knows someone who is. Practical help is given to the person who has the courage to leave any controlling situation to take back authority over their life and to make that life one of purpose and fulfilment.

Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005.

In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org - the church's highest ministry, speaks of her disconnection from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.

In this tell-all memoir, complete with family photographs from her time in the Church, Jenna Miscavige Hill, a prominent critic of Scientology who now helps others leave the organization, offers an insider's profile of the beliefs, rituals, and secrets of the religion that has captured the fascination of millions, including some of Hollywood's brightest stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

VectorsBackCover French philosopher Rene Guenon (1886-1951), who spent many years searching for a true esoteric Way, crossed paths with many false and subversive spiritualities before arriving at the threshold of Islamic Sufism. In his prophetic masterpiece The Reign of Quantity and the Signs of the Times he classed the worst of these spiritualities as examples of the Counter-Initiation. Anti-Tradition-secularism and materialism-opposes religion; Counter-Tradition inverts it; and the esoteric essence of Counter-Tradition is the Counter-Initiation. The author expands on this concept, recognizing the action of the Counter-Initiation in such areas as the politicizing of the interfaith movement, the anti-human tendencies in the environmental movement, the growing interest in magic and sorcery, the involvement of the intelligence communities in the fields of UFO investigation and psychedelic research, the history of Templarism and Freemasonry, and the de-Islamicization of the famous Sufi poet, Jalaluddin Rumi. Vectors of the Counter-Initiation is conceived of as a sequel to The System of Antichrist: Truth and Falsehood in Postmodernism and the New Age Sophia Perennis, 2001]. The Counter-Initiation has six main features: syncretism; inverted hierarchy; deviated esoterism; the granting of the temporal transmission of spiritual lore precedence over the vertical descent of Revelation; the reduction of religion to utilitarianism (magic) and esoterism to a purely technical knowledge (Promethean spirituality); and the mis-application of the norms of the individual spiritual Path to the supposed spiritual evolution of the collective. The Counter-Initiation is the ego's idea of spirituality. It appears in the Old Testament as the Serpent in the garden, Cain's murder of Abel, the "sons of God who looked upon the daughters of men and found them fair," the Tower of Babel, the degeneration of Sodom, and the magicians of Pharaoh whom Moses defeated. In the New Testament it is personified by Judas, and in the Qur'an by the figure of as-Samiri, who forged the Golden Calf, and the angels Harut and Marut-testers of man by God's design-who taught magic to the human race in Babylon. For both traditions, it is destined to culminate in Antichrist. This book brings together two schools of thought: the Traditionalists or Perennialists (writers on comparative religion and traditional metaphysics) and the conspiracy theorists who are investigating the origin, nature, and plans of the New World Order. The NWO researchers can throw a penetrating light on the social and political dangers presently threatening the Perennialists, while the Perennialists can provide these researchers with a deeper and wider spiritual context for their vision of human evil. In Guenon's time the Counter-Initiation appeared in terms of this or that secret society operating in the shadowy underworld of European occultism; it has now come up into the open, and moved inexorably toward the centers of global power. In the words of American Eastern Orthodox priest Seraphim Rose, "in our time Satan has walked naked into human history."

SOULS OF TERROR is a fast-paced, well-researched thriller with fascinating characters whose lives become strangely entwined as they unravel a frightening mystery. The surprising climax will leave you forever questioning the thin line between fact and fiction. In the beginning . . .

A brilliant university student is brutally killed in New York as a young boy from an Oregon private school is whisked off to Switzerland. What is the connection and why is it so important to millions of people? Chris Thompson is ridden with guilt while searching for his son. Is young Michael the key to a deeply spiritual and terrifying mission?

Michael's attractive aunt Kate has a penchant for profanity and martial arts . . . and carries a heavy secret from her past. Dr. Paul Sung is an atheist and authority on the history of the New Age movement. His unfulfilling life in academia is about to change. Detective Mark Julian needs to solve a string of gruesome New York murders, so why was he sent to Europe?

Karl Heisman and his Group of Forty-Eight are a covert sub-group of a spiritual movement known as Anthroposophy. Does their strange karma include links to Freemasonry and the dawning of a New Age? Are they racist terrorists or is there a method to their madness? And who was Rudolf Steiner?

To a Mormon, happiness may be Family Home Evening, and families may be forever, but becoming an actual god is the ultimate goal of every member of the church. Mormons believe the reason for coming to earth from the planet near the great star Kolob is to gain bodies for our spirit beings and to be tested. To become gods, they need to be Mormons, to go through the temple to learn the signs and tokens for entry to the celestial glory and to be obedient unto death to the holy prophet. Everything else is tied to, and wraps around, this one goal. Today, Mormon Mitt Romney is a major candidate for the White House. A man who would be god. An entire chapter is devoted to the Mormon Plan for America and the rise of Mitt Romney. It is a warning and a must read for every Christian. Ed Decker is the International Director of Saints Alive in Jesus, a ministry that actively brings the gospel of grace to those lost in the darkness of cultic bondage. He is a former Mormon who spent twenty years of his adult life as a member of the LDS church before becoming a Christian. He was a member of the "Holy Melchizedek" priesthood, a "Temple Mormon" and active in leadership in local LDS churches. Ed has spent the next 30 years researching and writing about Mormonism.

It is God who sets apart and sanctifies the Sabbath day. He determines when it is. Today there is a group of believers targeting Messianics called "Lunar Sabbatarians" who teach that the weekly Sabbaths are "reset" every month to coincide with the new moons. We shall explore this issue in this book.

This series tells the stories of generations who found their lives changed by contact with the Lord. Some are the subject of pages of Biblical text. Some are only mentioned in passing. However, all these persons are mentioned directly or indirectly in the Bible.