Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 175
Wilson said it was easy to instill false memories and that there ought to be an inquiry into
therapies that do this. (AAP in Sydney Morning Herald, Internet, 7/23/04)
Falun Gong/Thought Reform
Re-education of Falun Gong Practitioners
The Chinese government has set up the Tuanhe Re-education-Through-Labor Camp, in a
Beijing suburb, to reform the thinking of Falun Gong practitioners. Detainees brought to
the camp had been typically involved in ―printing and disseminating illegal propaganda
materials for the cult, and illegal gatherings in Tiananmen Square that disrupted public
order.‖ The camp director stressed that no one has been sent there simply for practicing
Falun Gong. (People’s Daily, Internet, 8/29/04)
God’s Holy Words Church
Convicted for Failed Promises
Twelve members of God’s Holy Words Church, a doomsday group that follows a living
goddess in Papua, New Guinea, were convicted for promising some 700 people that if they
took part in a special ritual to make themselves holy, the goddess would take faithful
followers of Christ back to heaven. Police say the people gave away their property, thinking
they no longer needed it.
The 12, now released from custody, were charged with ―willfully misleading the people and
causing ill-feelings among groups of people of Orela village and the whole of Imbongu
district.‖ (Post-Courier [Papua New Guinea], Internet, 8/5/04)
God’s Kingdom on Earth
Body Kept in Hope of Resurrection
Pastor David Francis, founder of God’s Kingdom on Earth, has persuaded the family of
Paul Meintjes, who died six weeks ago at the age of 76, in Herstzogville, Free State, South
Africa, that they should not bury him but rather wait for him to rise from the dead. The local
undertaker, where the body is being kept, and where Francis and Mientjes‘ son have prayed
over it, wants a burial. So do some other family members local church leaders who have
expressed community concern. (Sahm Venter, Scotland on Sunday, Internet, 8/15/04)
Helge Fossmo/Knutby Church
Manipulative Minister Guilty
Pentecostal minister Helge Fossmo has been found guilty of manipulating one of his
mistresses, Sara Svensson, the family nanny, to murder his wife and attempt to murder the
husband of a second mistress. The verdict held that Fossmo ―ruthlessly made use of Sara
Svensson‘s love for him and her dependency on him as a religious leader.‖
According to testimony, the case developed in the context of a bizarre religious community,
in the town of Knutby, controlled by a woman who became known as ―Christ‘s Bride‖ after
she was ceremonially engaged to Jesus. The religious community‘s ministers are accused of
controlling the lives of members, sometimes using modern technology — Svensson says she
received anonymous messages, sent as e-mail by Fossmo, urging her to murder the
victims. She believed the messages were from God. (Reuters on CNN News, Internet,
7/30/04)
Wilson said it was easy to instill false memories and that there ought to be an inquiry into
therapies that do this. (AAP in Sydney Morning Herald, Internet, 7/23/04)
Falun Gong/Thought Reform
Re-education of Falun Gong Practitioners
The Chinese government has set up the Tuanhe Re-education-Through-Labor Camp, in a
Beijing suburb, to reform the thinking of Falun Gong practitioners. Detainees brought to
the camp had been typically involved in ―printing and disseminating illegal propaganda
materials for the cult, and illegal gatherings in Tiananmen Square that disrupted public
order.‖ The camp director stressed that no one has been sent there simply for practicing
Falun Gong. (People’s Daily, Internet, 8/29/04)
God’s Holy Words Church
Convicted for Failed Promises
Twelve members of God’s Holy Words Church, a doomsday group that follows a living
goddess in Papua, New Guinea, were convicted for promising some 700 people that if they
took part in a special ritual to make themselves holy, the goddess would take faithful
followers of Christ back to heaven. Police say the people gave away their property, thinking
they no longer needed it.
The 12, now released from custody, were charged with ―willfully misleading the people and
causing ill-feelings among groups of people of Orela village and the whole of Imbongu
district.‖ (Post-Courier [Papua New Guinea], Internet, 8/5/04)
God’s Kingdom on Earth
Body Kept in Hope of Resurrection
Pastor David Francis, founder of God’s Kingdom on Earth, has persuaded the family of
Paul Meintjes, who died six weeks ago at the age of 76, in Herstzogville, Free State, South
Africa, that they should not bury him but rather wait for him to rise from the dead. The local
undertaker, where the body is being kept, and where Francis and Mientjes‘ son have prayed
over it, wants a burial. So do some other family members local church leaders who have
expressed community concern. (Sahm Venter, Scotland on Sunday, Internet, 8/15/04)
Helge Fossmo/Knutby Church
Manipulative Minister Guilty
Pentecostal minister Helge Fossmo has been found guilty of manipulating one of his
mistresses, Sara Svensson, the family nanny, to murder his wife and attempt to murder the
husband of a second mistress. The verdict held that Fossmo ―ruthlessly made use of Sara
Svensson‘s love for him and her dependency on him as a religious leader.‖
According to testimony, the case developed in the context of a bizarre religious community,
in the town of Knutby, controlled by a woman who became known as ―Christ‘s Bride‖ after
she was ceremonially engaged to Jesus. The religious community‘s ministers are accused of
controlling the lives of members, sometimes using modern technology — Svensson says she
received anonymous messages, sent as e-mail by Fossmo, urging her to murder the
victims. She believed the messages were from God. (Reuters on CNN News, Internet,
7/30/04)
