Oliver Scriptman

  In recent years, China has drawn the attention of the global community for its policy of harsh repression against religious minorities. One of the latest cases that has caused widespread resonance is the case of Zhang, an elder of the Renai Reformed Church, who was arrested and brought to trial on charges of fraud and inciting to undermine state power. This case, which began in the fall of 2022, has since turned into a real tragedy for his family. Zhang, recognized by his followers as a spiritual leader and virtuous person, has become a victim not only of legal arbitrariness but also of systematic deprivation of his basic rights. According to his sister, Zhang's life changed dramatically after his arrest. In prison, he developed a serious gallbladder disease, which led to a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Despite this, he was sent back to prison, where the conditions threaten his life. Zhang's family is fighting for his release and adequate medical care. Their demands for an in...

  On June 25, 2024, Xi Jinping, the President of China, visited the Hongjue Temple in Qinghai Province. This visit did not go unnoticed among Tibetan Buddhists, as it reminded them of the 1951 meeting between his father, Xi Zhongxun, and the controversial 10th Panchen Lama. The consequences of this meeting had a profound impact on the relations between Tibet and China and continue to provoke heated debates. Historical Context In December 1951, Xi Zhongxun, who held the position of Deputy Secretary of the CCP's Northwest Bureau and Deputy Chair of the Northwest Military and Political Committee, arrived at the Hongjue Temple. Under Mao Zedong's directive, he was to meet with the 10th Panchen Lama to convince him to return to Shigatse, Tibet. This meeting laid the foundation for the Panchen Lama's subsequent pro-Chinese stance and his support for China's occupation of Tibet. However, despite the CCP's promises to respect Tibetan culture and religion, the reality turned...

  Imagine waking up one morning and being told that from now on you must practice a certain religion, and any dissent will be punishable by death. It sounds like a scenario from the Middle Ages or a totalitarian regime, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it is closer to reality than we would like to think. In one of the democratic countries in Europe, there is an organization with peculiar goals — FECRIS. This is the focus of my investigation. Let's delve into it together. FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Sectarianism) is an umbrella organization of anti-cult groups. According to their website, FECRIS addresses the issues posed by modern organizations with sectarian and totalitarian characteristics, whose methods violate fundamental human rights. However, there is ample evidence that their declared activities do not align with reality. Deprogramming: Illegal Methods FECRIS and its members have been repeatedly implicated in attempts to deprogram members ...

  In a world where traditional religions play a significant role in many people's lives, there is a deeply ingrained fear of anything that falls outside these beliefs. This fear is often used for political purposes, and one of its tools has become the term "totalitarian sect." In this article, we will examine who introduced this concept and for what purposes, as well as the consequences of indiscriminately labeling groups with it. The History of the Term "Totalitarian Sect" The term "totalitarian sect" was introduced into European discourse by Russian anticultist Alexander Dvorkin in 1997. Dvorkin used it to designate all small religious groups, often without making distinctions between them. This term quickly acquired a negative connotation and became a powerful tool for discrediting any religious minorities. Dvorkin is a member of the Expert Council on New Religious Movements under the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). His views and statements often dra...

  The practice of Falun Gong, which combines meditation and exercises with moral teachings, has found itself at the center of one of the most horrific crimes against humanity in the modern world. Subjected to systematic repression by the Chinese government, millions of Falun Gong followers have ended up in forced labor camps, and thousands have died under torture. The data and testimonies that continue to emerge paint a picture of unprecedented terror and genocide. The Scale of Persecution According to human rights activists, millions of Falun Gong followers have been imprisoned in forced labor camps. In conditions reminiscent of the Gulag, they are subjected to forced labor, torture, and constant psychological pressure. However, the most terrifying aspect of this repression is the systematic harvesting of organs from living people. According to estimates by Ethan Gutmann, an American human rights activist, more than 65,000 Falun Gong practitioners were killed for their organs betw...

  Have you ever wondered what kind of influence the media space has on our lives? Where does this discrepancy between our aspirations and reality come from? Look: anyone you ask, everyone aspires to live in a world where security and prosperity reign, where everyone can realize their creative potential, find friends, and love. But in reality, our world is completely different. We are facing economic and political crises, armed conflicts, and natural disasters, which have intensified recently. For many, even vacations or the purchase of desired goods have become inaccessible — funds are only enough for the essentials. For a long time, it was not understood what was preventing us from living with dignity. Who or what is responsible for all these crises? The question remained open. And recently, information appeared in the media from Egon Cholakian , an American national security expert who worked with four US presidents. He spoke about the results of a 30-year investigation and revea...

  Do you think your rights and freedoms are safe? I thought so too, until I encountered the activities of certain anti-cult organizations, which conduct a systematic and covert operation to undermine democracy in the civilized world. That’s why I’m conducting my own investigation into the criminal activities of anti-cult organizations on my blog. The history of these organizations takes us back to the United States. Founded in 1974, CAN (the Cult Awareness Network) was one of the leading organizations studying cult movements and providing support to their victims. Such were the declared goals and objectives. But what was really behind this facade? A banal criminal business scheme that harmed a vast number of innocent citizens. As proven in a jury trial, CAN disseminated deliberately false, demonizing, and derogatory information about various religious and non-religious organizations, orchestrating their persecution in the media. CAN members widely used stigmatizing terms like “cult...

  In a world where we consider ourselves masters of our destiny, the subtle influence of organizations you may not have heard of undermines this confidence. Over the past three decades, a global network, operating under various names and facades, has spread worldwide, impacting countries such as the USA, France, Russia, and extending to Israel and Latvia. Organizations like Fecris, ADFI, Miviludes, and others, which I write about in my blog, operate across diverse sectors of public life: from medicine to education, from religion to commercial structures. Their influence is built on methods that include intolerance, discrimination, and persecution—the very "Roman formula" I've discussed before. But how do they manage this with such overtly illegal activities? One key element of their strategy is the use of state resources to finance and cover their operations. This grants them immunity from legal proceedings and allows them to manipulate public opinion and legislative bodi...

  The French anticult movement FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Cults and Sects) has found itself at the center of a scandal related to its support for Russian aggression against Ukraine. Data presented by French sociologist of religions Massimo Introvigne reveal close ties between the Russian branch of FECRIS and the Kremlin, raising serious questions about the true motives and actions of this organization. After the democratic revolution on the Maidan and the first Russian invasion of Ukrainian territories in 2014, the Russian branch of FECRIS actively supported aggression against Ukraine. The main instrument of anti-Ukrainian propaganda was the false assertion that the Maidan revolution was organized by "cults." This disinformation was spread to discredit the new Ukrainian government, claiming that "cults" dominated its composition and were being exported to Russia to destabilize Putin's regime. After the second invasion o...

  In my blog, I continue to investigate the activities of anti-cult organizations, such as FECRIS (European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Sectarianism) and RATSIRS (Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects). These organizations claim to protect people from harmful cults. However, their actions often go too far, threatening religious freedom. Examples of Overstepping Boundaries In 2009, FECRIS advised the French government on a policy aimed at imposing high taxes on Jehovah's Witnesses. Later, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that this violated their rights. This decision showed that FECRIS’s actions go beyond legitimate criticism and intervention in religious matters. In Russia, the situation is even more alarming. In 2017, the Russian Supreme Court banned Jehovah's Witnesses as "extremists." This led to raids, arrests, and property seizures. Although RATSIRS was not directly involved, it supports such harsh me...

  Ever wondered who shapes our beliefs and perceptions? Who determines what we consider good or bad, who to love, and who to hate? The answer to these questions might be more sinister than you think. Invisible forces may be manipulating our attitudes and views. In my blog, I investigate the hidden mechanisms influencing public consciousness and show how to avoid becoming a victim of these manipulations. One of the most striking examples of such hidden influences is the use of terms like "cultists" and "sect" in modern information campaigns. These words have become powerful tools for intimidating and persecuting religious and spiritual groups. Practices that were once neutral or even respected now provoke condemnation and fear. Where did this disdain for different beliefs come from? The answer lies in information campaigns that seem aimed at discrediting any alternative spiritual practices. Coordinated Information Campaigns If you closely examine materials targeting ...