Kia ora decultivists,
I’m writing to you from Southern California where the annual ICSA conference kicks off this week – with a Decult session in the program. Will report back soon!
In the meantime, read more about:
- Controversial new Gloriavale doco
- Last days for Decult Scholarship Fund
- Cult media and Redeemer exposé
- Skeptics conference in Christchurch
GLORIAVALE DOCO A WHITEWASH FOR ABUSERS?
A new documentary just dropped on Three Now: “Devotion: The Gloriavale Story” is already getting pushback from Gloriavale leavers. Virginia Courage, who watched the three-part series that streamed on Paramount Plus before its NZ release, says that it gives our most notorious cult a PR platform to whitewash itself.
“Cults like Gloriavale are obsessed with their own image and will use any opportunity to be the ‘saviour’ or ‘victim’”, the victim advocate and Decult 2024 panelist told me. “If people watching this doco are not aware of these cult techniques, they will struggle to know what is correct.”
While some of the historic footage is impressive, I’m wondering at what price the film makers’ exclusive access to the fundamentalist Christian community came. It concerns me that that an indoctrinated under-age girl was interviewed as a handpicked “poster child” for Gloriavale and that the current leaders present their highly problematic community as reformed – while the lawyer who is fighting them is framed as a zealot. There’s more that feels off.
Executive producer Dame Julie Christie prides herself on showing “both sides” – but is that an ethical approach when one side represents child sexual abuse, coercive control, misogyny and slave labour, with dozens of convictions? Virginia’s comment: “I did not see or hear ‘balance’, but harm portrayed as a spiritual gateway. It’s just bad practice to ask the harmer if the abuse has stopped.”
The title and promotion of “Devotion” also jarred for me, for instance “They say it’s faith. Others call it a cult”. The criteria for cults are well established by experts and Gloriavale meets every one of them, which seems to escape Christie when asked by RNZ. Their religious beliefs are not the issue. The perceived “devotion” is obedience because of oppression and brainwash.
There are many powerful voices in the doco, and according to one participant, “Gloriavale has been given enough rope to hang itself”. But overall, it is not survivor-centric like TVNZ’s Escaping Utopia. We would love to hear what you think.
FINAL COUNTDOWN FOR DECULT SCHOLARSHIPS
There are only three days left to support our fundraising campaign. If you can support us on the home stretch to add to the Decult Scholarship Fund, then now is the time for the last push. With your support, we can release up to 30 free tickets for cult survivors with financial hardship to join us at Decult 2026.
Let’s make sure the upcoming conference has space for everyone who needs it.
Thank you!
Applications for scholarships are open until 31 July. Please fill out this form if you wish to be considered.
AUSTRALIAN CULT INVESTIGATION HITS HOME
Thanks to everyone who attended our CIP Network cult media hui in June. We had a great turnout and encouraging feedback which we hope will lead to better practice and survivor-centric reporting about high-control groups. Caroline Ansley, co-lead of CIPN, wrote our input down so you can read it here.
Speaking of cult-informed journalism and successful collaborations: Check out 60 Minutes Australia and their recent exposé of the Redeemer Baptist Church. Ryan Carey from Stop Religious Coercion Australia helped former member Edward Garth escape and then passed the story on to the right reporters. Excellent work!
TV has come a long way. Check out this 60 Minutes piece from the 90s where the well-meaning reporter confronts two cult leavers with his judgement: “In some respect it’s your own fault that you believed someone so stupid.” That’s an outdated narrative which completely misses the complexity of recruitment and mind control.
NZ SKEPTICS CELEBRATE AT CHRISTCHURCH CONFERENCE
I’m a big fan of the NZ Skeptics – their podcast, newsletter and events. The critical thinkers, among them our committee member Bronwyn Rideout, will be celebrating their 40th anniversary next month at their Christchurch conference from 31st July – 2nd August.
They’ve invited the hosts of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe plus extra special guests and a bunch of fantastic Kiwi speakers like Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust. It will be a fun and informative weekend. Get your tickets while they last.
Happy birthday, Skeptics – I’ll be there with bells on! See you all next month,
Anke