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RECOVER FROM COERCIVE CONTROL
Blogs About All Things Cultish And Coercive Control


When Fasting Becomes a Weapon: From Gandhi to Shakahola
When practiced safely and voluntarily, fasting can indeed offer spiritual and even physical benefits. Short-term fasting can improve insulin sensitivity, support cellular repair processes, and heighten self-awareness. Many people find it brings calm, focus, and a deeper connection to their values.
But context is everything. When fasting is done freely, it’s a spiritual or health practice. When it’s used as leverage, it becomes psychological warfare.

Renee Spencer
2 days ago5 min read


Freedom of Religion or Freedom to Harm?
The NSW Government’s is in the process of reviewing it's Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. It's a well overdue spring cleaning of half century old legislation that is as out of date as wearing floral printed flairs. For decades, Australia’s legal framework has protected recognised religions from discrimination—but in doing so, it has left glaring loopholes that allow high-control groups (cults), to weaponise “freedom of religion” as a shield for abusive behaviour.

Renee Spencer
Aug 234 min read


The Wolf Beneath the Cloak: Power, Purity, and the Psychological Lure of Being ‘Chosen’
When faith becomes fuel for domination, and how to reclaim it from the jaws of extremism In the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, the...

Renee Spencer
Aug 23 min read


Twisted Roots: When Abrahamic Faiths Become Tools of Power
When Noble Values turn into Cultic Control PART 3 OF 4 Every tree is known by its own fruit. – Luke 6:44 Judaism, Christianity, and...

Renee Spencer
Aug 23 min read


From the Fringe to the Floor of the Australian Parliament: Religious Supremacy
Is Creeping into Australian What Does Freedom Mean Inside and Outside a Cult?Politics PART 2 OF 4 In my last blog , I explored how...

Renee Spencer
Aug 13 min read


“God Said So”: The Cult Playbook Behind Religious Extremism
From ISIS to Christian nationalists to hardline Israeli settlers, extremist movements across the three Abrahamic faiths share something disturbingly familiar: A belief that they alone are chosen by God, and that this divine status grants them the right—sometimes even the duty—to dominate others. This isn’t just religious conviction. It’s totalistic thinking, weaponised. And when you peel back the sacred vocabulary, what’s left looks an awful lot like a cult. The Core Claim: “

Renee Spencer
Aug 14 min read


Spiritual Abuse in Cult Recruitment: How Faith Can Be Twisted into Coercion
The recent Victorian Inquiry into Cults and Fringe Groups made an important distinction: the state has no interest in policing beliefs. It is behaviours—particularly coercive, deceptive, and controlling behaviours—that are the concern. Still, the grey area where faith transitions into manipulation is where many people get trapped. Understanding how spirituality can be used both to heal and to harm is a critical step forward. This grey area is often where spiritual abuse in cu

Renee Spencer
Jun 274 min read


Parents As Witnesses & Victims of Cults
Struggles of Parents of Cult Victims often goes unrecognised. We watch powerless to help those we love be whisked away in a smoke storm of coercion & exploitation.

Renee Spencer
Jun 174 min read


God as Wandjina: Indigenous Views on Christianity (Part 2)
PART 2 OF 2 Art work depicting Wandjina by Pastor Kirsty Burgu A few days ago, I posted a series of blogs that looked at the nuanced...

Renee Spencer
Jul 21, 20243 min read


God as Wandjina: Indigenous Views on Christianity (Part 1)
Explore Indigenous Christianity in Australia and the fascinating intersection of traditional beliefs and Christianity.

Renee Spencer
Jul 21, 20243 min read


The Hidden Influence of Cults in Australian Politics
Explore the covert influence of cults in Australian politics. Explore the subtle yet profound ways groups shape policies and public opinion.

Renee Spencer
Jul 11, 20245 min read


The Challenges of Living Like People Did 2000 Years Ago in Modern Society
Discover the complex challenges of "Living Like People 2000 Years Ago" in modern society.

Renee Spencer
Jul 10, 20243 min read


The Nuances of Belief in Cultic Exploitation: Volunteer Labour and Spiritual Justifications for Abuse
Explore the dark reality of cultic exploitation: Volunteer Labour and Spiritual Justifications for Abuse.

Renee Spencer
Jul 9, 20243 min read


Modern Slavery in Australia and Its Overlap with Cult Behaviours
Discover the disturbing overlap between modern slavery and cult behaviours in Australia.

Renee Spencer
Jul 9, 20245 min read


Church Act of 1836: The Reason Why Australia is a Secular Country Today
Discover the history behind why Australia is secular today and the influence of the Church of England. Explore the Church Act of 1836.

Renee Spencer
Jun 27, 20244 min read


Bullying in Cults vs. Family and Domestic Violence: A Comparison
Explore the dark dynamics of bullying in cults and family settings. Discover the stark contrasts in legal protections and support systems.

Renee Spencer
Jun 25, 20245 min read


Unpacking Social Biases: Fuelling Anguish Inside and Outside Radicalised Groups
PART 2 OF 2 Explore how social biases fuel anguish within radicalised groups and their interactions with society.

Renee Spencer
Jun 23, 20242 min read


Understanding the Labelling of Radicalised Christianity and Islam: Cults vs. Extremists and the Call for Comprehensive Legislation
PART 1 OF 2 Explore the nuances of radicalised Christianity and Islam, from societal biases to legislative needs.

Renee Spencer
Jun 23, 20243 min read


Unveiling Cults in Australia: Media's Role and Impact
PART 3 OF 4 Uncover the complex relationship between cults and media in Australia.

Renee Spencer
Jun 23, 20243 min read


The Rise of Internet-Fuelled Cults: A Closer Look at Australia
PART 2 OF 4 Delve into the dark side of internet influence in Australia with a closer look at the rise of Internet-Fuelled Cults.

Renee Spencer
Jun 23, 20243 min read
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