John Verner
@johnverner.bsky.social
Journalist, editor, & cult expert.
Publishing Editor @voxatl.
Here to elevate stories through precision & care. Opinions = my own.
jverner.com
Publishing Editor @voxatl.
Here to elevate stories through precision & care. Opinions = my own.
jverner.com
Most reporters wouldn’t touch this story. But Lilyeve Murphy-Bagliani did — and she nailed it. Former cult members. Coerced abortions. Arranged marriages. A chilling exposé on the World Mission Society Church of God. Subscribe now. This one matters.
open.substack.com/pub/lilyevem...
open.substack.com/pub/lilyevem...
Return to Earth
Former Members Speak On Life Inside and Out The World Mission Society Church of God
open.substack.com
April 18, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Most reporters wouldn’t touch this story. But Lilyeve Murphy-Bagliani did — and she nailed it. Former cult members. Coerced abortions. Arranged marriages. A chilling exposé on the World Mission Society Church of God. Subscribe now. This one matters.
open.substack.com/pub/lilyevem...
open.substack.com/pub/lilyevem...
"A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution."
Republican who introduced Trump derangement syndrome bill arrested for soliciting a minor
Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn allegedly traveled to meet a 17-year-old he thought he’d met online, but was instead a cop posing as minor
www.theguardian.com
March 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"A Republican state lawmaker in Minnesota who recently introduced a bill to create a mental illness category for liberals obsessed over Donald Trump was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution."
"Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia until this past December, was inside his university- owned apartment Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
entered and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press."
entered and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press."
Immigration agents arrest Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests
A prominent Palestinian activist who helped lead last spring's protests at Columbia University has been arrested by federal immigration agents.
apnews.com
March 10, 2025 at 3:18 AM
"Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia until this past December, was inside his university- owned apartment Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents
entered and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press."
entered and took him into custody, his attorney, Amy Greer, told The Associated Press."
"Trump said the move would double U.S. detention lockup capacities, and Guantanamo is 'a tough place to get out of.'"
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
While signing Laken Riley Act, Trump says he'll send 'worst criminal aliens' to Guantanamo
President Donald Trump on Wednesday used a signing ceremony for the Laken Riley Act to announce that his administration plans to send the “worst criminal aliens” to detention in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
apnews.com
January 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM
"Trump said the move would double U.S. detention lockup capacities, and Guantanamo is 'a tough place to get out of.'"
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
"In a raid of a business establishment in Newark, outside New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents failed to produce a warrant as they detained "undocumented residents as well as citizens," Baraka said in a statement."
US agents raid New Jersey worksite as Trump escalates immigration crackdown
U.S. immigration agents rounded up undocumented migrants as well as American citizens in a raid of a Newark, New Jersey, worksite on Thursday that the city's mayor said involved detaining a military veteran and violations of the people's rights.
search.app
January 24, 2025 at 3:06 AM
"In a raid of a business establishment in Newark, outside New York City, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents failed to produce a warrant as they detained "undocumented residents as well as citizens," Baraka said in a statement."
"State department staff on Thursday were ordered to “suspend any application requesting an X sex marker” and to “suspend any application where the applicant is seeking to change their sex marker” from the definition provided in the executive order."
Rubio instructs staff to freeze passport applications with ‘X’ sex markers
Secretary of state instructs staff to implement strict new guidelines following Trump executive order on gender
search.app
January 24, 2025 at 2:32 AM
"State department staff on Thursday were ordered to “suspend any application requesting an X sex marker” and to “suspend any application where the applicant is seeking to change their sex marker” from the definition provided in the executive order."
The U.S. Department of Justice has paused civil rights litigation from the Biden era, per an internal memo. The freeze halts new cases, settlements, and may review recent agreements, including police reforms in Minneapolis and Louisville after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
US Justice Dept asks civil rights division to halt Biden era litigation, WaPo reports
The U.S. Justice Department has ordered its civil rights division to pause any existing litigation left over from the administration of former President Joe Biden, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
www.reuters.com
January 23, 2025 at 5:13 AM
The U.S. Department of Justice has paused civil rights litigation from the Biden era, per an internal memo. The freeze halts new cases, settlements, and may review recent agreements, including police reforms in Minneapolis and Louisville after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
"Regardless of whether the South Africa-born Musk intended the salute as a "Sieg Heil" salute favored by the followers of Adolf Hitler in World War as some online commentators have suggested, it was eagerly received that way by extremists online."
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Right-Wing Extremists Are Abuzz Over Musk's Straight-Arm Salute
Right-wing extremists are abuzz over Elon Musk giving an awkward straight-armed salute during an inauguration rally for Donald Trump.
www.rollingstone.com
January 20, 2025 at 10:28 PM
"Regardless of whether the South Africa-born Musk intended the salute as a "Sieg Heil" salute favored by the followers of Adolf Hitler in World War as some online commentators have suggested, it was eagerly received that way by extremists online."
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
"I'm a very good liar," Lentz proudly told the law firm during his December 2020 interview.
‘I'm A Very Good Liar’
LEAKED Documents Expose Carl Lentz's Cultish Control
open.substack.com
December 29, 2024 at 3:27 PM
"I'm a very good liar," Lentz proudly told the law firm during his December 2020 interview.
The Bible is a grim anthology of violence, obedience, and submission — not fit for children and certainly not for classrooms.
To teach it in public schools is to confuse indoctrination with education.
To teach it in public schools is to confuse indoctrination with education.
November 24, 2024 at 5:04 PM
The Bible is a grim anthology of violence, obedience, and submission — not fit for children and certainly not for classrooms.
To teach it in public schools is to confuse indoctrination with education.
To teach it in public schools is to confuse indoctrination with education.
I hear this place is more active now, so here’s an about me:
📚 Author of The Cult of Christianity (written while van-living in 2019)
🎙️ Hosted its podcast for 3 years, comparing cults and evangelicalism
🎓 NYU Journalism grad ('24)
🎤 Editor at VOX ATL, helping teens share bold, authentic stories
📚 Author of The Cult of Christianity (written while van-living in 2019)
🎙️ Hosted its podcast for 3 years, comparing cults and evangelicalism
🎓 NYU Journalism grad ('24)
🎤 Editor at VOX ATL, helping teens share bold, authentic stories
November 23, 2024 at 2:19 AM
I hear this place is more active now, so here’s an about me:
📚 Author of The Cult of Christianity (written while van-living in 2019)
🎙️ Hosted its podcast for 3 years, comparing cults and evangelicalism
🎓 NYU Journalism grad ('24)
🎤 Editor at VOX ATL, helping teens share bold, authentic stories
📚 Author of The Cult of Christianity (written while van-living in 2019)
🎙️ Hosted its podcast for 3 years, comparing cults and evangelicalism
🎓 NYU Journalism grad ('24)
🎤 Editor at VOX ATL, helping teens share bold, authentic stories
"The religious exemption, based on the First Amendment, allows these colleges to have policies that discriminate based on gender and sexual orientation. But there are no clear lines about exactly what this means."
Hidden In The Handbook
Christian Colleges Discriminate Using Legal Loopholes
johnverner.substack.com
March 14, 2024 at 9:11 PM
"The religious exemption, based on the First Amendment, allows these colleges to have policies that discriminate based on gender and sexual orientation. But there are no clear lines about exactly what this means."
"Congregants then broke into groups of three to five people and prayed, as Greaves urged them—for “clarity, healing, restoration, fullness, purpose.”
[...] “Bless you. We’re with you. We love you. We appreciate your time and investment to even come here this morning to be with us.”
[...] “Bless you. We’re with you. We love you. We appreciate your time and investment to even come here this morning to be with us.”
Intl House of Prayer Admits Mike Bickle Allegations Include 'Sexual Immorality'
After confrontation for lack of transparency, Intl House of Prayer leaders reveal allegations against Mike Bickle involve sexual immorality.
julieroys.com
October 30, 2023 at 10:44 PM
"Congregants then broke into groups of three to five people and prayed, as Greaves urged them—for “clarity, healing, restoration, fullness, purpose.”
[...] “Bless you. We’re with you. We love you. We appreciate your time and investment to even come here this morning to be with us.”
[...] “Bless you. We’re with you. We love you. We appreciate your time and investment to even come here this morning to be with us.”
"But this lawsuit isn’t a mere uphill battle between queer students and their government. The religious exemptions to Title IX are profoundly important not just to the individual colleges that receive federal funding. The influence of two Christian non-profits also looms large."
40 Davids Challenge 3 Goliaths
The Battle for Queer Rights at Religious Schools
open.substack.com
October 28, 2023 at 2:13 AM
"But this lawsuit isn’t a mere uphill battle between queer students and their government. The religious exemptions to Title IX are profoundly important not just to the individual colleges that receive federal funding. The influence of two Christian non-profits also looms large."
"The warrant states the abuse got worse over the years, and that it would happen in multiple locations, including their home when everyone was asleep, Carter’s grandmother’s home, and behind an H-E-B in the parking lot before dropping the victim off at school."
Houston-area pastor accused of raping family member since she was 7 years old, impregnating her
A local pastor is now facing a continuous sexual assault of a child charge. According to official documents, Robert L. Carter repeatedly raped a young family member and even got her pregnant.
www.click2houston.com
October 8, 2023 at 10:27 PM
"The warrant states the abuse got worse over the years, and that it would happen in multiple locations, including their home when everyone was asleep, Carter’s grandmother’s home, and behind an H-E-B in the parking lot before dropping the victim off at school."
"The report cites a numbered Liberty University Police Department incident report that the school did not enter into the daily crime log: “an alleged rape that was committed by a former Liberty President.” It does not specify which former president or whether the school ever investigated the claim."
Liberty University broke safety laws for years, government asserts
In preliminary findings, the Education Department says the Christian school underreported crimes and destroyed evidence. Administrators can appeal.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 4, 2023 at 3:07 AM
"The report cites a numbered Liberty University Police Department incident report that the school did not enter into the daily crime log: “an alleged rape that was committed by a former Liberty President.” It does not specify which former president or whether the school ever investigated the claim."
"Trump can’t buy a gun today without catching (yet another) criminal indictment, but if he waits until next June, he, and every indicted person in the country, might well have an opportunity to arm themselves for whatever reasons they deem fit."
The Supreme Court Could Soon Let Trump Buy All the Guns He Wants
Trump is currently prohibited from buying guns because he’s under criminal indictment. But two big court cases could change that.
www.thenation.com
September 26, 2023 at 5:04 PM
"Trump can’t buy a gun today without catching (yet another) criminal indictment, but if he waits until next June, he, and every indicted person in the country, might well have an opportunity to arm themselves for whatever reasons they deem fit."
"In Scientology, being gay is considered a major, major issue. The only thing worse than being gay, as far as Scientologists are concerned, is to be a psychiatrist."
Being Gay In Scientology
I’ve uploaded our second interview with David Miscavige’s camerawoman, Rachael Hastings Adair, tonight. Last week, Rachael spoke to us about one of the main reasons she escaped Scientology: she co...
open.substack.com
September 26, 2023 at 1:25 AM
"In Scientology, being gay is considered a major, major issue. The only thing worse than being gay, as far as Scientologists are concerned, is to be a psychiatrist."
"Gen Z is more likely than baby boomers to go to a place of worship in 16 countries, including in the United States where there is a 6-point gap in favor of Gen Z worship attendance."
Survey: The Global Future May Be More Religious
A global survey in 26 countries found Generation Z is often more religious than baby boomers and frequently in surprising nations.
julieroys.com
September 25, 2023 at 10:24 PM
"Gen Z is more likely than baby boomers to go to a place of worship in 16 countries, including in the United States where there is a 6-point gap in favor of Gen Z worship attendance."
"Murfreesboro Police said 32-year-old Benjamin Garlick has been charged with five counts of aggravated rape of a child, five counts of aggravated sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child."
Evangelist, wife face multiple child rape, sexual abuse charges in Murfreesboro
The charges stem from actions that were alleged to have occurred in February 2021.
www.wsmv.com
September 25, 2023 at 10:16 PM
"Murfreesboro Police said 32-year-old Benjamin Garlick has been charged with five counts of aggravated rape of a child, five counts of aggravated sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child."
"The pattern our major news organizations have fallen into involves quoting whatever the Republicans allege, then quoting the White House calling the allegations baseless, then – further down in the story – noting in their own words that the evidence is not “direct” or “conclusive” or “concrete”."
Journalists are both-sidesing the GOP's evidence-lacking impeachment stunt | Press Watch
Encouraging better, more responsible political press coverage before the 2020 election.
presswatchers.org
September 22, 2023 at 2:28 PM
"The pattern our major news organizations have fallen into involves quoting whatever the Republicans allege, then quoting the White House calling the allegations baseless, then – further down in the story – noting in their own words that the evidence is not “direct” or “conclusive” or “concrete”."
"Eleven evangelical colleges and universities have announced record enrollment this fall—which is a record for breaking records, as far as anyone in Christian higher education remembers."
Evangelical Colleges Celebrate Best-Ever Enrollment Numbers
Students impacted by pandemic isolation seem drawn to Christian communities and education.
www.christianitytoday.com
September 21, 2023 at 9:05 PM
"Eleven evangelical colleges and universities have announced record enrollment this fall—which is a record for breaking records, as far as anyone in Christian higher education remembers."
"According to a probable cause affidavit, one woman told police that on August 20, Gonzalez called her to the podium for “one-on-one prayer.” Gonzalez then reportedly stood in front of her, placing his right hand on her shoulder and his left hand by her genital area."
TX Pastor Arrested Twice for Groping Females During “1-On-1 Prayer”
Police have arrested Texas pastor Gerardo Gonzalez for allegedly groping at least 4 female attendees during one-on-one prayer at his church.
julieroys.com
September 21, 2023 at 8:58 PM
"According to a probable cause affidavit, one woman told police that on August 20, Gonzalez called her to the podium for “one-on-one prayer.” Gonzalez then reportedly stood in front of her, placing his right hand on her shoulder and his left hand by her genital area."
"The lawsuit pits the Falwell brothers against each other... He [Jerry Jr] also says the school rescued Thomas Road Baptist — where Jonathan Falwell succeeded their father as pastor — from financial ruin and that this brother hides how much money he gets from the school."
Jerry Falwell's legal battle with Liberty University — and his brother — escalates
(RNS) — In an amended complaint filed in federal court last week, Falwell Jr. alleged several board members diverted university funds to private causes and overlooked sexual misconduct by former lea...
religionnews.com
September 21, 2023 at 8:56 PM
"The lawsuit pits the Falwell brothers against each other... He [Jerry Jr] also says the school rescued Thomas Road Baptist — where Jonathan Falwell succeeded their father as pastor — from financial ruin and that this brother hides how much money he gets from the school."
"GAZETTE: Is higher education any bulwark against falling prey to cults?
BURUM: Definitely not. I’ve seen no evidence that helps at all. Many target college students or target people with advanced education. In fact, sometimes cults want more economically prosperous or successful people."
BURUM: Definitely not. I’ve seen no evidence that helps at all. Many target college students or target people with advanced education. In fact, sometimes cults want more economically prosperous or successful people."
Think twice before saying ‘cult’
Survey shows intense support for ex-president in face of indictments, but common claim among MAGA critics falls short of scientific rigor.
news.harvard.edu
September 21, 2023 at 8:51 PM
"GAZETTE: Is higher education any bulwark against falling prey to cults?
BURUM: Definitely not. I’ve seen no evidence that helps at all. Many target college students or target people with advanced education. In fact, sometimes cults want more economically prosperous or successful people."
BURUM: Definitely not. I’ve seen no evidence that helps at all. Many target college students or target people with advanced education. In fact, sometimes cults want more economically prosperous or successful people."