Why a forum like this?
Aside from obviously being about cults, I am also interested in how cults are perceived/depicted in the media and in some academic circles. Hence, this current site, which is essentially my take 3 version - long story - is about 95% links to articles with selected quotes and 5% my comments/thoughts and some related anecdotes.
Regarding this type of forum, I like the structure such a forum provides, and it's easily editable. I like being able to show how a group was/is represented in the media over time along with key related events. I think that is especially interesting and worthwhile regarding those enormous events that suddenly thrust a cult into the spotlight - an event so shocking or significant that the related group can no longer "fly under the radar" and it is certainly no longer business as usual. For example, the tragedy that was sinking of the Sewol ferry. (https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/index.php?board=20.0) Then, it's interesting to explore the history of such a group before it became infamous: What were they doing? Who noticed and cared? - And who didn't.
The next simple answer is that while there are other larger and more detailed sites, How Well Do You Know Your Moon (https://howwelldoyouknowyourmoon.tumblr.com/), for example, I enjoy discovering tidbits and obscure articles and making connections etc. If I find something related to the Unification Church that isn't on that site, I know I deserve a pat on the back.
And that brings me to the main purpose of this site which is education and awareness. I am sure someone who knows little or less than the average Joe about cults in general or the specifc groups I explore here can leave having gained some awareness or better yet - hopefully, a deeper understanding of the topic and many of the surrounding issues.
One aspect that may be surprising given that goal is that I am the only person in the entire world with the ability to post here. The reason for that is that when I had an earlier site, sometimes a former member posted the names of current members. That's certainly fine if that member was named in a news article etc, but if not, then that can be considered an invasion of privacy. I did have a few complaints about some posts that I hadn't immediately noticed. So I would rather just not have to worry about some inadvertant or intentional naming/shaming comments and how they affect the person concerned. And with that in mind, here's a note to myself: try not to make too many enemies. Making no new enemies would be nice, but is it possible when exploring this topic? Honestly and sadly, I think the answer is no. But I can try to avoid that.
Another very important goal is more personal. It is very easy for such an interest and related activism to become all-consuming. With that in mind, I need to be conscious of that and make sure this remains a relativly minor part of my life. It may not look that way when you click on a thread and see hundreds of links, but it really isn't that time consuming. And this site has existed since 2018, and a lot of links were collected prior to that on earlier sites I operated. Hence, I had most of the older links already either posted or saved, so the bulk of links posted before 2025 were copied and pasted an dthat was the work of mere hours.
And actually, for long periods I ignored this site and even almost forgot about it. I certainly forgot my password a few dozen times! I would still like to ignore it for months at a time, but with The Unification Church currently (March 2026) in the news in Japan and Korea, it is not a boring time to be a watcher of cults. So while I am endeavoring to prioritize other aspects of my life, I've accepted that interest in cults comes in waves as dictated by events, and I'll usually try to ride those waves while secretly hoping for calmer waters.
Future Plans: 1. I would like to make more videos - from the safety and security of home instead of out in the field surrounded by hundreds of angry cultists protesting against negative (aka accurate) reporting - in this exampe from The Christian Broadcasting Service (CBS) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Broadcasting_System):
2. And I hope to interact with more former members and Youtubers and podcasters who explore cults. I recently had a fascinating Zoom with two former members of different Korean cults: Shincheonji (https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/index.php?board=11.0) and The Heavenly Mother's World Mission Society Church of God (https://peterdaley.net/strangerthings/index.php?topic=55.0). And I reached out to a podcaster with an impressive list of guests, and I was happy to get an immediate positive response.
Related: I recently did a 90-minute YouTube one-on-one chat, but I'm too self critical to share it here! It was my first time talking about this site after mostly keeping it to myself, and the first time in about 9 years that I talked about cults in public/on TV. Actually, I initially asked for it not to be released, but after some edits and some kind words - was I lovebombed?, I said, "Make it so".
Some videos I would like to make are the answers I had wished I had given. I went off on a few unplanned tangents - a natural result of such a spontaneous conversation - and I realized later that I had neglected/forgotten to mention some important and fascinating details and events. Plus, I spoke too fast - exactly what I tell my students not to do before a presentation. And I was quite animated gesture-wise. That was a reminder that we can plan and prepare all we want, but sometimes some of that goes out the window when the event starts and the cameras roll.
I should have taken my own advice and written "Don't talk too fast and try to relax" on a piece of paper placed on the deck I was sitting at. Alas. Well, it was a learning experience. Joking aside about lovebombing, I was really touched by some of the interviewers comments and am glad that I was able to give him some content which should spark some interesting comments/debate. Maybe it's time to....