Library
A curated collection of books, podcasts, documentaries, and primary sources from every major faith tradition.
Tradition
Perspective
Resource Type
134 resources found
An Olive Branch
by Independent Organization
Independent organization that conducted third-party investigations into abuse at Buddhist organizations including Shambhala and Against the Stream. Reports are publicly released.
Behind the Bastards (Buddhist Episodes)
by Robert Evans (Host)
Episodes of the popular podcast covering abusive Buddhist leaders and organizations.
The Guru Papers
by Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad
Essential analysis of guru-disciple dynamics and authoritarian control in spiritual movements. Examines how spiritual authority is constructed and exploited across traditions.
Holy Hell
by Will Allen (Director)
Documentary about the Buddhafield cult and its leader Michel. Filmed over 22 years by a former member.
Sex and Violence in Tibetan Buddhism
by Ian Finnigan
Academic examination of sexual abuse and violence within Tibetan Buddhist institutions.
Shambhala Abuse Reports
by Shambhala International Board
Collection of reports documenting sexual abuse within the Shambhala Buddhist organization, particularly by its leader Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche.
r/ShambhalaBuddhism
by Reddit Community
Subreddit discussing Shambhala Buddhism, including abuse allegations and community responses.
Bart Ehrman Blog
by Bart D. Ehrman
Blog by New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman covering biblical criticism and early Christianity.
Born Again Again Podcast
by Born Again Again Podcast
Podcast sharing stories of faith deconstruction and reconstruction from various perspectives.
The Clergy Project
by The Clergy Project
Confidential online community for current and former religious leaders who no longer hold supernatural beliefs.
Dare to Doubt
by Dare to Doubt
Website providing resources and community for people questioning or leaving Christian faith.
r/exchristian
by Reddit user community
Major online community for ex-Christians with 100,000+ members.
Exvangelical Podcast
by Blake Chastain
Podcast examining the exvangelical movement and experience of leaving evangelical Christianity.
Genetically Modified Skeptic
by Drew (Genetically Modified Skeptic)
YouTube channel by a former fundamentalist Christian examining religious claims and apologetics.
Godless
by Dan Barker
Memoir by Dan Barker documenting his 19 years as an evangelical minister and deconversion.
Holy Koolaid
by Holy Koolaid
YouTube channel examining religious claims through a scientific lens.
Jesus Camp
by Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady
Oscar-nominated documentary following children at evangelical summer camp.
Jesus, Interrupted
by Bart D. Ehrman
Ehrman's examination of contradictions within the New Testament and Gospel assemblies.
Josh Harris Public Deconstruction
by Josh Harris
Content by Josh Harris, author of 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye,' publicly deconstructing his faith.
Journey Free
by Dr. Marlene Winell
Organization founded by Dr. Marlene Winell, who coined the term 'Religious Trauma Syndrome.
Leaving the Fold
by Dr. Marlene Winell
The foundational book on recovering from religious indoctrination.
Misquoting Jesus
by Bart D. Ehrman
Bestselling examination of how the Bible was changed by scribes over centuries.
Pure
by Linda Kay Klein
Investigation of evangelical purity culture and its lasting psychological damage.
Recovering from Religion
by Recovering from Religion (nonprofit)
National nonprofit providing support for people leaving religion. Operates the 1-84-I-DOUBT-IT helpline.
Religious Trauma Institute
by Religious Trauma Institute
Organization providing training for therapists on religious trauma and resources for survivors.
Secular Therapy Project
by Recovering from Religion
Directory of vetted secular therapists who won't push religious frameworks in treatment.
Shameless
by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber challenging Christian sexual ethics and the shame they produce.
Shiny Happy People
by Amazon Prime Video
2023 documentary exposing the Institute in Basic Life Principles and the Duggar family.
Straight White American Jesus Podcast
by Religion scholars (Du Mez, others)
Academic podcast examining Christian nationalism and white evangelicalism in American politics.
The God Delusion
by Richard Dawkins
Bestseller arguing against the existence of God from scientific and philosophical perspectives.
The Keepers
by Netflix
Netflix documentary about unsolved murder of nun and Catholic clergy sexual abuse cover-up.
The Liturgists Podcast
by Michael Gungor & Science Mike
Podcast exploring faith, science, and the human experience for those questioning faith.
TheraminTrees
by TheraminTrees
Animated YouTube channel examining psychological manipulation in religion, relationships, and ideologies.
Why I Am Not a Christian
by Bertrand Russell
Classic 1927 lecture examining and rejecting arguments for Christianity.
Why I Believed
by Kenneth W. Daniels
Former missionary's detailed account of losing faith and examining arguments that once convinced him.
BITE Model PDF
by Steven Hassan
The BITE Model (Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotional control) checklist for evaluating high-control groups. Free PDF download. BITE Model is trademarked by Steven Hassan.
Combating Cult Mind Control
by Steven Hassan
Hassan's foundational work on understanding and recovering from cult mind control. Introduces the BITE Model framework.
Cult Education Institute
by Rick Ross
Massive free library of thousands of articles about cults and high-control groups. Founded by cult intervention specialist Rick Ross.
Cults Inside Out
by Rick Ross
Rick Ross's guide to understanding cults and the intervention process. Case studies from decades of cult intervention work.
r/cults
by Reddit Community
Active subreddit for discussing cults, identifying cult-like behavior, and supporting former members.
Escaping Twin Flames
by Amazon
Amazon documentary exposing the Twin Flames Universe organization and its manipulative practices.
FBI Vault - Jonestown
by FBI
FBI's declassified investigation files on Jonestown. US government works are public domain. Thousands of pages of primary source documents.
Heaven's Gate Website
by TELAH Foundation
The original Heaven's Gate cult website, maintained by surviving members of the TELAH Foundation. A unique primary source that remains online exactly as the cult left it.
ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association)
by ICSA
Academic organization studying cultic dynamics. Publishes the ICSA journal. Hosts conferences for researchers and former members.
Jonestown Institute
by San Diego State University
San Diego State University's comprehensive archive on Peoples Temple and Jonestown. Includes FBI documents (public domain), survivor accounts, and academic analysis.
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
by Netflix
Netflix documentary about Warren Jeffs and the FLDS community. Covers the history, practices, and eventual prosecution.
Not Without My Sister
by Kristina Jones, Celeste Jones, Juliana Boerio-Goates
Memoir by three sisters raised in the Children of God cult, documenting abuse and their escape.
NXIVM Court Documents
by US Federal Court
Federal court documents from the prosecution of Keith Raniere and other NXIVM leaders. Includes evidence of sex trafficking, forced labor, and branding.
Seduced
by Starz
Documentary series told from the perspective of India Oxenberg, who was recruited into NXIVM's inner circle.
The Vow
by HBO
Multi-season HBO documentary following former NXIVM members and the effort to expose the organization.
Warren Jeffs FLDS Court Records
by State Courts
Court records from the prosecution of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs for sexual assault of minors. Documents systematic child marriage within the FLDS community.
r/conspiracy_psychology: Understanding Conspiracy Belief Formation
by Reddit Community
Academic and lay psychology-focused discussion community examining the cognitive and psychological mechanisms underlying conspiracy theory belief and radicalization
Conspirituality: How New Age Spirituality Became a Vector for QAnon and Political Extremism
by Charlotte Ward, Ollie Kendal, Matthew Remski
Academic investigation into how New Age spirituality and wellness culture became recruitment vectors for conspiracy theories and QAnon, tracing the radicalization pathways through spiritual communities
Conspirituality Podcast
by Cerie Bullivant & Julian Robles
Podcast examining the intersection of conspiracy theories, wellness culture, and spirituality. Tracks how new-age and wellness communities became vectors for QAnon and other conspiracy movements.
Educated
by Tara Westover
Tara Westover's memoir of growing up in a survivalist Mormon family in Idaho and eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge. Documents educational neglect and abuse in fundamentalist settings.
The Gateway: A Podcast About Conspiracy Theories
by Julian Feeld
In-depth podcast exploring how conspiracy theories operate as substitutes for spiritual and religious meaning-making, with interviews of former believers examining exit pathways
QAnon Anonymous Podcast
by Travis View, Cody Johnston, Marc-André Argentino
Weekly deep-dive analysis of QAnon conspiracy theories and related online movements, featuring original reporting on radicalization pathways and strategies for exit and recovery
QAnon Casualties: Families Affected by Conspiracy Theory Radicalization
by QAnon Casualties Community
Community forum and resource center for families torn apart by QAnon conspiracy theory radicalization, featuring support networks, educational resources, and reunion stories
Recovering from Religion Hotline
by Recovering from Religion
The 1-84-I-DOUBT-IT helpline for people in crisis during deconstruction. Staffed by trained volunteers. The most important crisis resource in the deconstruction space.
Religious Trauma Syndrome Articles
by Dr. Marlene Winell
Dr. Marlene Winell's foundational articles on Religious Trauma Syndrome published in the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies journal.
Republic of Lies: American Politics and the Manipulation of Truth
by Anna Merlan
Investigative examination of how conspiracy theories and belief manipulation function in American political culture, tracing pathways from fringe to mainstream
r/exhindu
by Reddit Community
Online community for ex-Hindus and those questioning Hindu beliefs.
The God Market
by Meera Nanda
Analysis of the relationship between Hindu nationalism, globalization, and religious politics in India.
ISKCON/Hare Krishna Abuse Documentation
by Court Records
Court documents and reports documenting child sexual abuse within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna). A $400M lawsuit in 2000 exposed systemic abuse in ISKCON boarding schools.
Nirmukta
by Indian Freethought Network
Indian freethought and rationalist website examining Hindu superstitions, caste discrimination, and promoting scientific thinking.
Why I Am Not a Hindu
by Kancha Ilaiah
Kancha Ilaiah's examination of Hinduism from a Dalit perspective, critiquing the caste system and Brahminical ideology.
AAWA (Advocates for Awareness of Watchtower Abuses)
by AAWA
Advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness about Watchtower institutional abuse and supporting survivors
Australian Royal Commission Case Study 29
by Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Government investigation documenting 1,006 alleged perpetrators within JW organization, none reported to police by the Watchtower
Captives of a Concept
by Don Cameron
Critical examination of JW's foundational 1919 claim of divine appointment, the basis of organizational authority
Crisis of Conscience
by Raymond Franz
Former Governing Body member's firsthand account of systemic doctrinal corruption and organizational dysfunction
Dateline/20-20 JW Investigations
by NBC News / ABC News
Investigative television reports by Dateline NBC and 20/20 on child sexual abuse cover-ups within Jehovah's Witnesses
Ex-JW Critical Thinker
by ExJW Critical Thinker
YouTube channel applying critical thinking and logical analysis to JW doctrine and institutional claims
r/exjw Community
by r/exjw Moderators
Active community of 100,000+ former and questioning Jehovah's Witnesses sharing experiences and mutual support
In Search of Christian Freedom
by Raymond Franz
Raymond Franz's comprehensive analysis of JW doctrinal claims and their biblical foundations
JW Child Abuse Database
by JW Child Abuse Database Team
Searchable database documenting reported cases of child sexual abuse within Jehovah's Witnesses congregations
JW.support
by JW Support Community
Practical support resources for those leaving Jehovah's Witnesses, including mental health guidance and reintegration help
JWFacts.com
by JWFacts Contributors
Comprehensive encyclopedia examining JW doctrine, history, and practices with extensive sourcing
Lloyd Evans / JW Watch
by Lloyd Evans
YouTube channel providing critical commentary on JW news, policy changes, and institutional issues
The Reluctant Apostate
by Lloyd Evans
Lloyd Evans' memoir of leaving Jehovah's Witnesses and becoming a prominent activist and critic
Shunned Podcast
by Shunned Productions
Podcast focused specifically on the practice and impact of disfellowshipping and shunning in Jehovah's Witnesses
The Witnesses (Oxygen, 2021)
by Oxygen Network
Four-part Oxygen documentary series examining JW institutional responses to child sexual abuse
This JW Life Podcast
by This JW Life Productions
Long-form podcast featuring in-depth interviews with current and former JW members sharing their experiences
Watchtower Documents Archive
by Watchtower Documents Team
Archive of internal Watchtower organizational documents, correspondence, and unpublished materials
Witness Underground
by Witness Underground Productions
Documentary exploring Jehovah's Witnesses in the punk rock community and resistance to authoritarian control
1832 First Vision Account
by Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith's earliest known account of the First Vision, written in his own hand in 1832. Significantly differs from the official 1838 version—mentions only one divine personage rather than two.
CES Letter
by Jeremy Runnells
84-page comprehensive letter cataloging issues with LDS truth claims including Book of Mormon anachronisms, Book of Abraham problems, First Vision contradictions, and more.
ExMormon Foundation
by ExMormon Foundation
Nonprofit organization hosting annual conferences bringing together ex-Mormon scholars, authors, and community members. Provides networking and educational resources.
r/exmormon Subreddit
by Community moderated
The largest online ex-Mormon community with 300,000+ members. Active daily discussions covering faith transitions, family relationships, temple experiences, and support.
FairMormon / FAIR Latter-day Saints
by FAIR Latter-day Saints
The largest volunteer LDS apologetics organization. Their attempts to defend problematic issues often draw more attention to the problems. Many ex-Mormons report FAIR's responses accelerated their deconstruction.
In Sacred Loneliness
by Todd Compton
Biographical study of Joseph Smith's 33 plural wives. Documents the experiences of each wife. Essential reading for understanding the scope and impact of early Mormon polygamy.
Infants on Thrones
by Panel of ex-Mormon friends
Panel-style podcast by ex-Mormon friends using humor and intellectual discussion to examine LDS topics and broader philosophical questions about religion and meaning.
An Insider's View of Mormon Origins
by Grant Palmer
Written by a 34-year CES employee and institute director, this book examines the origins of Mormonism using historical methodology. Palmer was disfellowshipped for publishing it.
Joseph Smith Papers Project
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS Church-sponsored project digitizing Joseph Smith's papers, journals, and documents. Makes previously restricted primary sources publicly available.
LDS Gospel Topics Essays
by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Official LDS Church essays acknowledging previously denied or minimized historical issues including Joseph Smith's polygamy, Book of Abraham translation problems, and priesthood ban on Black members.
Letter for My Wife
by Thomas Faulk
Comprehensive document addressing LDS truth claims written specifically for a believing spouse. More accessible and empathetic in tone than the CES Letter, with additional focus on emotional impact.
Mormon Expression (Archived)
by John Larsen
Influential early ex-Mormon podcast (2009-2015) hosted by John Larsen. Now archived but episodes remain valuable for in-depth historical analysis.
The Mormon Hierarchy Series
by D. Michael Quinn
Multi-volume academic series examining the origins of power, extensions of power, and wealth/corporate structure of the LDS Church hierarchy. Excommunicated historian Quinn's deeply researched work.
Mormon Stories Podcast
by John Dehlin
Long-running podcast (1,700+ episodes) featuring in-depth interviews with ex-Mormons, scholars, and Church critics hosted by John Dehlin, excommunicated in 2015.
MormonEssays.com
by Third-party indexer
Third-party index making the LDS Church's Gospel Topics Essays easier to find and navigate. The Church buried these essays deep in its website—this site brings them to the surface.
MormonThink.com
by Multiple contributors
Comprehensive encyclopedia-style website examining LDS truth claims from multiple perspectives. Presents both faithful and critical viewpoints on each topic.
Murder Among the Mormons (Netflix)
by Netflix
Netflix documentary about Mark Hofmann, who forged early Mormon documents and committed murder to cover it up. Reveals Church leadership's willingness to suppress documents that contradicted official history.
Nemo the Mormon
by Nemo the Mormon
YouTube channel analyzing LDS Church history, truth claims, and current events. Known for well-produced videos with clear explanations of complex historical issues.
No Man Knows My History
by Fawn Brodie
Groundbreaking 1945 biography of Joseph Smith by historian Fawn Brodie, a former member. The first serious scholarly examination of Smith's life that challenged the official Church narrative.
PostMormonLife.com
by PostMormonLife
Website providing practical resources for life after Mormonism—from social adjustment to family relationships to finding community outside the Church.
QuitMormon.com
by Mark Naugle
Free legal service processing official LDS Church membership resignations. Founded by attorney Mark Naugle, has processed tens of thousands of resignations.
Radio Free Mormon Podcast
by Dan Wees
Podcast by a former active Mormon analyzing LDS Church history, apologetics, and current events with legal precision. Known for detailed, well-researched episodes examining Church truth claims.
Rough Stone Rolling
by Richard Bushman
2005 biography of Joseph Smith by believing LDS historian Richard Bushman. Acknowledges many historical problems while attempting faithful interpretations.
Sandra Tanner & Utah Lighthouse Ministry
by Sandra and Jerald Tanner
Founded by Sandra and Jerald Tanner, the longest-running Mormon criticism ministry since the 1960s. Sandra Tanner is a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young.
The Mormons (PBS Documentary)
by PBS Frontline / American Experience
Four-hour PBS Frontline/American Experience documentary examining the history and culture of the LDS Church. Balanced but thorough exploration of major issues.
Under the Banner of Heaven
by Jon Krakauer
2003 investigative book examining the violent fundamentalist fringes of Mormonism through the lens of the 1984 Lafferty murders. Connects modern fundamentalist violence to foundational Mormon history.
Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu Series)
by Hulu
2022 Hulu adaptation of Krakauer's book, starring Andrew Garfield as a detective investigating the Lafferty murders. Dramatizes the intersection of fundamentalist Mormon beliefs and violence.
WasMormon.org
by Community moderated
Website collecting profiles and stories of people who have left the LDS Church. Users share their journey from belief to deconstruction.
Year of Polygamy
by Lindsay Hansen Park
Podcast dedicated to examining the history of polygamy in Mormonism. Lindsay Hansen Park interviews historians, descendants, and current polygamous community members.
Zelph on the Shelf
by Zelph on the Shelf
YouTube channel using humor and accessibility to examine LDS truth claims. Named after a Book of Mormon figure Joseph Smith claimed to have found.
The Aftermath Foundation
by Leah Remini
Non-profit organization founded by Leah Remini providing financial and emotional support to people leaving Scientology. Offers exit counseling, housing assistance, legal support, and community resources.
BITE Model / Freedom of Mind
by Steve Hassan
Steve Hassan's BITE Model (Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotion) is the most influential framework for analyzing undue influence and coercive control. Essential theoretical lens for deconstructing Scientology's mechanisms. PDF resources freely available with attribution required.
Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology
by Marc Headley
Marc Headley's memoir detailing his 27 years in Scientology's Sea Org at the International Base. Documents daily conditions, forced labor, abuse, and his eventual escape. Essential firsthand account of the upper echelons of the organization.
Chris Shelton - Sensibly Speaking
by Chris Shelton
Former Sea Org member Chris Shelton provides detailed analysis and criticism of Scientology on YouTube. In-depth breakdowns of Scientology's teachings, organizational structure, and practices from an insider perspective.
Combating Cult Mind Control
by Steve Hassan
Foundational book on mind control and coercive persuasion. While not Scientology-specific, Hassan's framework and case studies illuminate how high-control groups operate, including detailed Scientology analysis.
Fair Game Podcast
by Leah Remini, Mike Rinder
Continuation of the Scientology and the Aftermath investigation in podcast format. Leah Remini and Mike Rinder conduct deep-dive interviews exploring specific cases, organizational practices, and escape stories.
Fishman Affidavit / OT Materials
by Steven Fishman
Court filing containing Scientology's secret OT (Operating Thetan) materials. Originally sealed but entered into public record. Essential source on Scientology's esoteric teachings. Link to court archives only; do not host directly due to ongoing IP disputes.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief
by Lawrence Wright
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright's definitive investigation into Scientology. Combines historical research, interviews with former members, and court documents to expose the organization's practices and inner workings.
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (HBO Documentary)
by Alex Gibney
Emmy-winning HBO documentary directed by Alex Gibney. Visual investigation of Scientology featuring interviews with former Sea Org members, featuring dramatic firsthand accounts of disconnection, Fair Game, and escape.
Headley v. Church of Scientology
by Federal Court System
Federal lawsuit filed by Marc Headley alleging forced labor, human trafficking, and wage theft while he worked in Scientology's International Base in California. Landmark case for labor rights in high-control organizations.
Lisa McPherson Case Filings
by Florida Court System
Wrongful death lawsuit filings documenting the case of Lisa McPherson, who died in 1995 while under Scientology's control during a forced 'Introspection Rundown.' Critical documentation of organizational negligence and the Introspection Rundown practice.
Mike Rinder's Blog (Archive)
by Mike Rinder
Former Scientology executive Mike Rinder's detailed blog documenting organizational practices and abuses. Blog archived after Rinder's death in January 2025. As former head of the OSA (Office of Special Affairs), Rinder provided insider perspective on Fair Game tactics and organizational control.
Operation Clambake (xenu.net)
by Arnie Lerma
The oldest continuously-running anti-Scientology website, active since 1996. Comprehensive encyclopedia of Scientology information, internal documents, court filings, and historical research. Essential historical archive.
A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed
by Jon Atack
Comprehensive historical investigation of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard's background. Documents Hubbard's fabricated autobiography, early organizational practices, and the development of Scientology's belief system.
Scientology and the Aftermath
by Leah Remini, Mike Rinder
Emmy-winning A&E series featuring actress Leah Remini and former Scientology executive Mike Rinder investigating documented abuses, disconnection cases, and organizational practices.
Scientology Money Project
by Jefferson Hawkins
Deep investigation of Scientology's financial practices, fundraising methods, and economic impact on members. Documents the financial exploitation through mandatory donations and the Bridge to Total Freedom.
r/Scientology
by Reddit Community
Active subreddit for discussing Scientology. Moderated community featuring ex-members, current researchers, and family members of Scientology members sharing experiences and information.
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology
by Leah Remini
Actress Leah Remini's candid memoir detailing her 34-year involvement with Scientology, her exit, and her journey to becoming one of the organization's most public critics.
The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology Tried to Destroy a Woman and Failed
by Tony Ortega
Tony Ortega's account of Paulette Cooper, journalist targeted by Scientology's Operation Freakout—the organization's documented campaign to destroy her through harassment, fraud, and psychological warfare.
The Underground Bunker
by Tony Ortega
Tony Ortega's daily blog providing the most consistent, current Scientology coverage including breaking news on litigation, organizational changes, and former member reports. Essential daily monitoring resource.
Stay Informed
Get weekly summaries of new resources, articles, and community discussions.