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Reports: Cults of Christ

St John Coltrane, Jesus the black African ... cults of Christ around the world

There are a myriad of ways that people choose to worship Jesus Christ. While the majority of Christians belong to etablished Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox churches, there are a growing number of new churches, often led by charismatic figures. That has led to accusations that they are cults, unhealthy for their members' spiritual and emotional well-being. RFI's reporters look at some of the less orthodox forms of Christianity.

The Unification Church's Rev Sun Myung Moon peforms a mass blessing in 2010
The Unification Church's Rev Sun Myung Moon peforms a mass blessing in 2010 Open access/Cristinadeargentina
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  • San Francisco

05:01

Audio report - San Francisco

Hermione Gee

Over 45 years after his death, saxophonist John Coltrane is still a towering figure in the world of jazz. But for the members of one California church, he's more than just a musician - he's a canonised saint whose music helps bring people closer to God. Hermione Gee reports from San Francisco.

 

  • Monrovia

05:01

Audio report - Monrovia

Adolphus Mawolo

The Kingdom Assembly Church of Africa had a 3n000-strong congregation throughout much of the 1980s but was banned in the 1990s by then-president Charles Taylor. The popularity of the church was down to its two main principals: its parishioners would live for ever and they were free to sleep with any consenting adult in the congregation. Correspondent Adolphus Mawolo goes in search of people in Monrovia who have stayed faithful the church.

 

  • London

04:43

Audio report - London

Rizwan Syed

The Unification Church was founded in the 1950s in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon and has hundreds of thousands of followers, often called "Moonies", worldwide.  But, as Rizwan Syed reports from London, former members of the church say its devotees are manipulated into cultism.

 

  • Nairobi

04:33

Audio report - Nairobi

David Bwakali

Members of the Legio Maria Church founded in Kenya in 1963 believe Jesus is a black African. David Bwakali visited two Legio Maria churches in Nairobi's Kibera slum to find out why.

 

  • Accra

04:45

Audio report - Accra

Nana Boakye-Yiadom

The True Faith Church was founded in Ghana during British colonial times. As Nana Boakye-Yiadom reports from Accra, the church has dwindled in numbers due to its unorthodox interpretation of Christianity in the modern era.

 

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