#this man truly has unrivalled face journey

[spockvarietyhour]

[culttvblog]

Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua

Content warning: cult mind control, nonconsensual sex, every kind of violence you can think of.

(I will return to The Guardians but it didn't feel right to be blogging about them with riots going on so instead here is a post I've been keeping in reserve for just such an occasion.)

It's been a while since we had a documentary and this is a truly magisterial one. It is in three parts, which I will be covering in a single blog post because I essentially have the same things to say about all three parts. It is also the most recent show I have ever written about, since it was published on the BBC News Africa YouTube channel in January 2024: obviously I'm well outside of my normal zone here but this is such an excellent documentary I really wanted it to be here.

The first part of the documentary is an extended introduction to the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos and its founder, TB Joshua. It also describes at length the familiar process of cult indoctrination as described by those who have experienced it. Essentially the main question raised by the entire documentary is how one man managed to have such control over other people and why people got and remained involved.

The second part goes into detail of the bizarre psychological, personal, sexual and otherwise abusive demands that TB Joshua made on his disciples. And there's some proper fucked up shit in this part. It touches on the steps Joshua took to ensure he had the authorities on his side so that he wouldn't face any consequences.

The final part covers the collapse of the residential building at the church which made the international news and the subsequent cover-up which you all knew was coming. It describes how the 'miracles' of healing were faked for the videos released by the church. Finally those who have escaped reflect on their experience and its impact on their lives. In some ways this is the most difficult part because the ex-members have to live with the realisation that people 'healed' by TB Joshua actually died because they then stopped taking medication, and that they knew this was a scam but still took part in it.

All three parts of the documentary use the same documentary technique. The church has prolifically broadcast online and released videos, and parts of the church's own broadcasts are used, alternated with former disciples of TB Joshua describing what happened. The contrast between the propaganda (let's not beat about the bush) materials and the accounts of those who have managed to survive, is absolutely devastating.

It's also effective, because you can see why desperate or hopeful people would get drawn in to the church. We see extensive footage of people turning up with apparently advanced diseases supposedly completely cured in short order and some of the more ecstatic parts of the worship at the compound. In fact it's some of the most uncomfortable viewing you could ever see because you want to scream 'Run away' at the screen.

This documentary is also one of the few cult documentaries which adequately explains why people stay in cults, why they do the bizarre things their leaders tell them and why they don't/can't leave, because it takes us on the journey in and then describes the life inside. For example you may think that it's ridiculous to think that one man could cure HIV but this describes the vulnerabilities of those who enter and how cults keep on making greater demands after gaining people's commitment. I think this is one of the more useful things that people could be taught in schools, but hey, who am I.

As a description of indoctrination, cult brain washing and mind control, I literally can't think of a better one. This is an absolutely expert depiction of the subject, which I honestly think is unrivalled and I can't lavish enough praise on the BBC's Africa Eye team for doing this. This is a bittersweet comment because the BBC has lost its reputation for objective reporting in the UK and we have to look to Al Jazeera!

It's also very clear that TB Joshua operated the church as a scam (he's died, but the church goes on and denies that any accusations have been proved). It is a horrifying experience to see his former assistants describe how he actually clearly described it as a scam to them. How he used it for sex, power and money, and they all knew, but still did it because they couldn't get out. There are descriptions of some very twisted and kinky things in this show.

The documentary doesn't deal with the question of what should be done about the vulnerable who are taken in by scams, although the question is written all over the three hours. It's easy to feel, separated from the charismatic power of the group, to see that what was going on was clearly a scam. However what about the credulous, who would see these videos of apparent mass healings and get on the next plane to Lagos? I'm old enough to remember when it was assumed that more information or education would be the help for these people, but I think in the internet age it's apparent that more information will not stop humans being taken in. This huge question is outside the scope of the documentary, however is the enduring issue it's raised in my mind.

Another interesting issue it raises is how you would feel watching it if you are a Christian (I'm not any more). The documentary cleverly connects Joshua's presentation of his church in a direct line with other charismatic Christian churches so that it would look like it was in that current, at least until you got inside and were calling him daddy. Of course the internet is replete with Christians calling other Christians heretics, but it feels like a Christian watching this should be particularly embarrassed by it and keen to distance themselves from the Synagogue Church of All Nations as not being the real thing. I also wonder whether this documentary could be uncomfortable viewing for other people with the realisation that there is no more evidence for miracles, signs or wonders in any other church than in the Synagogue Church of All Nations. I have no idea, and I'm wondering this because normally if you search for a dodgy Christian ministry the first thing you find is lots of social media videos calling attention to its errors and dangers, but I haven't spotted many for this church. It's strange, but then the documentary describes the active violence directed at those who left and one of the women interviewed describes having to wear a hijab so as not to be killed by them. Gulp.

I think another discomfort for religious people watching this is that it's uncomfortable watching other people being taken in by a scam. However every religion is based around the existence of some sort of being who can't be seen or proved, and this show necessarily raises the question of how even less controlling religions require the customer to 'buy' something they can't see. Hands up if you're itching to comment, 'But faith...'.

I don't have a criticism. However the final part feels like it's at a different pace from the others, which have been dealing with weird cult stuff, because it's partly about the more mundane matters of covering up a building collapse. I have found myself wondering whether this part would have been better in the middle or the beginning but I can see there are disadvantages wherever you put it. As I say I can't fault the way the documentary is structured to hit you like a sledgehammer.

In summary this documentary is very difficult viewing of the way into a high control/abusive religious group and the things that people find themselves doing once they are in there. Perhaps one of the things which makes it most uncomfortable is that the things TB Joshua are things which have all happened in 'mainstream' churches as well; for example it is now very clear that one of the ways sexual abusers seek respectability as a cover is in religion and in grooming people so that they won't believe accusations. This is also not about some strange fringe group years ago, but is about a church which is currrently still operating internationally, which adds to this discomfort. There is a further level of discomfort in watching this documentary because it necessarily makes us wonder how we would have behaved in the situation of the interviewees: if we wouldn't have been taken in the smugness is uncomfortable, and the thought of being taken in is horrifying. Watching this documentary is almost like having survivor guilt without even being there.

An excellent and masterly documentary by the BBC.

Image credit: Getty Images/Pius Ekomi.

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[book-addict-03]

Hello, starting a Tenrose fic and wanting some advice. Constructive criticism is highly appreciated <3

Chapter I - The Beginning and The End

Rose knew it was a stupid idea, even as she was sitting, watching the house full of Torchwood agents. The only reason she even considered it was because she was so tired of running. She was even more tired of losing people. It didn’t matter that there was no one left. It didn’t matter that she was finally going to give them what they wanted.

She listened to the fallen Autumn leaves crunch under her boots as she stalked towards the house. The rustling sounds of the trees and the chatter of distant birds soothed her as she headed towards what would surely result in her torture. After all, why hunt someone for over 60 years if you didn’t have a truly malicious plan in mind?

As she kicked the door open, she couldn’t help the small smirk that graced her features. She had planned to surprise them, of course, but she was pleased to see the shocked and flummoxed looks on the faces of all 15 Torchwood Agents. She would take this sight with her, to pass away the time while she’s strapped down to a table in the Labs.

They had started hunting her when she turned 40 and it became clear to everyone that she hadn’t aged past 20. Of course, they’d suspected it throughout the years, especially when paired with her rapid healing. She’d had the extent of her healing tested throughout the years, obviously, but when it became clear that her young looks were truly unorthodox rather than good genes, Torchwood had started seeking her out for tests on top of her usual quarterly examinations. She hadn’t planned on going into hiding, but eventually she was left with no other choice.

So here she was, aged 107 years old looking no older than 20, surrounded by confused Torchwood agents, finally handing herself in. It had taken over half a century, but they were finally seeing it. Rose Tyler had finally given up.

She didn’t fight back, even as four men jumped to wrestle her to the ground, all flailing limbs and elbows. Truly terrible form, she thought, their training regime really must have changed if they thought this sort of performance would suffice in the capture of London’s most wanted criminal.

Of course, she could have fought back if she’d wanted to, years of running and fighting had left her with a toned and strong body, as well as a full martial arts skillset from her training and employment at Torchwood. So no, she hadn’t been overcome, she had submitted. She knew the distinction wouldn’t be made in the records or to the public, but she had to keep her pride intact if nothing else. Honestly, who would expect anything else from the long-lost heiress of the Vitex fortune?

“Hello boys!” she said with a wide grin, seemingly nonplussed by the agents currently holding her to the cold, hard concrete floor, “Honestly, is this how you greet your guests? I must say, this is really poor hospitality. I mean, I’ve been in some really bad establishments, and when I say really bad, I mean really bad but honestly, this is unrivalled.”

“Shut up, you bitch” said the person wearing the boots that were currently right in front of her face. The man laying across the top of her back prevented her from angling her neck to see the speakers face but from the burly voice, she decided it was safe to assume the person was male. “Goodard, get up and chain her.” Also in a role of power, she noted as she was roughly jerked upright and put straight into a cold metal chair. She tried to cross her knees but the men chaining her down wouldn’t allow it. With an exaggerated huff, she allowed the young men to chain her to the chair, ankles tied firmly to the legs of the chair.

Finally allowed to see the man that would probably be hailed as her captor, Rose took a few moments to observe his harsh features. If she was being honest to herself, he looked like a stereotypical Disney villain. He sneered down at her with a sharp, elongated face, greying hair and a rapidly receding hairline. He could be no older than 50, but he had only a small amount of hair left.

“If you’re tying an old woman down with truck chains then I must be making a good impression.” She said, with a smirk. She was bored and wished, not for the first time, that she could just fast forward through certain moments.

“You and I both know your age is not an accurate depiction of your strength or abilities, which is precisely why we’ve been looking for you for so long, Agent Tyler.” He said, clearly enunciating her previous title from her employment at Torchwood. If he expected a reaction, he must’ve been sorely disappointed, because the next words out of his mouth were:

“Fingal! Jab her, get her in the truck and let’s go” followed by a sharp prick in her neck and a veil of black taking over her consciousness.

…~oOo~…

Six months later, Rose was recovering from her 17th surgery while also preparing for her 46th MRI. This time they were going to try drowning her to see what would happen afterwards. It was one of the least imaginative deaths they had come up with so far, but she still wasn’t looking forward to the time spent swimming in a swirling haze of pain that always followed her death.

Of course, it wasn’t the first time she’d died.

The first time had been a shock, she had been hit by a stray bullet, fired by a hunter who must’ve thought her to be a deer or some other sort of animal. Her mother and Tony were still alive at the time. They had discussed what was to be done in the event of her death a while beforehand, so they had carted her body off to a cave deeper in the woods to wait until nightfall so they could light a pyre. Just as twilight peaked, Rose woke up with a gasp and scared the absolute shit out of her family. Her mother had been yelling at her for weeks after that, saying that Rose had surely knocked 10 years off her life span.

That time she’d been out for over 5 hours, lately they had been cut down to an hour or less. Rose assumed it was a ‘practice makes perfect’ sort of scenario. Well, she hoped.

…~oOo~…

Rose knew something was different from the moment she stepped into the room. Her skin felt tingly and she felt slightly invigorated, she knew her evolved senses were picking up on something, something she was unable to interpret. Of course, the strange occurrence didn’t change her actions. She didn’t even falter, she knew doing anything other than what they asked was pointless. No matter what, they were going to force her into the tub of cold water. She could do nothing to stop them, she’d tried before on several occasions. They always sent her with multitudes of armed guards who were instructed to use brutal force if she showed any sign of resistance. So, she’d pretended nothing was amiss and forced herself to place one foot in front of the other, climb into the tub and accept the blanket of numbness that was handed to her as the water blacked out her vision.

She swam in the inky depths of her mind, waiting for her body to come alive once again. Usually, it just felt as though she had been asleep, sometimes she would remember different moments of her life or dream of a different future for herself. This time was different, she was aware of everything going on outside of her own head but remained unable to do anything. Instead, it was like she was in a viewing panel inside her own mind. Weird.

“Hello, my Wolf,” said a mystical voice from behind her. She turned to see herself, wearing different clothes and with the bleached blonde hair she had grown out decades ago, but still her. She immediately knew who was speaking to her through her own image, because who else could it be?

“TARDIS” she greeted with a nod and grin, “it’s been a long time since we’ve spoken. Though I must say, we don’t really speak, do we? It’s usually like a telepathic game of charades. This is new,” she said, waving at the whole of the entity in front of her.

The TARDIS smiled and nodded to Rose, “I have no other corporeal image for myself other than you, the one who shares my heart. You must know by now that your link to Bad Wolf was not removed from you, as my Thief had thought” Rose wasn’t sure if it was a statement or a question, but she nodded anyway. “Good, that makes this easier”

“Makes what easier?” Rose asked, with a suspicious expression marring her features.

“My magnificent plan, of course. I know that your journey since the Bay has been taxing on your soul. You have lost many, and I want you to know that I cannot fix that. I wish to give my Wolf and my Thief the second chance they deserve… I believe that you both need each other; you know that as well as I do. This is my gift to you. I can take you back to your own universe. I can take you back to him.”

The TARDIS said this with an air of finality that didn’t sit well with Rose. Her passionate yet detached deliverance of her speech didn’t do anything to help either. She was sick of detachment. She hadn’t spoken any of this to anyone, so when the TARDIS prodded at such painful memories, the floodgates of thoughts and feelings hidden away over decades of life faltered and she broke.

“What if I don’t want to go back? I have lost everything since Bad Wolf Bay, I lost my chance at a normal life, I lost my family, all because your thief didn’t give me a choice! What makes you think I’d willingly go back to him?” She was pacing, her minor rant had made her realise how exhausted she was and the warmth on her face alerted her to the fact that she was crying.

“You need home. The TARDIS is and always will be your home. I will care for you, as I always have. I can’t help you while you’re here though. You don’t belong in this universe; you already know that they will not accept your modified biology. You know that my Thief will at least understand your situation and the loss that has followed. I wish for no more than to allow you both the comfort you desire, but it is still your choice. Do you wish to stay here, or are you ready to come home?” Her soft-spoken words pierced Rose’s armour and she crumpled to the floor. Decades of loss, sorrow and pain suddenly cascading through her barriers.

“Please. Please, take me home” She sobbed. The TARDIS gave a small, affectionate smile. Her plan would work. She just knew it.

Of course, she knew her Wolf’s anger and nonchalance were a shield to protect her already worn-down heart, much like her Thief and his indifference towards others who seek to help him. The fact that the Void had warped time a lot more for this universe than her own was likely going to be a slight issue, but that couldn’t be helped. She would take care of them; she would make sure they were happy again. Together.

[aviewfromtheclouds25]

Here’s to Robron, Ryan and Danny, and that inimitable spark of magic which created one of the most epic and unrivalled love stories of this generation. Yes, Robert, it absolutely was a love story.

Here’s to five years of Ryan and Danny’s incomparable partnership which has cemented their place as one of the most iconic and memorable couples in the history of soap. Because no one else comes close. Nor ever will.

Here’s to five years of two exceptional actors embodying Robert and Aaron’s raw, believable – and very messy – story, and taking us on every step of that journey with them. It was everything.

Thank you, Ryan and Danny, for giving us five years of laughs, tears – even over shower gel – and regularly wanting to yell at these two loveable but frustrating idiots. They were a mess and a nightmare, but the best possible kind. They wouldn’t have been Robron otherwise.

Thank you for embracing your often passionate and vocal fans, always with good humour – and even coining phrases like ‘Roblivion’. Thanks for that one, Ryan.

Thank you for the dedication, hard work and genuine love of the characters you always poured into fully encompassing every second of their journey together. For committing to these idiots just like the fans. Robert would have stayed… Whatever happened. And so would we. (And if Ryan ever does want to return, we’ll wait. Until he’s ready.)

We love the Sugden-Dingles. We’ll never stop. And perhaps one day in the future… However… Wherever… Whether it be on screen or off… Perhaps they will find their way back to each other again, like they have so many times before. Because that’s what they – and we – signed up for. Messed up. Forever.

And thank you to Ryan for his unparalleled portrayal of Robert Sugden. For taking an existing character with a deep history in the show and who was already loved by so many, and for making us love him even more. For creating the most rounded, complex, encapsulating version of this legacy character. For being the best Robert Sugden Emmerdale could have. For making the role his own while equally embracing Robert’s past incarnations, by uniting them all in one Robert and making it so easy to forget Ryan hadn’t played him all along.

Thank you for the sublime acting in portraying the many layers of Robert Sugden. The soppy husband, the scheming businessman, the devoted family man… And thank you for the many faces of Robert Sugden, too, with the ever impressive repertoire of facial expressions, for the witty one-liners, and the charm and charisma only Smugden can bring. Thank you for showing us that Robert’s actually a really good dancer. And that he just wanted to be himself.

Thank you for the irreplaceable bond between Robert and Aaron, and Ryan and Danny. Thank you for the last five years and all the joy they have brought. And will continue to bring.

Emmerdale struck gold with these two because the magnitude of what they have created over the last five years has been extraordinary. And that is primarily down to the genuine rapport and friendship between Ryan and Danny which has been so special. We were so very lucky to be able to witness Robron’s story unfold live, as it happened, over the last five years and to go on this rollercoaster of emotions with them. It may have lasted half a decade, but it will live on far, far longer.

Sincerely, thank you.

And while I wish Ryan and Danny both all the luck in the world with their respective futures, whatever the future brings, Emmerdale truly won’t be the same without Ryan, or Robron.

Always.