James T. Richardson
University of Nevada, Reno
jtr
unr.edu (jtr[at]unr[dot]edu)
The Journal of CESNUR, Volume 10, Issue 5, September—October 2026.
© 2026 by CESNUR. All rights reserved.
ISSN: 2532-2990 | www.cesnur.net | DOI: 10.26338/tjoc.2026.10.5.1
ABSTRACT: The introduction to this special issue of The Journal of CESNUR situates the decade‑long transnational persecution of Konstantin Rudnev and his school, generally referred to as “Ashram Shambhala,” within broader patterns of state, media, and anti‑cult mobilization against new religious movements. It argues that authorities in Russia, Montenegro, and Argentina embraced the myth of the omniscient leader and the myth of the passive follower, narratives that erase individual agency and legitimize coercive state intervention. The essays collected here document how political interests, religious competition—particularly involving the Russian Orthodox Church—and sensationalist media converged to construct Rudnev as a dangerous “cult leader,” producing moral panics, flawed judicial processes, and severe violations of religious freedom. This introduction highlights the escalating crisis in Argentina, where Rudnev’s life is now at risk, and notes the growing involvement of international NGOs and UN bodies denouncing procedural abuses and fabricated evidence. By presenting detailed analyses of Rudnev’s life and teachings, and of the Russian, Montenegrin, and Argentine phases of the case, the issue underscores the fragility of spiritual liberty. It warns institutional actors worldwide against uncritical acceptance of anti‑cult tropes that threaten minority religions and alternative spiritual experimentation.
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