University of Cosmic Intelligence
The University of Cosmic Intelligence is an online-based, predominantly Black new religious movement founded by Rashad White, who goes by the name of Rashad Jamal, a rapper and self-proclaimed prophet who is currently serving a prison sentence in Georgia for child molestation.[1][2] It has been described by some sources as a cult.[2][3][4]
Beliefs
[edit]The Guardian described Jamal's teaching as combining "New Age mysticism, polygamy and Afrocentric and black nationalist ideas".[5] Beliefs of the group include that Black and Latino people are gods, that polygamy is essential for men, and that the government is engaged in weather modification and efforts to shut off "stargates" to alternate dimensions. Jamal, known as Divine Insight, has claimed he is a semi-divine being sent back to Earth "to enlighten and inform and increase the frequency of the planet, and to rid this planet of its parasitical invaders".[6] In a video that was widely shared on Facebook and TikTok, Jamal falsely claimed that African Americans are not descended from enslaved Africans, but are instead "the true Native Americans".[7] The group promotes conspiracy theories, anti-vaccinationism and sovereign citizen-style beliefs. Extraterrestrial beings play a large role in the group’s belief system, and they refer to Earth as the planet Ki and to themselves as the Grand Cosmic Rising Family.[1]
Reach
[edit]Jamal has a combined social media following of more than 300,000.[2] His online platform sells videos of his lectures as well as crystals and jewelry.[1] He has held mass meditation events across the country.[8]
Related incidents
[edit]Missing persons cases
[edit]In August 2023, six people believed to be linked to the group went missing from St. Louis County, Missouri, including two children.[4][9] According to the Berkeley police department, the people in question had quit their jobs, become increasingly isolated from family, and been seen engaging in nude meditation outdoors before their disappearance.[2][3] Lead investigator Steve Runge stated he believed the disappearances were voluntary.[4]
Murders
[edit]Followers of the group have been charged with two murders in Alabama. In January 2022, a follower was arrested after allegedly killing his mother and attacking several members of his family with a samurai sword; he was subsequently found not guilty by reason of insanity.[5][10] In September 2022, two women reported to be followers living off-the-grid in Talladega National Forest lured two college students out of their car in an attempted robbery and fatally shot one of them.[5][11][12] The organization and Jamal himself do not advocate for murder or violence.[1][5][13]
Jamal convictions
[edit]In 2017, Jamal pled guilty to a domestic battery charge in Wisconsin, and in 2023, he was convicted in Georgia of sexually abusing a ten-year-old girl.[4] Jamal has denied the child sexual abuse charge, and his followers maintain his innocence and regard his conviction and imprisonment as part of a deliberate plot to silence his teachings.[1][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Merlan, Anna (2023-08-21). "An Online Prophet With a Huge Following Has Been Convicted of Child Abuse". VICE. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ a b c d Luscombe, Richard (16 January 2024). "Six people missing in Missouri in clutches of online cult, police say". The Guardian.
- ^ a b Arshad, Minnah; Santucci, Jeanine (2024-01-20). "6 who are missing may be tied to a cult. Did social media have a role?". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ a b c d Quinn, Liam (2024-03-03). "Inside an Internet Cult: Missing Persons, Nude Meditation, Desperate Families". People.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ a b c d Conroy, J Oliver (2022-09-11). "Two women allegedly lured a driver to death. They may be part of a fringe sect". the Guardian. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Marchman, Tim; Merlan, Anna (2022-12-05). "An Online Prophet Claims to Be a God. His Followers Keep Getting Arrested". VICE. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ a b Settles, Gabrielle (2024-01-20). "Rashad Jamal spreads false claims about African heritage". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Merlan, Anna; Marchman, Tim (2022-08-31). "Followers of Charismatic New Age Influencer Accused of Two Different Murders in Alabama". VICE. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Kull, Katie (2024-10-18). "'Guru' denies being cult leader, says he doesn't know people missing from St. Louis County". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Cesaric, Corin (2023-09-26). "Ala. Man Accused of Killing Mom with Samurai Sword Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity". People.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Conlon, Riley (2024-01-05). "2 women sentenced in murder of student in Talladega National Forest". WVTM. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ "The missing people with ties to online cult 'don't want to be found,' police say". NBC News. 2024-01-17. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Cann, Christopher; Santucci, Jeanine; Fine, Camille; Arshad, Minnah (2024-01-18). "University of Cosmic Intelligence cult followers still missing". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-10-22.