What was Love Has Won?

Answer  
  

Love Has Won (LHW) was a cult that taught [New Age theology](new-age-movement.html) combined with multiple conspiracy theories and elements of Abrahamic religions. The group was led by Amy Carlson, who called herself “Mother God” and claimed that she would ascend to a “fifth dimension” to save humanity (www.denverpost.com/2021/05/16/love\-has\-won\-cult\-mother\-god, accessed 5/15/23\).  
  

The Love Has Won [cult](toxic-cult.html) took off in 2014\. It originated in Crestone, Colorado, calling itself the Galactic Federation of Light. In 2018, it moved its headquarters to Moffat, Colorado, and changed its name to Love Has Won. There were twelve to twenty full\-time members who lived communally, and many others around the world participated in the cult via the Love Has Won YouTube channel. Amy Carlson claimed to be 19 billion years old, having been [reincarnated](reincarnation.html) 534 times. Her most prominently declared identities included Marilyn Monroe, Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, and Jesus Christ (www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/amy\-carlson\-love\-has\-won\-cult\-leader\-b1969220\.html, accessed 5/15/23\). She also claimed to communicate with the spirit of deceased actor Robin Williams. Love Has Won relocated to the West Coast and then briefly to Hawaii, where Carlson claimed to be the Hawaiian goddess Pele. All along the way, Carlson’s followers worshiped her, served her, and left their families and jobs for her.  
  

Amy Carlson grew up in Dallas, Texas, with two younger sisters. Her family spoke fondly of her successful years in choir and impressive grades in school. However, as Carlson grew older, she became intoxicated with New Age beliefs. She began posting regularly to online New Age forums and gained like\-minded friends. At the age of 32, Carlson had three children with different men, and that’s when she abruptly left her family to live with the New Agers she met online (*Denver Post*, op. cit.).  
  

During Carlson’s time as “Mother God,” she appointed different members to the position of “Father God.” Jason Castillo was the final Father God, and under the combined leadership of Castillo and Carlson, Love Has Won increased its reliance on coercion and verbal and physical abuse. Cult members underwent “etheric surgeries” to remove negative energy and followed a schedule based on the seven colors of the [chakra](what-is-a-chakra.html). Some were told to stare at the sun “to get light codes” (ibid.). They sold crystals and other products online.  
  

On April 28, 2021, the body of 45\-year\-old Carlson was found in a house in Moffat, Colorado. She was found inside a sleeping bag, mummified, and wrapped in Christmas lights. A makeshift shrine was nearby. Her death has been attributed to alcohol abuse and anorexia. Seven members of Love Has Won faced a mix of charges related to their actions after Carlson’s death, though the charges were later dropped. Cult members announced that Carlson had ascended, and they removed their website and splintered off into two similarly minded cults. Castillo currently leads a group called Joy Rains, and the Love Has Won YouTube channel continues under the name of 5D Full Disclosure.  
  

This disturbing and heartbreaking story points to humanity’s desperate need for a true Savior. One that is holy, dependable, and loving rather than abusive, unpredictable, and dangerous. The God of the Bible is the one and only true God and the only way of salvation (Isaiah 44:6; 1 Timothy 2:5\). He is holy, and our sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23\). But out of His deep love for us, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to live the perfect life, die on a cross, and rise again, thus shattering the chains of sin and death (1 Peter 2:24\). Those who ask God to forgive their sins and believe that Christ died for them will receive salvation and eternity with Christ (Romans 10:9–10\). Cults cannot bring about salvation; only the gospel of Jesus Christ can save (John 14:6\).  
  

