When Belief becomes a Crime: The Trial of Daedone and Cherwitz

Over the past five weeks, I’ve been present at the trial of United States v. Cherwitz and Daedone — a case that, despite being presented as a legal proceeding, felt more like an ideological trial. This was not a regular court case. Well, actually I don’t even know what a “regular” court case is anymore. After these last few years, and especially these last five weeks, I’ve become more and more disillusioned with our justice system in the US, and frankly in the world. At stake here was not just these two women’s futures and the future of the spiritual and religious path they follow, but core questions about freedom of belief and spiritual expression. 

I’ve never been much of a religious freedom person; in fact, I’ve never considered myself religious. My grandparents were orthodox Jewish, but my parents were very secular. So, “religion” wasn’t really talked about, and when it was, it was somewhat dismissed. We did holidays, we spoke Hebrew, but god and religion weren’t talked about, except when I was in Israel with my grandmother whose main focus was making sure I had a Jewish husband and Jewish wedding. 

Until about 10 years ago, when I started meditating. Not just any meditation, but Orgasmic Meditation. I had no idea that this simple practice — one involving a meditation cushion, a timer, and human connection — would be my gateway into spirituality.

As I got more in touch with myself through the practice, I became more in touch with the universe, and with a connection to something greater than myself. I remember the moments of believing, of realizing, yes there is something here. Moments of praying naturally, something I had never grown up doing and always somewhat looked down on. Moments of seeing a divine plan. 

Illustration of Buddha and Flower of Life, Meditation, Spiritual, Buddhism.” PickPik, www.pickpik.com/illustration-buddha-flower-of-life-meditation-spiritual-buddhism-52339. Accessed 17 June 2025.

The teachings of Nicole Daedone, who developed this practice, were what led me there. The philosophy associated with the practice, the Eros Philosophy, changed how I see the world. It turned my world right-side up. It gave me answers and explanations for things I couldn’t previously explain. Taking concepts from Buddhism, Zen, Judaism, and numerous world religions and teachings, Nicole created the Eros philosophy based on what she believed was true. The principles that held for her across all religions. For me, and many others, these teachings and ways of looking at the world have been life changing. 

However, I don’t think everyone has to believe the same as me, or follow the same teachings. That’s one of the things that makes our society so great, that we all have the freedom to choose what we believe and what we don’t. In the US we have the first amendment, to protect freedom of religion. The first amendment explicitly states that the administration can’t prohibit free exercise of religion. 

And yet, for more than five weeks in a Brooklyn courtroom, I witnessed the government do just that. Although the prosecution nominally charged Nicole with conspiracy to force labor, the heart of their case rested on her teachings — her beliefs about women, sexuality, empowerment, and victimhood. These were not presented as protected expressions of philosophy or faith, but as tools of manipulation and evidence of guilt. The government argued that her ideas “brainwashed” women, not through force or threats, but by influencing how they saw themselves and their place in the world. The jury was asked to accept a sweeping interpretation of coercion — one that rested not on violence or blackmail, but on the emotional fear that the so-called victims might lose Nicole’s approval or access to her community.

Some of the most beautiful teachings I’ve ever seen, all part of the spirituality or religion that she teaches, manipulated by the prosecution (literally, video clips taken out of context of an advanced lecture Nicole gave 10+ years ago) to paint a picture of her as a monster instead of the unrelenting advocate for freedom that she really is.

Daedone teaching her spiritual philosophy in Northern California (image courtesy)

As the defense said in court, this is “essentially an attempt to criminalize beliefs and thoughts and teachings and philosophies that have been espoused by Ms. Daedone.”

Not everyone will agree with or even understand Nicole’s teachings. And any practice involving sexuality and women’s power is bound to face controversy given the world we live in. But what I saw in that courtroom was not a fair legal process — it was the silencing of spiritual philosophy under the guise of justice.

Not only were Nicole and her colleague Rachel convicted, but in a striking and unexpected move, they were immediately taken into custody to await sentencing—despite having been free on bail throughout the case, with perfect compliance and no flight risk. What made the decision even more alarming was the judge’s stated reasoning: she cited media coverage linked to the defendants that criticized her and questioned the credibility of key witnesses. In doing so, she appeared to treat constitutionally protected press and public commentary as justification for pre-sentencing detention—an extraordinary signal that expressing dissent, or even being associated with those who do, could carry punitive consequences.

I’m disturbed by this turn of events, and while I’m personally connected to these two women and know their innocence, I’m just as concerned for the legal precedent it sets. If Nicole can be persecuted for her beliefs and religion, what’s stopping a Rabbi who follows teachings from the bible from suffering the same fate? Will we be burning books next, just because we don’t agree with them?

This trial isn’t just about two women — it’s about what kind of country we want to live in. One that protects freedom of religion and expression, even when it challenges norms? Or one that punishes any deviation with prison?