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September 24, 2025 44 mins

Eligio Bishop’s journey from Harlem street kid to self-proclaimed messiah is a story of charisma, control, and destruction. Preaching a return to nature and freedom from systemic oppression, he built Carbon Nation—a cult that promised community but delivered manipulation, violence, and abuse.

From livestreams that drew thousands of followers to brutal assaults, deportations, and tragic deaths, Bishop’s reign as “Natureboy” spiraled into coercion and exploitation. Survivors recount the dark reality behind the glossy YouTube façade—financial control, sexual abuse, and public beatings masquerading as “shadow work.”

In 2024, Bishop was convicted of rape and false imprisonment, sentenced to life without parole. But his loyalists still defend him, and his story raises chilling questions: Why do people fall for destructive leaders? And what does it take to escape?

 

Highlights Include: 

  • Eligio Bishop’s troubled childhood, crimes, and early manipulations
  • His rise on YouTube as “Natureboy,” preaching melanin power & natural living
  • Formation of Carbon Nation: communal living, polyamory, and livestream drama
  • Violence, abuse, and tragedy within the cult—including deaths and deportations
  • The 2022 rape charges and explosive 2024 trial that ended his freedom
  • How charisma, community, and crisis draw people into cults
  • What survivors face when escaping—and resources that can help

Resources & Links 

  

Alleged Cult Leader Convicted of Raping Former Cult Member 

Who is Natureboy? 'Cult' leader says Kayla Reid can leave at any time 

Eco-Radical, Singer, Criminal, Cult Leader: Inside Carbon Nation 

Cult expert, former group members testify at rape trial of accused cult leader Eligio Bishop 

Watch | Judge gives 'Natureboy' his sentence after guilty verdict on rape charge 

Bishop’s Wife Speaks Out About Abuse 

Accused cult leader convicted of all counts, including rape, DeKalb County District Attorney’s office says 

Members of Carbon Nation Cult Thrown out of Costa Rica/Nicaragua and Panama 

 

 

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