A self-proclaimed messiah leading a movement centered on polygamy, nudity, and liberation.
Eligio Bishop, known as “Nature Boy” or “3God,” is the controversial founder and leader of Carbon Nation, a spiritual group that has gained attention for its unconventional practices and beliefs. Born in 1983 in New York City, Bishop claims to have experienced a spiritual awakening that led him to abandon his former life as a model, barber, and stripper to embrace a nature-based philosophy. However, allegations of despotism and sexual exploitation have marred the group’s reputation, resulting in legal scrutiny and a conviction of Bishop on charges including rape and false imprisonment.
Location
Carbon Nation primarily operates in tropical regions such as Costa Rica and Belize, although the group has been known to relocate frequently due to legal and social pressures. The movement emphasizes the importance of living in tropical climates, practicing nudism, and embracing a plant-based diet. Bishop argues that these practices are essential for absorbing vitamin D and enhancing spiritual and physical health.
The group maintains a strong online presence, particularly on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram. Bishop uses these channels to spread his messages, which include a mix of self-help instructions, calls for donations, and music videos. Through these platforms, Carbon Nation has amassed tens of thousands of followers.
Teachings and Lifestyle
Carbon Nation, also referred to as Melanation, was founded in 2016 and promotes a lifestyle centered on living in harmony with nature, veganism, nudism, and polygamy. The group’s name stems from Bishop’s belief that humans are essentially made of carbon and should live in accordance with natural principles. Members, who call themselves “carbonites,” are encouraged to reject societal norms, abandon material possessions, and fully commit to the community’s way of life.
The group’s teachings incorporate elements from various spiritual and religious traditions, including Christianity, ancient Egyptian mythology, and New Age concepts. Bishop positions himself as a messianic figure, claiming to possess divine knowledge and spiritual powers. He refers to himself as “Th3 3God” and the “return of the Christ,” blending religious, spiritual, and liberatory themes in his self-portrayal.
Carbon Nation’s communal lifestyle involves sharing resources and responsibilities among members. The group discourages conventional education, careers, and lifestyles, urging followers to abandon modern materialistic life in favor of a more primitive and natural way of living. This includes practicing nudism, which the group believes removes societal constraints and allows individuals to return to a more natural state of being.
While the cult began with a focus on sexual and naturalist themes, it has since evolved, with Bishop’s self-depiction as a divine figure taking center stage. However, the movement has faced numerous legal challenges and accusations of cult-like behavior. Critics argue that Bishop exerts undue influence over his followers, manipulating them emotionally and financially. As Bishop elevated himself in the community, former members spoke out with allegations of mental, verbal, and physical abuse, culminating in Bishop’s arrest April 2022 by a tactical team in Georgia.
Trial and Aftermath
During Bishop’s trial, the defense attempted to reframe the narrative, presenting witnesses who claimed the group was not a cult but a tribe, and that any acts of violence were merely performative, intended to garner online attention. However, victims and former members told a different story, detailing harrowing experiences of abuse, manipulation, and fear that characterized their time within the group.
One victim, testified that Bishop raped her and, in an act of revenge, posted nude photos of her online after she attempted to leave the group. Erikka Carroll, a former member, characterized the group as a cult, recounting mental and verbal abuse that was primarily focused on Bishop. Another victim alleged that Bishop ordered other women to assault her simply because she “made a face” at him.
Several victims also spoke of the extreme control Bishop exerted over their lives, including cutting off contact with the outside world and dictating their sexual relationships. One victim claimed that Bishop raped her for not addressing him as ‘my king,’ highlighting the level of subjugation demanded by Bishop. Two other victims, who were former members, testified that Bishop enforced a rule where women were not permitted to wear shirts and were coerced into having sex with him.
During the trial, the judge scolded Bishop for for exploiting vulnerable individuals and causing them potentially irreparable harm, while Bishop asserted his forgiveness and love for everyone involved. The jury found him guilty on all counts, leading to a life sentence without parole for the rape charge, and an additional combined 10 years for false imprisonment and the electronic transmission charges. The defense has a 30-day window to file a motion for a new trial, which, if pursued, could see Bishop’s case re-enter the legal system for reconsideration.
Bishop’s legal troubles are not limited to the 2022 arrest; he was previously arrested in Hawaii in June 2020 for violating the state’s COVID-19 quarantine order. Their troubled history is also highlighted by their expulsion from at least three Central American countries, which has only added to the scrutiny they face.
image via Hawaii Tribune-Herald
