Yes, Hippo, "Demon-Haunted World" is actually a very "easy read" and was written, as Christa accuaratly points out, for the lay-person.

To Christa and Sparky:

I was going off the excerpt offered at amazon.com. I have some brain damage, and it seemed a little difficult.

Maybe if I had a chance to look at the actual book and see a few more sample pages, I might feel differently.

Thanks for your comments.

I think that's a good idea, stoic. Sorry about your family. I've read your comments about your childhood. It just blows me away how narcissistc sociopaths control people. It's almost like the lies and deception are more appealing than truth. I just can't figure out what the brain does to go in this direction. Cults have affected people in my world on a few occasions. Our family knew a Heaven's Gate victim, my brother was almost murdered by Krishnas, and I narrowly escaped from the Moonies. Some of my lifelong friends have followed East Indian gurus, but have remained very caring, good people. The Gaskins Farm in Tennessee was a place I almost went to live. Thank God they weren't accepting new people due to a hepatitis outbreak.

Maybe this mind control stuff hits home,also, because me daughter is still being controlled by her insane ex-boyfriend who is abusing their daughter, my 2 1/2 granddaughter. When I've told my daughter, she calls me crazy and refuses to hear what the baby says. This is what he wants; to discredit me, but she doesn't realize it. I'm a trained child abuse professional and a mandatory reporter. He would love to see me limited in my contact with the baby. He's been trying to keep her out of preschool and only wants his family to come into contact with her.

Yakaru, I read Schmidt's blog again and checked out the link to some "anti-prostitution organization". It's directed by some guy who says he used to be a pimp in Asia. It really looks shady. You're right about these non-profits acting as "covers' for a money-making venture. That former pimp guy asks for donations all over his site.

Yeah guys, I think it's best that I leave Schmidt alone. She doesn't seem to be articulate enough to win the oprah thing,anyway.

Jean, from my side I wasn't meaning leave Schmidt alone - rather, just that I don't think she deserves any diplomacy. I think one can only confront such people and try and publically expose their actions. She won't see what she's doing, but others will. At least that's my opinion. Others on this site may have a more insightful perspective.

Jeand,

I also was not suggesting leaving Schmidt alone, just pointing out that attempting to tackle this problem head on is fraught with problems, as you have no doubt recognised in your own family dealings.

I think that reporting abuses to the relevant authorities is extremely important but as these types of abuse are notoriously difficult to prove and prosecute, to not expect too much of a conclusion as a result of the reporting. A record of reports of abuse built up over time is highly useful in eventually getting some action.

Also it is important to be aware that you are exposing yourself to a possible vicious backlash and to take steps to protect yourself. Having seen a lot of this backlash I would not fault anyone who put self-protection ahead of tackling the problem in a more direct way. A person has to be quite secure in themselves to take this on and regaining that sense of personal security is not quick or easy for someone exiting an abusive situation.

For me education is the only real defence and protection, which is why this site and its resources are so helpful.

Hippo,
I think that you are the best judge of what books are personally useful to you. Any book that prompts an education in critical thinking is a good place to start.
Posters here tend to be mindful of others who might visit this thread at a later date and give general recommendations on that basis, rather than recommendations tailored to specific individual needs. A good variety of references to books on critical thinking is the most useful to future visitors.

Jeand,

For a glimpse of understanding into the psychopath mind, I found this interesting doc on youtube in five parts.

[www.youtube.com]

It features Robert Hare, a leading authority, and Sam Vaknin, a self-admitted, non-violent psychopath.

Another interesting doc in 6 parts that covers current brain research on the psychopathic individual. I find the hopes expressed of an effective treatment a bit far-fetched but the rest of the content is quite sober:

[www.youtube.com]

Some researchers came up with a huge list of links from searches of public court records for "James Ray".
Perhaps some folks could read through some of the links and add some commentary.
Apprently his birthdate is (Nov 22, 1957), which can be used for verification.

Apparently an ex-wife "Candi" filed a restraining order during a divorce?



Superior Court of San Diego - (Link to the case-search starting point)

Results of Domestic Search

DF032585 RAY, JAMES COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO San Diego Domestic 06/24/1996

D243936 RAY, JAMES A RAY, DEBORAH P San Diego Domestic 07/29/1987

Results of Civil Search

U039747 RAY, JAMES BEECROFT, JOSEPH N San Diego Civil 07/24/1995

IC793803 RAY, JAMES DISCOVER BANK San Diego Civil 08/06/2002

GIC821975 RAY, JAMES BIVINS, PAMELA A San Diego Civil 12/02/2003

498255 RAY, JAMES AUTOMOBILE CLUB SOUTHERN CALIF San Diego Civil 01/25/1983

475803 RAY, JAMES SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIST San Diego Civil 09/18/1981

406938 RAY, JAMES TRUAX, CLAY San Diego Civil 11/09/1977

37-2010-00053377-CL-R3-NC RAY, JAMES A AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK, FSB North County Civil 04/06/2010

37-2010-00053376-CU-BC-NC RAY, JAMES A AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK, FSB North County Civil 04/06/2010

37-2009-00014992-SC-SC-NC RAY, JAMES A BULLEN, ROBERT S North County Civil 11/17/2009

37-2010-00053377-CL-R3-NC RAY, JAMES ARTHUR AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK, FSB North County Civil 04/06/2010

37-2010-00053376-CU-BC-NC RAY, JAMES ARTHUR AMERICAN EXPRESS BANK, FSB North County Civil 04/06/2010

37-2010-00050758-CL-CL-NC RAY, JAMES ARTHUR PALOMAR REPROGRAPHICS, INC North County Civil 01/28/2010

Superior Court of Orange County - Online Case Access

Results of Civil Search

07WL06566 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 09/27/2007 UNLAWFUL DETAINER - RESIDENTIAL

07CC07037 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 06/15/2007 BREACH OF CONTRACT/WARRANTY

07HL02391 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 05/31/2007 UNLAWFUL DETAINER - RESIDENTIAL

07WL01447 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 03/06/2007 UNLAWFUL DETAINER - RESIDENTIAL

04WL01720 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 04/01/2004 BREACH OF CONTRACT/WARRANTY

02CC07187 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 05/20/2002 BREACH OF CONTRACT/WARRANTY

N854115 RESPONDENT JAMES RAY 09/10/1998 SMALL CLAIMS APPEAL

798540 CROSS - DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 08/21/1998 BREACH OF CONTRACT/WARRANTY

633128 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 08/13/1990 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

587372 DEFENDANT JAMES RAY 04/07/1989 PI/PD OTHER

Results of Criminal and Traffic Search

88847HT 4920607 Ray James Arthur

CMZ123180 6010357 Ray James


Results of Family Law Search

93D06537 JAMES RAY RESPONDENT CANDI RAY / PETITIONER 07/07/1993 - Divorce

Hawaii

@666381 Ray, James 5475811MO State v. James Ray Defendant 16-JAN-2003

1DV04-1-000420 JAMES RAY VS JULIE TERESA RAY
Apparently while still married to Julie, JAR appeared on the reality show "Millionaire Matchmaker Club"?

Nevada

99-C-164094-C 12/30/1999 STATE OF Nevada Ray, James A CLOSED

99-C-161700-C 09/15/1999 STATE OF Nevada Ray, James A CLOSED

Thanks TAC,

That should keep us going until August when the trial is due to kick off!

@ Yakaru and @stoic: Thanks for the info. I think I will send a message to KS after all.

@ Anticult Are all of these James Rays the one and only James Arthur Ray, killer of 4 followers? If so, I'm wondering if Pamela Bivins is related to Kristina Bivins, the major JAR supporter.