Quote
Dutch TV programma Zembla did a critcal episode on Landmark and CSA Europe. Broadcast
date 18 februari 2007
[omroep.vara.nl][tt_news]=1154&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1303&cHash=335c775237
( short [tinyurl.com] )
It shows that both of these organizations know some participants have gone psychotic and
did little or nothing to help them. This is not the French program into Landmark redubbed
but their own production.
Stream
[player.omroep.nl]
Quote
Jack Oskar Larm
I wonder when I can get the full box set (France, Sweden, Holland, etc)?
Quote
ajinajan
Cmon 48 Hours/60 Minutes/Dateline, etc... If this controversial group is newsworthy enough for major news stories in 3 other countries ...
Quote
I would like to suggest you do an investigative report on Landmark
Education Corporation. This is a highly controversial organization that
operates world-wide and claims to be an "education"
but has been accused in many circles of being a cult, or "cult-like"
in its operations. Landmark is the reincarnation of EST, founded by
controversial figure Werner Erhart. 60 Minutes did a report on Erhard
and EST many years ago.
Landmark is listed on practically every cult awareness website in the
world, including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Germany,
France, Switzerland and others including the American Family Foundation.
The cult awareness website in New Zealand describes Landmark as a
"dangerous cult".
Landmark has been accused of applying a particular brainwashing
technique on their participants called "thought reform". This group
has also been the subject of critical articles in such publications as
the New York Times, GQ Magazine, NOW Magazine, Elle Magazine and many
others, most of which is on-line. And much like the "Church" of
Scientology, Landmark manipulates the judical system to intimidate
critics into silence. Just recently Landmark withdrew a lawsuit against
the pre-eminent "cult buster" in the US, Rick Ross. The details of
this lawsuit and legal documents can be seen at www.cultnews.com
Landmark has a history of bad press, complaints and lawsuits filed
against it by past participants claiming serious personal injuries
linked to its programs. One lawsuit named Landmark Education as the
defendant in a wrongful death. Indeed, Landmark's own agreement
contract (that every participant is required to sign) includes a waiver
clause that seeks to protect them from any legal responsibility. Part of
this clause states, "I willingly and knowingly assume for myself, and
my heirs, family members, executors, administrators, and assigns, all
risk of physical injury and mental and emotional upset which may occur
during or after the Program, and I hereby agree to hold Landmark
Education Corporation, its officers, directors, employees, agents,
and/or volunteers, harmless from any and all liability arising out of my
participation in the Program."
Landmark does no advertising and depends on their participants and
unpaid "volunteers" to "spread the word" to friends, family,
co-workers and others, much like an Amway-style pyramid scheme. Many
have accused Landmark of exerting extreme pressure and hard-sell tactics
on participants and prospective participants to join and "invite"
people in their lives to this group. Indeed, even some Landmark participants and members have criticized this tactic and circulated a public petition voicing their discontent. [www.ipetitions.com]
Landmark is very unique in that that the majority of their staff are unpaid volunteers, yet Landmark is an international multi-million dollar corporation. It received its corporate charter in 1991. It is an employee-based company whose revenues according to its own website earned $54 million in 2003. Landmark's board of directors have never issued dividends in the entire time it was incorporated, despite their high profits.
There are several major corporations that send their employees to
Landmark to enrol their courses, including Microsoft, Rebok and others.
Due to bad publicity, Landmark has ceased operations in three
countries: France, Sweden and Switzerland. In France [www.culthelp.info] and Sweden,
undercover reporters produced documentaries on this group and after they
were telecast Landmark closed shop in response to the public outcry that
resulted from these reports. That's where I got the idea to write to you
- if undercover reporters' documentaries caused such a response in
Europe there must be a "story to tell", so why not tell that story in
North America as well?
An on-line search of Landmark + EST would uncover much information
about this group, both positive and negative.
Some internal Landmark directives to their leaders can be found on this
link: [www.culteducation.com]
If you are familiar with internal Scientology directives written by
L.Ron Hubbard you will notice similarities in style and forcefullness.
A warning: Landmark is very sensitive to public criticism and you will
not encounter cooperation from them once they learn you are from the
media. That's why the best strategy here is undercover investigation.
Pretend you're interested in joining Landmark.
Should you go ahead with this idea you will indeed have a very juicy
story.
Regards
Quote
ExcaliburQuote
ajinajan
Cmon 48 Hours/60 Minutes/Dateline, etc... If this controversial group is newsworthy enough for major news stories in 3 other countries ...
That's a very good point Ajinajan. In fact last year I wrote to several national TV shows such as 48 Hours, 20/20, 60 Minutes and Dateline NBC but in all cases I received the same mumbo jumbo thank you for your letter, etc. etc. Perhaps if we all wrote to the TV shows they may stand up and take notice, especially these days because Landmark is going through so much turmoil, what with government investigations, undercover documentaries, lawsuits, disgruntled participants, etc.
Here is the text of my letter which was written and mailed a year ago so it needs updating. But anyone who wishes to write the networks may find it helpful:Quote
I would like to suggest you do an investigative report on Landmark
Education Corporation. This is a highly controversial organization that
operates world-wide and claims to be an "education"
but has been accused in many circles of being a cult, or "cult-like"
in its operations. Landmark is the reincarnation of EST, founded by
controversial figure Werner Erhart. 60 Minutes did a report on Erhard
and EST many years ago.
Landmark is listed on practically every cult awareness website in the
world, including the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Germany,
France, Switzerland and others including the American Family Foundation.
The cult awareness website in New Zealand describes Landmark as a
"dangerous cult".
Landmark has been accused of applying a particular brainwashing
technique on their participants called "thought reform". This group
has also been the subject of critical articles in such publications as
the New York Times, GQ Magazine, NOW Magazine, Elle Magazine and many
others, most of which is on-line. And much like the "Church" of
Scientology, Landmark manipulates the judical system to intimidate
critics into silence. Just recently Landmark withdrew a lawsuit against
the pre-eminent "cult buster" in the US, Rick Ross. The details of
this lawsuit and legal documents can be seen at www.cultnews.com
Landmark has a history of bad press, complaints and lawsuits filed
against it by past participants claiming serious personal injuries
linked to its programs. One lawsuit named Landmark Education as the
defendant in a wrongful death. Indeed, Landmark's own agreement
contract (that every participant is required to sign) includes a waiver
clause that seeks to protect them from any legal responsibility. Part of
this clause states, "I willingly and knowingly assume for myself, and
my heirs, family members, executors, administrators, and assigns, all
risk of physical injury and mental and emotional upset which may occur
during or after the Program, and I hereby agree to hold Landmark
Education Corporation, its officers, directors, employees, agents,
and/or volunteers, harmless from any and all liability arising out of my
participation in the Program."
Landmark does no advertising and depends on their participants and
unpaid "volunteers" to "spread the word" to friends, family,
co-workers and others, much like an Amway-style pyramid scheme. Many
have accused Landmark of exerting extreme pressure and hard-sell tactics
on participants and prospective participants to join and "invite"
people in their lives to this group. Indeed, even some Landmark participants and members have criticized this tactic and circulated a public petition voicing their discontent. [www.ipetitions.com]
Landmark is very unique in that that the majority of their staff are unpaid volunteers, yet Landmark is an international multi-million dollar corporation. It received its corporate charter in 1991. It is an employee-based company whose revenues according to its own website earned $54 million in 2003. Landmark's board of directors have never issued dividends in the entire time it was incorporated, despite their high profits.
There are several major corporations that send their employees to
Landmark to enrol their courses, including Microsoft, Rebok and others.
Due to bad publicity, Landmark has ceased operations in three
countries: France, Sweden and Switzerland. In France [www.culthelp.info] and Sweden,
undercover reporters produced documentaries on this group and after they
were telecast Landmark closed shop in response to the public outcry that
resulted from these reports. That's where I got the idea to write to you
- if undercover reporters' documentaries caused such a response in
Europe there must be a "story to tell", so why not tell that story in
North America as well?
An on-line search of Landmark + EST would uncover much information
about this group, both positive and negative.
Some internal Landmark directives to their leaders can be found on this
link: [www.culteducation.com]
If you are familiar with internal Scientology directives written by
L.Ron Hubbard you will notice similarities in style and forcefullness.
A warning: Landmark is very sensitive to public criticism and you will
not encounter cooperation from them once they learn you are from the
media. That's why the best strategy here is undercover investigation.
Pretend you're interested in joining Landmark.
Should you go ahead with this idea you will indeed have a very juicy
story.
Regards
I encourage people to write or email the networks. I'd love to see an investigative report on Landmark done here in America like the ones in France, Sweden and Denmark. Why not? Why shouldn't Landmark be exposed for what they are? And of course if such an expose were to be produced, I'd encourage the reporters/journalists to give Landmark representatives every opportunity to give their side of the story and respond to any accusations and criticisms.
And to you Landmark, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
Quote
ajinajan
Did you send this to them as a written letter, or an email?