Help affected families in comprehending indoctrination issues. Secrecy, paranoia, recruiting and any other issues that could signal misuse of religion/faith to coerce young people. Please speak out to help others on this particular organization. (Also called Science of Identity Foundation).

Dealing with an x-chris butler devotee. Any advice?

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suzi
Dealing with an x-chris butler devotee. Any advice?

Dear Suzi:

There is a long active thread entitled "Krishna Group in Hawaii" under the "Cult, Sects and New Age Religious movements" section of the forum lists. Please note that Chris Butler goes by many names, such as Siddha, Siddhaswarpananda, Jagat Guru, Jagad Guru, Sai.

He teaches a religion of chanting the names of God (Hare Krishna mantra) and the followers are asked to chant many times every day on beads. They also are required to follow the "regulative principles" of no intoxication, no gambling, no meat eating, and no illicit sex.

Some of these people can become totally indoctrinated and fanatical about their "guru"... they are especially worried about hearing negative things about the guru because they think that this will destroy their "spiritual life" and God will be very angry with them! Some of them also become quite brainwashed into thinking that Chris Butler is the one and only representative of God on this planet and that all other religious teachers, priests, pastors, swamis, etc etc are ultimately false prophets... So if you want to remain on friendly terms with this ex-devotee you might have to tread carefully.

I think that you will have to try and convince this person that there is life beyond Chris Butler!!! Try to convince them to think logically, and that there is no need to feel guilt about not chanting 1,278 mantras every day, that it is okay to sit back and relax and that maybe God is not as mean and demanding as this guru may be implying...

Also, if you read the postings in the other thread, there is more evidence coming to light that Chris Butler may be connected to some political shenanigans that took place in the Hawaiian political scene, and that he may be displaying devious motives for power and control by manipulating his followers in various ways. He has a long history of mistreating his followers and being mean and nasty towards them... There is also evidence that he likes to enjoy the good life - Large mansions, private jet planes, and exotic food preparations that he is constantly complaining are not good enough for him. The virtues of humility and honesty seem to be questionable in this person.

Read the thread, "Krishna Group in Hawaii" for more extensive information. Ex members "googling", "initiate", and "devadasi" sum it up.

This cult serves neither Christianity nor Gaudiya Vaishnavism. They preach Christianity because they are from Hawaii and the spiritual climate there is predominantly Christian. They only preach Christianity on a very superficial level to get people into their cult. Once they are into the cult, they are forced to work at the health food store and their every action is watched. They must tell the person assigned in charge of them where they are going, what they are doing, and who they speak to. They can only speak to outsiders for 1 minute at a time for preaching purposes.

Please don't take their actions as normal for Krishna devotees. Everyone else is embarassed.