Freeheartandmind - IMO, you were very "fortunate" (cult speak here) to have never been appointed a "leader." I equate the cult "leaders" as being Pied Pipers and snake oil sales persons, fooling and manipulating the general (naive & sincere) membership. They tried to hand me a "leadership" position and I just as quickly handed it right back, for that very reason. My conscience is clear from my time in (thank goodness) and I'm glad for it.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2012 05:39AM by Hitch.

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Freeheartandmind
"I was marching around parking lots, like one of the kids being led around by The Pied Piper of Hamelin, off to have my life almost taken away by the cult."

Hitch, here in Chicago we marched around the big scary North Avenue National Guard armory, where I had to exit at a desolate CTA train station to get there. I was a Kotekitai, as it was called I believe, I played a mean piccolo! When I attended the pilgrimage, I was not allowed to march in the tozan parade and was instead made part of the angel corps, the people who march alongside the kotekitai and serve as aids, with water, band aids, etc. Nobody asked if I wanted to do this. This was done because I was overweight and I guess a fat girl in a skimpy outfit is no good for cousin rufus. Although I was kicked out, women ten years and more older than me (I was 18 at the time) were still marching as YWD! I was so hurt, but did as I was told. I had marched in many parades before, in white patent go-go boots no less. But I was not cute enough to march in front of ikea. I was depressed that whole pilgrimage. Hearless, inconsiderate "leaders".

Freeheartandmind, I remember being almost 40 and having to finally put a foot down on still being in YWD. Yeah, I did not have children, etc. etc., but--come on. I had to fight my case and stand firm--they were reluctant to let that happen.

It sounds like you went through so much, did everything by the SGI book, and did not get a spiritual return at all.

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Hitch

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Freeheartandmind
Why do you think NSA/SGI has never got involved in politics in the US?

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The Anticult
Ever look at how much money SGI-USA spends lobbying politicians in the USA? We dug up some in this thread before.
It was in the millions.
SGI-USA is involved in politics in the US.

Oh yes indeed. They are trying. They are trying, real hard to get into politics - always have, too. $$$$ talks and nsa/sgi-usa has always known and used this principle.

That said, all of their $$$$ still hasn't bought them a meeting with any U.S. President, much to "Ikea's" chagrin (cue in the 90's and his infamous childish public rant towards Clinton).

Tom Bradley, mayor of Los Angeles, also attended big nsa meetings, because I remember seeing the man being escorted by Mr. Sadanaga/Williams and given the major VIP treatment.

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (4th District - Georgia), discussed elsewhere in this thread, is an infamous sgi-usa member who has recently travelled to Japan to present the dear leader with an "official" U.S. award.

They also used to trot out "official" letters of "congratulations" from members of congress, The President & VP, on big meeting occasions whenever they could get their hands on them (i.e., when a request for them was actually fulfilled).

I'm sure there are many, many more examples.

PS, I've mentioned before how the cult is huge on say "CONGRATULATIONS!" about everything:

"CONGRATULATIONS! On coming to this meeting! / CONGRATULATIONS! On giving your experience! / CONGRATULATIONS! On singing a gakkai song! / CONGRATULATIONS! On meeting some "leader!" / CONGRATULATIONS! On being appointed a "leader!" / CONGRATULATIONS! On meeting your first obstacle! / CONGRATULATIONS! On doing morning & evening gongyo everyday without missing! / CONGRATULATIONS! On doing more daimoku! / CONGRATULATIONS! On your seeking spirit! / CONGRATULATIONS! On driving three hours to this meeting! / CONGRATULATIONS! On changing your karma! / CONGRATULATIONS! On giving zaimu! / CONGRATULATIONS! On taking care of your members! / CONGRATULATIONS! On meeting me! / CONGRATULATIONS! On going to the bathroom by yourself! / CONGRATULATIONS!, CONGRATULATIONS!, CONGRATULATIONS!!!" (And cue in a big sh**-eating grin and aggressive handshake every time you hear it.)

Everyday is your wedding or birthday in the cult (it drove me up a wall, too).

Lets not forget, CONGATULATIONS [on having AIDS/lung ca/having had a heart attack....] Now you can change it for cousin ruff ruff.

Nichijew



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2012 06:42AM by Nichijew.

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Nichijew
Lets not forget, CONGATULATIONS [on having AIDS/lung ca/having had a heart attack....] Now you can change it for cousin ruff ruff.

One of my favorites along this vein was telling a member who contracted pancreatic ca that they could overcome it and show actual proof as to the validity of the practice. Of course, they couldn't. (It's things like this that make me really hate some of those ignorant cult "leader" pigs, with a burning passion.)

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Hitch

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Nichijew
Lets not forget, CONGATULATIONS [on having AIDS/lung ca/having had a heart attack....] Now you can change it for cousin ruff ruff.

One of my favorites along this vein was telling a member who contracted pancreatic ca that they could overcome it and show actual proof as to the validity of the practice. Of course, they couldn't. (It's things like this that make me really hate some of those ignorant cult "leader" pigs, with a burning passion.)

Here's a Soka cult Gakkaism that I just remembered..."He must be suffering SO much."... Ironically referring to someone who left the Gakkai.

Nichijew



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/2012 09:01AM by Nichijew.

There's a scene from a rather cheesy 80's martial arts movie that I am reminded of by the SGcult ever-intensifying Ikeda cult worship. In this scene, a defeated youthful seeker of a great martial art "secret teaching" is having his head dunked by the villain, who wants to be acknowledged as his Master. Attempting to break will, instill fear, and coerce loyalty, every time the bad guy dunks the young man's head in the water, he asks, "who is the master?" Finally, the youth realizes the truth. Finding the strength to resist the onslaught of his oppressor, he stands tall and exclaims, "I AM THE MASTER".

Although it's just a movie/story, it does illustrate that we CAN take back the personal power that was lost or surrendered in the quest to find ourselves and the ultimate reality/truth of life. Some of us have stood up to the oppression and put a stop to it while others are still being tortured. It is important that we have the compassion to try and help those that are still being waterboarded by the SGcult.

To those who continue to suffer due to being unsure about leaving the SGcult, you will find breathing a lot easier when you stand up and stop letting your head be dunked in a barrel. Stop struggling for air and get your head out of the barrel - NOW!

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Nichijew
Here's a Soka cult Gakkaism that I just remembered..."He must be suffering SO much."... Ironically referring to someone who left the Gakkai.

I've heard this one, more than once, as well. Note: it was always said with a bit of a smirk, too. The implication was clearly "let's see how much worse things have to get, before they come back and we can say 'I told you so, next time you had better listen to us'."

And, if things are going well for you, then its "just wait a while, give it some time, sooner or later, you'll need us again and be back." They'll literally wait, their entire lives. If it still doesn't happen, then it'll be in your next life. So, they always win (in their own minds).

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Shavoy

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Hitch

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The Anticult
Saw an interesting documentary on pre-war and wartime Japan.
It shows where Ikeda's perverse and extremist beliefs come from.

The absolute key to understanding this cult, lies with understanding Japan, its history and its customs. I believe a whole book/thesis could be written on this very subject.

We've spoken here not long ago in regards to my question about the people in Japan who are very suspicious and critical of the Gakkai, not wanting any part of it, culture or no. That still fascinates me.

SPOT ON, Hitch! After studying Japanese Shotokan karate for nine years, I developed a new perspective on the culture. Martial art organizations and religious organization are all run in the same manner - top down. A "master" is established (either by appointment or self-appointment) by the organization. The master (or dojo owner) requires total loyalty and obeidience. "All other schools (sects) are inferior." "You must obey without question." "Bow down before the Master's picture." If you preservere through the break-downs and beatings, "proving" you are a "good" student, you may be promoted up through the ranks, that is if you can come up with the sky-high testing fees that fill the master's pockets. Doesn't that sound a bit familiar?

I lived in Japan in 2000-2001. I was employed there under a work visa as a musician/entertainer. At first, I would tell the native folks I met that I was an SGI member. But after all the negative reactions I encountered, I decided it was better to keep that info to myself to avoid the sour faces. The SGI is not popular at all in Japan. To my surprise. it was just the opposite - the SGI is reviled and hated. They are like the Moonies over there.

Looking back, I think that reading the epic novel Shogun was most revealing about Japanese history and culture. Samurai war lords lusted for the position of Shogun (king) with total power and control over the country. Military thought and culture permeated every aspect of daily life (don't bow low enough before a samurai and get your peasant head choped off). Secretive plotting and planning to gain more power is the norm. In a chess game of control, the players never reveal their true face. Everything and everybody becomes a pawn to be used to win the power-gain game. No doubt, Ikeda wants (wanted) to become Shogun with his SGcult acting in the role of the ruling regime. You can bet there's plenty of potential successors plotting and planning to gain control of the SG cult and it's billions of dollars, as it won't be long before Cult Daddy is officially gone.

Spartacus

Hitch, your "congratuations" comment had me LMAO. We did not see ththe logic break in observing suffering among practicing members, when only those who leave are supposed to suffer.
Here in Chicago you never read much about SGI endorsing candidates or anything like that. I do not recall NSA being active politically active back in the seventies. That's why I thought perhaps politics was not part of the plan for the usa. On a smaller scale, it appears that it is. Scary for sure.

I was fortunate that I went away to college and it became difficult to practice in my tiny dorm room with a roommate. Also, the "friends" I had in the org never called me even though I was in the Chicago area. So, I drifted away and nothing bad happened at all! I had a great time in college and got a degree to boot! I was FREE! If this major change had not happened early in my membership, I might have been a 40 year instead of 4 year member, because I was definitely a true believer. If you are on the fence about this org, GET OUT NOW and reclaim your life. There is real life waiting for you, and it is a beautiful thing, with all the joy and pain that real living entails.