Quote
Nichijew
Backnforth...
I should probably have said, why not join a more orthodox sect of Nichiren Buddhism, one that more faithfully adheres to the basic tenets of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. I certainly am not saying, my way is the one true way. What I am saying is that the Gakkai way is not the way of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren. Find another way or you are complicit. This group is entitled, Former Cult Members and Affected Families Soka Gakkai International -- SGI. It is not a forum for current SGI members or even those who support the SGI. Many of us were damaged by the SGI, materially, psychologically, and spiritually. It is an affront to us coming here and praising even one aspect of the SGI. It is like saying, "This is a wonderful apple. There are only several worms in it" or even saying, "This infested apple has some good parts and tasty flesh. Why don't you just cut away the bad part?" I say to you, ditch the rotten apple and go get a clean and pristine apple.
Nichijew, I am bothered by this post for several reasons:
1) It is proselytizing. You didn't mention a specific sect (other than SGI) by name; however, you are directly encouraging someone to identify and join a sect within a specific religion which you did name. I do not believe you are proselytizing any less just because you are addressing an individual who already practices with a Nichiren Buddhist organization.
2) The following command...
"Find another way or you are complicit. This group is entitled, Former Cult Members and Affected Families Soka Gakkai International -- SGI. It is not a forum for current SGI members or even those who support the SGI."
Are you suggesting that Rick Ross doesn't intend for current cult members to participate here if they are sincerely questioning their ties to those groups? If so, why haven't the mods intervened and said so? Logicallly speaking, how is someone supposed to become a "former cult member" if they are barred from participating in a support group like this while they are still involved with the cult?
3) With regard to the following statement:
"Many of us were damaged by the SGI, materially, psychologically, and spiritually. It is an affront to us coming here and praising even one aspect of the SGI."
Personally, I suffer no affront. You do not speak for me. I don't see anyone turning this forum into an SGI fan club. I have little love for the SGI (though I do care for some of its members), and count myself among the "damaged." Even so, I have no objection to hearing someone point out things they liked in SGI. Many of us devoted years…decades…of our lives to it, and can't just flick the entire experience off the fingers of one hand like water! I find SGI's distortions as disturbing as most others here. Still, the main reason I left SGI was the intolerant, arrogant personal behavior of several leaders I knew over the years. With all due respect, Nichijew, the attitude you have expressed in your post would seem to rival the worst of them.