Gordon Urquart has described them as such: Of greatest concern to Urquhart is another goal of the focolare: "ego-destruction, causing depression and mental breakdown on an alarming scale." Anti-cult site:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Similar to Amway, Herbalife, et al. Basically selling fruit drinks: As a company built for distributors by distributors, XOWii is committed to developing industry-leading products that deliver enhanced nutrition and wellness. Additionally, XOWii seeks to provide a life-changing opportunity for financial security, lifestyle freedom, and a sense of community among its memebers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From The St. Petersburg Times: They are stepping forward — from Dallas and Denver, Portland, Las Vegas, Montana — talking about what happened, to them and their friends, during their years in the Church of Scientology.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Found this interesting ad on Craigslist NYC (cultic parts of it are below): ~~ PART-TIME TYPIST NEEDED ~~ (Midtown West) Reply to: job-2psga-1227816420@craigslist.org Date: 2009-06-18, 12:40PM EDT PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE AD. If you do N
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This Cease and Desist Letter might be useful: Sample Cease and Desist Letter for Harassment for use Against Opus Dei Operatives Please find below a sample Cease and Desist Letter/Order that can be used against Opus Dei operatives when they are attempting to harass, pressure, intimidate and recruit potential members. Though it is geared for the Opus Dei cult, it should be just as effective
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Partial list of cults actively recruiting in NYC. If anyone knows of anymore please post: - Catholic: Opus Dei, Legion of Christ, Communion & Liberation, Neocatechumenate, Focolare - Jewish: Jews for Jesus, Lubavitchers, Kabbalah - Muslim: Nation of Islam - Protestant: Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Latter Day Saints, One Light Ministries (JMS) - Buddhist/Taoist:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sounds like he definitely got wrapped up in a cult. Cults seek to cut off all relationships outside of the group and also demand tremendous changes in one's life. Also, cultic groups in general view female sexuality as a society evil that must be kept at bay at all costs. Since you say that you cannot see him alone anymore, perhaps you can send him a letter outlining your concerns?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteblacksheep Exactly how do you justify called the United States military a cult? As a US Navy veteran, I feel this is a slap in the face to all past and present members of the US military. I think you are going a little overboard with this. Please know that this is not meant to disparage veterans in any way, shape or form. It is directed at the concept of military forces (as well as terror
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you Emma and Capt. I have made the updates, added More To Life and Diamond Way: - Catholic: Opus Dei, Legion of Christ, Communion & Liberation, Neocatechumenate, Focolare - Jewish: Jews for Jesus, Lubavitchers, Kabbalah - Muslim: Nation of Islam - Protestant: Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Latter Day Saints, One Light Ministries (JMS) - Buddhist/Taoist: Fal
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Opus Dei cult is active in Kenya as well, primarily in Nairobi.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I would have to second Anticult's observation. Cults will often inject themselves in between spouses and force the one spouse in the cult to choose between the other spouse and the cult. Given that you said your brother is well off, he would be a primary target for cultic recruiters. Keep in mind, most cults are, in the end, about amassing wealth. The psychological manipulations and abus
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More infomation: From Newsweek: From ex-distributor site:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Forbes is reporting a new MLM cult. Appears to have grown out of Amway's operations: Pyramid selling schemes are a dime a dozen. Orrin Woodward's organization is one step ahead of them all. Near midnight on a recent June evening Orrin Woodward, cofounder of a company called Team, took the stage at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Music blared. Lights flashed. Seven thousan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you - were these people in NYC? I know of at least one business owner in Brooklyn who is currently forcing employees to attend More To Life weekend sessions.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Novak has been a member of the Opus Dei cult for a long time. When one is converted by McCloskey, the Opus Dei priest, then subsequently attends Opus Dei events, that person is a member of the cult. That level of involvement can suggest nothing else but membership. Novak has been well known in Washington DC for being an extremely aggressive driver, long before he was diagnosed. In addition,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you Emma and Capt. I have made the updates and added More To Life: - Catholic: Opus Dei, Legion of Christ, Communion & Liberation, Neocatechumenate, Focolare - Jewish: Jews for Jesus, Lubavitchers, Kabbalah - Muslim: Nation of Islam - Protestant: Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Latter Day Saints, One Light Ministries (JMS) - Buddhist/Taoist: Falun Gong, Soka
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

# Novak cited after hitting pedestrian - Opus Dei cult member Robert D. Novak hit a pedestrian with his black Corvette in downtown Washington DC and attempted to drive away from the scene. David Bono, a heroic law partner at Harkins Cunningham, chased him down and prevented Novak from escaping. From Politico.com. (July 23, 2008)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for your information; it is most helpful. Their method of recruitment through friends is similar to many other cults, such as Opus Dei, Landmark, etc. I have added it to the list: - Catholic: Opus Dei, Legion of Christ, Communion & Liberation, Neocatechumenate, Focolare - Jewish: Jews for Jesus, Lubavitchers, Kabbalah - Muslim: Nation of Islam - Protestant: Moonies, Jehov
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotetsukimotoThe Soka Gakkai, which claims to be a Buddhist group, but is actually a personality cult to its leader, Daisaku Ikeda, has groups in New York City. Thank you for the information. Could you give us a fix on their location? Most of the bigger cults (Opus Dei, Jews for Jesus, Scientology, Kabbalah, Moonies) are based in Midtown Manhattan, though a number are active in the Out
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotelaarreeThey are near the turnstiles, actually within the subway station itself. Roger that. If I see them in the future, I will file a report on www.mta.info through the "Contact Us" link so that a paper trail will start to develop.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

New LGAT cult with a similar modus operandi (marathon weekend seesions, multiple courses etc.) to Landmark/The Forum is beginning operations in NYC. Looks like bad news. It is called More to Life/Kairos: More To Life courses teach practical tools and skills that help you connect with your best self whenever you choose and grasp more of the creative possibilities in every life situation.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is a partial list of cults currently active in NYC. If there are any that have been missed, please post: - Catholic: Opus Dei, Legion of Christ, Communion & Liberation, Neocatechumenate, Focolare - Jewish: Jews for Jesus, Lubavitchers, Kabbalah - Muslim: Nation of Islam - Protestant: Moonies, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Latter Day Saints - Buddhist/Taoist: F
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just in case anyone is being harassed by members of cult, please feel free to use this Anti-Cult Cease and Desist Order. This one was used successfully about 25 times against the Opus Dei cult. Please be sure to modify it for the particular cult that is engaging in harassment: This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your and the Opus Dei cult's harassing and intimidating actio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What Scientology Paid $8 Million To Hide When a judge decided during pretrial motions that documents describing confidential Scientology beliefs should be put in a file open to the public, 1,500 Scientologists swamped the court clerk’s office to keep anyone else from requesting them.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for the information - are they usually outside the turnstiles to the A, C and E trains? I think I know the area you are speaking about. QuotelaarreeThey've also been set up in the 42nd Street/8th avenue subway station for years. I see them all the time, as I enter the subway to go home at this station. Their table is in the underground area right by the entrance to the pedest
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good source of information on the Scientology cult:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sent to the MTA: Sir or Madam: Please note that the Scientology cult was in the Transfer Tunnel that runs from the 4,5,6 subways to the Shuttle on the afternoon of Sat, Feb 16. They set up tables in an unauthorized area of the tunnel. As such, they were creating dangerous conditions for passengers trying to walk past them to the 4,5,6 or the Shuttle. Regards, Matt Question Re
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More information from WikiNews: The Internet-based group "Anonymous" has released statements on YouTube and via a press release, outlining what they call a "War on Scientology".
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

# "Inside the Hell of Opus Dei": Book lifts cowl on 'misogynist' Opus Dei - Defector tells of threats and humiliation she suffered during 13 years in secret sect. From The Telegraph, UK. (November 5, 2007) # Is God on your side? - article briefly discusses Opus Dei cult members attacking protestors exercising their right to free speech. From The Guardian Unlimited, UK.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Germany Prepares to Ban Scientology Germany's interior ministers announced Friday that they consider Scientology to be unconstitutional. They have asked the country's domestic intelligence agency to prepare a dossier on the organization's activities with a view to ban it next year.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"