There's nothing in the database, but I stumbled upon info on Kerista (actually while checking info about penguins and their monogamous relationships of all things... Here in Texas, due to Hurricane Rita's climatic change, several penguins from Moody Gardens have gotten "amorous", with one pair laying an egg ... which got me wondering about penguins...a link led me to another p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just wanted to bump this and mention that "The 4400" is going into some interesting territory, presenting one of the main characters as a messiah-like figure. "Battlestar Galactica" is another critically-acclaimed SF show in which two religious paths seem to be headed for a showdown. The Cylons, which have evolved into cyborgs, believe there is only one God, but there are
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From way back up... Someone had commented about how the people they had interacted with were either very spacey or seemed to carry a thinly veiled hostility. I have had only a passing acquaintance with the group, but what I have experienced seems to agree. I lived in North County SD for a time and always wondered about the fellowship in Encinitas. It's beautiful and impossible not to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sedona may have some very laidback laws or other attitudes that attract seekers. It may just be the "vibration" for lack of a better term. Mount Shasta and Santa Cruz have that sort of openness where people accept the out of place, without questioning it at all. Then again, so do many college towns.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I almost laughed with relief to read the other two posters! Yes, it's a totally non-cultish, non-MLM group. Solely for business networking. There are lots of great business networking groups which are not about trying to sell some get-rich quick scheme. You can usually tell the ones that are legitimate because they charge a fee, usually between $10-60, per meeting or lecture. That may cover
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is the guy who forces people to stand up and down in freezing cold water, right? I read about the room they painted with lots of misogynistic comments all over, in which women who had disobeyed the group were expected to spend all day while music blared. American Buddha piece American Buddha piece two Unbelievable.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The new SF show "The 4400" is a hoot if you follow what's happening in the CoS. While the show is about a group of people returned to Earth after mysterious disappearances (ostensibly sent to the future, then sent back to save the world), a charismatic leader arises among the group and begins a special 4400 Center, which targets movie stars and other celebrities. The 4400 w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Can anyone point to some information about the Ishayas and what their connection is to Transcendental Meditation, and who the mysterious MSI is? It would especially help to get basic info on this because I don't have a solid understanding of some of the Eastern-influenced cults. I recently learned that an old friend of mine, along with members of her family, is planning to become a teach
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I wish I had read this months ago... when I talked to a young woman about the Mormon Church. I was never a member, but had had someone try to convert me in the past. A friend of the family had been involved with them and really unhappy, which is why I had done research on them. Now, this second party had ASKED for opinions about the Mormons, because she felt some of what they said didn't
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"