"BK's constant stories making use of the most frightening images, war, Nazi death methods, robbery at gunpoint and suicide pacts may be intended as gateway image metaphors to induce her followers to abandon everything (cash and power) to her, but in a pressured situation these are the images that also induce/contribute to paranoia, in both the receiver and the storyteller." What
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For the most part I agree with you rrmoderator. In the past I could be manipulated without my knowledge. But not everyone is in a state where someone could manipulate them. It seems pretty obvious that someone has to have the right insecurities to be manipulated. For instance if I feel all arond good about myself I could even be tortured and not give in. If I have all sorts of negative opinions a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"This is why they try to suppress people's critical intelligence...as if you use your naturally intelligent mind and common sense, then they are powerless. " Because I am blissful, and not looking for externally provided happiness which is an illusion, no one can suppress my critical intelligence, and you are right, those who try to manipulate others are powerless, because they
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Is Rick Ross both rrmoderator, and the Anticult, just curious? "- if all a person "claims" is to have read a Byron Katie "book", then they need to do some research about the seminars, business, and everything else. The books are like a fish-hook, you are the fish. But that "book" claim is not credible, its been tried about 15 times." Agreed. &quo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The phenomenon you describe is pretty disgusting.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Anticult, your last comment is a drastic improvement over previous comments, so much more clear, and I get the drift much more clearly. The previous ones do not serve your cause very well, but in this one you have really laid it out, maybe not perfectly, but I get the picture.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Even though Christian, years ago, I was exposed to nonduality, enlightenment mainly through Hindu nonduality teachings Advaita Vedanta. (which I find compatable with my own interpretations of the New Testement) The spiritual teacher/guru I correspond with still has focused mainly on happiness being within. ("which accords with the Kingdom of Heaven being within you") I was very insecure
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Solea that is well put, and your suggestions are sane and practical. I think it would be better that my son go in informed, rather then I forbid him or otherwise control his choices. The problem with a messianic figure as you so eloquently describe it, is when people give up all their personal responsibility to that leader. And it would be better that my son learn to be responsible for his own ch
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

On point one, obviously groups like Heaven's Gate and Scientology are pretty bad. I've heard Scientology actually has imprisoned people. And Heaven's Gate needs no retelling. Now, pardon me if I'm a little skeptical, are you saying that Byron Katie's group are in the same league as the likes of Heaven's Gate and Scientology? And if so, in what ways, be specific? Some
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Fair enough, however, LGATS seems to be the main objection to Byron Katie. The critique of LGATS as far as I can tell comes from Margaret Sanger alone. So if there are other sources that deal with LGATS that are unbiased, or in depth, please point me to them. Otherwise, in the discussion pertaining to Byron Katie, if your arguments are based on a faulty premise then the faulty premise has to be i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

On Margaret Singer, of which these accusations against Byron Katie are based (from wikipedia) "Her expert testimony was no longer accepted after the report of the APA taskforce on Deceptive and Indirect Techniques of Persuasion and Control, of which she was chair, was rejected by the Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility for Psychology (BSERP) of the American Psychological Association.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"How can anyone take anything you are saying seriously, when you SAY you have not attended a BK seminar, and you SAY you have not even read all of her books? Is that credible? Of course not. All of a sudden, you have a read a 200 page thread, and Janaki's blog, and then misrepresent the amount of MANY first hand complaints about Byron Katie. And then this person magically seems to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

anticult So what is the problem, is there anything illegal in this? Or are they just good business-people.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"