Oops, sorry, I meant the Rick Ross website, not you personally. I have been using Rick Ross to mean that in these posts. I have caught on that rrmoderator is Rick Ross. But in any case an important clarification, to delineate the difference between interventions and counseling/psychotherapy. Is there a link that describes what interventions look like currently? I will consider starting a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you, Cathleen, for your clarifications about Hassan and concerns about his background and his approach. Your factual approach to this has more than convinced me of your position. rrmoderator's comments about your background, etc. has been helpful as well. I had recommended his book to at least one person and will let that person know about these concerns. I will not recommend his b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wow, Monica, you have misread my intentions. I don't support Hassan if he is unethical (and it sounds like he is), using NLP or LGAT techniques, in fact, just the opposite. I stated that and I stand by it. I don't want to see other therapists behaving in unethical ways either. I appreciated the information you shared and clearly it is an area where you are an expert and I'm not
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Obviously I did not initially see what others saw about Hassan, and that is that he has been doing things like charging fees that are uncalled-for and also may use NLP in the ways that an LGAT does. I was responding to his book only. I'm in sympathy with those wanting to prevent ex-members from being further hurt, and certainly someone who is causing them to mortgage their homes is hurting
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is very helpful information, rrmoderator. The complaints about the high fees should be taken quite seriously, given the very poor financial position of many ex-members. I do still find some issues with the review and felt it gave misleading information, info that could hurt rather than help. Why not just leave those things out and focus on the obvious defects. I'm posting an e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoterrmoderatorMaple: It is a very serious review from a respected professional, acknowledged expert and mental health professional. Dr. Mann, the psychologist that reviewed Steve Hassan's book, has been qualifed and accepted as an expert witness in 12 states concerning the dynamics of groups called "cults" and "cult-like". This is both an objective measurement of he
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've been thinking about this review. She is an academic who is involved in academic research. Hassan is a practitioner who has formulated an approach based on his practice and case studies. It's apples and oranges. She criticizes him for not being an expert witness. That doesn't hold water with me and what I know of the field. Generally, you want an academic, PhD or MD t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Not all cults look to recruit large numbers of people. Apparently Steiner is one of those that doesn't. One of the organizers of the local TT group who is into anthroposophy has always puzzled me. She is very low key about anthro, not seeming to recruit, but once I knew about their beliefs from the posts here and their modus operandi, it all made sense. She also is weird and says some th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteStoic I came across this interesting and amusing article from Richard Heinberg: that takes a sane but lighthearted look at the subject. He seems to be promoting local sustainability but without directly connecting to Transition Towns. I am not well-read on peak oil and can't remember if he is anthro/Steiner connected, will have to reread the earlier thread posts. The Postcarbon
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Today I was at the Farmer's Market and one of the growers that participates in the Transition Towns events had a table. On it was a small stuffed figure and when I asked about it the grower said it was a garden gnome. (I figured it was, but wanted to make sure). I'm very grateful for this thread so that I know what to look for. I am not in favor of supporting cult-related ventures.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Out of Transition, if you want to find out more about this, google, BerkShares. Here's a link to something I found: Here's my understanding of the way it works: You spend 95 cents and get $1.00 in return. You can then spend that $1.00 at any local business. I don't see the downside of this, but then I dont have an indepth understanding of money systems. I don't thi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is another reference I found on a TTN site. This one ties David Holmgren and Permaculture to Steiner's influence. Waldorf’s founder, Rudolf Steiner, experimented with agriculture as well as education. Steiner’s ideas influenced Alan Chadwick, John Jeavons, David Holmgren and the Permaculture movement. In our home garden, I continue the learning process begun in that long ago Wa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I did a search for Transition and Steiner and found this comment on a Transition website to be interesting: We have to re-educate the populous quickly. They may not all get it, but Rudolf Steiner was no dummy when he put a transition-like curriculum in the Waldorf schools. He saw what was happening in Germany in the 1920's It is here. We need to teach others to farm, cook, raise livestoc
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for the clarification. Although I expect that cults and cultlike organizations may try to claim good things like permaculture as their own, I really like it and am glad there's no connection. I think I made assumptions from what you posted, but it was clear now that I re-read it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ok, I'm finding some other links, but I'm not sure if my previous post disappeared. I'm still looking at the EF Schumacher Society in the Berkshires and that they are held up as a model for the TTN in the TTN training I attended and in the local TTN presentations of "slow money." I've been looking at the E.F. Schumacher website and here is a posting from their
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Since the discussion has turned to finances, I wanted to make note of another thread that appears to be woven into TTN in the U.S. An important theme is developing local currencies. On the face of it, this seems a constructive thing to do in a collapsing economy and I would certainly be in favor of it, TTN or no. There is also the idea of "slow money" another idea that I like theoret
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteGraham S I certainly dont see much if any debate from within Transition over the role of cults or Anthrop.; however, I was told recently that there have been heated debates at Transtion meetings over this very issue. . . . There are worrying trends though, and I dont find dissent along the lines of questioning Anthrop. or homeopathy say, at all welcome in TT circles. I think these debat
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Out of Transition, I do agree with you that many of the people I met were "out there" in ways that I did not appreciate. I myself use food, supplements and a few herbs for health reason and they have worked well. I do like to see some science or at least some consistent clinical evidence, when possible, though. I've had great luck with arthritis, for instance, using some supplem
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I’ve attended a weekend TT workshop led by some national leaders. I’ve attended subsequent meetings with local groups 6-7, I’d say. I was looking for information on your site about TT’s and found this thread. I’m an ex-member of two groups (ex for quite some time) and have spent a lot of time educating myself about cults. I generally check any group with which I’m considering involvement. I’
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"