The extreme hostility of Butler to human sexual urges may be at the root of the evil which is the SOI cult. And, in this, SOI is no different from ISKCON. Both need to relax on sexuality and on the imagination of their followers. Hinduism is not inherently totalitarian. There are variants which are very universalist and tolerant of both imagination and sensuality. There is an argument agai
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

While the video clip of Butler making fun of the Christian God is awkward for the political alliance Chris was trying to forge, through Mike Gabbard and Rick Reed, with Christian fundamentalists, conservative Catholics and the Mormons, I think his criticisms of the Christian conception of God are fair. One can almost hear echoes of Thomas Paine, who cited Bible passages about the cruel nature of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Rama, I have been reluctant to ascribe Chris' homophobia to his fear of his own homo-erotic impulses. But upon listening to the audio clip you shared, certain things occur to me. At 3:05, Chris talks about how a devotee will have a magazine with pictures of Krishna while the atheistic hedonist might have a magazine devoted to images of men or women. It is clear his model of human psychology
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I had an image in my mind of what Pam Ho looked like. Shucks, I was finding her be attractive. But, shucks, I will concede, in part it was her mind, her female energy that I liked. It brings to mind a saying I heard somewhere: "You are not the body." I guess this is more true of some of us than others! Pam, I understand you are hoping to be granted sincerity, even as we might disagr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I find it curious Pam Ho admits both ISKCON and SOI are "cults." That is an unexpected concession from her. But as Rama das says, she refuses to criticize CHirs Butler beyond saying he can be a bit "bossy." She obscures the respect Chris demands as "Jagat Guru," pretending he claims no special status above other gurus. That is false for anyone who has encountered
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree politicians who wrap themselves in religious language should be asked to explain their religious beliefs. But I am not sure where you are going with your invocation of the "Founding Fathers." Different FFs had different views on religion and on religious freedom. The position advocated by Madison and Jefferson won out: the separation of Church and State, with no religious tests
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I remember Debra. Like her. She ran for Congress in 1978 as the candidate of the newly formed the "Aloha Democratic Party." After the 1976 IGG effort, Chris altered the strategy and ran people as "Aloha Democrats." Here are the '78 election results with Debra's name, part way down the page: The "Aloha Democrats" strategy didn't work either, s
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The story of Tulsi's upbringing will soon become a subject for national and international journalists. They will be coming to this website, looking for information. She had hoped her "limited hangout" revelation of being a "Hindu" would provide enough of an explanation for her "exotic beliefs" to protect her secrets. But her bold move in firing her congressio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The observation Chris's name could be interpreted as "Kris' Butler" was being made as far back as the Sai Young days. It was presented as evidence Chris was born to be Krishna's top servant.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"