Note about Jesus and Mary Magadalene: Jesus was not accused of molesting her. One very common trope is for beleaguered gurus (and disciples of those gurus) to compare themselves to a persecuted Jesus. If Jesus had been your typical guru, he would have lived to old age in a fancy mansion, and died in bed. Jesus faced the police alone. He was *deserted* by his disciples. Jesus ha
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Gravru123 wrote: QuoteBTW, don't let anyone try to use Byron Katie's ideas to help you because they are abusive. I wish you the best in your healing. Never give up--there is a lot out there to help us. Ruth Ten years ago, several persons discussed Byron Katie and her methods on this message board. One participant, The Anticult taught us how to identify Katie's techniqu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote Date: December 31, 2016 07:37AM If you are invited to be a Sufi, look and examine the size of the palace built by each successive guru. The larger the square footage of that palace, the more minions are needed to scrape off the bird shit. Ask if you've been invited to join because all they wanted was another minion. This was written by former members of a Christian
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Friends, this discussion is years-long and runs to 672 pages. New readers will be overwhelmed by the amount of information. How about we create an index of important topics with URLs to relevant sections of this discussion? That will aid journalists and concerned citizens. Here is a sample of some topics: Butler's Teachings Butler's Stance Re LGBT Persons What Butle
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Many thanks to 'karmicwind' a participant on the CEI message board for sharing this. KW originally posted this on the Peter Young thread. Persons exploited within Shambhala were among those interviewed in the study. QuoteHere is the recent paper by Dr. Anne Iris Miriam Anders from the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich’s Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology: Silencin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Matthew Remski's new article What Happens in the Next High Demand Group? Change names and substitute Mooji.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The FACT oeganization has a report about this very group. Nicole Grace University of Mysticism, Satori, Like Swans. This message board has a discussion thread about this group, which started from an inquiry made by a worried friend.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Families Against Cults site mentions this person and group. Quote A Satori Science Victim 2 years ago My husband is a victim. They have taken over $60,000 dollars from our family with the promise that he will become enlightened. They have ruined our life and our marriage. I am my husband's enemy because of this cult group. I have been a Buddhist for 28 years. Nothing that this cul
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Renee Linnell has published a memoir, The Burn Zone. Linnell did not identify the cult, (woman led), giving it the name "University of Mysticism." The leader, whom Linnell names 'Lakshmi', wore a business suit and high heels when giving the intro meditation course that sparked Linnell's interest. Linnell was successful, superbly educated, plenty of friends.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Years back, The Anticult told us how commercial guru Byron Katie's PR portraits were created. See if any of this ties in w what we are discussing on this thread. There's an old saying that clothes make the man. Today, the video director (aided by photographers) create the guru. When to time a smile, what to edit/omit from a video (Angry gestures, sweat stains under the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Copy this and all such material before it dies in the cradle. Published material purportedly from first person sources reporting about Moo has a poor life expectancy unless given bodyguards.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What about recent reports of Claire's death? Can people freely ask about this and an earlier reported suicide -Flo Camoin-amongst Moos disciples?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

We need to demand more about information about healthcare/lack of health care in Moo's fiefdoms. Meanwhile, many have alleged how people are subjected to hurtful, humiliating laughter at Moo satsangs. (Must ask whether laughter is used to humiliate people who attend Mooji groups outside of Monte Sahaja. Is perpetration of humiliating laughter used to identify useful recruits? Weed out
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is another discovery: Audience receptivity and expectations for the comedian are fostered by the compere or host - the person who faces the audience, makes opening remarks, gives background on the performer, praises the performer, then brings the performer, the comedian, the STAR, onstage. Now, as you read, substitute 'guru' 'master' 'teacher' 'sage&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Keeping control of a roomful of people, getting them to laugh, is a SKILL. You have to learn it, practice it. Its showmanship. QuoteI'm intrigued by how comedians co-ordinate the responses to their routines from the stage. It's also difficult to learn to have the confidence to leave a pause for the audience to laugh, and to cope if they don't. Comedians are very sen
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some have identified differences between dominent status laughter and laughter from those of lower status. Have a look at this. could it be that an incentive for group laughter around a guru such as Moo is to gain status by laughing in the same way Moo laughs? You have not reached his level of realization, but at least you can match his laughter -- and feel safely a part of the l
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cultic Gurus Using Their Laughing Audience For Social Control "People don't remember what you say, they do remember how you make them feel" - advice getting along in life. "Feelings, they're just feelings..." Popular song. We need to examine the use and abuse of laughter and giggling by gurus. Years ago, there was a disastrously narcissistic man
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Date: October 05, 2018 04:05AM A note about teasing and laughter and joking. Teasing, joking and laughter do not create a safe relationship. Teasing, joking and laughter are nuturing ONLY after a relationship has been established and mutually negotiated as safe. If you are led to feel safe in a relationship and suddenly the other person slips in jokes and teases that hurt and confuse
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In an earlier discussion on another thread, someone described someone's use of shock humor. QuotePosted by: liminal (73.109.57.60) Date: February 22, 2019 08:29AM Chuck Spezzano has several books out, including "What Men Don't Know About Sex-- That Women Could Teach Them". This book is horrible. It includes an incredibly offensive rape "joke" that incl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is how the desensitization process/slippery slope began. Sudden shocking jokes in the context of an ongoing relationship. QuoteIn the fall of 2016, Samantha's indie-rock-loving boyfriend changed. He started lifting weights and making jokes she didn't understand. When she finally Googled them, she discovered they were based on an elaborate, violent, white supremacist fanta
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I thought it might be useful to begin a thread where we can examine the ways humor can take a bad turn and corrupt our boundaries. If anyone uses this material to humiliate and enslave members of the human family, that person will become a monster. Consult Wilde's novel Picture of Dorian Gray. (IMO the real monster in that novel is Lord Henry.) There's nothing like a shared jo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is how the desensitization process/slippery slope began. Sudden shocking jokes in the context of an ongoing relationship. QuoteIn the fall of 2016, Samantha's indie-rock-loving boyfriend changed. He started lifting weights and making jokes she didn't understand. When she finally Googled them, she discovered they were based on an elaborate, violent, white supremacist fanta
Forum: Hate Groups

This above URL is a CNN article in which a woman describes how she went from identifying as liberal to joining a white supremacist group, Identity Europa, and became a highly effective re recruiter. It began with tolerating her boyfriends hate humor...which desensitized her boundaries.
Forum: Hate Groups

How a Backpacking Relationship Turns Abusive
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

In Be Scofield's article about Moo, there's a reference to an occasion when Moo reprimanded the group doctor in public. Go to Scofield's Becoming God in Portugal. Do Cntrl +F and the word 'doctor' and it should take us to that reference. It is time to ask questions. Who are the health care personnel at Monte Sahaja Zmar and Rishkesh? What are their creden
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This article is from media news outlet Vice Com How to Tell If Your BDSM Relationship is Abusive QuoteWitherspoon identifies one litmus test to differentiate between BDSM and abuse: Can you still function as a citizen in everyday life while leading a BDSM lifestyle? When someone loses their financial independence, their ability to communicate with outsiders, or if their BDSM play harms
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

I recommend reading about Alexandra Steins findings on the specific features if cultic relationships. What I've seen after much personal searching is that healing cannot happen unless in the context of secure relationships. The damage done in all abusive relationships happens because these are insecure relationships orchestrated by someone keeping us off balance and disoriented. Too
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Domination Byron Katie a Case Study by Matthew Remski
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A new article by journalist Be Scofield October 24 2019 A Critique of Byron Katie's Work
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Pogue is American military slang for those serving or who have served in non combat roles.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"