Here is something else that I would like to add. I'm in a posting mood tonight... I have recently returned to the Catholic church. I am not here to promote Catholicism and I am well aware of whatever negative things you want to say about it. Frankly, I don't really care because it's working for me and I take out of it what I feel I need. I have heard well over a hundred sermo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Regarding the homophobia - before I left I remember some lectures that were quite explicit. Apparently this is getting worse. Is this consistent with his technique of propping up straw dogs and knocking them down? I remember an earlier poster commenting quite nicely on this technique of his but I can't recall who the poster was. Other infamous leaders used this technique very well. I d
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesman - interesting points regarding the evolution of theism and Zoroaster. Thank you for that. Also interesting to note that I was just reading in the Old Testament about King Darius of Persia and how he helped the Jews rebuild - due to the Lord's intervention. And if anyone reading this is wondering what this has to do with Siddha and SIF - well not much. Except of course that sp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More great posts lately....thanks everyone. Quotesman - great info on Nityananda Prabhu, stuff I did not know and it shows that you are up on your scripture. Well done and thanks. I was just recalling the many lectures in which a devotee (usually one of Yoga Queen's daughters) would read fron Chaitanya Charitamrita and FL would chime in with his observations, often with a kind of phony
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesman - another good point about FL (I now refer to him as such) with regards to marrying his disciple. Didn't Lord Nityananda get married and have kids later on? Seems to ring a bell with me. I was quite amazed at the strong evidence that FL never followed the instructions of ACB. In his lectures he always made it seem that he was so devoted to him. But then he had to because a gu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesman - excellent post. Great point about Arjuna. Christ expressed his doubts quite clearly in the "Agony in the Garden". He also decided to do God's will. Which brings up the point of similarity of mystical thought. All religions are very similar in their foundational teachings - loving and serving God, freeing yourself from material entanglements, prayer, medita
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

WHY DID WE COMPLY? We thought JG was just being harsh because he didn't hold back and just told it like it was 'cause he wasn't really interested in attracting followers, just telling the truth. We always thought it was OUR FAULT. We were so sinful, so fallen. But if we served better, kept chanting and dancing...you know the rest. Why did I put up with being constantly ha
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Terrenaut, Thanks for reading my post. The secrecy and everyone watching each other etc. is all characteristic behaviour in a cult. Follow this link and do your own analysis: Regarding my spiritual lfe now. I am embracing Christianity as I have always had a real attraction to Christ. I feel relieved at having left the cult but I don't think I've made any real spiritual
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Its nice to see so much activity from you posters of late! I think a lot of the recent posts are good-natured humor combined with some venting. After all, when we were in the cult, we could not poke fun at the spiritual master. We were not supposed to engage in any activity that was not pleasing to Krishna and really only JG knew was was pleasing to Krishna. Hence, guilt trips and repres
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just-Googling - I am LOL as well. Well done! What a riot! I was thinking the other day - you know what I used to find funny - the outfits that JG used to where in those old lecture videos. Remember - the nerdy shirts and pullover sweaters. Who dressed him like that? Surely he didn't dress like that when "off camera". He looked like the president of the rocketry club
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Rama Das, I feel very saddened that your family is not talking to you. Are they passing judgment on you because you choose not to follow their religion? Are they "protecting" themselves from a "demon"? Are they just blindly obeying instructions? Is this what they teach in this cult? JG seems to like to preach about Jesus a lot, I guess so it helps hi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Speaking of brainwashing (or just habit), I still find myself saying "Sri Visnu" before popping a piece of food into my mouth.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dassi, When I saw the question in your post "so what offer did he make you that you could not refuse?", I immediately thought of Sid saying that Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the light. No one can approach the Father except through me." Sid explained that Jesus meant that the only way to God was through a bonafide Spiritual Master and further t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Speaking of Satya Sai Baba... I remember that we weren't allowed to offer Nag Champa incense to the deities because apparently the manufacturers were devotees of Sai Baba and offered all their products to him. Now I burn it all the time because I really like it. No more crazy rules. BTW, Sid makes a perfect GodFather. He'll even make you an offer you can't refuse.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote"zelig"http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j104/Yodaplanet/Sai%20Speaks/saispeakspage27saionvyasasana.jpg Look at the first line of the lecture where JG quotes Jesus as saying "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." I heard him make this reference many times in many lectures. I am pretty sure that Christ never said this. In Galatians (6:7) St. Paul wrote &am
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have friends who still follow JG and I believe that he is still in HI. I don't maintain regular contact with these people but I have spoken to one person about 6 weeks ago and everything seemed the same with JG's "group". I perceive his silence as "deafening". It would seem to me that any legitimate guru would gladly answer valid questions in an attempt to serve
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good point about JG not following the instructions of ACB. That does really say it all right there. The funny thing is that this is kept hidden. I've heard lectures where JG goes on about his spiritual master to create the impression that he was surrendered to him and served him and so on. I'd often wondered about this as well. I mean the story kind of went that JG had achieved th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It think it's interesting to note that Yogananda (although he himself is most likely also guilty of being a "bogey yogi"), defined the word "Chaitanya" as referring to "Christ Consciousness". Again - an important point is that all good teachers lead by example. What example is JG demonstrating?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'd like to provide some food for thought: I have heard some of Jagad Guru's lectures on Jesus and read some of his writings regarding him as well. It always appeared to me that he had great reverence for Christ and considered him to be a bona fide representative of God. Personally, I think that Christ was much more than God's representative but I am certainly not here to pre
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So you are considered a student of JG if you are trying to follow his personal instructions, ostensibly observing the four regulative principles and chanting 12 rounds a day. Let's throw in going to offerings, gatherings, doing Outreach, engaging in service, making donations etc. etc. Also, you are not to be offensive to other Vaishnavas. First of all, for one who is trying to grow spiri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Have to admit - that was very funny. Too bad it looks like you cannot access the letters online - would love to see the responses from the fanatics regarding the song telling fanatics to take it easy. I sense some hypocracy. Sad, isn't it?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Shanti, You're welcome. That link was originally posted on page 90 of this thread. I was amazed at how the methods are exactly what are being used in Siddha's group. Such a shame. I am so glad I WOKE UP!!! What a relief...............
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just watched the "How to Start a Cult Video" on You Tube. Here is the link: OMG!! This is the Cult of Chris Butler!! And it wasn't even made to address SOI specifically. So c'mon all you followers of Krishna's confidential loving servant - don't be afraid to ask yourself some important questions and don't be afraid to externalize those little
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have strong doubts that many of the contributors to Mike Gabbard's campaign actually did so from their own personal funds. It is common knowledge that many of JG's followers have a hard time just supporting themselves. So I suspect that the funds were funneled out to many followers who then made the contributions. It's interesting to note that most contributions were around $4
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey Shanti. I was shocked to read of your awful experiences with Jivan. I had met him once and it's true, he is revered as a Christian scholar among the devotees. Last I heard he was running a full-on brahmachari program in Sacramento. Also I recall a certain chanting tape that was banned because there was a chant on it performed by Jivan accompanied by a woman who apparently had been off
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just found this forum and started reading it last night. I've only made it up to page 22 as there was so much info and links to click on etc. I had been a "serious" student of JG for about 5 years. I had begun to get a bad taste in my mouth and I have not had any involvement for about 2 years. I still keep in touch with some members and I was still chanting on my beads here
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"