QuotezeuszorWhat do you mean exactly? Yeah, I was implying that too. I can understand the context: the Bible says it one way and McKay does it another? Or have I got it wrong? Although the Christian myth interests me, I've never read the whole Holy Bible. It's never been an easy read, but I am fascinated enough because it represents a vital link in the chain of world mythologies. I
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Scary stuff... :?:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Laura Marble wrote:QuoteTo my surprise, I learned of all kinds of shady lurkers that probably every teenager knows about but were new to me. First, there are "flame throwers." They personally attack you in ways that would backfire on them outside the anonymous world of Cyberspace. Then there are "trolls." They find sport in watching people go ballistics. So they pick car
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteTucker...what will come next? The shock factor seems to be driving him now. And he seems to be be feeding off the attention he's getting. Who will be his next sacrifice? Let's hope he never learns to fly... 8) But, seriously, he really only has limited power. His numbers are small. His advice, insignificant. No one to carry the flame...
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Elena wrote: QuoteI suspect, or I have wondered anyway, whether there is just not some sort of "defect" or hole in some people's minds that the Landmark stuff plugs into in such a way that it confirms something they may have worried about or wondered about. I think there may be some message implanted, under hypnosis or deep suggestion, that sounds something like "it's a d
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Upsidedownnewspaper wrote: QuoteI liken the Landmark experience to childhood trauma but did not intend to imply that attendees to the forum ARE in fact childhood trauma survivors. In fact, I disagree with you. I think a large proportion of attendees to the forum are coerced to go along, are ill-informed about what will take place, and most have the rug of social congruity ripped out from under t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I agree. And I suspect that for many people Landmark and other LGATs is a kind of last hope - the answer to all their suffering. Most people have issues (wounds), large and small, and it's part of the human experience to deal with these. Unfortunately, corporations like Landmark sell their 'snake oil' with the 99.99% guarantee it will heal all their wounds...and guess what? All you
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I think we're all in agreement that McKay should never have stop his medication! Isn't it strangely wonderful how corrupt leaders reveal their own insanity... :D
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteBefore the course she was reclusive and depressed. When I saw her during the "intro talk" (i.e. recruitment session), she appeared to have a bunch of friends and appeared very alive and happy. Yeah, I noticed that, too. I suppose it's normal when people are made to feel they belong to something. But my problem was that it 'felt' like they were suffering a kind of
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I think the bottom line is not WHERE the meetings are held, but HOW they're being held. And that's why a forum such as this is so popular and important! Perhaps, the best we can do is to boycott the hotel - then they might think twice if they're losing money. Even a small campaign of calling the particular hotel, asking if they hold LGAT meetings and then saying, 'No, thank
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

No EDIT button? Fair enough. I'll just have to bite my tongue when I spot the odd spelling/grammatical error. I know I shouldn't be so anal... :wink: Long Live the RI Forum!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

And there's the 'catch-22' - tell your trusted friends and they will folow you blindly. A contradiction, if you ask me, unless trust implies having the same level of gullibility. Funny thing is, those who persuaded me to attend an 'intro' night usually don't hesistate to do some research before buying consumer goods or deciding where they'll spend their holid
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

From their site: QuoteThe Roots of AsiaWorks All of the AsiaWorks trainings are firmly rooted in the research and discoveries of Abraham Maslow, the famous American educator, writer, and psychologist. Maslow was among the first to define and clarify those characteristics that distinguish men and women who achieve extraordinary results from "ordinary" people. Did I read that correctl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

With regard to The_Trooper, I suspect he/she is simply confused, lonely and, well...see previous post!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Rick, I'm really starting to miss that EDIT button. I know I can PREVIEW or use a word processor to make life somewhat easier, but... Would it be possible to grant an EDIT feature after a certain number of posts? Jack.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I agree, bullies and tough guys/gals, in general, are cowards, ie soft as jelly on the inside. But what makes a truly courageous person? If we apply the reasoning that so-called leaders of Landmark are cowards and their congregation are cowards, we end up with the human condition - the cowards will always outnumber the courageous. Landmark's promise, it seems, is to create a world of self
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Yeah, congratulations to everyone who has made this site as important as checking my email. And, yes, Rick deserves some kind of award for courage and diligence in his duties. I know that this site has benefitted a number of my 'friends'. It is important to have somewhere to share ideas, thoughts and the occassional grievance. Sometimes I've thought it would be nice to have a th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteS_Byers666What puzzles me is why Landmark is so big in the UK. They've really hit gold. Whereas they've pulled out of many European countries. What makes folk in the UK so receptive to this cr&p? Yeah, same here in the Land of Oz. Admittedly, we have the tyranny of distance. It must have something to do with 'our' colonial mindset! :lol: Meaning that we are ver
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Somehow I suspect the hotel involved will place real monetary gain over supposed ethical gain. It would be a different matter if the LGAT had the reputation of a sinister cult, like the KKK. And knowing how organisations like LEC operate, they're probably offering free seminars to hotel employees!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

An interesting, low-budget anti-scientology docu-drama called, The Bridge, by Brad Hanover is very interesting...if not, ultimately, rather disappointing. It is a 'free to distribute' little film (about 60 minutes) that gives an insight into the lives of two characters dealing with the In's and Out's of this organisation. I particularily enjoyed the opening sequence...appar
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteupsidedownnewspaperMy Landmark spruiker also signed up for Big Brother Big Sister program. Is there a link? (It worried me a lot. She said things like, "I had a training course today on how to spot the kids who are being abused.") Yeah, and it really bothers me that cults like this encourage children to be part of their programming. I know they're overt about it and the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteThe_TrooperSome of the stories were really powerful... One guy did his in the form of a rap that rhymed pretty well. Another letter was so touching it brought a tear to my eye. There's a lot of people with a lot of baggage out there. Yes, who doesn't have baggage. I don't need 'psycho-salespeople' to tell me I've got work to do. Especially when it's the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The_Trooper a troll? Well, to slay a troll all you need is a hero/heroine...and it seems there are plenty here! More seriously, this is an open board for cutting up all sorts of vegetables. Once they're in the pot the soup usually tastes pretty good. Okay, really seriously, I don't think we have to worry about The_Trooper's personal journey. I mean, what can we really do? We
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It's often difficult for victims to speak out. Landmark and other LGATs employ a kind of 'rape' coercion, but in this case it's like gang rape of the psyche by the roomful. And we all know how difficult it is for victims of this kind to stand up. It would seem that many violent crimes where the victim survives causes the victim to 'accept' or 'deny' the act
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Acid, I totally agree. No doubt we'll all be receiving letters/posts asking for our forgiveness... Hey, Werner: 'Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words are obviously atomic bombs!' Sad, really.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

From the site: QuoteThe Heart of Darkness is a ceremonial encounter which is open to those who have completed a Darkness Visible™ workshop with Ross and now wish to step more deeply into the relatively unknown regions of inner and outer space. Working with the Mythic Self, beyond the rational mind, we enter a place where the dreamer dreams himself into being. There's mention of spending
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You may have stumbled onto something... Personally, I have an interest in certain tribal cultures. I find the idea of shamanism as a means to exploring mythology fascinating. Perhaps, it's because of my own heritage - an interest in my pagan/heathen roots. I'll have a good look at this 'Ross Heaven' website and see what it's all about (well, as much as I can, anyway
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteelenaFunnily enough, back in the 1970s, when Werner Erhard's brother tried to run for office in California, it only took one person to expose him as a "believer" or "follower" or relative of the "est" guru to get him knocked out of the race. He did so poorly they realized that any mention of est or Werner was deadly. Gee, how did they manage to poison the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It would be good to get a moderator's view of what is deemed safe to say and reveal here at the RI Forum... :oops:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteMorrowI don't feel like I've been particularly affected. I don't feel like it wounded or maimed me in any way shape or form, though I certainly don't doubt any of your own personal testimonials. My own experience was simply very different from what others on this forum have listed, perhaps because I took the Teen version. I felt no pressure to participate and I was never
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"