Freedom of speech is very liberating. Within the constraints of the television industry I wonder how that concept is defined. Too many editors and spin doctors running about like headless chickens. There have been examples of 'solid' television, but, at the end of the day, it's just a play of light and sound ...
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From an article from yesterday's paper: Ms Byrne is now worth about $50 million Aussie dollars. She certainly knows what the secret is: she simply followed the basic Capitalistic formula of hard work and networking. From that point of view, good luck to her. It's just a shame that we mere mortals have to latch onto the next 'big' thing like our lives depended on it. To me, the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Monks & the Dalai Llama? Somehow I can't see the old chap doing more than politely smiling and throwing in the odd anecdote. Landmark education (indoctrination) would be like water off a duck's back. It's more likely that Landmark had a roomful of soldiers from the Chinese army. Camp Lekkie won't stop at any boast!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

... I mean, television can be so corny these days. Better, perhaps, to let a bunch of comedians tackle a scenario like that (cos, it's so damn funny ... common images like that really hurt the funny bone, if you know what I mean). I don't want to burst anyone's bubble. I would certainly support a 'Rick Ross Hour' but ... you know it would end up being a lively thread on t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Large Group Awareness Training (LGAT) is a general term that has its roots in pre-history. It's a technique and/or curriculum that has always been popular with the training of soldiers. Apparently, Roman centurions were subjected to sleep deprivation to better indoctrinate them. And I could imagine other 'suitable' uses for LGAT techniques used to 'equip' legitmate* group
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Looks like a fellow Aussie has more info.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I don't need no televised version of what we're doing here. I mean, how could television compete with this forum? Okay, I'm quite skeptical when it comes to the whole television industry - it's okay for entertainment, but rarely does it achieve what it set out to do all those idealistic years ago. Sure, I'd watch the show, but I have a sneaking suspicion that what we&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An interesting thing happened in the news yesterday. I can't quote verbatim because the report I saw was on commercial TV (and we know how much depth they cover their stories). Anyway, apparently there was a fatal episode within a family of Scientologists here in Australia. From what I understood, the daughter of this family had been diagnosed with quite severe psychological issues and ended
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Something I found of interest for ex-members and for those needing a little more encouragement to get out of the JCs. Kind of funny... :D
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's bloody hard, I know, Skeptic. We're left with two options: be really, really patient or walk away. Neither option is easy. Like I said, bloody hard. With people in the family I now just avoid the topic altogether and try to carry on.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Ellen, just the tonic! You know this should be in print, don't you? With your permission, I might print off a few and read them on the train! Keep up the good work... :lol:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteAlex_RushI'm suggesting that a better understanding of his perspective will allow you to communicate better with him, and to do that, you need to understand view of people who like Landmark (not fanatics, but just like it). That's about it. Communicate with a brainwashed, soul-bleached Lekkie? Easier to try and talk to 2 and 3 year old children! In fact, an advocate of Landmark
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Landmark is not the answer to a 'troubled' relationship. Those who invest in its doctrine will follow a predictable path, ie feeling high, feeling strong, feeling as though they have finally cracked the 'meaning of life'. Beware. Just as predictably, unless they continue to invest, all these feelings will dissipate - it is very, very much like a drug-induced state of mind.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteSaneAgainContrast - old self / new self Repetition - enroll, enroll, enroll, enroll, enroll, enroll ad naueum Alignment - hmmm? Don't know, what does that mean in graphic design? Proximity - enroll the ones you love most first! Then you can wake up with lgat in the bed next to you each day. Alignment basically means arranging objects to a specific point or position, ie margins of
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Now that's funny! I wonder how many things 'God' hates according to Bible verse? Surely someone's made an exhaustive list... Kind of puts things in perspective. Hmmm....
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

...and if the ABC's Australian Stories coverage was at all accurate, he also gets the best seat in the house! Poor Cherry with her physical ailments has to sit on the floor at his feet...
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Graphic designers use the acronym CRAP to mean: Contrast Repetition Alignment Proximity An interesting set, me thinks. Are there links between these words and the doctrine of LGATs? :lol:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Then it's about self-esteem. There has to be better ways to bolster one's self-esteem than to blindly follow a LGAT or another crazy doctrine! My advice is get a hobby. For me, it's my obsession with self-expression and my unwavering curiosity.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

We are, more or less, the sum of our beliefs. Fortunately, I have always resisted (i.e. questioned and researched and questioned some more) the ideas and notions of other people and organised thoughts. Perhaps, to some degree, my fortune lay in the fact that my mother was a caretaker of a church. What that meant was that we (I) got a behind-the-scenes look at the mundane aspects of ministers a
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

As we have a habit of saying in this country, "Only in America!" LOL.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotezeuszorIt's a real, valid ordination, too. And the ordination itself is FREE. Oh, I hate going off topic, but I...just...can't...help...myself... What do you mean by 'real' and 'valid' and 'ordination' and 'free'? BTW, I think this thread is headed for LOCK DOWN!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Okay, so this Crap analogy can be applied to most things. Let's just not forget that our crap can also stink! :wink:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

We're definitely going off topic! What was the topic? Flat head society? Isn't that a fish? BTW, did you check out the goodies... Seems like they cover all the bases! And I can't wait to see you in one of these:Quote2007-01-02 New Clothing, New Crusade We are pleased to announce within the next two weeks the addition to our catalog a line of ministerial clothing
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Very funny, Zeuszor... From their 'serious' site:QuoteORDINATION NOTICE You are about to become an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. For information regarding the legal aspects of this in your state or province, view the FAQ page on the site. Before proceeding with your information, please make sure you have complied with the following instructions: Please o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From the abovementioned report:Quote..."The potency of the cult diminishes," she said. Sajani knows she has only a few years left before she must retire. She says she would like to be a teacher someday, but she cries with her mother over the loss of her life as a goddess. "When I'm not a goddess anymore," she said, "no one will treat me as well as they treat me
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteObi-Wan...This forum is a cult...The trick to learning from anyone is to think... and question critically...Also, a thinking adult person with reasonable intelligence is supposed to *question* EVERYTHING ... it's the essential component of thinking and forming values and one's basic character. We all can and do learn something from everyone... So, take a break all of you conspi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuotepragmatistSo let's cut the b.s. - tell the story of your destruction by the Landmark Forum... I, for one, am interested in hearing the real deal about you. I _do_ care, in spite of what you may think of me. Oh my, you expect to be trusted? You've learned your Landmark lessons well - employing the same tact: 'come on, share yourself so I can tell you wants wrong with you.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoterrmoderatorAnd the idea that you think people should waive their rights for Landmark is quite revealing. That is, you have reached the point where you can rationalize almost anything. Maybe he's trying his hardest to recruit you. It is getting tougher for them, I hear. :?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I'm glad you got the humour of my last post, sonnie. Like you, I don't think an organisation like Landmark can make a claim to 'transforming a whole country'. The best we can do for them is offer a few hundred acres in the centre of Australia and they can form their own country. Then, and only then, will they achieve this feat. Like chickens in a cage...
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteJack Oskar LarmI can't believe people like this are walking free... Of course I'm only joking. Free speech, and all of that. It just irks my common sense that there are 'reasonable' people out there promoting their 'unreasonable' theories as if they were doctrine. Ooh, how I hate a doctrine unless it has scope to change, if necessary, when necessary. Things ca
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"