I bet many of the general public interested in this area, want to hear what Steven Hassan has to say, in his own words, and in writing, on these issues and subjects, in great detail. Steven Hassan is the author of his book, the owner of his business and his websites, so its his views that are relevant. Sadly, the book is not available in the public libraries, as its not a general release bo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If that is an actual fee schedule...even without all of the additions. $2500 a day x 5 = $12,500 week. x 4 = $50,000 month. x 12 = $600,000 year. Now of course who knows how many days a month the person might work. Most "cults" these days PRIMARY purpose is financial exploitation, that is, robbing the victim and their family blind... Should exit counsellors be millionaires too
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

and for the general public, who are not aware of what has gone on behind the scenes, the only way to clarify the positions is in public. So if Steven Hassan responded to the critical review of his book by a professional, point by point, then at least the public would have some information to review. For example: - are “Cults are on the rise” statistically? - was there any peer-review for
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For those not privy to what has been going on behind the scenes, much of this is new information. Obviously, the link below is a part of this discussion, that came from a Google search on the issue. Posts tagged ‘Steven Hassan’ Steven Hassan: Critical Material Deleted from his Wikipedia Biography Page February 9, 2012
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If anyone sees a response by Mr Hassan, please post a link to it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Those who may feel that "chanting" is "working for them"... You would have to break that down...what does that mean? It makes them feel relaxed? That could be from the deep breathing alone. It makes their life-goals appear by Magick? More likely that is the Confirmation Bias. There have not been many SGI apologists on this thread, but you could probably tell the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have seen many "world renowned" psychologists for example, write a response to a critical review of their work by another professional. They write the paper themselves, or perhaps with an associate, and then publish it. It can serve to point out any errors, or clarifications. Example, in Cognitive therapy, many criticized it as they said the patient/therapist relationship didn'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It would be very helpful if Mr Hassan posted a response to the original academic critical review of his book, and just go through each point. Why not? I have read hundreds of such discussions over the years, this is how they usually go. Psychologist/Dr ________ releases a book on _______ subject. They get a bunch of reviews, some very critical by other professionals in the field. They then
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think the initial critical review of the approach by Mr Hassan is totally reasonable and fair, and very helpful. Its standard practice in these fields to get tough critiques by professionals of your book! The person who's methods have been critiqued, needs to then carefully respond, with evidence and proof, to the points being made. Its somewhat of a "cultic" mindset to wan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is a really valuable and important thread, hopefully many people will use it as a general reference in what to look for, when coming out of some kind of cult.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You can literally hear the ridiculous Stanlist-style musical propaganda. At the same time, other links show SGI using "rock" music to ensnare the young, but its the same strategy. Is SGI illegally using current bands music to promote SGI? Is SGI violating the rights of those bands, by stealing their music for propaganda? Do they have permission to use that music, or not? Q
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

SGI has so many billions of dollars, they can just sit still, and and still make millions in profits from their investments. Sadly, SGI will be around for decades after Ikeda's death, even just standing still. SGI-USA is a bad joke, but with billions invested and in assets, SGI is a giant financial corporation. Once Ikeda is dead, we will see how SGI rebrands itself.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

It does seem that the SGI org is trying to pre-position Ikeda as a godman Buddha before his death. Then after his death, they tell SGI members to call the image of Ikeda up in their imagination. This is how to maintain a cult with a dead leader. Sadly SGI will be around for decades more, they just have too many billions in cash stashed away. the Wife and Son will legally take over, as they
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Maybe the people running SGI now, want to do a Pre-frame on Ikeda before he dies? As in, make him into a type of demi-god now, so when he dies, they can turn him into a literal object of Worship? Then SGI will have its own (fake) Buddha. It helps when you are dead to be a Buddha superman, as then there are no facts that can be checked. ;-) Are the SGI hacks making any "miraculous&#
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mr Hassan does claim on his website that his approach is "far better" than other methods. "This non-coercive, completely legal approach is far better than deprogramming, and even exit counseling." So clearly "far better" is not a scientific term! So where is the evidence for the claim Mr Hassan is making? (I am on neither side of the issue at this point.)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a sample of the book here. ebook sample of "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

NLP did copy (model) some aspects of Satir. But I don't think that is the bone of contention. Its a lot of the other stuff that is going on. NLP runs like an LGAT seminar, where you have "content" which is different from the process they are putting you through at the same time. So the NLPer can be talking about Satir, but at the same time screwing with your mind on a completely
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Its a very good point that coming out of a cult is not a mental illness...which makes sense. That is correct about the CBT/exposure, they have been shown to actually work for many people, in real studies. But as far as I know, there has been no studies of application to those coming out of cults at all. And below that are some excellent points that hopefully many people will read. What
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

No I did not mean to imply that Mr. Hassan is into New Age, or anything along those lines. My comment was about "New Agers" who use "NLP" or more accurately, those who cloak themselves as New Agers, but in fact use NLP persuasion tech to extract large sums of money from people, under the guise of "coaching" "healing" "blah blah". There are litera
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Very interesting. Certainly those professionals helping people get out of cults need to be totally upfront about their FEES. Just like a psychcologist or other mental health professional. You know the fees right up front. And those fees need to be in line with the standard for the field in the area. Or if the fees are inflated to $500 an hour because someone is a "celebrity" that
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Everybody's work needs to be evaluated, criticized, measured, challenged, rebutted, using evidence and the methods of scientific research. The field of objective cult studies seems to be still developing, as has special challenges to it, in that those in "cults" will use off-book dirty tricks to go after anyone who criticizes them. This is probably why most research academics will
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ching Hai is a self-conscious con-artist. You see it right there in black and white. Using a lame indirect technique, she claims above she is enlightened, and equal to "God" "Christ" etc. Then tries to mess with people's minds to come and see her, using very basic persuasion techniques. Her underling who posted that for her, is not very skilled, so you can see the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Interesting, you have to wonder...which legit academics are using the methods of science to research cult activities currently? Its true that anecdotes are deceptive. anecdotal (testimonial) evidence www.skepdic.com/testimon.html Hopefully some serious research in this field can happen?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A scam to make easy money. Simple realization.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Daisaku Ikeda sounds like a delusional paranoid psychopath.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This thread is incredible self-deprogramming from SGI. That is what is happening and has happened. People deprogramming themselves (and others) from the SGI cult.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Moe and Tubby will never quit. They just change the wrapping paper. and take it offshore. Many fake-Gurus get a fake PhD off the internet for $9.99 and call themselves a "doctor". Sadly, people just let them get away with it. But when they start making medical claims again, they can be reported to the authorities. These crooks usually need to make false medical claims, to take
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The wife and son would be controlling the SGI $$, which is what SGI is all about. Its like Macbeth at the top of SGI Inc. Also, as Ikeda loses his faculties, his wife would become his legal guardian, and would take over all his affairs legally, including all of his SGI assets and everything else. So in fact, his wife has to be the one controlling SGI now. SGI is a private family fortune,
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Search on this forum for postings on Landmark, there is a massive amount of critical material about the dangerous and dishonest Landmark sect, which exists only to make profit for Werner Erhard and his family.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

If that "Inside Edition" TV spot was critical of the SGI, then if it was posted online SGI-USA would go after it. Sects like SGI can be highly effective at censoring corporate media, as corporate media only exists to make a profit, so they will generally back down from large sects, as they don't want to spend money defending themselves. There are exceptions of course, sometimes
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families