Please see the following links: I hope this information is helpful. Rick Ross
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

There is a large section within the website. See There is also a personal testimony about the group within the book by Ronald Enroth titled, "Recovery from Churches that Abuse" Zondervan Press. Another website with information about the group is-- Christian Research Institute also prepared a report about the group during about 1990. They would not recommend the group.
Forum: Destructive Churches

The former members of the Geftakys Assembly apparently felt they wanted a site exclusively devoted to their group experience. They have moved their discussion over to the other site, which is linked from my Links page. Rick Ross
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

There are many articles about "cults" at colleges within my archive. All you need to do is go to the search page and enter "college cults" or "cults on campus" and a listing of articles will come up as search results. Some of the most common groups recruiting at colleges that have been called "cults" are: International Church of Christ Sri Chinmoy T
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a section about the Master Path on my website. See Olsen has hurt quite a few people over the years. Good to hear you are moving on. Rick Ross
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

There have been so many scandals regarding multi-level marketing it's quite important to be very careful. A website that can be useful is "What's Wrong with Multi-Level Marketing." See The author of this study carefully reviews the most common problems seemingly inherent within many multi-level marketing schemes. Another website exclusively archives breaking news abo
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

There are two articles that mention him within the archive. See the following:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Were you involved with a church, synagogue or religious institution that you thought was destructive? This new section is for those who feel they were in something destructive and/or abusive, but that it perhaps did not quite fit the definition of a "cult."
Forum: Destructive Churches

I have never heard of either Steve Brazell or Bill Coolidge. I have no idea what this man Brazell is even talking about. Nothing happened in 1992 that I can recall. Sounds like a made up story. I have been to Yuma once on a case, and it had nothing to do with CFM or these men. I have information about the CFM posted on my website and it's been up for some time. I also testified in a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, there are many families struggling with Amway problems regarding loved ones. I have received many complaints. See the following links: I am very sorry to hear of your situation.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

It sounds like your daughter is planning to have her marriage ceremony in a temple, which means non-Mormons may not attend. I am sorry to hear this. It is sad when family cannot attend a wedding. She might have opted to have a wedding outside of one of the Mormon Temples so relatives and family could attend the ceremony.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Certainly people leave LDS, including those who been raised in that religion. I have heard the joke, that one of the largest categories on Mormon membership roles is, "baptized address unknown." Be patient and understanding with your daughter. Make sure that she knows you are there for her and would assist her if she needed help. It is vitally important to keep the lines of communica
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The "baptism of the dead" is the Mormon practice of having ceremonies to baptize those deceased into Mormonism. Supposedly the dead then have the right in the hereafter to reject or accept that baptism. Mormons believe this is their way to help the dead. This is largely what motivates Mormons to spend so much time tracking ancestors and maintaining historical archives regarding families
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Supreme Court has decided to hear a case regarding cross burning by the Ku Klux Klan. Essentially, some ordinances have been instituted in various parts of the US prohibiting or limiting cross burning within their jurisdiction. Is cross burning a right of free expression? Do you feel the Klan has a right to express itself through cross burning events held in public?
Forum: Hate Groups

Do you think "brainwashing" is real or just imagined? Can someone be brainwashed or this used as an excuse to explain away mistakes and bad decisions? What is the difference between legitimate religious conversion and "cult brainwashing"? Where is the line between religious indoctrination or instruction and "brainwashing"?
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

How do you think religious organizations should handle clergy abuse and sexual misconduct? Should clergy ever be given a second chance? Should their confessions to fellow clergy be protected? What rights should victims have? Where do you feel the churches currently involved in abuse scandals went wrong? Or do you feel their critics have gone too far?
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Is someone controlling you right now and abusive through a relationship? Were you once in a relationship that became abusive? How did you get out? How did you recognize that the relationship had become abusive and/or destructive? What was your awakening point to that reality?
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

What cult were you in and how did it affect your life? How did you cope after leaving and what advice or insights do you have for others?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Are you the member of a family affected by a cult? Is your loved one involved in a destructive group? What coping skills have you developed? How do you deal with the situation day-to-day?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What advice would you give based upon your experience to former cult members and their families? How can they cope? What can they do? And how difficult is the road to recovery? If you are a former cult member or once were a member of some controversial group please share your thoughts to help others.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

A story has now just broken on about Landmark Education and the IRS. It seems high-ranking staffers at IRS in Seattle became involved with Landmark through taking the Forum and then started recruiting their subordinates. IRS employees were told "the government will pay for it." What do you think of taxpayer money being used to pay for Landmark Forum seminars? What do you think of emplo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Amway also seems to generate fairly constant complaints from people who say they have lost money. It seems they end up buying products, working hard, but making little if anything. What do you think?
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

The LDS might be considered historically a "cult," during the time of Joseph Smith. See But today, more than a hundred years later, they have evolved far beyond their early beginnings, into a much more mainstream organization, which is not defined and/or focused upon one living individual. There are still serious problems caused by the LDS, most often by zealous missionaries,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

William Pierce, who wrote the book "The Turner Diaries," which became an obsession with Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh, died recently. He led a group called the "National Alliance" in West Virginia. Can a group centered around a charismatic figure like Pierce survive a leader's death? Or will it fade away? Some experts say the group will fade away without Pierce. What d
Forum: Hate Groups

Leslie Van Houten is a convicted murderer. She has spent 30 years in prison for her role in the Manson Family murders. She says she has recovered and been rehabilitated from her cult mindset and deserves parole. What do you think? Should she be given some consideration as a cult victim of Charles Manson who was brainwashed? Or, should see spend the rest of her life in prison due to the horrific n
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

John Walker Lindh the "American Taliban" struck a deal with the government and received a 20 year sentence. Was that fair? Was he "brainwashed"? What do you think should have happened to Lindh? Life in prison, or some consideration as a kind of "cult member" that was somehow manipulated through undue influence? Was he a fanatic and terrorist or a brainwashed cultist?
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

Some say Osama bin Laden must be dead, because he has not been heard from and a megalomaniac like him always wants to be seen and heard. Others claim he escaped Tora Bora to fight another day and is just laying low. What do you link? Bin Laden, Dead or alive?
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

Looks like Jehovah's Witnesses are experiencing quite a scandal regarding sexual abuse within their congregations. The issue seems to be the way elders and leaders choose to handle complaints and situations. And the way in which they appear to crush any alternative views. See What do you think about the growing problem of sexual abuse within American religious organizations? What can
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I am receiving a steady flow of complaints about Herbalife. It seems like quite a few people are losing money. Anyone else hear about this?
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Nic Cage just married Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis. She is a life-long dedicated Scientologist. She ended her previous marriage to Michael Jackson when he apparently made it clear Scientology was not his thing. Now it's Cage's turn. It looks like he may become involved in Scientology now.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups