I think it's a great disservice when victims don't speak up, and ultimately, it does precisely what the abusers and those in power want: Your silence and obedience. Think about how many people would be helped if he came forward on a forum like this (not this specific one, but on the cult forums site) or Reddit, social media, or in an anonymous contribution to a book, etc. It would sh
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You should see if he wants to contribute to the cult testimonials book. It's completely anonymous and he can make a difference to a lot of folks both in and out of the hare krishna groups.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That sounds about right. Everyone's a pure devotee, but not quite everyone, only me, and be careful about that Siddhswarup you have a hard-on for; he's a pure devotee, but... All that "you're not the body" shit is a bit hard to follow. The swami says he's in his pictures; his followers need a special haircut to be "clean" or whatever, dress in Indian c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Broken is, as broken does. RUN.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

When SIF says that they were "founded" in 1977 it is likely referring to Butlers first small center in Kauai when he was still Sai. So "founding", I think is being used more loosely as in "it all started back in 1977, when...", rather than someone actually going down to the local Municipality and registering an official "church". Does that make sense? Kind
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well, SIF is the master of disinformation and they have a ton of "fake" accounts saying all sorts of random shit about how they were founded. Here is the basic observation I have made: 1. Science of Identity foundation was a name that Butler came up with a good bit later in his guru-ship. Probably more like closer to the early 80s. 2. His mission is also called "Chaitanya
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Don't quote me on it, but to my knowledge Harvey Mann and Eddie Hanson was with Butelr before being swept into ISKCON with Butler. Not sure if the other band mates were all practicing devotees or a mix of yoga-hippies who were just good session muscisions. I can't imagine anyone would be on board singing the lyrics they sang if they were not pretty hardcore devotees. Much has been writt
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I guess you can get the whole album on Apple still:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More about Living Force band
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey XKRISHNA, That's great stuff. On the topic of SIF, and I've posted this here before, the Living Force band, made by early SIF devotees, led by Harvey Mann, back in the 70s did stuff like this: https://youtu.be/DzjKywKvJ2g He was a fantastic guitar player and is still a current follower of Butler. Many of his kids I think splintered out of the cult and found their paths, but ma
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That's terrific, XKRISHNA! Very brave of you to take LSD with a broken brother. I'd have myself an unforgettable panic attack and stop loving anything or anyone altogether! It's great to find a deep connection with others, for most it never happens. RUN.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Looks like Google translate knocked back a few. In other news, Butler's Beach house flooded. His followers were likely blamed.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That's funny. From hippie cult to yuppie Indian Hindus. Sounds about right. One could not have asked for a more successful outcome for ISKCON. It's here to stay.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is no shortage of great songs and poetry in a language we understand without religious and cultural appropriation and trying to practice a fringe Bengali Vaishnava cult. Using a phrase the swami used to use, it's an artificial imposition on the mind. Instead of learning to live with and use the environment you are in to change your thinking and adapt to ones reality, an average devotee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Absolutely. Tho still culty, Eknath Easwaran had a more rational approach to "mantra" meditation that he coined "Passage Meditation". I don't know what the details of the practice/ritual are, but the basic idea is that you choose a passage that inspires you or a prayer or some wisdom statement and you repeat it slowly several times like you would a traditional mantra, but
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's a substantially better song than any mantra one could sing, that's for sure.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I hear ya. Of course, he turned to drugs. And the sad part is that he may get a kidney and it will solve but one small physical problem for him. What he was raised like has totally trashed his brain well before he did any meth or heroin. Many Prabhupada devotees turned to heroin and drugs or ended up being pot addicts or alcohol/cigarettes etc. Why is that? Why, if the holy name is so powerful an
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yup. They would make them eat their vomit if they barfed up "Prashad," which was days old that they could not eat the first time. Kids were forced to sleep on the ground or, as my friend had on many occasions—a fucking running dryer machine to keep warm. Boys were regularly beaten, anally raped and forced to endure total nonsense lectures and classes that left many of them with the educ
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

ISKCON should force one of their top gurus to donate their kidney. You know, as reparations, as devotional service (giving gifts is one of the angas of bhakti!), and since they're not their body, what's the big deal? In fact, devotees who actually care should stand outside the ISKCON temple and boycott and picket till a swami emerges with a Kidney. Since their ignorant Prabhupad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Leaving this where it belongs: https://news.yahoo.com/tulsi-gabbard-running-opportunist-chief-050000403.html
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I beg to differ. They are the ones who need to lawyer up. We're coming. RUN.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

By the will of god, maybe Trump will grab her by the crotch as he's known to do, miraculously/immaculately impregnate her, and the sweet lord will be born a few months later to save us all from Kali Yuga: RUN
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Leaving this one here:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You can private message me if you have criticism of the project.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you have been or are in this cult, do yourself and the world a favor and speak up about your time in it. Share your experiences, and help to contribute to a much-needed publication that compiles the voices of those who have been left traumatized, abused, confused, and disgusted. Now is the time to share those documents, testimonials, and experiences. You can be anonymous or use your name. It&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Culthusiast— I'm not sure what this incident was, but it appears to be some sort of religious discrimination/intolerance/hate crime. I'm curious what was written about Tapasya. To this very day, in 2024, Catholics, Hindus, and Muslims are constantly arguing, fighting, and trying to suggest they have the answers, while mostly being the source of division, hatred, and avoidabl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sorry, wrong link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_of_Identity_Foundation#Criticism It doesn't matter; it looks like the Butler-bots got to it anyway.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabir#Criticism: Criticism According to an article in The Independent, a former member has described SIF's teachings as "virulently homophobic, often anti-Islamic and misogynist...they were forced to worship Butler, who is considered to be akin to a God."[10] The same article described SIF as a "secretive cult".[10] A 20
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good things to read so as not to dry up your common sense:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

And here we have Tulsi Gabard partnering with the very "elite" she has so many issues with. Funny how she went from "Jai Gurudev" to failed politician, FOX news sweetheart and now Gabbard said she was partnering with X on a series of short films to share stories of people "whose voices are silenced." Wonder what voices she's gonna represent on behalf of h
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"