hsuchij: I woudn't read too much into this. It may be nothing more than a stupid card.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Straight Talk: Let's get one thing straight. Landmark has not been designated a "cult" and/or named a "cult" by the Ross Institute. See Landmark is a controversial private for-profit company that sells large group awareness training through courses/seminars to make money. See
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Most claims of "Satanic cults" and "ritual abuse" have been proven false. See official reports and research at Alleging family members were or are cult members/leaders is often a feature of such false claims. Your friend should find a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist attached to a reputable clinic or hospital to discuss these claims with. Keep in mind that so
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To avoid potentially unsafe groups see the following questions and guidelines. Warning Signs FAQ
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

New members will have to wait through 10 approved posts before they can use the private messaging feature of this message board. This is to avoid abuse of that system. Before ten posts are approved communication with other members will have to be done through posting comments on the board. Any attempt to go around that provision, such as posting email addresses, will be edited/deleted.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

There are rehab/recovery facilities for former cult members. There is a licensed mental health facility called Wellspring. See Also see
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

For some coping strategies see--
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have not stated that the UPCI is a "cult" or that any of its churches fit within that category. See The above disclaimer is linked throughout the website on virtually every page. I have received very serious complaints about the UPCI and would not recommend its churches to anyone under any circumstances. See Also see Rick Ross www.culteducation.com
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To whom it may concern: Please let's remember the rules regarding preaching and proselytizing. "The purpose of this forum is not to promote a specific religious viewpoint and/or to proselytize." Also-- "So-called 'flames,' vitriolic posts that personally attack people, will not be tolerated and are grounds for banning the author from this message boar
Forum: Destructive Churches

To whom it may concern: Please let's remember the rules regarding preaching and proselytizing. "The purpose of this forum is not to promote a specific religious viewpoint and/or to proselytize." Also-- "So-called 'flames,' vitriolic posts that personally attack people, will not be tolerated and are grounds for banning the author from this message board.&q
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

PorterGolden: Please understand that this message board is not to debate doctrines and proselytize. See the rules regarding this. And actually, like you, I am not a Christian. I am Jewish. But the issue here is history not belief. And history is either true or false, not subjective and based upon personal testimonies. You seem confused about this. Christians rely upon a history th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just feel it's important to let people know that the "Emperor has no clothes"--i.e. the so-called "Book of Mormon" is simply a fiction concocted by Joseph Smith. Are you attempting to dismiss the New Testament as not historical? I don't think so. Obviously, Mormons must accept the NT as historical, since their scriptures are dependent upon it. The problem
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See This section covers the question--What is a "cult"? You might also refer to Robert Jay Lifton. See The Mormon religion is based upon the supposed "revelation" of Joseph Smith. The problem is the so-called "Book of Mormon" he produced is obviously not what Smith claimed. That is, it is not a historical record of any actual people that occupied th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Mormon religion is based upon the supposed "revelation" of Joseph Smith. The problem is the so-called "Book of Mormon" he produced is obviously not what Smith claimed. That is, it is not a historical record of any actual people that occupied the Western Hemisphere (Americas) before Columbus (pre-Columbian) until about 400 A.D. Instead, Smith's claimed historic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Mormon religion is based upon the supposed "revelation" of Joseph Smith. The problem is the so-called "Book of Mormon" he produced is obviously not what Smith claimed. That is, it is not a historical record of any actual people that occupied the Western Hemisphere (Americas) before Columbus (pre-Columbian) until about 400 A.D. Instead, Smith's claimed historical
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Mavi: It seems that people might "make their million" playing the lottery too. MLM schemes often seem like little more than a lottery. At any rate you are free to spend your money in whatever way you wish, within the law. But you might want to keep in mind that many MLMs over the years have been exposed as scams and at times prosecuted or shut down by federal regulators (for
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

There are critical posts throughout the message board. This especially applies to Landmark devotees who come through and throw a few eggs every now and then. Thanks for admitting openly that Landmark has a policy about toilet breaks and rigidly controls its seminars. See This research paper by a clinical psychologist pretty much hits the main points of what's wrong with mass mar
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Phone harassment is very easy to stop. You can use caller ID, an answering machine turned off, voicemail features, etc. etc. etc. Let's NOT use this board for that purpose. That is, let's not comment about personal issues like this on the board. You might also file a report with the local police and discuss the matter with an attorney.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In my opinion Landmark Education is a potentially unsafe large group awareness training (LGAT) program.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I don't see this as a meaningful focus or topic. I would not recommend attending functions at Landmark to disrupt and/or essentially with some sort of hidden agenda. Instead, you should have a frank discussion up front to express your concerns with the person you are concerned about. If this seems too difficult then see "Coping Strategies" for some other possible responses
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I would not recommend Landmark courses to anyone under any circumstnaces--due to the steady stream of complaints I have received and the organization's troubled history. In my opinion Landmark is not a "cult," but here are some helpful "coping strategies" used with cult members that may be helpful. See For resources regarding destructive groups in Canada-- Se
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It seems for some Werner Erhard was a "prophet," but he was motivated it appears by profits. But Mr. Erhard was always focused on the "bottom line," and Erhard Seminars Training (EST) was from the start a for-profit enterprise. See Also see Since selling off his company in the early 1990s Erhard has retired a very rich man. He lives in Georgetown, in the Cayman I
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This seems to be the standard response when a multi level marketing scheme (MLM) fails. That is, blame the victims. But victim bashing isn't a meaningful response. There are so many victims of this type of business scheme many websites are devoted to the subject. See the following: To better understand why so many MLMs fail see the following: And here is a
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

I have received very serious complaints about Dahn from families, former members and other concerned individuals. See I would not recommend the group to anyone under any circumstances.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here we go again. This is a very simplistic definition often used by cult apologists without further explanation. See Also see
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I would certainly not recommend going to a Landmark meeting/event with the purpose of being disruptive. And I don't see this as productive.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A new article just appeared about Krishna regarding their historical treatment of children. See Krisha/ISKCON has a horrific history of child abuse. Of course they offer that same old sing-song, "We have changed." But have they? It seems that the same type of authoritarian leadership is in place and many of the same leaders that ruled over the organization during its &qu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lovebunny: There is no funding for participation on this board. People post here because they want to and due to their own interest in the topics discussed. There is a very large amount of information about Landmark Education within the Ross Institute database. There is also substantial discussion regarding the organization at this message board. You can access this information/material
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dogma: Margaret Singer is perhaps the most distinguished and published academic on the subject of cults and their influence techniques. See Her book "Cults in Our Midst" is excellent. Janja Lalich, who once wrote with Margaret Singer, has a new book out building on her experience titled "Bounded Choice." See It is very important to realize that some academi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"