QuoteMaggie Anyone else know if Primetime, 60 Minutes or the like would be interested? I wouldn't be surprised if half the people in the media have attended Landmark or similar LGAT seminars. Good luck finding an impartial one.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Good question! That happened to me the other day after typing a lengthy reply and it was very frustrating.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I'm not surprised. I know several people who've done Landmark (or the Forum or EST). It's amazing that I've never actually attended a workshop, although I did once attend an introductory type of meeting for EST back in the late '70s/early '80s. My best friend in high school's dad got involved in EST and Silva Mind Control. Somehow all of her friends (myself i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I didn't know that either. I've never seen that written anywhere. All I ever heard was that she was Jewish. Is there any reliable source that backs that Christian Science story up? I'm very curious now! PS: I hope people know the difference between Christian Science and Scientology!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Considering the fact that Osama Bin Laden is from a weathly oil family and that the Bin Laden family are friends with the Bushes (due to the oil business), it's highly unlikely that the current administration will ever "capture" Bin Laden. I find it hard to believe that they don't know where he is. My belief is that OBL is alive and well somewhere in the Middle East, the U.S
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

OK...let's see if I can remember what I wrote before the computer wiped it out. I am familiar with both Ekhart Tolle and Byron Katie and know people who are involved in that scene. IMO they don't set themselves up as gurus and simply refer to themselves as teachers. I have read parts of Tolle's book. I found it hard to get through the whole thing because it's a bit borin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteVicarionAnd about the author of the ACIM text: Quote"This woman who had written so eloquently that suffering really did not exist spent the last two years of her life in the blackest psychotic depression I have ever witnessed." Is this the kind of person ACIM students look to for direction? If so, do they realize that they may very well follow in her footsteps? This is n
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Darn! I had written a whole long answer and it's gone. :-( Maybe if I have time later I can re-create it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some 12-step groups like AA have a rule of not dating or becoming emotionally involved with people who are new to the program. They tell you not to date another AA member in your first year of recovery because you are in a very emotional, childlike state and can be easily taken advantage of. The slang term for dating a newbie is "13 stepping". But even though it's frowned upon,
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuoteWiser AussieGulab Jamon How do you know Kiyosaki, by the way? I don't. I've heard of the books and I have one friend in particular who is really into all these types of get-rich-quick schemes and seminars. This friend actually gave me the book "The Millionaire Mind" as a wedding gift! I would have rather had a million dollars, but oh well. ;-) The author's
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuotebonnieBy the way, I would love to see a forum focused on the pitfalls of the 12 step programs. This forum was a little hard to find, and I think there is a real flaw in the 12 steps that needs to be adressed. Just a suggestion. javascript:emoticon(':idea:') For once I agree with you, Bonnie! :wink:
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuoterrmoderatorHow do you think religious organizations should handle clergy abuse and sexual misconduct? After a timely internal investigation, they should dismiss the individual if found guilty. If it's a case that has attracted outside attention, they should be honest and forthright about the situation and state the steps taken to punish the wrongdoer and resolve the situation. Quo
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

QuoteConcerned Oz The stage was furnished with a flip chart stand and a pot plant. Um...you do mean a POTTED plant, don't you? I can't imagine that someone like Kiyosaki would have illegal marijuana on the stage during a seminar! I'm getting quite a chuckle picturing it in my head. :lol:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuotejaneWhat is K...... It's short for "OK".
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteRmorganI only see racism as evil when the results produce discrimination. So if, by your definition, not all racism is evil, then please explain what "good" racism is. I for one have never heard of such a thing, so please enlighten us.
Forum: Hate Groups

That was funny episode! DH and I watched it the other night.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I was surfing the internet today and noticed that the state of Maryland has laws protecting investors who are suckered into MLM schemes. They are apparently entitled by law to a full refund on unused merchandise for 90 days. Not sure if this applies to the membership fee or whatever other money they have to shell out to the MLM, but it's a good start! I imagine some other states pro
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Raina, that was a very interesting post. Thank you for sharing that information.
Forum: Destructive Churches

I don't think there is a clear yes/no answer for this. Have certain religions or religious sects encouraged people to perform violent acts? Yes, certainly! There have been human sacrifices, suicides, murders, and wars, all in the name of religion. But on the other hand, many religions and religious sects have teachings on non-violence. So it could also be argued that religion promo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Marilyn Manson is a musician and a businessman. He is primarily interested in shocking people and making money. Of course, to some people, that might be the definition of a satanist! But if by "satanist", you mean worshipping the devil and trying to convert others into devil-worshippers, I don't think that's what he's about. My ex-boyfriend is a famous music criti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ah, Cutco! What former college student does not have a story about them? I knew 2 people who got suckered into selling Cutco cutlery and high-end kitchen products. Don't get me wrong: it's a quality product! It just happens to be really expensive too: it's not like Avon, where you can buy a couple little token items as a favor for the friend selling it. I don't think
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

This is what I was talking about: www.familyconstellations-usa.com/ and www.familyconstellations.net/ Is it the same thing, do you think?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quotei_was_one Yeah, you're right about the language. I remember having met someone when I was pretty new to Scientology, I think I met this lady at work, she said something I agreed with, and I said "Spot on". She looked at me perplexed, I could see her thinking, "Where did this guy get that saying?" I wonder if she thought I was weird. Funny thing is, I don'
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I was not giving anyone medical advice. My post clearly states that Jocie's sister needs to be under a doctor's supervision if she goes off her meds.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

QuoteEric_le_roi That's a very strange attitude. You think every work of fiction is based on personal experience? Do you think Melville spent a lot of time hunting whales? Shakespeare is supposed to have never left England, but he still wrote convincingly about Europe and European culture. I think you are narrow minded and lack an imagination. But thank you for your comments. You appa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi, Jocie! I'm sorry to hear you and your sister are going through this. Personally I'm opposed to anti-psychotic drugs. I think there's far too much medication being prescribed unneccessarily. You know your sister much better than we do, and if you feel she doesn't need the meds, it's up to you, her and your family to find her another therapist who can wean her off
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Eric, no offense here, but I am wondering why you would want to write a book about a character you don't understand. If you can't understand why someone would join a cult, how are you going to pull this off? Having hung around on the outskirts of a few cults myself, I'd say that the #1 thing that attracts people to cults is either a spiritual awakening or a sense of some sort o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Weird! I answered this post last week but my response is not here. I can't remember exactly what I wrote before, but I was wondering if this is the same thing as "Family Constellations" which 2 of my acquaintances are involved in. Both of them conduct these family constellations seminars here in the U.S. (NYC area). When they described it to me, it sounded interesting, like a co
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

To answer one of your unanswered questions: NO, all "Life Coaches" are NOT connected with Landmark. While I'm sure many life coaches probably have experience with motivational seminars and/or the New Age movement, you can not make a global assumption that all of them are connected with Landmark. Life Coach is a job description, not a type of cult.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Is this the same thing as "Family Constellations"? I know 2 people in NYC who are involved in conducting those seminars. It sounded like a mix of psychology (i.e. examining destructive family patterns) and new age healing. Sounded harmless to me, but what do I know?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"