The Abrahamic faiths and genuine Buddhism (based on the Pali sutras, not the later versions such as vajarayana/lamaist)-- none of these are based on secret teachings. What made these distinctive is that all these sects regard their doctrines as complete and that nothing has been held back. There need be no anxiety that something has been with-held, no anxiety that you have been dep
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Joe Szimhart has background in studying gnostic groups. His entire essay on the ACIM can be read here. QuoteAt this point, we can look into the characters that developed ACIM. Helen Schucman, the channel or "scribe" for the ‘voice,’ grew up as an only child to Jewish parents in New York City. Her father was aloof to religious beliefs while her mother was an early “new ager” wh
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another error results if you start to see anything in form or in the script as being causative, since images are really unreal effects of an unreal cause. The images of the world are unreal effects. And the unreal cause is the ego. The Course teaches that God didn’t create this world, God creates the eternal. God creates in Spirit. You know we are all familiar with the phrases in the Bible, “Hold
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Will have to divide this text into a third post. Once again, I invite readers to examine their states of mind as they read this material in the privacy of thier own homes. Then imagine the impact if you heart this given by a skilled public speaker in a room full of people. If (by ANY chance) you are led through chanting, or are kept up past your normal bedtime, impact of listening to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Comments from the Anti Skeptics Boils down to Heavy use of pathos. Describing oneself as Grandma X, a long tale of woe about ones husband with a heart condition, one being an advocate for disabled persons, etc. To dare argue with someone with pathos credentials means running the risk of looking like a bully. But Brian L had guts and did not back down. Grandma argued with forensic skill
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

"Paralleling ‘self-help’ crap with actual medical interventions is cheap and dirty. It’s like there’s no real science behind medicine at all, and it’s all a crap-shoot. This is just ridiculously ignorant." "It’s hard to argue against people claiming personal experience." "Again, your comment “And, as a result, people are both helped and harmed by science. The same i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

"Vishal Mangalwadi ‘Hare Krishna’ Reincarnates as ‘Science and Spirituality’ (and the Great Evangelical Disaster) Varanasi, February 2, 2014: Vishal Mangalwadi reporting from the 8th All-India Students Conference on Science and Spirituality being held at the Institute of Technology (IT) at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU). As I write, a professor of computer science from another
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

THe discussion here is vast. A couple more reflections from the discussants: Quote Unsu..Re: sufism sans islam Mon, August 15, 2005 - 11:16 AM NO, thank YOU, Rahim, for having an open mind. Looks like I'm the only woman here who is brave enough to stand up to the men about this topic and say what is on my heart and mind without fear of a negative backlash. Thanks for being
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Happy Survivor First and foremost, you have done nothing wrong. One of the effects of Struthers is to leave you examining everything under a microscope – “Oh no, I wore my red socks this morning. I am sure that guy in the train was going to speak to me about the terrible burden he was carrying and would have been converted on the spot, but he saw my red socks and thought I must be some sort
Forum: Destructive Churches

hello everyone... my name is Christine. Hopefully i can add a bit different insight to this thread.. i have been reading this thread with interest the past month or so and i would like to share a different perspective of SwamiG . I have not spoken with or seen SwamiG in 7 years. No one has put me up to writing something here in favor of Swami G. I do not even know anyone she associates wit
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Again, Eric Allen Bell acknowledges this thread at Rick Ross, but doesn't address any of the things being said here. " SHARING A PIC SENT FROM AN ISLAMO-SAVAGE: So I've go Larry Estavan and the Rapture-Ready Religious Right attacking me online now as a "Cult Leader" and the Islamo-Lunatics once again targeting me, for pointing out that their pedophile prophet is, w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I don't "follow" EAB. I don't even really like him very much. I think that it's fair, like with Pamela, to call him hyperbolic. I disagree with many of his statements in actions. A cult member would not do that. However, I do not think EAB is running a cult and that is the only thing that should be relevant on this forum. Again, you're misquoting him and makin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wendy, "Operation Jesus Pictures," formerly known as "Table of the Remnant" is a small, fringe group led by "Apostle" Char Tierney, that lives a communal lifestyle on shared adjacent properties in rural New Mexico (Moriarty, NM). This group is heavily involved online and its main "ministry" involves publishing and exporting prints of a well-known paint
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am glad to have found this forum. I began listening to the, "Gnostic Teachings" podcasts for several months now. These teachings are put on through Glorian Publishings based on the works of SAW. I must say, spiritually speaking, this stuff is gold. I find it quite disturbing that all you can do here is blast SAW for "predictions" he made regarding planets in the Pleadies
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotedabcultFROM THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WEB SITE Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, a Catholic, also made comments earlier this year that Gabbard’s religion “doesn’t align with the constitutional foundation of the U.S. government.” “It is stunning that some people in Congress would so arrogantly thumb their nose at the Bill of Rights,” Gabbard wrote in response in a statement to the me
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

FROM THE CHRISTIAN NEWS WEB SITE Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, a Catholic, also made comments earlier this year that Gabbard’s religion “doesn’t align with the constitutional foundation of the U.S. government.” “It is stunning that some people in Congress would so arrogantly thumb their nose at the Bill of Rights,” Gabbard wrote in response in a statement to the media. “When I
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One of the faith robbing teachings of Dave McKay is the idea that no one can know if and when they have the Holy Spirit, thus alluding to the idea of working for your salvation. One such misapplication os scripture can be seen here. John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Eve
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I was in the Christ Family during the white robe days. When I first met the brothers and they told me that Jesus was back, I thought well, nothing else really matters then. I didn't know God's word ( the Bible) well enough to know that Jesus warned about the coming of false Christs. I was sincerely seeking God and the brothers and sisters I met on the road and in camps I believe were al
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Rensil There is only one answer I can find to your questions and that is to use a word that one of the other posters here used quite a while ago - “unconscionable”. I honestly believe that no-one with a conscience could act as they do. The problem is they do not have a conscience – their view is that they hear God speaking to them because they have been specially chosen like Abraham or Mos
Forum: Destructive Churches

@ LLG yes, you and several others involved in this mess have been essential in my recovery <3 along with prayer and some books I would highly recommend for those coming out of this group to be very helpful (you can even preview several pages on Amazon that will beyond a doubt help you see that it is pretty much word for word what happened in this group) in recovery are: Twisted Scriptures
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

...and Seasons' Greetings to you and those you love, as well Adrian! I remain as ever, unfortunately, sadly convinced that almost every word that McKay wrote in criticism of the mainstream churches, is regrettably true... ...if only the "Apostle" had managed to prevent himself from becoming even worse, the shifting sands upon which his house of cards, now lies strewn to the f
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To the Forum: Part of HERMENEUTICS is comparing scripture with scripture. Someone who really had a seminary degree would know that. And if thier intentions were honest they'd acknowledge the value of it. The gifts of pastor and or teacher are given too much weight by thiemites(to the cult extreme), as opposed to love(logical scriptural evaluation or even common sense). The emphasis s
Forum: Destructive Churches

History sure has a way of telling the truth, I appreciate the great reminders of how it went down and the reminder to look at the fruits of what Tony has taught and the fruit of his past 12 years. This last image is a classic self-preservation shot, Tony covering up his face, not his dear mothers face. The question to ask Tony, do you think your a good person? most of us know
Forum: Destructive Churches

"Again, I don't agree with the decision, but their intentions are so good. Peace." More comments (Corboy put this one at the top because it mentions specifics) "Guest 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Lee: You are so ignorant of the facts I hardly know where to begin. This "vote" that you mention was illegal, coercive, and intimidating and many emplo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

SFIst continues with Cafe Gratitude on the comments and the letter by Anthony Lee received in support. It's quite a read and the comments to it respond well, =========== From The Inbox: Saving Cafe Gratitude Following news that the vegan/Landmark Forum-tinged Cafe Gratitude plans to close or sell all of their Northern California restaurants (including the popular Gracias Madre)
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Just as God knew Jeremiah before he was made, it was His mind that knew him. As Isa. 46:10 Says God declares and knows the end from the beginning. From Murray's theological position it would mean the end actually is created in heaven and sent to earth to occur. The Biblical teaching of is also distorted as it is connected to the pre-existence doctrine he promotes. It means to come down fr
Forum: Destructive Churches

Twenty Steps of Indoctrination in Destructive Cults Here's an interesting primer on cults that you can find in a book on advertising. The author of "Coercion: Why We Listen to What 'They' Say" describes religious cults as powerful pyramid schemes. Author Douglas Rushkoff lists 20 common steps of indoctrination in destructive cults. His steps are quoted in i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The post by The Petitor relating to the story of L and M raises some issues which are very important and do need to be answered by the Struthers leadership. The story very well illustrates some of the ways Struthers has sought to control people and has taken no responsibility when that interference results in devastating damage to peoples lives. Hopefully even if there is yet again no answer from
Forum: Destructive Churches

I recall more than one member talking about the Abraham/Isaac/Jacob blessing in the book of Genesis. Apparently the group believed that when Abraham was dying he passed on the ''blessing'' which was his sperm..by having Isaac put his hand under his thigh...etc. etc..you get the picture. Then each generation would continue on passing the blessing/seed/sperm in such a way.
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Friends we have all experience much from Radiant Life or Turning Point, many of us can share our testimony as to how we were affected or lead astray by the false teachings. Sure, some people have said “I am trying to forget about it,” “it’s time to move on,” or worse, “I will have nothing to do with church or God, and then blaspheme the name of God.” I can understand a frustrated statement like
Forum: Destructive Churches