Tenzin, I have been studying and practising Mahayana Buddhism for a while now and also have a background in dealing with cults. So, with that said, I am sad to see how the NKT and DW are so succesfully exploiting people, especially those in the west, who have an interest in the Dharma. I had not seen the documentary "Unholy Row" until last night and must thank you for posting the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I wouldn't consider a Yahoo group that moderates it's comments a "hate group", but I do think that the allegation by "Wisdom" smacks of the kind of hyperbolic nonsense as offered by devotees of cults. I run a blog that is geared towards survivors of a different cult and know first hand how cult members have a penchant for spamming comment sections and through shee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am familiar with the various Buddhist traditions and it is somewhat clear that the NKT is marketing itself as a legit part of the Mahayana line, while veering towards cultism. If you look at how the NKT handled it's "disagreement" with the Dalai Lama and other traditional Buddhists to see how the group operates. Also, contrast the Buddha's teachings with the NKT's d
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To be clear, I don't believe in any "gurus". Somebody once said that a sadhu should be considered guilty and forced to prove their innoncence. This Butler thing seems very reminisecnt of communities of practioners of plural marriages who defy the modern day Mormon prohibition of the practice. When I was a devotee, there was a community not far from us who had similarly remov
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For about five months I lived at an ISCKON temple. After I left I made the choice to speak out about the group and recieved some physical threats for my trouble. As for Mr. Butler, I think that some may be making a mountain out of a molehill. Clearly, he has far surpassed his allotted 15 miniutes of fame or rather infamy, and that he has abused his authority has been rather clearly establish
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hey, I just got to give props to you. This whole thing must be extordinarly stressful for you and you seem like you got things under control. Which at the end of the day I think is most important. Keep in mind that these people want you to lose it and fall apart and do something crazy so that they can pretend that they are the victims. After my cult involvement I put up two websites in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You sound like you are doing your homework, but I would be remiss if I did not continue to push the issue of pursuing the matter legally. That is your best route. It is good to expose these people, but you should also keep in mind that just as they have a good mind for manipulation and control, they also usually have the intelligence and the means to pursue legal means of their own. Be car
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It is more than reasonable to assume that the person who has done this has done this before and has no reason to not do it again. While this person may not be a member of a specific cult, he seems as if he has used typical, authoritarian, cultish methods, in order to accomplish his goals... On a level of personal education, you may want to check out a book called "The Guru Papers"
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You are most certainly in a difficult position...I think you might have misconstrued what I was trying to convey in my previous post. By no means should you "forget" what happened. My point was that you should just ensure that your prioritize things properly and the person who needs you the most is your girlfriend. She should understand that this man is a predator and that he has
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Speaking as someone who was at one time involved with a violent cult, I would vigourusly pursue this matter with law enforcement and use all legal options at your disposal to distance this person from yourself and your loved one. There will be time to "expose" this cult member, but it sounds like you need to make sure that he ends up in a jail cell before you worry about taking him o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Due to the fact that I am in the midst of the custody fight for my child I am not really able to go to far into details about what is going with me personally. I have, however, learned that the legal system is more prone to err on the side of religious "freedoms". I guess that whole "First Amendment" thing cuts both ways. Funny...but not really. Luckily, the much of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have to second Rick's call that you if you have noticed any illlegal or terroristic tactics being undertaken by the group in question, than you are obligated to report such actvities to the authorities. I am dealing with an Islamic group myself and know the frustration. But, for better or worse, we live in a nation that allows an extremely high amount of tolerance when it comes to reli
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Not because I think that he really needs one, but I do think you might be judging Mr. Ross abit to harshly. Any religion, Christianity included, has some serious baggage along with it's historical record. Even the peace loving Buddhists gave comfort to, and provided justification for, Imperial Japan's mis-adventures in the pacific Mr. Ross can certainly correctly if I am wrong,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It is hardly a "minor" thing for someone to join a cult. The implications are often destructive and anyone who bothers to take the time to investigate what joining a cult means, would find that out. Western converts to Islam not only join a "religion", they are expected to adopt certain Middle Eastern cultural norms. The notion of sexual segregation is one such element
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I of the opinion that it is almost never a waste a time to argue with a cultist, but remember that you are most likely not going to convince them through some kind of intellectual appeal. When someone joins a sect, they, as a matter of course, surrender their critical and ironic faculties, making them somewhat immune to rationality. Keep in mind that your friend most likely did not end up i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There are a couple of books that one could read in order to educate oneself about Islam. "The Sword of the Prophet" "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades" Of course, these books take a decidedly negative view of the religion you could balance your studies by a number of other books about Islam. Also, a good translation of the Koran is a good pl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A great book that has alot of information on "Bhaktipada" is called Monkey on A Stick. It probably would be hard to get at bookstores, but you could probably pick one up at a library or online. It is a must read for anyone who wants to know about the Hari-Krishnas
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ok here goes... My estranged wife and I have been involved with various cults for nearly a decade...After leaving the last one with threats of death chasing us we vowed never to make the same mistake again. Now we are divorcing and I have discovered to my great dismay that my wife is now a part of an Islamic cult and is actively indoctrinating our three year old.... Obviously I am pursui
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

In Response to the Month-long MOVE Exhibition at The Africa-American Museum In Philadelphia Starting October 7th by Tony Allen themoveorganization.com antimove.blogspot.com sept27th2002@yahoo.com One wonders what should be done about an “Organization” that at one time kept it’s mostly Afri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Why does the LDS crowd get so worked up over the term cult? By strict definition the word has a neutral connotation. So why the fuss? I guess it comes down to the fact that the LDS crowd, in a fit of petty exceptionalism feels that their "cult" is in some way better than everybody elses "cult". Their "deity" more true and worthy of worship than everyone elses.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For the record, it was not an Eastern religious sect that I was involved with (although for a very short time I was involved with the Hari Krishnas) rather it was a group known as MOVE which is based in Philadelphia and is known primarily by the fact that the police bombed the groups HQ back in 1985. I agree with Supermonkey's overall analysis of religion, but also believe like Freud, tha
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I appreciate the effort on the part of Dervish and agree with him/her on many issues, in fact I would go further to state that we probably have more in common than we have differences. That said, discussion boards are by design intended to foster debate and often times this debate can have rough edges, but is not sent forth with any malice or ill-will towards partys involved. In life we mak
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually I alluded to nothing at all. By pointing out the intellectual laziness of many people who give the Eastern spiritualists a free pass I was by no means carrying the banner for western theists (who for the, record I could summon similar criticisms of). And also for the record I enthusiastically second Dervish's reccounting of crimes committed in the name of "Our Lord and Sa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There seems to be an assumption floating around that "eastern" religions are somehow less dogmatic, less orthodox, more contemplative and dare I add, "transcendental". I could go on ad-nauseum about how weightless platitudes uttered by ascetics in saffron robes has polluted many an impressionable mind, but I think that for this audience, this would be an excercise in taut
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Implicit within Dervish's opinion that ISKCON may be riddled with "false gurus" is the assumption that there may in fact somewhere be an entity that is a "true guru". A scary prospect indeed. For if there is to be a "guru" than there is to be a "disciple" who is willing to subordinate his/her ironic and critical faculties to that guru, in exchange
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I had always thought it would be a cold day in hell before I take up for the Krishna's but I am of the opinion that the notion of them drugging food is a bit far-fetched. Having consumed in my day a fair amount of drugs as well as a fair amount of "prasadam" (Krishna-speak for the food they make) I can not recall (somewhat to my dismay I might add) that their food was ever lace
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Orwell wrote that "gurus should be presumed guilty until proven innocent" and my experiences with the Krishnas have made me believe that Orwell could have been speaking of Prabhupada or any of the other "gurus" who inhabit the bankrupt world of ISKCON. Just the other day a friend of mine was at a grocery store when she was approached by a well kept young man soliciting dona
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Greetings, I am a former supporter of the Philadelphia based cult the MOVE Organization and was wondering if anyone here was familiar with this group? I have been doing work since I have left exposing them for the dangerous and authoritarian sect that they are. Anyone who wants to help please feel free to respond to this message or email me at sept27th&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"