Wow! No wonder they have you sign your rights away. Lawsuits! The connection with all of the other LGAT's is obvious but I didn't realize how closely connected it was to the old "Lifespring". Even if these groups are sued and close down they somehow reopen with new names. It's clearly a money maker. Warn your family members!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Someone said, “The grand lesson of the whole marathon group encounter movement is that the effects are very short-lived. . . . It is very difficult to change another human being.” The only reason people think their lives are different is because “they confuse emotional intensity with significance. What are they doing now that they weren’t doing before? Were they unemployed people who now have
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi Blurb, It's hard to argue with your experience. Are you a trainer in this program or are you paying for each seminar? The one thing you said that raised the red flat for me was, "The trainers and many of the staff tend to come from a background of involvement in life coaching, meditation practices, etc" For many of us family members that have seen our loved o
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Has anyone heard of "Frontier Trainings"? Owned by "Financial Frontier" Not sure what to make of it. Is it similar to Landmark?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There are so many threads to read on this site so I hate to start a new one but I'm looking for some feed back on this study. This is a study that many talk shows, on the radio, discussed last month. The manipulation that happens in some of the churches is frightening. Enough emotional abuse to ruin good people and their families. Maybe it boils down to knowing the difference betwee
Forum: Destructive Churches

Several of us listened to the podcast. It was informative and extremely helpful. I regret having called people stupid for their involvement in groups that ultimately were basically after their money. We now realize they were in a bad place, vulnerable and were indeed victims.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's amazing that this group is alive and well and going after church members. I wish more people would post here about their experience because it is helpful for others to read. Although I use my first name, most people don't use their names. It's easy to sign up and post. Some things are worth fighting for! Please do your research before attending any 4 day seminar t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Makes good sense. After watching "Going Clear" a second time, it seemed like some of those interviewed left because they were angry. Being told to not have contact with a family member would possibly be the reason to leave. This message board really opened my eyes to the destruction some of these groups cause in families, including my own. I'm still thinking one way to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think you might be right. "It diminishes his responsibility for his actions, which were done purposely and with awareness on his part, and not because he was "insane" or anything else. Thank you for that. Many of us "name call" because we are so angry at the damage and that the IRS and authorities are not doing anything!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ditto..I appreciate those of you out there that have dedicated your lives to research and went on to get higher degrees to study this subject. For sure, you guys are the experts. Those of us who have been affected depend on the experts who will help shed light on something that has ripped families apart for many years. It's clear to me, much of this has to happen in court or in fron
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sorry, but I'm with Brian on this one. You don't need a PhD to know the guy was off his rocker and has deceived thousands of people. I may not be as smart as most but I can recognize when I'm being scammed. THIS not only was a scam but was started by someone who was nuts and the guy at the head now is really NUTS!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for the easy to understand explanation. My irritation with those involved quickly turned to compassion once I heard their stories. Families that are torn apart over Scientology is a needless tragedy. It clearly takes courage to get out and go public. The one thing that seemed to be the deciding factor was the love for their families. To be told to not have contact with a PT
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Got lucky and someone invited me over to watch. Wow. Trying to collect my thoughts. How is it possible to be involved with Scientology for so many years and not hear any negativity or controversy? Are they that isolated from media? Or are they threatened to not listen? Do they make a promise to not believe anything negative?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Many of us don't subscribe to HBO. Is there any other way to get access to "Going Clear"?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you rrmoderator for your response. Our experience as a family was very different than that of "Truthteller65" These people that lead these groups are not qualified! Please read the headline on the main page regarding James Arthur Ray. Burying a loved one who attended his seminars is pretty bad. They are playing with fire and most of the time have ZERO education and
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

In our case the person (older and educated) was invited to a 4 day seminar by someone he trusted. He came out with a new vocabulary, new friends (that really cared about him) and had promised to not read anything negative. Then, when he was deprived of sleep they made him promise to keep in touch and pay for more. We do what most people do now and we started to search the internet. T
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Agreed mostly with what you say. In no way am I qualified to be discussing research at your level, whether it's a bell curve or standard deviations but I do know one thing...the average person like me doesn't liked to be deceived. Even more painful is when family members are deceived by cults. It's confusing since many stats come from surveys that rely on cult members expe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Opinions may be subjective but if the person clearly states this is their experience then it's hard to argue against it. Wikipedia doesn't post anything. It's a free for all and people post. The references are from books or articles written by those same people with opinions and experiences. Richard Dawkins thinks all religions are cults and children should be protected f
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sometimes our opinions are the reliable source. I find wikipedia to be a good start in time line and history but the good stuff is in talk section or check out the things have been deleted. That is where the fight takes place. This website as well has an enormous amount of information and well documented history on cults, including court documents.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

No one likes to be tricked. Although the bible, as used in most churches with different translations, was never peer reviewed and a result of the Council of Nicea...it is what most people on earth consider orthodox doctrine of Christianity. For me personally, from Catholic to Baptist, it's all the same and I am not tricked when I enter those doors. Cults, on the other hand, TRICK. T
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just another con artist out there who wants your money. Out of curiosity I looked at his websites. Why does he sometimes spell his name Kris Butler and other times Chris Butler? Here is the good news....he as a solution for world peace!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I take back what I said on Dec 6th about LGAT being at odds with "THE SECRET" It is the secret. From Scientology to EST to Landmark to Lifespring to ACCD and many others, they promote confusion with their twist and they MAKE MONEY. They want to cause enough confusion for you to buy into whatever they promote which changes all of the time. They sell their books, train more c
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I'm in the process of figuring out how to proceed with a family member who was tricked into thinking a new way of thinking through a LGAT would change her life for the better. It's been one big massive disaster. We are at a turning point. So I'm reading through this site and find 2 great suggestions. STAY CALM DO RESEARCH
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

It sure is a bunch of crap. "THE SECRET" is a documentary that many of us have watched. Anyone who watched Oprah also got a taste of it. Is there evil? Is there such a thing as bad luck? "It rains on the just and the unjust" Isn't that a bible verse? These LGAT and other groups make money off of unsuspecting good people. Don't fall for it. BE informed!
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

It is safe to say....nothing new under the sun....however, it's more expensive. To accept that family members paid for such nonsense makes me crazy. It's hard to come to terms with how much money went out but even more upsetting is the number it did in their heads. Some of them only recognized the damage after they had a chance to step back. I'm searching the internet for
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Going back through the different threads of this site has been extremely helpful. These posts have given me the information needed to recognize the social predators and scam artists that are out there hunting for unsuspecting good people. When I saw this new post today I started to read it but had no idea who Samael Aun Weor was. Then I put his name into WIKI and read about this man. W
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So are you saying that if someone is a "Life Coach" or an "Executive Coach" with a certificate from the internet, that they cannot claim to be a licensed clinical therapist? Or a marriage and family counselor?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This crap is always trying to find a way into churches. These groups want your money. If you have found this website by accident or maybe you intentionally have been searching for answers about these groups, then you have just hit the jack pot. There is a wealth of information that will educate you. There are first hand accounts of these groups and the damage they do. Do yourself and
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Would it ever be possible to make this book into a documentary? These groups have been able to market their harmful groups and cover up bad publicity. It's about time more of these books and stories begin to bubble up and expose what these groups have successfully kept quiet for decades. FINALLY THE TRUTH IS EXPOSED! Maybe some families will get help in putting their lives back
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you want to see the connection between Breakthrough training from ACCD and Scientology then watch the documentary "Transformation" Interesting stuff. At times Werner Erhard appears to be a sympathetic guy. Did he mean to hurt people? Probably not, but POWER and MONEY can be dangerous. Same with Tocchini. Bringing these techniques into churches are not good. Judge for yoursel
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"