I dont really talk to my acquintances from my old HQ anymore. For one thing, its hard for me now to talk to people who say the word "Sensei" in every conversation (without fail). But mostly, I dont think that many of them see the organisation as insidious in the same way that I have come to do so after my own experiences. The line that "at the end of the day, SGI members are ju
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Recently, here in the UK, there was some problem with the monthly "Sensei's Video" meeting. The video, I learnt, was one of very few copies, and was shepherded around the country under close and quite paranoid guard of some leader or other, passing hands in this way as it "toured" through the various HQ, Chapters, etc. Before I moved, I was told by one leader-cum-courier
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was given a laminated placard devoted to listing Ikeda's honoury degrees. This was seen as a "gift". I discretely gave it away, later: I was embaressed to have it in my possession.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One of the first things that struck me, when I was first trying to get my head around "how to be one with Sensei", was the character from the film "Team America", who just utterly resembled Ikeda (its done in the style of Thunderbirds, using puppets). I wont spoil it for you. But the scene where the character in question sings "Im so lonely" is great, as is his evil
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sushigirl - is it one of those Tardis-like Butsudans, a room in its own right and big enough to have its own weather systems and gravity. Scary. And, I'm presuming, very expensive? E-bay? If theres one thing I have never done, its to disrespect books. Even the most mundane books, I would normally keep or give to charity. So I shocked myself this week by ripping "A Youthful Diary"
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Sushigirl - oh no, I dont think the higher ups will bother to bother me at all, (depending on what you mean by "higher", anyway...above HQ leader? Surely not?). That may change when my Gohonzon actually arrives back (at Taplow Court - UK National "Culture" - lol! - Centre). I have even less time for the lizard blooded cold "old guard" of the higher echelons than I
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

My next move is to find the contact details for SGI-UK. There is a database somewhere with all my membership and submitted info on it, and I want there to be no chance for it to be used for SGI's benefit or statistics. By law, I should be allowed to be told what is kept. Its a simple matter, but I'll be interested to see how the conversation goes. Since I made up my mind to finally a
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

One of the most disconcerting things I have encountered, as more than a bit of an environmentalist, is the inability for SGI-UK to take any lead, or, for that matter, any action at all, regarding Climate Change. It was fine to chant for peace in Northern Ireland, or for an end to the Berlin Wall, and, more recently, but the Gakkai colours behind Gay Pride marches, but I have been very shocked and
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Thankyou all for all your kind greetings. @ Rothaus: I agree with your opening comments, via common sense, at least in retrospect. Ive been angry for some time, I just didnt know why. The best thing that has happened to me, in some ways, is having to physically move away from the area I was in to live in a different part of the country, away from the members I had known more intimately. This
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi, I'd just like to say how much reading this thread has helped me. Im thoroughly shocked by some of the things ex-members have spoken of here. Ive been with SGI for 4 years now, and have finally decided that I cant stay "in" and be myself. Yes, it does scare me having a huge gap in my life. I agree that the routine of a daily spiritual practise was a good and positive structu
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Your Gohonzon will only work with AAA Ikeda Batteries, (according to SGI)
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Yes. Scientology is a cult.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families