Another particularly relevant except from the aforementioned article: "Furthermore, Gothard's strategy is to ignore your questions and concerns and counterattack instead: Critical questions are not answered in a reasoned fashion. Rather, the response is crafted in such a way as to suggest that questioning itself indicates a rebellious spirit. To question "God's appointed
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The following is an excerpt from "The Blinding and Binding Teachings of Bill Gothard", book review by Paul Sue. Bill Gothard is an extremist evangelical Christian, and his followers worship him the same way $GI worships the dear leader Ikea. Just change the Christian references to Buddhist and the shoe fits... "The authors go on to list other reasons why people refuse to leave
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

While I found the Conservative Patriot and Non-Apologist from Cali blog to be interesting reading in terms of criticizing SGI, I was offended by the racist tone of some of the author's posts. Just a warning, you may be offended also at President Obama being described as "not a natural born citizen". In my opinion, Conservative Patriot is an extremist, even about SGI, and I despis
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have read interactions between genuine Buddhist scholars and $GI so-called scholars and there is no contest.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotewakatta1QuoteAnticultThere is no question, it is a hard FACT, that SGI in fact uses their "SGI-Chanting" as a technique of thought-control of their members. If I heard it once I heard it a hundred times, the guidance about linking worries to chanting: "When I begin to worry about something I begin to chant and if I've chanted enough, the worries go away and I know I&
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

500 pages..whoo-hoo! I have posted a couple of times about my experience as a high school student in NSA, where no one in the org supported my efforts to go to college. It is indeed an anti-intellectual organization, which is quite hypocritical since the founders were educators and the org sponsors educational institutions. Without questions, and lots of them, there can be no knowledge, learn
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteOlderandwiser... In the last year of my association with SGI, I attended an art division conference at the Florida Nature and Culture Center at which Pasqual Olivera and his wife presided. I had never met Pasqual before or known much about him, but I subsequently learned what a long-standing, dedicated SGI leader he was. At that time Pasqual was extremely ill with cancer. Due to chemothe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome OlderandWiser, I love your handle. It about says it all. Pasqual Olivera. I practiced in Chicago during the early to mid seventies, and Pasqual was the pride and joy of the NSA Chicago organization. He was the star of every big meeting, and truly talented. I can still vividly recall his performances, and advice to us kotekitai about how to march. By the way, a very young Pasqual is in
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

The american gongyo site is authored by a former Chicago youth division member, and there are pictures from when I was in, during the 70's. The begging part of the site is awful, but I enjoyed the pictures, especially of him hugged up with that Linda Johnson, an "Ikeda Woman" if there ever was one. Barf.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

That myokan site is good reading.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hitch, I tried to view a couple of the videos you posted and they were already taken down. Why do you think they do this, what are they afraid of? I would ask the same question of Jeenia's friend, what is she afraid of?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteJeeniaWhat is everyones view on this? Planned Giving to SGI. " What Is Planned Giving? Planned Giving is the making of a gift to SGI-USA by including SGI-USA as a beneficiary in a provision of your will, estate document, or transfer during life. The gift may be money, real estate, shares of stock, life insurance proceeds, proceeds from pension funds, IRAs or 401(k) plans or othe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteScoobyDoobyQuoterattyboyScoobydooby and other forum members - We have had some forum members in the process of breaking free from SGI who would not be considered full-fledged "former members". Especially since full extrication from the SGI community can be a difficult process, I hope we stay open to a degree and not discourage those on the fence. I agree that kasumi sounds suspici
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteRothaus@ Goodgirl, The best is do be easy on yourself these days. An eye opener to me was when I read the book “Fire in the Lotus” by Daniel Montgomery in the late 90's. It is out of print right now but guess still available in Libraries. We all face lies in our lives – sometimes they are inevitable, but when one realises that one was systematically lied to is a bitter pill to swall
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoterattyboyScoobydooby and other forum members - We have had some forum members in the process of breaking free from SGI who would not be considered full-fledged "former members". Especially since full extrication from the SGI community can be a difficult process, I hope we stay open to a degree and not discourage those on the fence. I agree that kasumi sounds suspicious, and will l
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteScoobyDooby This is a forum for former members (accent on the former) and affected family members, not Craigslist. I suspect you are some sort of troll since you have not responded to previous responses to your original post. Not Craigslist, HA! Definitely a TROLL.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteUpgrayedWell, good bye everyone. I enjoyed my time here. Frankly, internet forum communicating is not my cup of tea. Good luck with exposing the SGI cult. Time to move on. Sorry to see your sudden departure, enjoyed your contributions. Good luck to you also.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Goodgirl, this article was written by a former high-ranking SGI member, check it out.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteRothausHi Goodgirl, welcome here! As Upgrayed has already mentioned its important to detox … take your time to do so! Even ministers of Nichiren Shu who in recent years are confronted with ex-SGIists underline this. The starting point for me to leave SGI was when I did research on Buddhist related issues for a thesis I wrote during my time at university. I did not receive much help from w
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Welcome Goodgirl! Hitch was born into the org and his insight is invaluable, at least I have found it to be so.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuotekasumiIs there anyone on this forum who has SGI/Nichiren Shoshu items that they would like to part with? If so, please pm me or post your info here. Also, the issues with SGI raised here seem to center on its organization and operation, including its leadership. Two questions: 1. Aside from SGI, did anyone have issues with the actual practice of Nichiren Daishonin's Budd
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hitch: "On that same theme (Japanese mindset), it also explains the perceived justification for keeping the dear leader's current situation under wraps. He is more than likely post-stroke status (left hemisphere) and not ambulating well, but recovering. The sudden disappearance and later phantom status, for years, the gradual reappearance in only still photos (looking odd) and now, brie
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotewakatta1 Recall Ikea's naked picture at the shohondo that got him censured by the temple. There is a pretty dark side to these sweet, smiling people besides the "sank you belly much!!" Wakatta1 I still am amazed about Ikea wanting his naked picture at the entry to Sho-Hondo, which was the holiest of holies before being demolished. Someone should have questioned his sa
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What was the process of leaving cult NSA/SGI like for you? Mine was gradual, going through the motions of practicing for a while after doubts had entered my mind. I recall feeling disoriented for a time, both in and out of the org at the same time. Of course I had to overcome the superstitious fear that something bad would happen if I stopped chanting and left the cult. I did not seek "guida
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If anyone thinks this is Japan bashing, that is not the case (I have driven nothing but Hondas and Toyotas for the last 25 years). I was enamored of many aspects of Japanese culture, and accepted their smugness, and imposition of Japanese cultural norms on we Americans because NSA was essentially a Japanese import. And we were "fortunate" to be able to participate in creating Cousin Ruf
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteUpgrayed ...The Japanese leaders and members in general, from what I have gathered, do not trust western members and keep a close eye on everything. The trusted western members are those who are married into the asian brigade of the SGI cult. If you are Asian and join the SGI cult, they will trust you more and subtly imply that you are superior. Depending on your Asian origins, you m
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteUpgrayedRemember, Kosen Rufu needs a steady hand to guide it for the sake of success. Nothing is more steady than Attorneys, CEO's, Real Estate executives and other financial and business management types. It's not because it's a business disguised as a religion....... Ikeda the Billionare, who is benevolent and sacrifices for us.......excuse me I had to throw up.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Tsukimoto: "This is vintage SGI mindfucking! If you don't like something about SGI, it's your own shallowness and negativity. SGI DOES tell people that they can chant for cars, money, drugs, whatever-- but then when someone questions this -- SGI says that this is maybe not exactly what they meant, although it's really okay if they did. Amazing how they dance around the questio
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

If we could post those clapping smiley face thingies, I would post three or four. Your comment about the beads is right-on. I read recently that the "proper" thing to do is hold them quietly while chanting, but that's not how it was done while I was in. The louder the better! I personally used them to stay awake. QuoteHitchQuoteRothaus Well I actually made one or two peopl
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hitch, stop it! Your "I concur, it's bovine excrement." comment made me spew iced tea all over my nice new laptop!
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families