Cult News

The Church of Scientology has had problems regarding its controversial drug program called Narconon.

So the church, once called “The Cult of Greed” by Time Magazine, has moved some of its Narconon activity south of the border down Mexico way.

Now inmates within a Mexican jail can use the same method embraced by TV star and Scientologist Kirstie Alley to get clean and purge drugs from their bodies. That process includes saunas, heavy doses of niacin and the use of cooking oil.

Sound specious?

Never mind. Nevada legislators are being asked to come down on a junket to observe the program, with their travel expenses paid for by a mysterious Arizona man, reports the San Jose Mercury News.

Maybe not that mysterious, he is probably a Scientologist.

It seems that Scientology is once again looking for government money to fund its programs, like some taxpayer dollars from Nevada.

Perhaps they also hope that George Bush’s “faith based initiative” may enable them to scoop up some federal funds?

But is Narconon really based upon hard science? Or, is it instead really “faith based,” since no peer-reviewed scientific research supports it?

It looks like Scientology thinks the state known for gaming tables and slot machines may gamble that Narconon works.

The Church of Bible Understanding (COBU) founded by Stewart Trail has often been called a “cult.” COBU and its history were reviewed recently within the Scranton Times.

Stewart Trail, the group’s founder was profiled, as were some former members. Their long-term involvement reflects how many cult members sacrifice decades to such groups, reports the Scranton Times.

The articles revealed several aspects about groups often called “cults.”

A charismatic personality like Trail is typically in control and defines the group.

Members are frequently driven to attain a level of conduct or perfectionism that is not really plausible. Therefore members often feel they can never be good enough. This fosters low self-esteem and engenders deeper dependency upon the group and its leaders.

These are just two warning signs regarding involvement with a potentially unsafe group.

Also the articles sadly reflect how long cult groups can endure, regardless of reported abuse, defections and repeated exposure.

Stewart Trail seems to be a rather stereotypical sociopath or psychopath, much like other purported “cult leaders,” exploiting and abusing his disciples with little concern or conscience regarding their welfare.

COBU has existed for decades and began in the New York City area.

Televangelist, faith healer and flamboyant entrepreneur Benny Hinn landed in Hong Kong this week to stage his traveling “miracle” show, reports the South China Morning Post (“Church leaders say the public should be sceptical of a visiting preacher’s powers,” February 10, 2003).

However, the high flying Hinn wasn’t all that well received.

The supposed healer’s lavish lifestyle, which includes luxury suites on the road and a multi-million dollar “parsonage” now under instruction, solicited harsh criticism.

One respected Chinese theologian called Hinn “The worst kind of charlatan, the kind of person who gives religion a bad name.” And added, “He preys on people…I consider him a person without any personal moral integrity.”

The American faith healer has not proven a single miracle through any meaningful scientific inquiry.

Instead, subjective claims are routinely made by his supporters and amount to little more than anecdotal stories offered without any objective evidence.

The Post observed that Hinn enthusiasts seem to be in a “hypnotic trance,” when they fall over in the supposed healer’s presence.

Some have said his crusades actually resemble a stage hypnotist’s act.

But despite his critics Benny Hinn continues to be one of the most successful religious entrepreneurs in the world. His ministry now pulls in an estimated $100 million annually.

And to his faithful fans he remains a “man of God” that has been “anointed.”

Well, whatever Hinn is he certainly seems to have “anointed” himself with the visible trappings of wealth.

Many seem to think Soka Gakkai is to Buddhism what the Unification Church is to Christianity. The Japanese-based international organization has often been accused of being little more than a personality-driven “cult,” led by Daisaku Ikeda.

Soka Gakkai became known in the United States largely through celebrity involvement, such as rocker Tina Turner, who remains an avid devotee.

Members often claimed they could chant for whatever they needed or wanted. In this respect it is not unlike the equally controversial “Word of Faith” movement within Pentecostal Christianity, where adherents believe they can claim health and/or prosperity in the “name of Jesus.”

In 2001 Soka Gakkai opened a new university campus in Southern California. They promised this would be non-sectarian educational institution.

But now it seems sit-ins are in vogue again as students protest the dismissal of a popular teacher and dean, reports the Orange County Register.

The writing professor and well-known author Joe McGinniss said, “To be honest, if I were a member of Soka Gakkai, there would be no question of my (not) returning next year.”

Soon students may be chanting in protest. But this is not quite the mantra Soka Gakkai may have had in mind.

The Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs has rejected Scientology as “a house of prayer, on the basis that it does not constitute a church,” reports the Greek Orthodox Church.

And an appeals court in Athens said, “[Scientology] is an organization with totalitarian structures and it …deceivingly acts…to attract members who in turn undergo… brainwashing.” It has also been “classified among dangerous and antisocial organizations.”

Hmmm, it seems the Greeks, who know all about “Trojan horses,” don’t want one possibly wheeling into there country.

The so-called “International Academy for Detoxification Specialists” looks like another way for Scientology to market its “technology” and recruit adherents.

The organization says it wants “to address the human consequences of environmental contamination.”

How?

Why through “a detoxification program developed by L. Ron Hubbard” the founder of Scientology, of course.

A brief summary of that program includes “daily doses of immediate-release niacin,” “intermittent sauna to force sweating” and “ingestion of cold-pressed oils.”

Where did they come up with this strange solution for environmental contamination?

Well, they say that “the protocol is fully described in L. Ron Hubbard’s book Clear Body Clear Mind.”

This is the same protocol most often referred to as the “purification rundown,” commonly proscribed through Scientology’s supposed cure for drug abuse, called Narconon.

Apparently, Scientology has simply found yet another way to market its same old tired “technology,” but this time as a solution for environmental hazards and pollutants.

However, when questioned about Narconon a doctor at the National Institute on Drug Abuse said, “We know of no peer-reviewed scientific literature to support this program.”

A Swedish expert summarized it succinctly; “There is no documentation to show that the Hubbard method of detoxification… conforms to scientific standards and medical experience.” And he added, “The risks and side effects of the treatment method have also not been evaluated in a serious way.”

Buyer beware.

Maybe a better and probably cheaper solution to suspected contamination is a visit to your regular doctor and/or HMO.

Americans seem to routinely lose both money and self-esteem through multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes year after year, caught up in dreams that eventually become nightmares.

Equinox and Trek Alliance are just two examples

But the direct marketing approach of Mary Kay Cosmetics certainly bucked that trend and achieved for thousands of women what many MLMs only promise.

A new book More Than a Pink Cadillac shares the management principles of founder Mary Kay Ash, who died at 83 in 2001, reports USA Today.

Mary Kay’s legendary success like many corporate gurus included a “cult-like” following of true believers. But unlike so many MLMs, she did not garner a legion of lawsuits, federal regulators, class action grievances and/or bad press.

Ash focused on positive but realistic thinking, practical inspiration and made sure that her product line was sensible, desirable and competitive. She clearly saw herself as a role model for women who wanted a better life through hard work.

That hard work paid off for many Mary Kay devotees through the much-touted pink Cadillac, given to top sellers by the company. Whether women worked full-time or part-time, there was real hope for an honest income through Mary Kay.

Many women found greater independence and self-esteem through Ash and her company, which became a 2 billion-dollar empire.

Ash proved that clever marketing and devotion could pay off for both top management and a sales force working effectively together.

Mary Kay’s minions, that eventually included almost a million worldwide, got a square deal from a lady who knew the bottom line in business was not only profits, but also integrity.

NASA astronaut and scientist Brian O’Leary reportedly stopped in at the ashram of Sai Baba, a controversial Indian guru with a history of sex abuse allegations, to learn about peace, reported the Hindustan Times.

Subsequently, CultNews reported about the connection between O’Leary and Sai Baba, January 20, 2003.

Never mind.

O’Leary sent the following statement to CultNews via email:

“I am in India now, with absolutely no intention to visit Sai Baba. The newspaper article in the Hindu[stan] Times was planted by a devotee who had no idea as to my intentions in my trip. It is total disinformation. I have never been, and am not, a devotee of Sai Baba. About ten years ago, I visited him to observe his Siddha powers from the point of view of a scientist.”

OK.

The astronaut will actually lecture at the Neyyar Dam Sivananda yoga ashram.

It seems that some people once interested in Sai Baba have lost their interest.

Maybe that’s because where there is so much smoke, a fire might be burning? Sai Baba’s supposed “Siddha powers” seem to have consumed him.

On December 28, 2002 the Dallas Morning News published a review of the book Nothing is Impossible by Christopher Reeve. The actor and director, now widely known for his efforts to promote spinal cord injury research, wrote his latest book about coping with paralysis and ongoing recovery.

The newspaper review by Richard Dickey stated, “Reeve credits both Scientology and extensive physical therapy for his overall improvement.”

That was a false statement.

CultNews first broke the story that Christopher Reeve actually was critical of Scientology within his new book.

When contacted Mr. Dickey did not explain his review, but eventually admitted he was wrong.

This week on Tuesday February 4th a correction was run as follows:

“A review of the book Nothing is Impossible by Christopher Reeve that ran on Page 6G on Dec. 28th, 2002, incorrectly said that Reeve praised Scientology for part of his recovery process after an accident that left him paralyzed. Reeve wrote that his personal experience with the Church of Scientology was unfulfilling and short lived.”

The book by Reeve is inspirational. But not only regarding the actor’s heroic struggle with paralysis. It is also inspiring to learn about his spiritual quest, which is strikingly different from many Hollywood types.

Reeve’s inquiry has not been driven by narcissism, nor is it neat or easily settled. He offers no simple solution or convenient epiphany. Instead Reeve is a man whose commitment to truth supercedes self-serving answers.

He chronicles decades of a spiritual journey that includes many interesting, often peculiar groups. And his piercing critical analysis is illuminating.

Unlike Tom Cruise, John Travolta and other stars enamored with Scientology, Reeve relatively quickly recognized apparent methods of manipulation used by the organization to recruit and retain members.

Maybe the star of Superman doesn’t really have x-ray vision, but it seems he saw through Scientology.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi makes his own money and apparently it’s legal according to banking authorities in Europe, reports CNN.

That is, as long as the aging guru “doesn’t suggest that this is legal tender and it doesn’t resemble the euro,” said a European official.

CNN’s reporting seemed somewhat fatuous regarding claims made by Maharishi, which were quoted without qualification, such as his supposed “six million followers” and the benefits of the guru’s meditation techniques.

Some followers say they can “fly” by practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation.

Right.

The old guru is perhaps the precursor of “Rael,” a.k.a. Claude Vorilhon, the leader of the Raelians, or so-called “clone cult.” Both men seem willing to do anything for attention and publicity.