Cult News

It is becoming increasingly clear that some groups called “cults” are flexing their muscle through increasing influence within Washington.

The latest example appears to be a provision in a House Bill, sponsored by Rep. Max Burns (R-Ga.) and supported by Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), intended to curtail use of the drug Ritalin, reports Roll Call.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) has pointed out that the legislation is backed by Scientology through an organization it founded called the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

He said, “I suspect…that [they believe] all medication for kids with [attention-deficit disorder] is wrong.”

Kennedy is right.

Scientology is not only opposed to Ritalin, but any drug prescribed by psychiatrists and the entire profession of psychiatry itself.

Scientologists essentially see psychiatrists and psychologists as their competition, because they believe that their “technology” alone is the only really effective treatment for the human mind.

What has become increasingly clear in recent years is the power some “cults” now wield in Washington.

Two followers of Rev. Moon, “messiah” of the Unification Church, have recently been appointed by the Bush administration to high-ranking positions in government.

One (Josette Shiner) claims somewhat suspiciously, that she had a religious epiphany and became an Episcopalian conveniently before entering government, after 22 years as a “Moonie.”

Scientology demonstrated the power of its influence previously within the Clinton White House and State Department, in calls to end alleged “persecution” of the organization in Germany.

Rev. Moon exercises considerable media muscle through the Washington Times and United Press International, both under his control.

Scientology and the Unification Church are no longer just fringe groups vying for religious converts. Through their wealth and Washington connections they are political players at the highest realms of American society. And their growing clout on Capital Hill offers proof of this fact.

Hongbao Zhang, 49, leader of the Zhong Gong movement, fled arrest in China during 2001 to eventual asylum in the United States claiming “religious persecution.”

However, Chinese officials said he was really an “evil cult leader” with a history of crimes against his followers including rape.

Zhang countered that such charges were “trumped up” as a device to suppress his “new religious movement.”

But now the “cult leader” is charged with violent crimes in the US.

It seems Zhang beat up and terrorized his maid. He is charged with five felonies including kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment, reports Reuters.

The “cult leader” was released on $300,000.00 bail and is back at his “gated estate” within a pricey California neighborhood. He apparently has no problem raising cash.

Zhang evidently also had the resources to retain one of the most expensive lawyers in California. Robert Shapiro, of O.J. Simpson fame now represents him.

Interestingly, it seems Shapiro may be cultivating “cult leaders” as a lucrative new area for his law practice. The attorney previously represented Amdi Pederson, another alleged “cult leader” that faced criminal extradition proceedings.

It seems rather than being “persecuted,” as Zhang once claimed, he might just be exactly what the Chinese authorities have said all along, a criminal “cult leader.” And he is certainly living a life of luxury in the US, with a staff of servants in his “gated estate.”

Maybe human rights activists who so readily crusade for alleged “cult leaders” such as Li Hongzhi, the exiled leader of Falun Gong, should take a closer look before believing their claims and embracing their cause?

Probably the two most widely accepted and respected researchers regarding Mormonism in the world today have announced their coming retirement, reports Salt Lake City Weekly.

Sandra and Jerald Tanner of Salt Lake City have researched the Mormon Church (LDS) and its history for three decades.

Due to Mr. Tanner’s health the couple has chosen to move on into a less demanding schedule and mode.

Shortly after meeting, Jerald and Sandra Tanner married in 1959. This was perhaps the culmination of a period of doubt and questioning about their Mormon faith.

Ironically, Sandra is the great great granddaughter of Brigham Young and Jerald is related to LDS Church Apostle, N. Eldon Tanner. A background like this certainly would have assured them status and acceptance within seemingly genealogy obsessed Mormon society.

However, instead after the Tanners closely examined the historical records of their church as Sandra explains, “We felt that the Book of Mormon didn’t meet the standards of historical authenticity.”

As a direct result, the Tanners, like many Mormon free thinkers and intellectuals, were eventually excommunicated.

But unlike some excommunicates that drift away into relative obscurity amongst Mormons, this couple took a very different path and eventually became the “notorious Tanners.”

In 1964 they established Modern Microfilm, an archive, and that would eventually become perhaps the single best and most credible resource for objective historical information about the Mormon Church and Mormonism. This effort would ultimately be known as the Utah Lighthouse Ministry, a nonprofit charity.

Along the way the Tanners became part of Mormon history themselves, as pivotal players in numerous critical and important archival revelations, not always appreciated by their former church.

At times they were also debunkers, exposing purported Mormon historical documents as forgeries, even if they appeared to support their own theories or suspicions.

Always honest, forthright and concise in their work, the Tanners are even respected by Mormon apologists that largely consider them enemies.

One such apologist admitted, “They’ve been effective” And regarding their research begrudgingly added, “In an odd sort of way, I’m grateful for them..”

The Tanners are not apologetic about their Christian faith.

Sandra Tanner said, “We are for Christianity, and like consumer watchdogs, we put out the alert against an aberrant group that claims to be Christian.”

What this refers to specifically is the claim often made by the LDS and its members, that “Mormons are Christian.”

However, to date no Christian church has accepted this claim based upon Mormon doctrines, teachings and added scriptures, which clearly contradict historical Christianity.

Taking such a stand about Mormonism didn’t make the Tanners popular amongst their former brethren. They have often been called “anti-Mormon.”

Sandra shrugs this off saying, “We make people uncomfortable and so if they can call you ‘anti’ they can dismiss our work.”

Mormon historian Michael H. Marquardt said, “The Tanners don’t make anything up…and a sad thing is, there are other historians who will use their work and not admit it.”

But Sandra and Jerald Tanner’s odyssey as researchers and people of faith was never about appearing in footnotes.

The couple now married more than 40 years wanted to help others like themselves in a struggle for truth and an authentic history.

The Tanners raised three children in Utah and throughout their family life resided a short walk from the historic Mormon Temple erected under the direction of Sandra’s revered ancestor.

Isn’t it odd how that history came around full circle?

Deepak Chopra has recently taken up golf, and like so much of what the guru does, it may turn a profit too.

Chopra has written about his new game in a book titled, “Golf for Enlightenment.”

The MD and former disciple of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says, “I nourish my relationship with the ball by saying, ‘You’re part of me…. When you soar, I will soar with you.’ ”

Right.

And Chopra insists, “It’s not about winning.”

But according to an LA Times article “Golf with Deepak” by Roy Rivenburg, Chopra doesn’t really seem to follow through on his mantras.

When his game didn’t go well the guru/doctor “became increasingly rattled and distracted.” At one hole “he walked off without two of his clubs.”

Later as the Times staff writer watched, “he hit the wrong ball in the tree area [and] his karma went completely on the fritz.”

The golfing guru later tacitly admitted, “My book isn’t really about golf…It would be stupid of me to write a book about golf…. The title just gets you in the door. Once you’re in the door, it’s about something else — spirituality.”

So once again as Rivenburg points out astutely Chopra is “a shrewd marketer.”

It seems the guru’s golf book is just another gimmick, this time to target men as consumers for his “spiritual…empire.”

Dr. Deepak has followed in the footsteps of his mentor Maharishi and made “spirituality” into a virtual money machine.

The Church of Scientology seems to be working another “program” in England to get public funds.

This one is called “Criminon,” supposedly designed to reduce crime by rehabilitating prison inmates, reports England’s This is Kent.

The largely L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology’s founder) inspired program is now available as a correspondence course to some inmates, but Scientologists want to expand it.

“We would very much like to take it to the next level, which would be actually running courses inside prison,” says its executive director.

But the program spokesperson admits it will be “very difficult” to prove their “success rate.”

Criminon has reportedly managed to squeeze into prisons within South Africa, the USA, Hungary, Israel and Mexico.

However, Nevada governor and lawmakers recently turned down a free trip to see how a Scientology-related program was working in Mexico.

Criminon is part of Narconon, which is itself under the umbrella Scientology organization called “ABLE.”

One family in Ohio recently said they spent “$30,000 [on Narconon] in Oklahoma… based on Scientology,” but it “failed” to help their son’s drug problem, reports News Journal.

A Swedish expert questioned its premise and claims.

Maybe Scientology should prove its latest rehab’s “success rate” first through a pilot program amongst its own members before receiving further funding?

After all, historically there have been plenty of Scientologists arrested for apparent religiously related criminal activity around the world; in such countries as Spain, France, the US and Russia.

And let’s not forget former Scientology minister and bad boy financier, investment guru and convicted felon Reed Slatkin.

Why not have Slatkin take a course or two and see how that goes, before hitting up taxpayers for more money?

Hmmm wait a minute, didn’t he already take in-depth courses to become a minister and then go bad?

Never mind.

“I’m from Missouri you’ll have to show me,” has been a skeptic’s refrain for generations.

But apparently the old saying may be dwindling in importance at one media outlet in America’s heartland.

Missouri’s KTVO TV ran a story about a “yogic flying” competition, without any apparent critical balance to create a meaningful context for this preposterous claim.

The so-called “yogic flyers,” devotees of guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, actually just hop around.

But the station reported, “Players propelled themselves several feet through the air using only a higher level of consciousness.”

Maybe this television station should say, “I’m from KTVO, do a show for me.”

It seems the ABC affiliate is more concerned with sensationalism than substance.

But chalk up another successful self-promotional publicity stunt for the old guru.

Long-time Scientology critic and Internet pioneer for “cult awareness” Andreas Heldal-Lund has received a human rights award, reports CNET News.

Norwegian Heldal-Lund was awarded the “2003 Leipzig Human Rights Award ” by the European-American Citizens Committee for Human Rights and Religious Freedom in the USA.

The committee cited Heldal-Lund’s website “Operation Clambake” as “the most famous Internet site in the world…that exposes and opposes the fraud and human rights violations of the US-based Scientology organization.”

Scientology has subjected the Norwegian to intense harassment and legal challenges.

But despite this pressure he has carried on and triumphed over what Time Magazine once called, “a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner.”

Heldal-Lund is the fourth recipient of the annual award.

Demi Moore seems to be the latest celebrity to get hooked on the “Kaballah,” or at least what People Magazine passes off as “Kaballah” within a puff piece featured in its May 12th issue, now on news stands.

However, the version of “Kaballah” Demi studies along with Madonna is through a controversial organization run by Philip Berg and his family called the “Kaballah Center,” which has been called a “cult.”

The positive almost promotional article barely hints at the troubled history of this organization and instead focuses on what stars say about the group.

People Magazine appears more concerned about what celebrities think, than the public good.

However, Berg and his Kaballah Center have a long history of bad press.

Its teachings have been called everything from “absolute mumbo jumbo” to “McWisdom of the ages.”

Instead of being the seemingly legitimate study of “Jewish mysticism,” as presented within People, Berg’s Kaballah Center is instead often described as a fringe group amongst mainstream Jewish scholars.

In 1995 a Jewish task force report in California stated the following:

“Outside of his own…circle of followers, neither the academic nor the Jewish religious worlds know anything about [Philip Berg] except for the anomalies of his centers. They have absolutely no regard for him, his teachings, writings or activities. In fact, he is universally condemned by both the Orthodox rabbinate and contemporary schools of Jewish mysticism in Israel, the USA and elsewhere, as a charlatan.”

People Magazine did cite one Jewish teacher though that is a strong supporter of Berg and his organization.

Roseanne.

The former sitcom queen now teaches a class at the LA Kaballah Center.

Now there’s a class worth attending, but it’s not clear what for?

But apparently being the star of a syndicated television series with substantial residual income may largely cover Berg’s teaching requirements.

Maybe the bigger the star, the greater their “McWisdom” and corresponding credentials?

Get ready for a class on “God, Jewish spirituality and the meaning of life” from Madonna.

The heir to the largest fortune in Australia appears to be hooked on Scientology, but his billionaire father seems to think that’s OK, reports the Sydney Herald.

James Packer 35, heir to the fortune of media mogul Kerry Packer, seems to be increasingly submerged within the world of Scientology.

On a flight from Australia to LA Packer Jr. was seen reading Scientology literature and listening to their CDs for many hours. And Packer was on his way to a Scientology bash.

But Packer’s father reportedly considers his son’s interest in Scientology “no great concern” and instead sees it “as a fairly harmless self-help tool.”

It appears this media mogul doesn’t read much or is in denial.

If the Packer patriarch bothered to do some serious research he would find quite a bit to be concerned about.

James Packer, like many of Scientology’s recruits, appeared to be depressed and at the bottom of a bad run when long-time Scientologist Tom Cruise seemingly scooped him up.

The movie star became his “friend” while filming “down under” and it appears this quickly led to Packer’s involvement with the controversial church, which has been called a “cult.”

The Herald article offers a history of James Packer’s troubled personal and professional life, which apparently made him easy pickings for Scientology.

Packer Jr. has reportedly attended “clearing” sessions with Scientologists, which means he has undergone what they call “auditing,” but what critics call “brainwashing.”

Australian newspapers not controlled by Packer Sr. are raising questions that maybe the father should be asking.

The Herald asked, has James Packer “joined a cult”?

Cult apologist Susan Palmer likes to call the controversial “Raelians” her “friends,” and proclaims that they are now the “world’s largest UFO religion,” within an article run by Trinity College’s online newsletter.

The Canadian religious studies teacher recounts, “My Raelian friends boasted that membership had skyrocketed from 50,000 to 60,000 since [making their clone claims].”

However, whatever Palmer says must be taken with more than a grain of salt. She is a self-professed “cult lover” who has been paid by such groups to defend them in court.

Palmer chooses to describe Raelian leader “Rael,” as a playboy and a sportsman and a social satirist.”

However, news reports routinely refer to him as a “cult leader.”

In fact, Rael’s own family sees him quite differently than Palmer.

The man’s real name is Claude Vorilhon. And the aunt who raised “Rael” calls him “little Claudy.” When confronted about her nephew’s claims of communication with alien beings from outer space she says Vorilhon is a “cornichon” (pickle), which is French for nitwit.

Palmer disregards Vorilhon’s personal history and seems to be deeply invested in Raelian myths. After all she has a book coming out about the Raelians.

“The [cloning] affair was…an unqualified success. The media…played right into his hands…[and] for the first time elicited a direct response from the Vatican,” says the seemingly infatuated Raelian chronicler.

Palmer doesn’t seem to care that the clone claims were a hoax, or that the group reportedly bilked a couple for a considerable amount of cash. She is impressed by “little Claudy,” even if his family is not.

Don’t expect this religious studies teacher to critically or objectively analyze anything about Rael or his Raelians. Palmer has pronounced the group “benign” and she is invested in that position, despite serious allegations of sexual abuse and various investigations still pending in France.

Perhaps that’s why when the cult apologist “bumped into a group of [Raelians]…they pecked [her] cheeks enthusiastically.”