Cult News

A story titled Busting on the ?Cult Buster’ reported about personal attacks made in response to my comments within a previous article run by the New York Daily News.

Though Scientology and the Kabbalah Centre are cited within the recent story, there have been many other groups that have responded to criticism by attacking me personally over the years.

When I began working to expose cults in 1982 my family warned that eventually, if that work proved to be meaningful, cults might retaliate by exposing my past.

The old adage seems to apply, “If you don’t like the message, kill the messenger.”

The fact is many cults retaliate by “busting on” their critics.

Lloyd Grove accurately reported that as a young man of 21 and 22 I plead guilty (1975-76) to criminal conduct, resulting in a record that includes a misdemeanor and felony.

In 1983 those guilty verdicts were vacated by court order and my civil rights restored. This was done about the time I began coordinating a prisoner program and serving on an advisory board for the Arizona Department of Corrections.

I deeply regret and am sincerely sorry for the criminal mistakes I made almost thirty years ago, and have done everything possible to rectify those bad acts.

This included complete restitution, which was possible because my crime thankfully only included stolen property and was nonviolent. Those concerned stated they were satisfied in court. And the police did not oppose probation, which ended early and without incident in 1979.

Beginning in about 1988-89 groups that I criticized began investigating me, looking for anything they could use to discredit my work.

Scientology certainly has become the most notable nemesis of cult critics. Accordingly, they compiled and disseminated what is called a “dead agent” file about me, which literally reflects their belief in that old adage about the messenger.

Of course once the Internet became the “information highway” Scientology made the contents of that file publicly accessible online. It now includes 196 pages of typed text.

Groups like the Kabbalah Centre only need to point, click and print it out.

Since 1998 my response to that file has been likewise publicly available online through the Internet. And it has occasionally been updated to respond to new accusations.

Also available at this Web site are the archives “Hall of Flames” and “Flaming Websites,” which are filled with less than glowing descriptions of my work and personal history.

Interestingly, the bible teaches a path of rehabilitation that includes the following:

Acknowledge your wrongful conduct, specifically to those you have hurt and admit it to others openly.

Make whatever restitution is possible.

And then finally, change your life and don’t repeat such bad behavior.

This is exactly the route I chose almost thirty years ago.

This path met the expectations of those directly hurt by my crimes, the legal authorities, my family and community.

However, such an effort will never satisfy groups like Scientology, who don’t seem to believe in rehabilitation, unless they rehabilitate you.

And Scientology apparently does not believe in meaningful rehabilitation for itself. And in my experience neither does the Kabbalah Centre, despite the rabbinical credentials of its founder.

Scientology and the Kabbalah Centre don’t acknowledge misconduct reported about their respective founders and/or the injury caused by their teachings.

And by the way, reporting about Scientology’s bad behavior almost always begets the response that its critics are somehow “bigots” guilty of “persecution.”

But is it “bigotry” to report about criminal indictments, suicides and serious personal injuries linked to Scientology?

Don’t expect acts of contrition from Scientology or the Kabbalah Centre, instead they apparently prefer frivolous litigation and harassment to intimidate their critics.

Once at a deposition a Scientology lawyer asked me what I did to receive probation, was it part of some arranged plea agreement?

When I responded that there was no plea agreement he seemed incredulous, and asked why then did I plead guilty?

The answer, “because I was wrong,” appeared to startle him.

A consistent feature of many cults is their unwillingness to admit when they are wrong.

And historically, cult leaders like Jim Jones have died rather than admit or face the consequences of wrongdoing.

It seems impossible for many cults and/or their leaders to be meaningfully rehabilitated, as they appear unwilling to take the necessary first step, let alone complete the process.

Madonna is on a mission it seems, devoting considerable time to missionary work that fulfills the agenda and recruitment objectives of Philip Berg’s so-called “Kabblah Centre,” which is frequently called a “cult.”

The fading pop diva that once sang “Papa don’t preach” appears to think there is an exemption for mamas.

She has apparently even preached about her new found religion to presidential hopeful Wesley Clark reports the NY Daily News.

Recently the former “Material Girl” also took to the airwaves promoting a program called “Spirituality for Kids” via a live satellite broadcast to Israel from Europe. This program’s launch was closely coordinated to the release of Madonna’s books for children.

Karen Berg, the wife of Philip Berg, described the programs as “a new initiative designed to provide children with practice tools to experience life as a great adventure.” But it seems more like a thinly disguised proselytizing effort targeting kids and families for recruitment.

The New York Kabblah Centre has even opened a pre-school in Manhattan located on East 53rd St.

In a Yahoo press release Berg claimed that everyone “should be free, strong and able to independently control his/her own destiny.”

But increasingly it seems Madonna has become dependent upon the Bergs to define her “destiny,” and acts more and more like their full-time salesperson, promoting what appears to be the Berg family business.

The Berg family has apparently grown rich from teaching their version of “Jewish mysticism.” They reportedly began building three homes simultaneously for family members in Beverly Hills last year.

Madonna, once known for her strong sense of individual identity, now behaves more like sock puppet scripted by the “cult” that she believes is the impetus behind her supposed deepening “spirituality.”

The so-called “Kabbalah Centre” run by Philip and Karen Berg seems to be more concerned with retail sales and protecting its market share than spirituality.

It was recently revealed that Karen Berg tried to patent the organization’s trademark “Kabbalah Red String” worn by devotees to protect them from the “evil eye.”

However, the US Patents office wasn’t convinced and refused the request reported Smoking Gun.com.

“The Pope nor the Archbishop of Canterbury has ever attempted to trademark the crucifix,” observed The Guardian in a recent follow-up story.

The London newspaper also reported that Michael Jackson wears the red string, like his one-time friend and ardent Berg follower Madonna, to keep away “bad karma.”

Looks like the amulet failed “Wacko Jacko” big time.

But the real question is this; what is the Kabbalah Centre?

It is incorporated as a nonprofit, tax-exempted religious institution in the US, but it seems to operate more like the Berg family business.

Philip Berg once cut himself a check for more than a $1 million dollars some years ago, which effectively moved funds from the religious nonprofit he controls to his personal assets, in payment for intellectual property rights.

The Kabbalah Centre increasingly appears to be the Berg family business.

There is Philip Berg known as “The Rav,” rumored amongst his followers to be the “reincarnation of Moses,” who serves as its titular head.

Then there is Berg’s second wife Karen, the clever patent seeker that seems to run the day-to-day business concerns along with her daughter Leah from a previous marriage, who is the bookkeeper.

Philip and Karen Berg’s two sons are also in the family business, which is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Recently the Berg’s were building three homes in Beverly Hills, California. One for each son and of course another for Mr. and Mrs. Philip Berg. Madonna also bought a house in greater LA for her favorite teacher, one of the Berg’s faithful long-time retainers.

The Bergs have arguably grown quite rich from their Kabbalah Centre, hawking a retail line of books, tapes, amulets and what not to their devoted following.

The Berg product line even includes their very own “Kabbalah Water,” produced for them by a Canadian bottling company, but supposedly somehow imbued with spiritual qualities.

Despite comments from rabbis who say, “there is no such thing as Kabbalah water,” Madonna gulps it down by the gallon.

But should a supposedly religious tax-exempt charity be so brazenly concerned with its brand name?

Madonna’s spiritual teacher in London told The Guardian, “Ethics exist to be good for society. That’s great. But sometimes you don’t want to think about the world, you want to think about yourself. When you learn the Kabbalah you will learn that your real agenda – to do what you want – is actually not contradicting what is good for others.”

Right.

Maybe Madonna’s involvement is understandable within such a self-serving moral framework. After all, she once promoted herself as the “Material Girl.”

Madonna has morphed from pop diva to virtually a full-time proselytizer in her ever-increasing promotional blitz and missionary effort on behalf of Philip Berg and his so-called “Kaballah Centre.”

Visit www.madonna.com and the first thing you see dead center, alongside a glamour shot of the middle-aged icon, is a link to “learn more about Kaballah for kids.”

Madonna’s new children’s book English Roses, a give-away at the Gap, is also hyper-linked and closely related to the same “Kaballah Centre” pitch “Spirituality for Kids.”

It seems that almost everything Madonna does is somehow tied to the Berg business.

The woman who once sang “papa don’t preach” never seems to stop preaching.

Madonna’s daughter Lourdes may be getting the worst of it.

The former “Material Girl’s” child has little choice other than to follow her recast spiritual mom’s religious preference. Madonna sends her daughter to classes and programs at the controversial center, which has been called a “cult.”

Maybe some day as the girl matures she will reject her mother’s “spirituality,” as Madonna once opted out of what she perceived as the rigidity of her family’s Catholicism.

And then Lourdes may end up singing the reprise, “Mama don’t preach.”

The former “Material Girl” now spends much of her time promoting and proselytizing for the “Kaballah Centre,” led by Philip Berg. The controversial group that has often been called a “cult.”

Recently the middle aged diva reportedly recruited pop singer Britney Spears, now it seems she may have snagged fashion designer Stella McCartney, daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney reports the London Evening Standard.

It seems Ms. McCartney is wearing a red string around her wrist, which is typically worn by Berg’s followers to supposedly ward off evil.

Madonna certainly seems increasingly obsessed with Berg and his “cult.”

She drinks “Kaballah water,” pushes children’s books linked to the group, recruits celebrities and donated big bucks for a Berg building and to buy her pet “Kaballah” teacher a home in LA.

With so much time spent on the “Kaballah Centre,” what’s left for Madonna’s career?

Is it because the aging diva’s career is sinking that she has so much time for the Berg group?

Or is it because Madonna spent so much time on this “cult” her career is sinking?

Madonna may be a role model for young celebrities, but maybe not quite the one she imagines.

Rather than the spiritual “big sister” or mother Madonna apparently believes she is, the former pop sensation may instead serve as a warning, that even a savvy street smart star can become caught up in a “cult.”

Let’s hope that despite rumored strains in their relationship since his second marriage that Sir Paul sits his daughter down soon for a frank discussion about the dangers of cult groups, before Stella is caught and starts sinking herself.

Madonna’s new book The English Roses may be little more than the latest installment of her never-ending story regarding the recruitment of members for the so-called “Kabbalah Centre” led by Philip Berg.

Only this time the star seems to have her sights set on kids.

On a recent Oprah show the 20th Century pop icon talked about her pet project the “Spirituality for Kids Foundation” (SFKF), which appears to be another proselytizing ploy hatched by the Kabbalah Centre.

Madonna is prominently quoted on the main page of the SFKF website and her book is its publicity hook.

The singer has said, “I only wish I had been exposed to understanding the laws of the universe when I was kid. I could have saved myself a lot of pain and suffering.”

This is an allusion to the beliefs of Berg and his followers, now being marketed for children.

Berg’s “laws of the universe” are spoon-fed to kids within a curriculum in three stages. Each successive level a bit more demanding and complex than the previous one.

Level One is the “Rules of the Game of Life,” Level Two “The Spiritual Detective: Finding the Clues Within,” and finally Level Three “The Art of Problem Solving.”

It is at Level Two that things start getting a bit bizarre.

At this stage children are taught “nothing in the world is random and that everything is the result of some prior action, thought, feeling or belief…life is fair.”

But is it “fair” that some children are born with disabilities, or victimized through incest? Are rape victims somehow chosen as “the result of some prior action”? What about deaths due to random tragedies such as a plane or car crash?

And are the victims of 9-11and their families evidence of how “life is fair”?

Does Madonna actually believe that all “pain and suffering” can be avoided by knowing the supposed “laws of the universe”?

The Kabbalah Centre’s Level Two: lesson four claims, “They are responsible for the people and situations that are in their lives…What they put out into the world comes back to them.”

How would the Holocaust fit within this explanation? Was the murder of millions by the Nazis somehow the result of what their victims “put out into the world”?

No. And this doesn’t sound like the premise for a good story to tell children either.

However, this philosophy does apparently represent the core of Philip Berg’s teachings, which is now at the center of Madonna’s universe.

The rest of Berg’s lessons largely deal with the power of the light, discuss colors and assorted mumbo jumbo that sounds like hockus pockus in a world based upon magic.

Maybe Madonna should have written a book about little witches working spells instead of The English Roses? This theme might have been better received than the critically panned and reportedly boring book she has just launched.

Oops, another Londoner JK Rowling with her Harry Potter series has already done that. Besides Madonna wants us to take her fantasy seriously.

Despite the pretty title and tears shed on Oprah there is something a little sinister about Madonna’s latest effort as a writer. It seems that Philip Berg is pulling the strings for Madonna’s recent public performances and the aging diva has become little more than his “puppet,” according to London’s Daily Express.

The singer’s book appears to be one more orchestrated and carefully planned promotional effort staged by the Kabbalah Centre that revolves around Philip Berg’s lesson plan for the world.

This is clear by visiting the SFKF website, which promotes Madonna’s new book alongside Mrs. Berg’s audio tape titled “Spiritual Parenthood” and announcements about related events staged at the Kabbalah Centres.

SFKF targets “at risk” children and their parents, seemingly preying upon those most vulnerable within society.

And of course parents are encouraged to join in and participate.

As Madonna’s career continues to slow down the aging diva seems to feel her quest for greater spirituality is gaining momentum. She recently explained, “This is really important to me because it defines almost everything I am.”

Who would have thought that the tough street-wise waif of the 1980s that scorned convention, mocked popular culture and dominated her “boy toys” would end up like this.

The Material Girl doesn’t even seem to do her own material, but instead appears to work from a script given to her by an older man some say is her master.

Madonna’s foray into children’s books isn’t going well, despite a much-publicized promotional spin on Oprah today.

England’s Mail on Sunday didn’t like the former “material girl’s” material, even for kids. A critic wrote the singer possessed neither the talent for prose nor even the imagination to be a successful author.

The Mail urged the 20th Century sensation to “stick to the day job,” concluding that her first written work for children titled English Roses, is “pedestrian…and certainly no classic.”

The flowery title and Madonna’s London address doesn’t seem to matter much to her British critics.

The book’s illustrations, not done by the diva, got a better review.

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, another Londoner, apparently has nothing to worry about.

The American press was brutal to the expatriate.

Madonna has a “persecution complex so narcissistic that she ought to have paid readers $100 an hour,” proclaimed the San Francisco Chronicle.

The central character of Madonna’s book is pretty “Binah,” a blond girl who suffers from “toooooooo much attention.”

Amen.

Madonna seemingly used little Binah as her alter ego, a self-indulgence that apparently didn’t work as a literary device.

The singer’s book is supposedly suffused with spiritual principles, reportedly lifted from the idiosyncratic “Kaballah Center,” led by Philip Berg and often called a “cult”

It appears the aging sex symbol’s writing talents are as limited as her understanding of Jewish mysticism. Since beginning her association with Berg the trajectory of Madonna’s career has been less than transcendent.

The pop diva has become Berg’s high priestess of proselytizing amongst Hollywood celebrities. Is she now hoping to try out as his missionary for kids?

Four more books are planned in a touted series. Does Madonna think she’s Moses?

Well, maybe the pop priestess and the prophet have one thing in common and it’s not being Jewish. The fading icon turned proselytizer, like Moses, may not make into the Promised Land of successful publishing.

English Roses may be Swept Away, like her last movie was by the critics. Of course this Hollywood heroine may just label that further proof of enduring “persecution.”

Husband/director/collaborator and fellow Kaballah Center groupie Guy Ritchie seems to be experiencing his own form of persecution too.

Not only was his movie partnership with Madonna a flop, but the last script submitted by the English director infused with its own dose of “Kaballah,” was rejected.

The publisher of English Roses may be expecting some sort of miracle. The book’s first printing includes more than one million copies in 30 languages.

But expecting Madonna to part the Red Sea might have been a better bet.

Former teen sensation Britney Spears appears to be the latest celebrity to jump into a “cult.”

Her spokesperson admitted that the pop singer has been recruited by Madonna, the high priestess of proselytizing, reports MSNBC.

Madonna seems to be spending her middle age as a missionary for the so-called “Kaballah Center” run by Philip Berg.

Spears fashion sense has often been ridiculed, but now it might be her common sense that is questioned.

Perhaps she just wants to follow another Hollywood trend and is desperately seeking some guru or fringe group to hook up with; it often appears that almost every star has.

Britney likes to mimic Madonna. And the former “Material Girl” turned religious devotee does go on about her much touted “spirituality.”

Will Spears also start gulping down the rather bizarre and somewhat pricey “Kaballah water“?

Apparently Madonna got more than her tongue inside Britney’s head.

As Madonna’s professional career continues to decline she sets her sites on new religious heights, within a group critics call a “cult.”

The fading pop icon plunked down almost $6 million dollars to buy a building in London for her spiritual guru Philip Berg, which will add to his growing chain of “Kaballah Centers,” reports The Guardian.

Madonna whose net worth is estimated at about $400 million can easily afford such largesse.

But what about helping out Berg’s virtual “slave labor” known as his “Chevra”?

These “Kaballah Center” workers make chump change serving their master and waiting upon celebrity members like the “Material girl,” when they drop in for a dose of religiosity.

In New York City Chevra pay may run about $30.00 per week and they don’t have health insurance.

Never mind. Madonna doesn’t seem to care.

However, she recently lamented that children’s books are “vapid and vacant and empty.”

But isn’t her new found religious fervor suffering from the same problem? Or is insensitivity to the plight of others a hallmark of religious learning?

The Berg centers market everything from beauty aids to supposedly energized “Kaballah water,” which the aging pop diva insists upon drinking.

Maybe it makes sense that Madonna would appreciate a religion known for its marketing. And would gravitate towards a form of “spirituality” that could cater to her ego and offer both her face and spirit a lift.

No doubt the Berg family is happy that the singer is humming their tune and will probably put a plaque somewhere on the new building to honor their benefactor.

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.