Cult News

Once upon a time there was a BBB (Bored Boston Banker) sitting in front of his computer screen surfing the Internet. He discovered that the Church of Scientology was waging war on the Worldwide Web against its critics, and he didn’t like it. So that BBB, named Bob (Robert Minton), decided to begin a personal crusade.

The multi-millionaire banker, some see as eccentric, then became fixated upon Scientology as his nemesis. He spent millions of dollars to fund lawsuits against the organization and generally dug into his deep pockets to help its critics. He even created a trust exclusively for this purpose. But Scientology, always vigilant when it comes to its perceived enemies, targeted Minton and apparently made him “Number One” on its hit list. The two foes then locked horns for years of mortal combat.

However, this saga has now come to an ironic end within a Florida courtroom. Despite years of battling with Scientology, Mr. Minton has become its star witness. He now essentially supports Scientology’s current effort to dismiss and/or undermine a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the organization, which he once financed. In an increasingly bizarre turn, Minton seems to have friendly meetings with his former foes to discuss his new role helping them.

It is said that Scientology stalked, harassed and ultimately forced Bob Minton through increasing pressure to flip and change sides. Whatever happened one thing is certain, Mr. Minton is no longer a BBB, but he probably hopes to become one again soon.

A new film “Signs” released this month with Mel Gibson is based upon a modern myth. Farmers and assorted pranksters created a virtual subculture based upon “crop circles” they created beginning in the early 80s. Some of these jokers later confessed, but a cult following developed based upon the hoax never the less.

Today despite research, which has proven the best evidence cited by believers is false; they persist in their theories about the origin of these “signs” and even network on the Internet. Some typical claims are that these crop circles are linked to UFOs, energy vortexes, ancient religious sites and an assortment of supernatural phenomenon.

Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan’s who directed “The Sixth Sense,” based his latest movie, “Signs” upon this fanciful myth. And of course he chose the most sensational explanation, which is that crop circles are actually signposts to guide aliens from outer space. He uses this premise to put his characters through an interesting series of trials and an ultimate test of faith. The film has stimulated interest in crop circles and no doubt fueled the cult following of this contemporary mythology.

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the death of the King, Elvis Presley. He was a man who enthralled more than one generation and became an American icon. Now a quarter century after his untimely death, his seemingly eternal fans are still fixed upon his image in homage.

Unlike destructive cults, Presley’s following is not suicidal or violent, though at times to some they may seem a bit odd. But despite their apparent euphoria, they are not “brainwashed.” Instead, they fondly remember simpler times and the music of a man who defined rock ‘n roll, before the “British Invasion.”

Elvis Presley exuded sexuality and caused controversy through the gyrating and unorthodox presentation of his music. But there was always something nice and vulnerable about him. The Elvis faithful now celebrate his memory. And it’s nice to know that cults can be benign and posit something special in society. “Don’t be cruel.”

Most media seem to be taken in by the spin and/or the spam from Falun Gong devotees. A recent example can be seen within the Jewish publication the “Forward.” Correspondent Benjamin Soskis laments that “religious groups offer little support to Chinese sect.”

But had Soskis spent more time on hard research and less on politically correct hand wringing, he would have found that Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi, is both a megalomaniac and a bigot.

Sarah Lubman of the San Jose Mercury News did her homework and actually read Mr. Hongzhi’s racist rants. Li says that “mixed-race people…[are] instruments of an alien plot to destroy humanity’s link to heaven.” And that these interracial unions are somehow part of “a plot by…evil extraterrestrials.” Hongzhi appears to be homophobic too when he calls gays “disgusting,” and prophesizes that one day they will be ”eliminated” by ”the gods.”

Much of Hongzhi’s writings seem paranoid and ramble on about beings from outer space who are “embedding their technology and science in human bodies” so they can “control” humanity through “their thoughts.” This is a little like L. Ron Hubbard’s theories, which form the basis for Scientology.

Washington Post reporter Peter Carlson, like Lubman looked beyond the group’s rhetoric. He discovered that the followers of “Master Li” believe not only that he can “personally install” falun (a wheel of law) in their abdomens, but he can “levitate,” “become invisible” and knows the “top secret of the Universe.”

Canadian reporter Brian Hutchinson of the National Post, found that Falun Gong is based upon the “idea that life on Earth is doomed, that it is rotting and that it needs to be ‘rectified’ in order to proceed to the next stage of existence.” And “Master Li…has succeeded in preventing the cosmos from decomposing altogether, as other ‘higher beings’ were willing to allow.”

Hongzhi has also made this sweeping claim, “What I do today is for the purpose of rectifying humankind and the substances of the entire Earth.” This statement appears to match the hubris of Rev. Moon, founder of the Unification Church, who says he is the messiah.

Hongzhi eerily parallels the claims made by Marshall Applewhite of “Heaven’s Gate“? Like Li, Applewhite believed he was on a mission to fight against evil planetary forces. Just like Applewhite, Hongzhi sees himself in a singular and pivotal role. And he warns, “Not acknowledging the Master in the human world is not acknowledging oneself as a disciple.”

Yes, Mr. Soskis might have done a little bit more research, and then he would have better understood why, as one Jewish leader he quoted observed, “It’s hard to get [Jewish groups] to speak out on behalf of Falun Gong,”

Jeanette Walls at MSNBC reports that Oscar winner Nic Cage recently married Scientologist Lisa Marie Presley. The sole heir to the Elvis estate, was once wed to the self-proclaimed “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. That marriage apparently tanked when Jackson rejected Scientology. Many observers said the union seemed like little more than a business arrangement. Now Cage seems set to become involved in the controversial church through his new wife.

Many in Hollywood question the influence of Scientology. Actor Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me, Star Trek) advises would-be actors, “Avoid anything that tells you they’ll give you a free book by L.Ron Hubbard. It’s a scheme to recruit you into Scientology.” Maybe veteran actor Nic Cage should now note that advice.

In the 90s the IRS was after 70s celebrity guru Werner Erhard for unpaid taxes, but now it’s apparently giving him money. That is, by paying for the so-called seminar “technology,” which he licenses. Erhard, whose devoted following once included singer John Denver and sit-com star Valerie Harper, now seems to have a new fan, Uncle Sam.

According to sources in Seattle, Washington IRS employees are gulping down more than coffee these days. The latest brew consumed at IRS is Erhard’s seminar training, once called “EST” and now known as Landmark Education. But unlike some concoction from Starbucks, taxpayers have apparently picked up the tab for the Landmark Forum.

High-ranking staffers at the Taxpayer Advocate’s office in Seattle took Landmark’s multi-day large group awareness marathon called the “Forum,” and billed Uncle Sam. Then they began pushing the program to subordinates, claiming that the government would pay for the course. The Landmark Forum costs $375.00 per person. But individual courses go up to $3,000 a pop, according to Landmark’s website.

Werner Erhard, EST and Landmark Education have a history of lawsuits and bad press. Some past participants have compared Forum seminars to “brainwashing” and characterized Landmark as somewhat “cult-like.”

Complaints caused the Treasury Inspector General to look into this matter. But that investigation didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm at the Taxpayer Advocate’s office. Senior staffers kept touting the program and still claimed that the government would pay, according to sources in Seattle. Could Werner Erhard who was once on IRS’s wanted list, now benefit from its payment plan?

Government officials in Seattle and Washington D.C. directly involved and reached personally by phone refused to comment.

Art Schreiber, Landmark’s general counsel stated, “IRS contacted our Seattle Center to find out about our programs.” And David Peterson, Manager of that center said he is well acquainted with Seattle IRS Taxpayer Advocate Ms. Jean Beck. Mark Kamin, Landmark’s Director for Media Relations confirmed that Ms. Beck completed the Landmark Forum, but insists they did not receive a check or voucher from the IRS and that to his knowledge, a reimbursement did not happen.

Why did IRS contact Landmark about its programs? Perhaps the government agency is hoping to stimulate its subculture through an old guru’s philosophy. But should they do this at the taxpayer’s expense?

David Berkowitz convicted for the so-called “Son of Sam” murders in NYC (1977), once said his dog “Sam” made him do it. But Berkowitz claims this month his murder spree was actually a cult initiation. He now says, “The cult made me do it.”

The prison inmate, who has gone from supposed “Satanist” to “‘born-again’ Christian” seems willing to say almost anything for attention and has about as much credibility as Saddam Hussein. However, Channel 7 Eyewitness News in NYC apparently thought this would make a good story for the 25th anniversary of the murders. Sadly, the father of one victim seems ready to believe the murderer.

Perhaps the best place for Mr. Berkowitz is solitary confinement. Somewhere dark and dank, say in a subterranean part of the prison? This might eliminate any distractions and allow for quality time, so that the “Son of a Bitch” can come up with a better story.

Australian William Kamm, who claims the Virgin Mary named him “Little Pebble” has been arrested for sexually assaulting two girls ages 14 and 15, reports Associated Press.

Fortunately, it seems the Catholic Church threw Kamm out in the nick of time. Just this past June the Vatican ordered his group to disband.

Kamm says he will be the last Pope in the “End Times” and that the final Apocalypse is coming soon. But apparently he found the time for some personal sins before being crowned.

In a move that one devoted Mormon calls “definitely inspired” the Utah based church has decided to renovate two floors in a Manhattan building once used by a health club for racquet ball, to create its new NYC temple, reported the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Mormons use temples for secret ceremonies, sacraments and the baptism of the dead.

The six-story building is located across the street from the Lincoln Center in the heart of Manhattan. Soon Mormons will be able to watch a concert, and then stand in for their favorite deceased composer in a baptism across the street. Parking will be available in the basement.

A brilliant and expansive article was recently written by Siva Vaidhyanathan, an assistant professor of information studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, who will become an assistant professor of culture and communication at New York University this fall. He is the author of Copyrights and Copywrongs: The Rise of Intellectual Property and How It Threatens Creativity (New York University Press, 2001).

The professor’s piece titled “Copyright as Cudgel” published by the “The Chronicle Review” discusses how through the 1998 “Digital Millennium Copyright Act” passed by Congress, copyright law has become largely a “cudgel” used by some special interests, as a means to control information and silence or constrain critics.

This legislation has often been the preferred weapon of choice used by Scientology to silence its critics on the Internet. Interestingly, it was now deceased Scientologist, California Congressman Sonny Bono, who sponsored the “Copyright Term Extension Act in 1998,” which extended the term of copyright protection by 20 years. Scientologists must have sung the refrain, “I’ve got you babe.”