Cult News

Scientology is ginning up its recruitment efforts within New Zealand as a direct result of Tom Cruise filming a movie in that country, reports the New Zealand Herald.

“There has been a lot of interest in Taranaki about the church since Tom Cruise has been down there,” said a Scientology spokesperson.

The controversial organization subsequently launched a two-day exhibition.

Scientology has always used its celebrities as poster boys and girls to bait recruitment efforts.

But hopefully, New Zealanders will look beyond the hype and recognize that Scientology cannot be fairly judged by its Hollywood stars.

What you see is not always what you get.

Very few Scientologists enjoy the elite treatment Cruise receives.

After all, why does the organization have special “Celebrity Centers” in the first place?

Scientology treats its cash cows and celebrities much like Las Vegas does “high rollers,” or what they call “whales.”

In Vegas high rollers receive special treatment, which often includes luxury suites, limo service and assigned staff catering to their every whim.

Cruise is a “whale” within Scientology. And whatever he says about his religious experience should be judged accordingly.

Most Scientologists can be seen as just fish. Hopefully, not many New Zealanders will get hooked.

It should come as no surprise that Yuko Chino has almost as strange a history as the cult she created.

The leader of Pana Wave, was known as a “kook” and “weirdo” growing up, reports Mainichi Daily News.

Chino alternated between isolating herself and dressing or undressing to gain attention. This included everything from “hot pants” to “streaking” naked through her neighborhood.

A love affair gone sour led the young Chino to attempt suicide once.

Later there was an arranged marriage with a Pana Wave follower, apparently linked to an immigration plan to enter the United States.

The reclusive “cult leader” now migrates around Japan within a white van, supposedly the repeated target of death rays transmitted by enemies intent upon killing her.

Repeated claims that Chino is dying from cancer remain essentially unproven.

She has predicted that the world will end next week on May 15th.

But when this prophecy fails don’t expect the group to end.

Historically, cult leaders can usually find some excuse to explain away a failed prediction. And cult followers, deeply invested and dependent upon the leader, typically accept what they are told.

Japanese authorities continue to closely monitor a strange “cult” called “Pana Wave.”

The nomadic group’s eerie caravan of white vans continues to roam across Japan, reports The Japan Times.

Pana Wave’s leader Yuko Chino makes increasingly strange pronouncements and proclamations.

In one statement the 69-year-old woman said, “approach of the Nibiru star will be delayed nearly a week from Monday, and those who do not listen to this message will face death.”

This may mean her previous prophecy that the world would end May 15th has been “delayed.”

Chino claims she is dying from cancer, which her followers attribute to a conspiracy by “extremists” and “radicals” bombarding her with “harmful electromagnetic transmissions.”

Pana Wave members wear white to protect themselves from these alleged death rays.

In one recent interview the cult’s leader said that a baby seal “would spare mankind from certain destruction,” reports Mainichi Daily News.

It must be understood that the Japanese have good reason to be disturbed by doomsday cults. After all, in 1995 the city of Tokyo endured a poison gas attack launched by the doomsday cult called Aum.

Aum’s leader Shoko Asahara, much like Yuko Chino, fed his followers with constant prophecies of coming catastrophe.

Eventually, this madman personally fulfilled his dark visions by creating a catastrophe himself that sent thousands of Japanese to hospitals and killed twelve.

Asahara’s long trial only recently ended and he is likely to be sentenced to death by hanging.

However, it is also possible that Chino and her cult following are simply publicity seekers. After all, most cult leaders are ego-driven and appear to need and feed upon attention.

Despite reports that the Pana Wave leader will die in days, it seems Ms. Chino is well enough to do demanding interviews and prepare public statements, reports BBC.

It may be that Pana Wave has more in common with a “cult” called the Raelians than it does with Aum.

The Raelians and their leader “Rael” (Claude Vorilhon) became known through a series of publicity stunts. The most recent was the claim that they had produced the “first human clone,” which now appears to have been a deliberate hoax.

Perhaps Chino like Rael craves the media spotlight. And the strange activities of Pana Wave are cynically calculated to garner as much attention for the cult and its leader as possible.

Let’s hope so.

After the horrors of Aum the Japanese could use a good laugh.

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.