Cult News

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.

The controversial “Word of Faith Fellowship” (WOFF), which has been called a “cult,” led by Jane Whaley is now being sued by a former member claiming personal injuries, reports The Herald-Journal.

The former member now plaintiff Holly Hamrick said, “I can’t sit back and be quiet when I see abuse going on. A lot of people didn’t see Waco coming or Jonestown…”

The embattled group is already engaged in a bitter legal battle with another former member who wants her minor children back.

The WOFF apparently thinks its religious prerogatives trump a custodial parent’s rights.

Whaley and her followers have withheld the minors from their mother who left WOFF months ago. After receiving help at a cult recovery center called “Wellspring Retreat,” she came back for her four children.

Abuse claims by the alleged victims of WOFF seem to be gathering momentum. Are Whaley’s glory days of power passing in Spindale, North Carolina?

For years the purported “cult leader” has been something of a big fish in a small pond. But it looks like Whaley’s pond is either drying up or becoming increasingly difficult for her to swim in.

Scientology finally achieved tax-exempt status in Germany this month, reports Deutsche Welle.

The organization has striven for years to accomplish this.

One German critic said Scientology “operates as nothing other than a business syndicate with a Mafia-like structure.” And Hamburg’s Scientology commissioner called the organization “dangerous.”

Now defunct George Magazine once reported how Scientology used Hollywood celebrities to lobby Washington and pressure Germany. Stars like John Travolta, Tom Cruise and Isaac Hayes spoke out against the German government.

No doubt German Scientologists are happy about their new tax-exempt status. Some might even shout out “Heil Hubbard.” L. Ron Hubbard was the founder of Scientology.

However, the majority of Germans will likely continue to be suspicious about Scientology.

Germany’s tragic 20th Century history should make it easy for anyone to understand why its people would be concerned about an essentially totalitarian regime growing in their midst.

According to a recent press report Scientology continues to be monitored closely by 15 of Germany’s 16 states.

Falun Gong followers are always looking for any opportunity to promote their leader Li Hongzhi’s teachings and/or protest.

And the Chinese New Year is apparently no exception, or at least until this year.

Parade organizers in New York City appeared to resent the group’s self-centered and often seemingly obsessive efforts.

Last year Hongzhi’s devotees handed out flyers and did their exercises, rather than just parade and wave like other participants.

One community leader said, “Lunar New Year is supposed to be all the Chinese forgetting about politics for one day, just one day, just simply celebrating the culture, the traditions.”

The president of one Chinese business association made it clearer, “Celebrate, but don’t promote,” reported the Flushing Times.

Ultimately Falun Gong followers were included in the parade, but only upon the condition they not engage in self-promotion or otherwise disrupt the annual celebration in any way.

Yesterday when they paraded in New York’s Chinatown the group “drew no reaction from the crowd,”
reports Newsday.

It appears many within the Chinese American community are growing tired of the group and its leader.

“Elvis priestly” was apparently more than the staid hierarchy of the Anglican Church in Canada was willing to endure, reports The Anglican Journal.

That nickname reflects the cult-like devotion of Rev. Dorian Baxter, Anglican priest and Elvis impersonator.

But Baxter’s church leader felt that the priest should be more focused on the “King of Kings,” than the “King of Rock.”

Popular amongst his flock for dressing up as Elvis to perform his vocation, Baxter’s bishop nevertheless dressed down the Anglican priest. He is now “officially on leave” from his assigned church.

Undaunted, the “Rockin’ Reverend” decided to create his very own “Graceland Independent Anglican Church,” through which he will continue his “Elvis ministry.”

This is not the first house of worship dedicated to Presley, others have sprung up since the star’s death.

Many Elvis fans make a yearly pilgrimage to their icon’s fabled mansion Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.

Now Presley’s cult following can stop off in Toronto too, and experience Graceland the church.

Perhaps there they will share an ultimate communion, facilitated by a minister equally enthralled with the object of their enduring devotion.

And the King said, “Love me tender.”