Cult News

Scott Caruthers created a “cult” called “Beta Dominion Xenophilia” or BDX in Baltimore. And it seems that he didn’t take disloyalty lightly. One of his followers was marked for murder because she somehow demonstrated less than the expected fealty to her leader, reports the Maryland Sun.

Now Caruthers is claiming an insanity defense.

What was once apparently an article of faith amongst BDX members now may be largely the basis for that defense. The 57-year-old “cult” leader claims he is a “space alien” that communicates with a “mothership” via cats.

But despite such bizarre claims, which most people would call “crazy,” the prosecution’s psychiatrist says Caruthers is at least sane enough to stand trial. Maryland must have a pretty low threshold for sanity.

This rather twisted criminal case is now winding its way forward to the courtroom and Caruthers’ counsel is trying to suppress evidence. Apparently the “alien” from outer space especially liked the sound of his own voice and archived incriminating recordings.

Could this be a case when a “cult” leader’s own rants convict him?

It remains unclear at this time if any cats will be called to offer corroborating testimony.

During the immediate aftermath of September 11th volunteers from Scientology worked Ground Zero frequently clad in their “Scientology Volunteer” T-shirts. One such volunteer later plumbed that experience to produce a book, reports the New York Post.

During the first few weeks after September 11th members of the Church of Scientology served food and coffee to workers at Ground Zero and at times did what they call “touch assists,” which is essentially a form of faith healing.

Scientologist Juliet McIntyre, a 20-year-old “aspiring actress,” worked at Ground Zero for three weeks. In her new book she tells of the suffering and hardships she endured through the often-uncomfortable environment, including less than adequate sleeping accommodations.

But maybe McIntyre should be grateful that she was working above the rubble instead lying below it, or mourning the loss of a family member?

The NY Post says that the Scientologist made herself the “central character” of the book and September 11th became merely her “backdrop.” Perhaps a little less narcissism and a bit more focus would have served the author better.

Scientologist John Travolta is mentioned in the book, he visited at Ground Zero. And other than their common faith, McIntyre and the celebrity are likely to share another distinction. Her self-indulgent tome appears bound for the same status as Travolta’s box office bomb “Battleship Earth.”

McIntyre’s book deal does look just a bit opportunistic. So when Scientologists “volunteer” is there always a catch or hidden agenda? Is their public compassion at times contrived and linked to some self-promotional effort?

In McIntyre’s case September 11th seems to have provided her with attention and money.

Yogi Bhajan of 3HO may only be a relatively obscure “cult leader” to most folks, but to the people of Milford Massachusetts he is “the head of the Sikh religion in the Western Hemisphere,” reports the Milford Daily News.

It doesn’t seem Daily News reporter Aaron Gouveia did much research for his story “Pretzel Logic,” which reads like a promotional press release from the guru and his group. This must have made the yogi happy, but probably not many mainstream Sikhs who often see him as an embarrassment and say his teachings are spurious.

Sikh historian Trilochan Singh once called Yogi Bhajan’s teachings “a sacrilegious hodgepodge.” And his supposed title of “supreme leader” is non-existent. Such titles are not historically conferred by Sikhs.

Instead of leading Sikhs throughout the Western Hemisphere, Bhajan actually is the leader of a relatively obscure group known as “3HO” that is located largely within three states in the US—California, New Mexico and Arizona. The dwindling sect reached its peak in the 70s and now has perhaps 2,000 members.

3HO devotees are rarely Indian Sikhs. Instead they typically come from white middle-class backgrounds and were recruited as converts by the guru in the 70s. And 3HO members virtually worship Bhajan, which is typical for “cults,” but not for Sikhs.

Bhajan himself is a former customs agent from India with a history of sexual misconduct allegations. And 3HO has been plagued by scandals, including a drug bust by DEA that ultimately put one of the group’s top leaders in prison.

Aaron Gouveia is not the first reporter to apparently be duped by Bhajan & Company. CNN was also taken in, they featured him as a Sikh spokesman after the murder of an Indian Sikh in Mesa, Arizona. That man was mistaken for a Muslim in a hate crime shortly after September 11th.

Whatever happened to fact checking?

Rev. Moon, founder of the Unification Church wants to build a big school in Hawaii on North Kona. He says, it would be a “boarding school.” But locals are wondering what Moon really wants in Hawaii, opines the Honolulu Advertiser.

The Marshall Islands didn’t apprecite Moon and ultimately rejected his school plans there.

Moon’s people and interests within Brazil are now under investigation regarding various criminal allegations.

So why should Hawaiians be happy about Mr. Moon wanting to move in?

It certainly doesn’t seem like anyone in Hawaii is rushing to say “aloha” to Rev. Moon and no luaus are currently being planned to welcome the would-be “messiah.”

A “boarding school” might be Moon-speak for isolated indoctrination. And the Unification Church has been repeatedly accused of “brainwashing” people at various places they call “camps” in the United States.

Maybe Hawaiians should keep a watchful eye on Mr. Moon and his minions. What’s good for Rev. Moon may not be so good for Kona.

Arthur Allen and four of his followers who are members in what they call the “House of Prayer,” were convicted for cruelty to children Thursday, reported NBC News 11 in Atlanta.

Allen describes his group as an “independent church,” but others have referred to it as a “cult.”

The leader and his followers were sentenced to short terms in jail and fines. But Allen also pulled ten years probation.

The current charges began after two children ages 7 and 10 were brutally whipped with sticks and belts. The group has a troubled history of child battery.

Allen attempted to use religion as a defense and claimed he was a victim of “persecution.” But the jury didn’t buy it. He acted as his own lawyer and as the old adage says, he apparently had a “fool for a client.”

Ten years probation will hopefully reign in the authoritarian leader of the Atlanta group, who seems to have turned a “house of prayer” into a hell house for children.

Increasingly in the United States and Canada the severe corporal punishment of children, which is routinely meted out within some religious groups, is being legally restricted.

It appears that religious rights don’t include cruelty to children and such behavior cannot be exonerated by invoking the “name of God.”

Perhaps while Arthur Allen serves time in jail he will read the bible more carefully. Wasn’t it was Jesus who said, “Suffer not the little children…”?

“Hippie guru” Ira Einhorn had a cult following in the sixties, but now he has nothing—not even his freedom. The 62-year-old self-proclaimed philosopher was convicted for first-degree murder yesterday. He will now spend his “golden years” behind bars, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Einhorn lived in luxury as a fugitive in France for many years, but was finally extradited on the condition that he receive a new trial. He was previously convicted for the murder of a girlfriend that wanted to leave him in absentia.

The self-styled guru may see himself as a profound thinker and philosopher, but the prosecutor seemed to nail down his historical significance better when he called Einhorn a “Fraudulent, phony…fake.” And then added, “He’s nothing,” reported the Philadelphia Daily News.

Einhorn certainly fits the classic historical profile of a destructive cult leader, who are often described as narcissistic sociopaths.

It was the open display of that personality through his own testimony that did Ira in, according to jurors. They didn’t appreciate the one-time hippie’s hubris, lies and lack of remorse.

In fact all Einhorn seemed to be concerned about, like most narcissists, was himself. He apparently felt the trial was an opportunity to proclaim his greatness. But there were no devoted followers listening this time.

A courtroom is not the ideal platform for a man like Einhorn, it is based upon facts in evidence not fiction. In the end he came across not as a profound philosopher or thinker, but instead like a counter-culture con man. He was largely undone by his own arrogance.

The former guru will now face the rest of his life without groupies. And It is doubtful Einhorn’s fellow inmates will appreciate his pedantic ramblings. If he rants to them he will more likely be punched than praised.

There were few surprises in the trial of Ira Einhorn. But the process did offer a unique opportunity to study the typical personality most often responsible for the creation and control of destructive cults.

Cher fans can’t seem to get enough of the 56-year-old star. The enduring diva has won their hearts and an Oscar. And her fans seem to follow her every move, concert and costume change with ardent fascination. There is even a website called “Cher World” for “Cherworlders.”

What is it about the historic pop star that has drawn such a cult following? One Canadian fan in a recent article put it this way, “I love her to death.”

And some “Cherworlders” feel it’s not enough to watch Cher—they want to be Cher, according to an article recently published by the London Free Press of Canada titled “Sharing Time with Cher…a serious business.”

The Free Press reported how usually staid Canadians dressed up to see who could be the best Cher. During the contest one impersonator said, “When I get into costume, I feel like her.”

Perhaps celebrity cults have become the most popular form of culturally acceptable escapism. Adoring fans living an alternate fantasy life through their respective idols.

Cultural icons like Cher, Madonna, Liz and legendary stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and James Dean have certainly beget cultic devotion. Their carefully coifed and cultivated personas often become larger than life and some are even more popular after they’re dead.

And let’s not forget all that lucrative marketing potential.

An icon’s fashion sense can easily become a new trend and celebrity endorsements sell products. Cher’s infomercials may have bombed, but Liz’s “White Diamonds” made her millions. And the “Material Girl” Madonna is perhaps the ultimate celebrity merchandising genius—at selling herself that is.

Will Cher fans allow their idol to retire after her “farewell tour“? Maybe the diva is already planning an encore? After all, will “Cherworlders” really be content with just her image through DVDs and videos? As the Canadian press says, “sharing time with Cher” seems more “serious” than that.

Cambodian cult leader Dem Mam was released from custody despite the fact that he is apparently responsible for three deaths, reports Reuters.

It seems there no law in Cambodia to convict him for undue influence, no matter how tragic the consequences.

Three cult members incinerated themselves in a bathtub filled with gasoline because they believed it was their only way to heaven.

Dem Mam walked out of jail a free man and arrogantly claimed that he was “already holy enough” and thus didn’t need to end his life through ritual suicide. A seemingly tacit acknowledgement of his deadly teachings.

Why is not so surprising that what’s good enough for his devotees, is somehow not good for Dem Mam. The 54-year-old cult leader will now likely move on to find new victims.

The controversial “Waldorf School” is now seeking official recognition for the establishment of a public school in Montreal, reports the Montreal Mirror.

According to the Mirror Waldorf represents a “pedagogical innovation,” but within a lawsuit filed by parents and teachers in California it was referred to as “rooted in a New Age, cultlike religion.”

Waldorf teaches something-called “anthroposophy,” which is a philosophy originated in 1919 by Austrian-born Rudolf Steiner and first used in Germany.

Waldorf opened charter schools in the United States, which enabled it to receive public funds. Now they want similar status and funding in Canada.

How can a group receive public funds to advance a seemingly sectarian religious philosophy? PLANS, an anti-Waldorf organization, certainly doesn’t think that’s appropriate.

But Waldorf insists that’s not a legitimate question and they advance an innovative teaching method instead.

Apparently though, this method is so innovative that every teacher must learn it only through Waldorf and be subsequently approved, which costs about $15,000. This sounds pretty exclusive.

Does Waldorf want it both ways? That is, insisting upon its exclusive approach, teachers and philosophy for Waldorf Schools, but with funding from taxpayers?

Tomoko Matsumoto the wife of infamous cult leader Shoko Asahara was released from prison after serving six years this week, reports Mainchi Daily News.

Aum was responsible for the 1995 gas attack on Tokyo’s subway system that killed 19 and injured thousands.

Matsumoto’s husband (a.k.a. Chizuo Matsumoto) remains in prison and it’s doubtful that he will ever be released. Instead, the cult leader will probably end his days there with a death sentence.

Asahara’s wife says she is no longer connected to the cult and wants a divorce, but her estranged husband isn’t cooperating.

However, if Mrs. Matsumoto will just be patient she should be a widow soon enough.