tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-370552952024-03-07T06:07:40.542-08:00The Truth about Human Potential SeminarsExposing the truth about Human Potential Seminars and Large Group Awareness Training.lgattruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08559828620785915316noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-39851012223709676782014-10-25T16:49:00.000-07:002014-10-25T16:50:45.126-07:00Excellent reporting by CBC News<h2>
Excellent reporting by CBC News</h2>
<div>
See recent articles at links below for some excellent reporting by CBC News:</div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-health-services-staff-pressured-to-attend-controversial-seminars-1.2798835">Alberta Health Services staff pressured to attend controversial seminars - Government continued to use Landmark Education despite employee complaints</a></span><br />
by Charles Rusnell and Jennie Russell, <i>CBC News</i>, October 15, 2014<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ahs-employee-complaint-over-landmark-seminars-sparks-review-1.2800113">AHS employee complaint over Landmark seminars sparks review Public Interest - Commissioner will look into complaint over controversial Landmark Education training</a></div>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
by Charles Rusnell and Jennie Russell, <i>CBC News</i>, October 15, 2014</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-health-services-hired-coach-to-implement-landmark-ideology-1.2802283">Alberta Health Services hired 'coach' to implement Landmark ideology - Sole-source contract breached department policy</a></div>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
by Charles Rusnell and Jennie Russell, <i>CBC News</i>, October 17, 2014</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/site/earlyreleases/17oct14_10_health_stories_that_mattered_this_week.xhtml">10 health stories that mattered this week</a></div>
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by Roger Collier, <i>Canadian Medical Association Journal</i>, October 17, 2014</div>
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Including response via press release from company reported on by CBC News:</div>
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<a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1432488/landmark-sets-the-record-straight-about-services-provided-to-alberta-health-services" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.newswire.ca/en/<wbr></wbr>story/1432488/landmark-sets-<wbr></wbr>the-record-straight-about-<wbr></wbr>services-provided-to-alberta-<wbr></wbr>health-services</a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Prior relevant history and background information:</h3>
<br />
<b>2011</b><br />
<a href="http://www.eastbayexpress.com/SevenDays/archives/2011/08/09/cafe-gratitude-sued-for-labor-code-violations">Cafe Gratitude Sued for Labor-Code Violations</a><br />
by Ellen Cushing, <i>East Bay Express, </i>August 9, 2011<br />
<br />
<b>2008</b><br />
Reports on lawsuit by employee who claimed religious discrimination for being pressured to go to seminars:<br />
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4910623&page=1">Report by ABC News</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://nypost.com/2008/05/22/bondage-boss-is-a-bad-seed-suit/">Report by New York Post</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/2008-05-20/news/sperm-bank-lawsuit/">Report by The Village Voice</a><br />
<br />
Reports on Australia Defence Department using controversial seminar training:<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008-04-02/defence-workers-trained-by-cult/2390174?section=australia">ABC News Australia report</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2205439.htm">Australia AM radio program report</a><br />
<br />
<b>2006</b><br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/1020-landmark-education/12425-2006-landmark-labor-violation-investigations-texas.html">Investigation by United States Department of Labor in Texas</a><br />
<br />
<b>2004</b><br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/1020-landmark-education/12432-landmark-education-labor-violations-in-california.html">Investigation by United States Department of Labor in California</a><br />
<br />
<b>1996</b><br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/1020-landmark-education/12426-1996-landmark-labor-violation-investigations-colorado.html">Investigation by United States Department of Labor in Colorado</a><br />
<br />
<b>1989</b><br />
Employees sued after being pressured to attend similar seminar program:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/929-the-forum/7235-employers-new-age-training-programs-lead-to-lawsuits-over-workers-rights.html">Report by The Wall Street Journal</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/908-est/6126--workers-challenge-new-age-consulting-firms.html">Report by Los Angeles Times</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.culteducation.com/group/908-est/6125--8-ex-workers-at-dekalb-farmers-market-settle-federal-suit.html">Report by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</a><br />
<br />
<br />GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-79837196565265015322013-10-18T19:04:00.003-07:002013-10-18T19:04:35.476-07:00LGAT subreddit<br />
<br />
There's a new subreddit on Reddit for Large Group Awareness Training.<br />
<br />
Check it out at:<br />
<br />
http://www.reddit.com/r/lgat/<br />
GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-1374766252621750242013-01-31T12:10:00.002-08:002013-01-31T12:22:01.553-08:0010 fun ways to social hack an awareness training from the inside out<i><a data-mce-href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/" href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/">The Program</a></i> is a novel by author Gregg Hurwitz. Although it's fiction, <i><a data-mce-href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/" href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/">The Program</a> </i>provides some great insight into abusive groups and destructive movements, as well as ways to <i>social hack</i> a <a data-mce-href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist23.html" href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist23.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>.<br />
<br />
In this case, <i>social hack</i> is used to refer to a method to literally disrupt and ideally completely destabilize the <a data-mce-href="http://lgattruth.wordpress.com/2006/11/10/six-danger-signs-of-harmful-lgats/" href="http://lgattruth.wordpress.com/2006/11/10/six-danger-signs-of-harmful-lgats/">Large Group Awareness Training</a>, from the inside out.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<b>10 key ways to <i>social hack</i> a <a data-mce-href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html" href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>:</b><br />
<br />
1) <b>Act authoritatively</b>.
Destructive groups and abusive movements often model their staff and
train their leadership after the one influential leader and founder of
the group. They will not expect you yourself to also act in this manner.
They often act <a data-mce-href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authoritarian">authoritarian </a>and <a data-mce-href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarian" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totalitarian">totalitarian</a>, as this is how these staff members are taught, to emulate and act like their leader and founder.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
2) <b>Bring a mental health professional</b> as part of your social hacking group. Ideally this would be someone with a PhD in <a data-mce-href="http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm" href="http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm">psychology</a> or an M.D. with a specialty in <a data-mce-href="http://www.psych.org/" href="http://www.psych.org/">psychiatry</a>.
This person would educate and brief the members of the social hacking
team about tactics and methods of the group, and the dangers of getting
in too deep into its thought patterns.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
3) <b>Bring an ex-member</b>
of the group in question. This ex-member should be someone intimately
aware of the ways the group functions, and yet out for enough time to
have fully gone through a period of <a data-mce-href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20dissonance" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cognitive%20dissonance">cognitive dissonance</a> and awakened back to a pattern to appropriately interact with society again.<br />
<br />
4) <b>Bring law enforcement</b>
or someone familiar with the law. This person will help brief the rest
of the members of the social hacking team on their rights should staff
from the destructive group or abusive movement falsely make claims about
their actions during the seminar. This person would also be quite
useful to conduct research into the possible criminal activities of the
group and its founder and leader. This person should instruct all
members of the social hacking team on ways to have fun disrupting and
destabilizing the <a data-mce-href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=965&Itemid=12" href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=965&Itemid=12">Large Group Awareness Training</a> seminar, without doing anything illegal.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
5) <b>Don't follow group mentality</b>.
Refuse to stand when everyone else stands. Don't clap when everyone
else claps. This will help you maintain your sense of self and
independence throughout the attempts by the abusive group or destructive
movement at influence and manipulation. If you are asked to explain
yourself by a staff member of the abusive group, sample language from
the book includes: "From what I've seen, I'm not sure if I like The
Program yet. If I decide that I don't like what's going on here, I'm
leaving. Thank you for having me here today." (Obviously replace "The
Program" with the name of whatever destructive group or abusive
movement's seminar you are attending.)<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
6) <b>Politely interrupt the seminar</b>
with inquisitive questions. Make sure to be polite about this. Again,
maintain a positive and happy attitude when doing this. Most likely
other members of the seminar in the room full of 200 or so people will
echo some of your concerns.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
7) <b>Assertively affirm your positive outlook on life</b>.
Wording suggested in the book by the fictional psychologist, character
Dr. Glen Bederman is: "My Program is: I participate in activities that
give me self-esteem, and I have the courage to decline to participate in
those activities that do not." This frames your reason for attending in
a positive way that simultaneously retains your own sense of self,
independence, assertiveness, and self worth. It also signals to
potential shills, dupes, and marks in the audience that they can
similarly adopt your positive yet independent attitude and modus
operandi while being in the seminar.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
8) <b>Maintain a positive and happy attitude</b>.
You are there to have a fun time. Act like it. Potential shills and
suckers and marks will respond positively to you if you question the
methods and tactics of the abusive group or destructive movement, while
at the same time showing you are a happy and fulfilled person. <br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
9) <b>Bring a digital thermometer</b>.
Destructive groups and abusive movements will sometimes wildly alter
the ambient temperature in the room where the seminar is conducted, in
order to put attendees off balance. If you notice this pattern, politely
but loudly question the staff on this, in front of the rest of the
seminar participants so they can all hear your concerns.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
10) <b>Ask the staff loudly and politely if they are licensed to practice hypnosis</b>.
In the book, the fictional psychologist Dr. Glen Bederman asks: "Are
you licensed to administer hypnosis in the state of California?" When
the abusive group's leader "TD" responds: "We're not practicing hypnosis
here. We're simply meditating.", Dr. Bederman loudly points out in
earshot of the entire seminar: "Guided meditation is a form of hypnosis.
Everyone in this room should know that."<br />
<br />
<b>But wait, there's more: </b>There are plenty other helpful pointers to <i>social hack</i> a <a data-mce-href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=8&id=72&Itemid=12" href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=8&id=72&Itemid=12">Large Group Awareness Training</a> in this section of the book, and it's all there on pages 323-337.<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<b>Other educational takeaways from the book:</b><br />
<br />
pages
256-263: Exit counseling with psychologist Dr. Glen Bederman; this
fictional character created by the author Gregg Hurwitz is likely an
amalgam of non-fiction psychologists and psychiatrists who have studied
victims of abusive groups and destructive movements.<br />
<br />
pages
270-272: The investigator meets with postal inspector Owen B.
Rutherford; the author Gregg Hurwitz in the book's Acknowledgements
section credits postal inspector Mike McCarthy for his research in this
area. What's most interesting about this part of the book is the postal
inspector character's statements about the crime of tampering with U.S.
mail. The section of the book deals with an abusive group and
destructive movement that takes away mail from its members that live on
its controlled compound, a crime which is: "Most obviously a Title 18,
Section 1708 -- theft or receipt of stolen mail matter, generally. But
between theft, obstruction, and destruction, we could have over two
hundred federal, criminal, and civil statutes."<br />
<br />
Says the
character postal inspector Owen B. Rutherford: "Do you know what a
thirty-seven-cent stamp buys you? ... Not just delivery service. Oh, no.
The thirty-seven cents buys you a fiduciary relationship with the
United States Postal Service. We are custodians of private property.
Namely: the mail. That private property belongs to the <i>sender</i> until it comes into the hands of the intended recipient.
These jelly-spined bliss ninnies can't grant the right for their leader
to destroy incoming mail before it comes into their actual possession
-- it isn't their mail to relinquish. First-class mail must be
delivered, forwarded, returned to sender, or sent to the mail-recovery
center. Any other act is a violation of the rights of the <i>sender</i>. A violation further of the sanctity of the mail and -- make no mistake -- it is as such a felony in its own right."<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
----<br />
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
This is all from <i><a data-mce-href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/" href="http://gregghurwitz.net/the-books/the-program/about-the-book/">The Program</a></i> a novel by author Gregg Hurwitz. Check it out!GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-15275193642162279842013-01-25T13:13:00.001-08:002013-01-25T13:13:50.476-08:00Self-Help debunked and exposed in five fun articles<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
Self-Help debunked and exposed in five fun articles :</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
1) New book by author Brian Haigh</div>
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<a href="http://rushprnews.com/2013/01/09/awaken-your-perfect-self-how-to-become-better-than-everybody-else-is--now-available-in-amazon-canada-kindle-singles" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">Awaken Your Perfect Self: How to Become Better than Everybody Else</a></h1>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
2) New York Magazine at <a href="http://www.nymag.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">http://www.nymag.com</a></div>
<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://nymag.com/health/self-help/2013/self-help-book-publishing/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(117, 171, 234); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none;">The Power of Positive Publishing - How self-help ate America.</a></h2>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
3) io9 at <a href="http://www.io9.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">http://www.io9.com</a></div>
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<a href="http://io9.com/5978990/6-possible-secrets-to-happiness-according-to-science?utm_source=io9.com&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=recirculation" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">6 Possible Secrets to Happiness, According to Science</a></h1>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
4) The Advocate of Hampstead & Manchester at <a href="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">http://www.carrollcountytimes.com</a></div>
<h1 id="blox-asset-title" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<a href="http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/advocate_of_hampstead/columns/chances_are/do-self-help-books-work/article_272d65e2-a05e-569a-859a-53018141948b.html" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">Do self help books work?</a></h1>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; text-align: left;">
5) Blouin Art Info at <a href="http://www.artinfo.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">http://www.artinfo.com</a></div>
<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 9px 0px 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;">
<a href="http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/860172/cult-theater-brainwashing-experience-tests-the-line-between" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">Cult Theater: Brainwashing Experience Tests the Line Between Fantasy and Reality</a></h1>
GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-7760734552630222002013-01-20T18:02:00.001-08:002013-01-20T18:02:05.145-08:00Two pop culture LGAT updates<br />
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Two pop culture LGAT updates:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">
1) <a href="http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrea-Kuchlewskas-COMPLETE-Opens-223-at-the-Matrix-Theatre-20130117" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">Andrea Kuchlewska’s COMPLETE Opens 2/23 at the Matrix Theatre </a> </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">
This looks to be a fascinating play inspired by a young girl who was subjected to a form of large group awareness training at the age of nine years old.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">
2) <a href="http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/conscience-realist/2012/dec/22/morris-berman-americas-culture-me-myself-and-i/" style="color: #105cb6; line-height: inherit;">Morris Berman on America’s culture of “Me, Myself, and I” </a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; padding: 10px 0px 0px;">
Dr. Berman compares a former leader of a large group awareness training organization to: “Ayn Rand warmed over”. It’s a most interesting and fascinating commentary on the resultant psyche of those who have participated in forms of large group awareness training.</div>
GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-49286518040649367302012-12-02T07:36:00.002-08:002012-12-02T07:36:45.262-08:00Best 9 ways to check if your group is led by a dangerous charismatic leader<br />
<b>Best 9 ways to check if your group is led by a dangerous charismatic leader</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Is your <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a> being led by (or founded by) a <a href="http://www.inc.com/brian-evje/three-dangers-of-charismatic-leadership.html">dangerous charismatic leader?</a> Here are the best 9 ways to find out, with some additional resources below:<br />
<br />
1) Is your charismatic leader manipulative, does he act like a con artist?<br />
<br />
2) Does your charismatic leader maintain a grandiose sense of self? Does she feel everything is owed to her as a right?<br />
<br />
3) Is your charismatic leader a pathological liar? Does he lie even when it is obvious or even in small situations when it is unnecessary?<br />
<br />
4) Does your charismatic leader have a lack of remorse? Does she not show any guilt or signs of shame for dangerous or even possibly criminal behavior she may have performed in the past?<br />
<br />
5) Is your charismatic leader a thrill seeker? Does he have a need for stimulation? Does he partake in dangerous thrill seeking behavior in his spare time?<br />
<br />
6) Does your charismatic leader have a lack of empathy? Is she callous? Does she ridicule others in public or in front of large groups of people?<br />
<br />
7) Is your charismatic leader impulsive or have poor behavior control mechanisms? Is he prone to making large purchases of extravagant gifts for himself? Is he prone to fits of rage or abuse? Does he command others to perform abuse on his behalf?<br />
<br />
8) Did your charismatic have early onset of behavior problems? Was she a juvenile delinquent? Was she cruel to others as a youngster? Did she have early failed relationships?<br />
<br />
9) Is your charismatic leader unfaithful to his sexual partners? Is he promiscuous? Does he have a disturbing pattern of serial adultery or infidelity? Were there reports of child abuse, child sexual abuse, or rape committed or allegedly committed by the charismatic leader?<br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
<br />
Skeptictank.org. <a href="http://www.skeptictank.org/hs/cprofile.htm">"Profile of Cult Leaders".</a><br />
<br />
Dannyhaszard.com. <a href="http://www.dannyhaszard.com/captivehearts.htm">"Psychopathy and Characteristics of a Cult Leader".</a><br />
<br />
Truthonthenet.com. <a href="http://www.truthonthenet.com/profile_of_a_cult_leader.htm">"Profile of a Cult Leader".</a><br />
<br />
Anandainfo.com. <a href="http://www.anandainfo.com/cult_leaders.html">"Cult Leaders: The Master Manipulator".</a><br />
<br />
Books:<br />
<br />
Tobias, Madeline Landau; Janja Lalich. <i>Captive Hearts, Captive Minds</i>. (1994). Chapter 5: "Characteristics of a Cult Leader". pp. 67-79.<br />
<br />
Note: <i>Captive Hearts, Captive Minds </i>is an excellent resource for further info, many of the questions above were drawn from warning signs about charismatic leaders in this section of the text.GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-4070846547285221922012-11-30T20:40:00.003-08:002012-11-30T20:40:15.369-08:00Comedy is a great communicator<br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
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<strong>Comedy is a great communicator</strong></div>
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<strong><br /></strong></div>
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Through the use of comedy we can learn about the impact of <a data-mce-href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html" href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a> on individuals after going through a taxing seminar.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is an <a data-mce-href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg8DmXWz0q4" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg8DmXWz0q4">example from comedian Daniel Ryan-Spaulding</a>:</div>
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<br data-mce-bogus="1" style="line-height: inherit; margin-top: inherit;" /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gg8DmXWz0q4" width="560"></iframe></div>
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We hope you enjoy it!</div>
GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-84228667989726588402012-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:002012-11-27T21:07:37.772-08:00Disappointing lunch<br />
<b>Disappointing lunch</b><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://knoxbronson.com/werner-erhard-new-age-hustler-returns-httpprverdict-com-egging-est-holes-the-era-of-the-paid-liar/">Knox Bronson Music and Art</a></i><br />
<br />
Knox Bronson gives a most interesting audio commentary on a controversial <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>. Take note of the entertainingly fervent responses in the comments section. See more at: <i><a href="http://knoxbronson.com/werner-erhard-new-age-hustler-returns-httpprverdict-com-egging-est-holes-the-era-of-the-paid-liar/">Knox Bronson Music and Art</a>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="http://www.deanbrandon.com/leonard-susskind-rips-werner-erhard-est-training-rare-inside-footage-from-est/">Dean Brandon</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Dean Brandon links readers to this intriguing reflection on a <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark49.html">Large Group Awareness Trainin</a>g, in <a href="http://www.deanbrandon.com/leonard-susskind-rips-werner-erhard-est-training-rare-inside-footage-from-est/">this post drawing attention to a YouTube video clip</a>. Again the response posts make for amusing reading material.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LNvnFyDLuuI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://prverdict.com/lunch-with-werner-erhard-why-the-disappointment/"><i>The PR Verdict</i></a><br />
<br />
The folks over at The PR Verdict analyze this disappointing lunch date, and they comment on the behavior of the subject being interviewed. Note what caused <a href="http://prverdict.com/lunch-with-werner-erhard-why-the-disappointment/">"</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://prverdict.com/lunch-with-werner-erhard-why-the-disappointment/">more than a hint of irritation from his luncheon companion."</a> </span>The conclusion: <a href="http://prverdict.com/lunch-with-werner-erhard-why-the-disappointment/">"this was a disappointment."</a><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=korGK0yGIDo">Food for thought</a></b><br />
<br />
Is it possible that those same characters who often show up to praise leaders of controversial <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist23.html#Large-Group Awareness Training">Large Group Awareness Training</a> organizations themselves suffer from debilitating <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=korGK0yGIDo">cognitive dissonance</a> ?GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-20613938458365061532012-11-27T11:24:00.000-08:002012-11-27T16:33:17.724-08:00The Huffington Post on 'How Corporate America Is Turning Into a Cult'<br />
<b><i>The Huffington Post</i> on 'How Corporate America Is Turning Into a Cult'</b><br />
<br />
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING:<b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-whippman/how-corporate-america-is-_b_2171040.html">"How Corporate America Is Turning Into a Cult and Why It's Harming the American Employee"</a>, by Ruth Whippman. <i>The Huffington Post</i>. November 24, 2012.<br />
<br />
Two key points from this article:<br />
<br />
1) "Over the last decade or so, a growing disconnect has developed between
the bizarre and almost cult-like rhetoric and practices that companies
use with their staff, and the increasingly grim reality of being an
employee in modern day Corporate America."<br />
<br />
2) "It would seem that the more Corporate America demands cult-like devotion
from its employees the worse it is able to treat them, and the less
likely they are to complain. Yet given that the vast majority of
Americans stand to lose rather than gain from this type of relationship,
it is worth injecting a bit of healthy scepticism back into our
assessment of our employers' motives. Now that really would be
empowering."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ruth-whippman/how-corporate-america-is-_b_2171040.html">Read the full article here over at <i>The Huffington Post</i> website. </a>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-78295033843203018112012-11-22T15:05:00.000-08:002012-11-22T15:05:23.921-08:00Top five questions to ask at Large Group Awareness Training<br />
<b>Top five questions to ask at <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>:</b><br />
<br />
5. Are you willing to engage in conversation with me that may question the group and its leaders?<br />
<br />
4. Is the volunteer to paid employee ratio of your group greater than 2:1 ?<br />
<br />
3. Does your group have its own unique words, cliches, slogans, chants, prayers and
doctrinal phrases that reinforce the group viewpoint?<br />
<br />
2. Are doubts viewed as a lack of faith, dedication, commitment or disloyalty?<br />
<br />
1. Does your group use frequent public testimonials, confessions, or sharings that
reinforce the group’s mission or agenda?<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
More questions and resources:<br />
<br />
Cult Help and Information: <a href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=5">"Questions for Cult Recruiters"</a>. <br />
<br />
Periodically.org: <a href="http://theniteowl.blogspot.com/2006/11/how-to-know-if-you-are-in-greed-group.html">"How to Know If You Are in a Greed Group"</a>.<br />
<br />
John D. Goldhammer: <a href="http://www.caic.org.au/biblebase/abuse/selfquiz.htm">"Self Quiz - Are you 'under the influence' of a destructive group or belief system?"</a>.<br />
<br />
GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-25647923503638721192012-11-20T19:43:00.000-08:002012-11-20T19:43:33.894-08:00Chilling Effects and American thinkers<br />
<b>LGATs in the News</b><br />
<br />
<i>Americanthinker.com</i><br />
<br />
November 16, 2012 - Jack Cashill writes in Americanthinker.com of the <a href="http://www.caic.org.au/biblebase/apocolyptic/jones.htm">Peoples Temple</a> group and what they came to realize at <a href="http://rickross.com/groups/jonestown.html">Jonestown</a> in Guyana: <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/11/obamas_jonestowns.html">"What they discovered was a South American gulag equal parts Werner Erhard and Pol Pot."</a><br />
<br />
Those are his words, we can't make this stuff up folks, most interesting references by the above author to <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/est.html">Werner Erhard</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Pot">Pol Pot</a> in the same sentence.<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<i>"Chilling Effects"</i><br />
<br />
Here's how "chilling effect" has been described online at <a href="http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Chilling_effect"><i>RationalWiki</i></a>: "A <b>chilling effect</b> describes a situation in which rights, such as
free speech, are threatened by the possible negative results of
exercising these rights. The effect is to silence criticism and freedom
of expression, even in cases where criticism is perfectly valid."<i> </i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chillingeffects.org/notice.cgi?sID=18211">Interesting development at the website ChillingEffects.org</a>, a revealing look at a complaint over a <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/est20.html">60 Minutes program by CBS about Werner Erhard from March 3, 1991</a> and attempts to remove multiple different types of references to it from the Internet. <br />
<br />
Some background about prior history of that on the Internet at <a href="http://boingboing.net/2009/08/31/suppressed-60-minute.html">BoingBoing.net by Xeni Jardin</a>, and more general background history in the biography <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outrageous-Betrayal-Story-Werner-Erhard/dp/0312092962"><i>Outrageous Betrayal</i> by Steven Pressman</a>, see for example some <a href="http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult_q4.html">excerpts from that biography at the orange papers website</a>.GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-62259532924663876352012-11-19T15:13:00.000-08:002012-11-19T15:13:07.421-08:00Remember 34 years after Jonestown<br />
Let's take a moment 34 years after <a href="http://rickross.com/groups/jonestown.html">Jonestown</a> and the dangerous group <a href="http://www.caic.org.au/biblebase/apocolyptic/jones.htm">Peoples Temple</a> to remember the <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-12/us/jonestown.factsheet_1_jonestown-airport-ambush-leo-ryan?_s=PM:US">tragedy of November 18, 1978</a>.<br />
<br />
Here are some videos about how <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/chronology.htm">groups with cult like qualities</a> recruit, and about how cults are related to <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Trainings</a> or <a href="http://shambook.blogspot.com/2010/04/legacy-of-shattered-dreams.html">LGATs</a>, to reflect on during this time:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FHIyy0evAM8?list=UUIHMpRiao1oW0kLNO_gTEdA&hl=en_US" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mnNSe5XYp6E" width="420"></iframe><br />GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-45913738734999609922009-11-15T05:12:00.000-08:002009-11-15T05:13:15.466-08:00Large Group Awareness Training denies it is a Large Group Awareness Training?<div class="snap_preview"><p>There have been some interesting articles lately over at the online site for <a href="http://azstarnet.com/"><em>The Arizona Daily Star</em></a>, about <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>. In addition, there are some very good articles at the paper itself. They are:</p> <p>November 3, 2009 – <a href="http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/senorreporter/17323/large-group-awareness-training-a-touchy-label-after-the-sedona-sweat-lodge-deaths">“Large Group Awareness Training”: A touchy label after the Sedona sweat-lodge deaths</a></p> <p>November 5, 2009 – <a href="http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/senorreporter/17347/psychology-prof-calls-plagiarism-on-author-of-2005-study-on-personal-transformation-seminars">Psychology prof calls “plagiarism” on author of 2005 study on personal-transformation seminars</a></p> <p>November 8, 2009 – <a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/316708.php">‘Transformation’ sessions claim high cost</a></p> <p>November 8, 2009 – <a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/316706">It’s buyer beware for personal-transformation seminars </a></p> <p>November 10, 2009 – <a href="http://regulus2.azstarnet.com/blogs/senorreporter/17419/is-landmark-forum-an-lgat-or-not-and-does-it-really-matter">Is Landmark Forum an LGAT or not? And does it really matter?</a></p> <p>At this last one from November 10, there is an interesting statement given from <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html">Landmark Education</a>.</p> <p>Let’s look at 2 issues from the Landmark Education statement. One, is the strange attempt by the Landmark Education representative to distance the company from the term “Large Group Awareness Training”, and the other is the ties of high-ranking executives that control Landmark Education to <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/est.html">Werner Erhard </a>and his <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/est.html">prior company “est”</a>.</p> <p><strong>Deborah Beroset</strong>, Director of Public Relations, Landmark Education, said: “<em>As I said during our conversation a bit ago, Landmark really has no place in a story about LGATs. To characterize Landmark Education as a LGAT would not only be inaccurate, it would also damage the reputation of the company, its programs, and the approximately 1.2 million customers who have participated in Landmark Education’s programs and derived value from them.”</em></p> <p><em></em>This statement seems quite odd – especially when this statement from Beroset is compared against writings of a highly-ranked executive within Landmark Education. Take a look at the paper “The Promise of Philosophy and the Landmark Forum”, <em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=278955#%23" target="_blank">Contemporary Philosophy, Vol. XXIII, No. 1 & 2, Jan/Feb & Mar/Apr 2001</a></span></em> <em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=278955#%23" target="_blank"> Barbados Group Working Paper No. 01-01</a></span></em>. Full cite is <a href="http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=278955">here</a>, and the paper itself is <a href="http://www.mutluolmakistiyorum.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/the-promise-of-philosophy.pdf">here</a>. One of the authors of this paper is a man named <strong>Steven Zaffron</strong>. Zaffron first became an executive for Werner Erhard and was an “est trainer” in Erhard’s company “Erhard Seminars Training” (<em>Outrageous Betrayal</em> by Steven Pressman, St. Martin’s Press: 1993, page 217). Currently, Zaffron serves the Landmark Education corporation as CEO of <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS271093+01-Feb-2008+PRN20080201">“Vanto Group”, formerly known as “Landmark Education Business Development”</a>, and in addition, <a href="http://www.landmarkeducation.com/display_images.jsp?top=21&mid=166&siteObjectID=331">Zaffron has the highest-ranking “trainer” title in Landmark Education called “Landmark Forum Leader”.</a></p> <p>In this paper co-authored by Zaffron, the phrase “Large Group Awareness Training” is used multiple times in reference to Landmark Education. Example on page 52: <em>“Dennison’s dissertation,7 which categorizes the Landmark Forum as a “large group awareness training” is a qualitative study based on interviews with Forum graduates. He also reports predominantly positive outcomes and in addition, briefly summarizes philosophical components of the Forum. The extensive research literature on “large group awareness training” published in the 1970s and 80s (summarized in Finkelstein, Wenegrat, and Yalom8) is framed in psychological more than philosophical terms, albeit there is some reference to the training as existential psychotherapy.”</em> Two different academic treatises are cited as references in the paper co-authored by Zaffron (see page 59, endnotes 7 and 8, Dennison 1994 and Finkelstein 1982) – and both have the phrase “Large Group Awareness Training” in their titles.</p> <p>So, on the one hand you have Deborah Beroset, Director of Public Relations, Landmark Education, saying “<em>To characterize Landmark Education as a LGAT would not only be inaccurate, it would also damage the reputation of the company…” </em>and yet on the other hand – there is Steven Zaffron, former executive of Werner Erhard’s est, current CEO of Vanto Group (formerly Landmark Education Business Development), and current “Landmark Forum Leader”, readily using the term and referencing multiple academic papers that also use the term “Large Group Awareness Training”.</p> <p>Next, let’s look at another statement from Deborah Beroset, Director of Public Relations, Landmark Education, where she says: “<em>I noticed your ProfNet query mentioned “est” as well as Landmark Education. Landmark Education is a different company (we were established in 1991), and The Landmark Forum is not the est program (the two programs differ in their focus, material, methodology, and delivery). The person who created est sold the founders of Landmark Education his intellectual property…”</em></p> <p><em></em>It is interesting to see this attempt to separate Landmark Education from what Beroset refers to as “The person who created est…”. Well, the person who created est was Werner Erhard. As already stated above, high-ranking Landmark Education executive Steven Zaffron, was previously an executive within Erhard’s est training, and an “est trainer” before he was a “Landmark Forum Leader”. Werner Erhard’s brother, <strong>Harry Rosenberg</strong>, is <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,138763,00.html">CEO of Landmark Education</a>. Werner Erhard’s sister,<strong> Joan Rosenberg</strong>, is <a href="http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html">listed as a Director of Landmark Education</a>. And last but not least, attorney <strong>Art Schreiber</strong> is <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/est37.html">Chairman of the Board of Landmark Education</a> (also see <a href="http://rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark124.pdf">list of directors</a>) and and is also <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark13.html">General Counsel of Landmark Education</a>. Prior to his work at Landmark Education, Art Schreiber was General Counsel for “Werner Erhard and Associates” (“$5 Million Lawsuit Filed Against EST”, <em>San Jose Mercury News</em>, December 5, 1985, page 8A.) In addition, Art Schreiber also served as an attorney representing Werner Erhard (“$15 Million Suit Against Werner Erhard Is Dropped”, by Susan Sward, <em>San Francisco Chronicle</em>, October 26, 1985, page 2).</p> <p>So Werner Erhard’s <a href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=%22harry+rosenberg%22+%22werner+erhard%22">brother</a> is CEO of Landmark Education, his <a href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=%22joan+rosenberg%22+%22werner+erhard%22">sister</a> is a Director of Landmark Education, and his <a href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=%22art+schreiber%22+%22werner+erhard%22">attorney</a> is Chairman of the Board of Landmark Education.</p> <p>On a side note, BoingBoing.net has <a href="http://boingboing.net/2009/08/31/suppressed-60-minute.html">published a legal letter sent to the website</a> from a <strong>Terry M. Giles</strong>, yet another attorney for Werner Erhard. Giles <a href="http://www.secinfo.com/dRqWm.5wzh.htm">owns “Tekniko Licensing Corporation”</a>. The company “Tekniko Licensing Corporation” is also a subsidiary of Landmark Education.</p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-64878593573657429822008-11-07T21:34:00.000-08:002008-11-07T21:35:41.955-08:00'The Landmark debate' in Bangkok Post<p><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/061108_Business/06Nov2008_biz37.php">The Landmark Debate</a>, by Al Lock - November 6, 2008, in <strong><em>Bangkok Post</em></strong></p> <p>A great article on this controversial <a href="http://skepdic.com/lgsap.html">large group awareness training</a> organization.</p> <p>A very interesting quote from the article: <em>This sounds suspiciously like the process used by the Soviets in preparing confessions for their show trials or the first stage of the <a href="http://www.rickross.com/brainwashing.html">brainwashing</a> process.</em></p> <p><em></em>Here is another blog’s take on the article: <a href="http://themachoresponse.blogspot.com/2008/11/dont-be-fooled-we-are-now-under-attack.html">Don’t Be Fooled: We Are Now Under Attack</a>.</p> <p>And for some enlightening historical background, read: <a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2124">Why did Landmark leave France?</a></p> <p>Find out more about <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html">Landmark Education</a> at the <a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark193.html">Introduction to the Landmark Education litigation archive</a> - a truly invaluable resource.</p>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-4940451071388606052008-10-28T01:49:00.001-07:002008-10-28T01:49:54.761-07:00Letting the LGAT out of the Bag<a href="http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/2004/12/letting-lgat-out-of-bag.html">Letting the LGAT out of the Bag</a> - This December 16, 2004 post from blogger <a href="http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/">gus van horn</a> may be a few years old, but it is still left me touched, moved and inspired.GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-52742147299151844822008-10-08T04:33:00.001-07:002008-10-08T04:34:11.688-07:00Read 'Slave Labor' for a detailed analysis<div class="snap_preview"><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://you-have-no-taste.blogspot.com/2008/09/slave-labor-and-fauxlosophy-part-i_18.html">Slave Labor and Fauxlosophy PART I</a></span></h3> <p>- A very well thought out and detailed analysis.</p> <p>Who is wise? Why, <a href="http://you-have-no-taste.blogspot.com/">Alex</a> is wise.</p> <p>Can’t wait to see the next post “Part II”.</p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-28810809640496017892008-10-05T06:22:00.000-07:002008-10-05T06:23:12.516-07:00Skeptik is wise.<div class="snap_preview"><p><a href="http://anti-landmark.blogspot.com/">Skeptik is wise.</a></p> <p>Even the guy’s username is wise. It is healthy to be a skeptik - it is wise to question and probe and educate oneself about these controversial types of <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a> organizations and companies.</p> <p><a href="http://anti-landmark.blogspot.com/">Skeptik is wise.</a></p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-92155195007086977772008-10-03T05:21:00.000-07:002008-10-03T05:22:23.509-07:00What are the criteria of a ‘cult’ ?<div class="snap_preview"><p>What are the criteria of a ‘<strong>cult</strong>‘ ?</p> <p>A relatively new YouTube user, <a class="hLink fn n contributor" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/bradbavarde">bradbavarde</a>, compares a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult">description from Webster’s Dictionary</a> to his opinion of certain characteristics of a <a href="http://skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a> organization. Take a moment to watch this video about bradbavarde’s commentary on these criteria, and decide for yourself:</p> <p><strong><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7sHmlGbVqw"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g7sHmlGbVqw&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></span></strong></p> <p>Here are some additional resources discussing ‘cult’ criteria:</p> <p><a href="http://www.factnet.org/rancho5.htm">What is a Destructive Cult?</a> - <a href="http://www.factnet.org/"><em>FACTnet</em></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.caic.org.au/general/cultcrit.htm">Criteria for Determining If a Group is a Destructive Cult</a> - <a href="http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3&Itemid=4"><em>Cult Awareness and Information Center</em></a></p> <p><a href="http://ex-cult.org/General/lifton-criteria">Dr. Robert Jay Lifton’s Criteria for Thought Reform</a> - <em><a href="http://ex-cult.org/">ex-cult Resource Center</a></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.rickross.com/faq.html">Defining a Cult</a> - <em><a href="http://www.rickross.com/">The Ross Institute Internet Archive for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements</a></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm">Cults 101: Checklist of Cult Characteristics</a> - <em><a href="http://www.csj.org/">International Cultic Studies Association</a></em></p> <p><a href="http://www.prem-rawat-talk.org/forum/uploads/CultCharacteristics.htm">What are the Characteristics of a Religious Cult?</a> - <a href="http://prem-rawat-talk.org/forum/"><em>The Prem Rawat Talk Forum</em></a></p> <p>And once again, a more humorous but also disturbing take on how to start a “Mind Control Cult”:</p> <p><strong><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mnNSe5XYp6E"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mnNSe5XYp6E&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></span></strong></p> <p>As always, you are encouraged to watch the above videos, read the information provided at the links, research more and educate yourselves - and decide for yourself.</p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-64990193018228435482008-09-04T14:07:00.000-07:002008-09-03T18:09:11.650-07:00Concerns raised around the blogosphere<div class="snap_preview"><p>Here are some posts you may find enlightening, I know I did.</p> <p>(Click on the bolded dates for the posts)</p> <p><em><a href="http://iron-raptor.livejournal.com/">Iron Raptor</a></em> looks like he’s at least using the Internet to do some preliminary research which is a very good thing. Take a look at this post from <strong><a href="http://iron-raptor.livejournal.com/497189.html">August 30, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://anti-landmark.blogspot.com/"><em>Skeptik</em></a> is wise, this post is from <strong><a href="http://anti-landmark.blogspot.com/2008/08/personal-memoir-of-landmark-forum.html">August 10, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p><em><a href="http://ladynyo.wordpress.com/">Lady Nyo</a></em> posts in this <strong><a href="http://ladynyo.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/cults-of-the-afflicted/">August 10, 2008</a></strong> piece how she is “losing friends to a particular cult” and my heart goes out to her.</p> <p>Though this blog is called <em>Rambling Content</em>, the concerns raised don’t seem rambling at all. Check out this post from <strong><a href="http://ramblingcontent.blogspot.com/2008/08/is-pamela-loving-her-money.html">August 8, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=81"><em>Cult News</em></a> always has great stuff, very well researched, here is a disturbing piece from <strong><a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2317">August 5, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p><em><a class="bold" href="http://benjamindavidsteele.gaia.com/">Marmalade</a></em> has some interesting points to consider here in this post about New Age from <strong><a href="http://benjamindavidsteele.gaia.com/blog/2008/7/new_age_part_1">July 21, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p><a href="http://themachoresponse.blogspot.com/"><em>The Macho Response</em></a> has lots of good stuff as usual, here is a gem from <strong><a href="http://themachoresponse.blogspot.com/2008/07/left-wings-absortion-by-cults-no-escape.html">July 17, 2008</a>.</strong></p> <p>This <strong><a href="http://fabletoanends.blogspot.com/2008/07/defenistrate-landmark-education.html">July 4, 2008</a></strong> post from the <em><a href="http://fabletoanends.blogspot.com/">Complicity</a></em> blog has lots and lots of valuable links and resources.</p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-35124678367430379812008-09-03T08:41:00.000-07:002008-09-03T08:42:08.329-07:00Jedi mind f__k ?<div class="snap_preview"><p>Johan is wise.</p> <p>Read his wise words in this post from his blog, <em><a href="http://blog.vimolchalao.com/"><span>Aventures d’un métis:</span></a><a href="http://blog.vimolchalao.com/"><span>A day in the life of a half-breed</span></a></em> - specifically this wise blog post from <strong><a href="http://blog.vimolchalao.com/?p=1249">August 27, 2008</a></strong>.</p> <p>Johan is wise.</p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-81880531118104332692008-06-04T04:06:00.000-07:002008-06-04T04:11:29.940-07:00Controversial development training cited in religious discrimination lawsuits<span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Friday, May 23, 2008</b></span><p>A controversial development training course called "Landmark Forum" is cited in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_discrimination" class="extiw" title="w:Religious_discrimination">religious discrimination</a> lawsuits in <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/United_States" class="mw-redirect" title="United States">United States</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_courts" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_federal_courts">federal courts</a> in <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/New_York" class="mw-redirect" title="New York">New York</a> and <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C." class="mw-redirect" title="Washington, D.C.">Washington, D.C.</a> The seminars are run by a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco%2C_California" class="extiw" title="w:San_Francisco,_California">San Francisco</a>, <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a>-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For-profit_corporation" class="extiw" title="w:For-profit_corporation">for-profit</a> training company called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Education" class="extiw" title="w:Landmark_Education">Landmark Education</a>. The company evolved from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Seminars_Training" class="extiw" title="w:Erhard_Seminars_Training">Erhard Seminars Training</a> "est", and has faced criticism regarding its techniques and its use of unpaid labor. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_bank" class="extiw" title="w:Sperm_bank">sperm bank</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrogacy" class="extiw" title="w:Surrogacy">surrogacy</a> company <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles" class="extiw" title="w:Los_Angeles">Los Angeles</a>-based Growing Generations is named as a defendant in the New York lawsuit, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29" class="extiw" title="w:Democratic_Party_(United_States)">Democratic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_action_committee" class="extiw" title="w:Political_action_committee">political action committee</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Century_Democrats" class="extiw" title="w:21st_Century_Democrats">Twenty-First Century Democrats</a> is a defendant in the Washington, D.C. case.</p><p>In separate lawsuits filed in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Southern_District_of_New_York" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_District_Court_for_the_Southern_District_of_New_York">United States District Court for the Southern District of New York</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan" class="extiw" title="w:Manhattan">Manhattan</a>, New York, and in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_District_of_Columbia" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_District_Court_for_the_District_of_Columbia">United States District Court for the District of Columbia</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C." class="extiw" title="w:Washington,_D.C.">Washington, D.C.</a>, former employees are suing their employers for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monetary_damages" class="extiw" title="w:Monetary_damages">monetary damages</a> and claiming religious discrimination after their employers allegedly mandated that they attend courses at Landmark Education.</p> <p>In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_dollar" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_dollar">US$</a>3 million federal lawsuit filed in New York, Scott Glasgow is suing his former employer Growing Generations and its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_executive_officer" class="extiw" title="w:Chief_executive_officer">CEO</a> Stuart Miller. Growing Generations maintains sperm banks and also arranges surrogacy for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality" class="extiw" title="w:Homosexuality">gay</a> couples who wish to have children. The company has offices in New York and Los Angeles, and has done business with celebrities including actor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._D._Wong" class="extiw" title="w:B._D._Wong">B. D. Wong</a> of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_%26_Order:_SVU" class="extiw" title="w:Law_&_Order:_SVU">Law & Order: SVU</a></i>.</p> <p>Glasgow was marketing director of Growing Generations, and claims he was fired in June 2007 after refusing to continue attending Landmark Education seminars. Glasgow is also suing for sexual harassment, and claims Miller came on to him in September 2006. He made approximately $100,000 per year as the company's marketing director, and was the company's only employee based out of New York City. The company's main offices are in Los Angeles.</p><p>"I was shocked when I was fired. It took me months to right myself. I want them to stop imposing Landmark on the employees, and I want an apology," said Glasgow in a statement in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Village_Voice" class="extiw" title="w:The_Village_Voice">The Village Voice</a></i>. Brent Pelton, one of Glasgow's attorneys, stated that: "The Landmark philosophy is deeply ingrained in the culture of the company". Glasgow said that the Landmark Education training courses were "opposite" to his <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian" class="extiw" title="w:Christian">Christian</a> beliefs. According to Glasgow he was questioned by Miller in May 2007 after he walked out of a Landmark Education course, and was fired shortly thereafter. "We stand by the allegations contained in the complaint and we look forward to proving them at trial," said Pelton in a statement to <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_News" class="extiw" title="w:ABC_News">ABC News</a></i>.</p> <p>Ian Wallace, an attorney who represents Growing Generations, claimed that Glasgow wasn't fired but walked away from his position. "Growing Generations and Mr. Miller are very confident that these claims will be dismissed ultimately, and there's no factual basis for them whatsoever," said Wallace in a statement to <i>The Village Voice</i>. Lawyers representing Growing Generations and Stuart Miller declined comment to <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Post" class="extiw" title="w:The_New_York_Post">The New York Post</a></i>, and did not immediately return a message from <i>ABC News</i>.</p> <p>In Glasgow's complaint, entered into federal court record on April 18, he asserts that Landmark Education constitutes a "religion", and "perceived their philosophy as a form of religion that contradicted his own personal beliefs". He states that when he was promoted to Director of Marketing, he asked Miller if he could stop attending the Landmark sessions but was told that they were mandatory for all of the company's executives and that Landmark is "very much the language of the company." Glasgow said his performance at the company was assessed based on how he was "touching, moving and inspiring" others, a phrase from the Landmark philosophy, as opposed to his business accomplishments at the company. The complaint claims that the actions of Miller and Growing Generations violated Federal, New York State and New York City <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/civil_rights" class="extiw" title="w:civil_rights">civil rights</a> laws.</p> <p>The lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. deals with a separate plaintiff and company, but the plaintiff in the suit also claims that religious discrimination took place for allegedly being mandated to attend Landmark Education courses. Kenneth Goldman is suing the United States Democratic political action committee Twenty-First Century Democrats (also 21st Century Democrats) and its former executive director Kelly Young. Goldman was formerly the communications director of 21st Century Democrats.</p> <p>According to Goldman's complaint, three employees of 21st Century Democrats were fired after refusing to attend the Landmark Forum course. The complaint asserts that Landmark Education has "religious characteristics and theological implications" which influenced the mission of 21st Century Democrats and the way the organization conducted business. Goldman's complaint states that in addition to himself, a training director and field director were also fired after they made it clear they would not attend the Landmark Forum.</p> <p>Goldman says executive director Young infused Landmark Education <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jargon" class="extiw" title="w:Jargon">jargon</a> terms into staff meetings such as "create possibilities", "create a new context", and "enroll in possibilities". He also claims that Young "urged" staff members to participate in Landmark Education events outside of the workplace, drove employees to and from Landmark functions, and used funds from 21st Century Democrats to pay for employees to attend those functions. Goldman's complaint asserts that he was discriminated against in violation of the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.</p><p>In a statement in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Times" class="extiw" title="w:The_Washington_Times">The Washington Times</a></i>, the executive director of 21st Century Democrats, Mark Lotwis, called the lawsuit "frivolous" and said: "we're going to defend our organization's integrity". Landmark Education spokeswoman Deborah Beroset said that the Landmark Forum "is in no way religious in nature and any claim to the contrary is simply absurd," and stated: "While we are not a party to this lawsuit and have no firsthand knowledge of it, we can only assume that we are being used as a legal and political football to further the plaintiff"s own financial interests."</p><p>The New York lawsuit was filed April 14, and is still in early filing stages. A conference with the federal court judge in the case has been scheduled for June 17. The Washington, D.C. suit began in November 2007, and entered mediation this past March. As of April 15 the parties in the case were due back to court on July 11 to update the court on the mediation process.</p> <p>Landmark Education is descended from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Seminars_Training" class="extiw" title="w:Erhard_Seminars_Training">Erhard Seminars Training</a>, also called "est", which was founded by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Erhard" class="extiw" title="w:Werner_Erhard">Werner Erhard</a>. est began in 1971, and Erhard's company <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Erhard_and_Associates" class="extiw" title="w:Werner_Erhard_and_Associates">Werner Erhard and Associates</a> repackaged the course as "The Forum" in 1985. Associates of Erhard bought the license to his "technology" and incorporated Landmark Education in California in 1991.</p> <p>This is not the first time employees have sued claiming mandatory attendance at "Forum" workshops violated their civil rights. In a lawsuit filed in December 1988 in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Northern_District_of_Georgia" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_District_Court_for_the_Northern_District_of_Georgia">United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia</a>, eight employees of DeKalb Farmers Market in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur%2C_Georgia" class="extiw" title="w:Decatur,_Georgia">Decatur</a>, <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Georgia_%28U.S._state%29" class="mw-redirect" title="Georgia (U.S. state)">Georgia</a> sued their employer claiming their religious freedom and civil rights were violated when they were allegedly coerced into attending "Forum" training sessions. "Many of these training programs, particularly at large corporations, claim to be purely psychological, aimed at improving productivity and morale and loyalty. But in fact they are religious," said <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Denver" class="extiw" title="w:University_of_Denver">University of Denver</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_studies" class="extiw" title="w:Religious_studies">religious studies</a> professor Carl Raschke in a statement to <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal" class="extiw" title="w:The_Wall_Street_Journal">The Wall Street Journal</a></i>.</p> <p>The DeKalb Farmers Market employees were represented by lawyers for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Liberties_Union" class="extiw" title="w:American_Civil_Liberties_Union">American Civil Liberties Union</a>. Consulting Technologies Inc., an affiliate of Transformational Technologies Inc., was named as a party in the lawsuit. Transformational Technologies was founded by Werner Erhard, and was not named as a party in the suit. The "Forum" course that the employees claimed they were mandated to attend was developed by Werner Erhard and Associates. Employees said that they were fired or pressured to quit after they objected to the Forum courses.</p> <p>The workers claimed that the Forum course contradicted with their religious beliefs. The plaintiffs in the suit included adherents of varying religious backgrounds, including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity" class="extiw" title="w:Christianity">Christianity</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism" class="extiw" title="w:Hinduism">Hinduism</a>. "The sessions put people into a hibernating state. They ask for total loyalty. It's like brainwashing," said Dong Shik Kim, one of the plaintiffs in the case. The plaintiffs said they lost their jobs after objecting to a "new age quasi-religious cult" which they said was developed by Werner Erhard.</p> <p>The DeKalb Farmers Market denied the allegations, and an attorney for the company Edward D. Buckley III told <i>The Wall Street Journal</i> that employees were encouraged, not coerced, to attend the training sessions. According to <i>The Wall Street Journal</i>, The Forum said it would not sanction workers being coerced to attend its training sessions.</p> <p>The parties in the DeKalb Farmers Market religious discrimination case came to a settlement in May 1989, and the case was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice_%28legal_procedure%29" class="extiw" title="w:Prejudice_(legal_procedure)">dismissed with prejudice</a> in June. The terms of the out-of-court settlement were not made public, but the employees' attorney Amy Totenberg told <i>The Wall Street Journal</i> that the case "has made employers come to grips with the legitimate boundaries of employee training".</p> <p>According to Title VII of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964" class="extiw" title="w:Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964">Civil Rights Act of 1964</a>, employers must "reasonably accommodate" their employees' religious beliefs unless this creates "undue hardship". In September 1988, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Employment_Opportunity_Commission" class="extiw" title="w:Equal_Employment_Opportunity_Commission">Equal Employment Opportunity Commission</a> issued a policy-guidance notice which stated that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age" class="extiw" title="w:New_Age">New Age</a> courses should be handled under Title VII of the Act. According to the Commission, employers must provide "reasonable accommodation" if an employee challenges a training course, unless this causes "undue hardship" for the company.</p> <p>In October 2006, Landmark Education took legal action against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google" class="extiw" title="w:Google">Google</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube" class="extiw" title="w:YouTube">YouTube</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Archive" class="extiw" title="w:Internet_Archive">Internet Archive</a> and a website owner in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland" class="extiw" title="w:Queensland">Queensland, Australia</a> in attempts to remove criticism of its products from the <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Internet" class="mw-redirect" title="Internet">Internet</a>. The company sought a subpoena under the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act" class="extiw" title="w:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act">Digital Millennium Copyright Act</a> in an attempt to discover the identity of an anonymous critic who uploaded a 2004 <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/France" class="mw-redirect" title="France">French</a> documentary of the Landmark Forum to the Internet. "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyage_au_pays_des_nouveaux_gourous" class="extiw" title="w:Voyage_au_pays_des_nouveaux_gourous">Voyage au pays des nouveaux gourous</a>" (Voyage to the Land of the New Gurus) was produced by <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%A8ces_%C3%A0_Conviction" class="extiw" title="w:Pièces_à_Conviction">Pièces à Conviction</a></i>, a French <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism" class="extiw" title="w:Investigative_journalism">investigative journalism</a> news program. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation" class="extiw" title="w:Electronic_Frontier_Foundation">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a> represented the anonymous critic and the Internet Archive, and Landmark withdrew its subpoena in November 2006 in exchange for a promise from the anonymous critic not to repost the video.</p> <p>Landmark Education itself has come under scrutiny for its controversial labor practices. The company has been investigated by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_Department_of_Labor">United States Department of Labor</a> in separate investigations originating out of California, <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Colorado" class="mw-redirect" title="Colorado">Colorado</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Texas" class="mw-redirect" title="Texas">Texas</a>. Investigations focused on the heavy reliance of unpaid labor in the company's workforce, which Landmark Education calls "assistants" and deems volunteers.</p> <p>An investigation by the U.S. Dept. Labor based out of Colorado found that activities performed by Landmark Education's "assistants" include: "office, clerical, telephone solicitation and enrollment, as well as greeting customers, setting up chairs, handling microphones during the seminars and making coffee. Additionally, a number of volunteers actually teach the courses and provide testimonials during and after the courses." The Colorado investigation's 1996 report found that "No records are kept of any hours worked by any employees." According to a 1998 article in <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Silicon_Valley" class="extiw" title="w:Metro_Silicon_Valley">Metro Silicon Valley</a></i>: "In the end the Department of Labor dropped the issue, leaving Landmark trumpeting about its volunteers' choice in the matter." <i>Metro Silicon Valley</i> reported that Landmark Education at the time employed 451 paid staff, and also utilized the services of 7,500 volunteers.</p> <p>After an investigation into Landmark Education's labor practices by the U.S. Dept. Labor's offices out of California, the company was deemed to have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtime" class="extiw" title="w:Overtime">overtime</a> violations. According to the Department of Labor's 2004 report on the investigation, back wages of $187,569.01 were found due to 45 employees. An investigation by the U.S. Dept. Labor in Texas which concluded in 2005 stated: "Minimum wage violation found. Volunteers (Assistants) are not paid any wages for hours worked while performing the major duties of the firm. The assistants set up rooms, call registrants, collect fees, keep stats of classroom data/participants, file, they also are answering phones, training and leading seminars."</p> <p>The Texas investigation also discovered an overtime violation. Landmark Education agreed to pay back wages for the overtime violation, but did not comply with the overtime violation found by the U.S. Dept. Labor for the "assistants". Landmark Education denied that the "assistants" are employees, though the Department of Labor report concluded: "Interviews reveal that the employees are taking payments, registering clients, billing, training, recruiting, setting up locations, cleaning, and other duties that would have to be performed by staff if the assistants did not perform them."</p> <p>According to the 2004 investigative report by <i>Pièces à Conviction</i> in the "Voyage au pays des nouveaux gourous" program, Landmark Education was investigated by the <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/France" class="mw-redirect" title="France">French</a> government in 1995. In the "Voyage au pays des nouveaux gourous" program volunteers were filmed through a hidden camera and shown performing duties for Landmark Education in France including manning phones, recruitment and financial work for the company, and one volunteer was shown cleaning a toilet.</p> <p><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Nouvel_Observateur" class="extiw" title="w:Le_Nouvel_Observateur">Le Nouvel Observateur</a></i> reported that after "Voyage au pays des nouveaux gourous" aired in France, labor inspectors investigated Landmark Education's use of unpaid volunteers. According to <i>Le Nouvel Observateur</i>, one month after the labor investigation took place the French branch of the company had disbanded. A former "Introduction Leader" to the Landmark Forum, Lars Bergwik, has recently posted a series of videos to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube" class="extiw" title="w:YouTube">YouTube</a> critical of the company and its practices. Bergwik appeared on a 2004 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism" class="extiw" title="w:Investigative_journalism">investigative journalism</a> program on <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Sweden" class="mw-redirect" title="Sweden">Sweden</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV4_%28Sweden%29" class="extiw" title="w:TV4_(Sweden)">Channel 4</a>, <i>Kalla Fakta</i> (Cold Facts). According to Bergwik, after the <i>Kalla Fakta</i> program on Landmark Education aired, "Landmark left Sweden".</p><h2><span class="mw-headline">Related news</span></h2> <ul><li><a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Australian_Defence_Department_funds_controversial_development_training" title="Australian Defence Department funds controversial development training">"Australian Defence Department funds controversial development training"</a>. <i><a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Main_Page" title="Main Page">Wikinews</a></i>, April 3, 2008</li></ul><h2><span class="mw-headline">Sources</span><br /></h2><ul><li>"<a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4910623&page=1" class="external text" title="http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=4910623&page=1" rel="nofollow">Lawsuit Claims Sex Harassment, Cultish Behavior</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_News" class="extiw" title="w:ABC_News">ABC News</a></i>, May 23, 2008</li><li>"<a href="http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2008/05/22/sperm_bank_employee_claims_harassment/7540/" class="external text" title="http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2008/05/22/sperm_bank_employee_claims_harassment/7540/" rel="nofollow">Sperm bank employee claims harassment</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Press_International" class="extiw" title="w:United_Press_International">United Press International</a></i>, May 22, 2008</li><li>Kati Cornell "<a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/05222008/news/regionalnews/bondage_boss_is__a_bad_seed__suit_112020.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.nypost.com/seven/05222008/news/regionalnews/bondage_boss_is__a_bad_seed__suit_112020.htm" rel="nofollow">Bondage Boss Is A Bad Seed: Suit</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Post" class="extiw" title="w:New_York_Post">New York Post</a></i>, May 22, 2008</li><li>Graham Rayman "<a href="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0821,sperm-bank-lawsuit,446671,2.html" class="external text" title="http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0821,sperm-bank-lawsuit,446671,2.html" rel="nofollow">Suit Against Sperm-Bank Firm Claims Sexual Harassment and Cult-Like Behavior</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_Voice" class="extiw" title="w:Village_Voice">Village Voice</a></i>, May 20, 2008</li><li><a href="http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Nisseberka" class="external text" title="http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Nisseberka" rel="nofollow">Lars Bergwik</a> "<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ikDUGUjWNh8" class="external text" title="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ikDUGUjWNh8" rel="nofollow">Landmark Education Lars Bergwik part 1</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube" class="extiw" title="w:YouTube">YouTube</a></i>, May 6, 2008</li><li>Jim McElhatton "<a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/NATION/111270023/1002" class="external text" title="http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071127/NATION/111270023/1002" rel="nofollow">Democratic PAC faces lawsuit for employee 'religious events'</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Times" class="extiw" title="w:The_Washington_Times">The Washington Times</a></i>, November 27, 2007</li><li>David Wachtel (attorney for plaintiff) "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark253.pdf" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark253.pdf" rel="nofollow">Kenneth Goldman v. Twenty-First Century Democrats</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_District_of_Columbia" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_District_Court_for_the_District_of_Columbia">United States District Court for the District of Columbia</a></i>, November 19, 2007</li><li>Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Dept. Labor (<a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Texas" class="mw-redirect" title="Texas">Texas</a>) "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark237.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark237.html" rel="nofollow">Compliance Action Report - Landmark Education</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_Department_of_Labor">United States Department of Labor</a></i>, June 26, 2007</li><li>Marie Lemonnier "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark227.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark227.html" rel="nofollow">With the gurus wearing neckties: 395 euros for three days</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Nouvel_Observateur" class="extiw" title="w:Le_Nouvel_Observateur">Le Nouvel Observateur</a></i>, May 19, 2005</li><li>Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Dept. Labor (<a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a>) "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark245.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark245.html" rel="nofollow">Narrative Report (FLSA) - Landmark Education</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_Department_of_Labor">United States Department of Labor</a></i>, December 8, 2004</li><li>Traci Hukill "<a href="http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html" class="external text" title="http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html" rel="nofollow">The est of Friends: Werner Erhard's protégés and siblings carry the torch for a '90s incarnation of the '70s 'training' that some of us just didn't get</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Silicon_Valley" class="extiw" title="w:Metro_Silicon_Valley">Metro Silicon Valley</a></i>, July 9, 1998</li><li>Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Dept. Labor (<a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Colorado" class="mw-redirect" title="Colorado">Colorado</a>) "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark238.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark238.html" rel="nofollow">Compliance Action Report - Landmark Education</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Labor" class="extiw" title="w:United_States_Department_of_Labor">United States Department of Labor</a></i>, May 4, 1996</li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Singer" class="extiw" title="w:Margaret_Singer">Margaret Singer</a> "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing13.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing13.html" rel="nofollow">Intruding into the Workplace</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cults_in_Our_Midst" class="extiw" title="w:Cults_in_Our_Midst">Cults in Our Midst</a></i>, 1995</li><li>"<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/forum/forum108.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/forum/forum108.html" rel="nofollow">'New Age' Training Suit Against Market Settled Out of Court</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal" class="extiw" title="w:The_Wall_Street_Journal">The Wall Street Journal</a></i>, May 31, 1989</li><li>George White (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Times" class="extiw" title="w:Los_Angeles_Times">Los Angeles Times</a>) "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/est19.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/est19.html" rel="nofollow">Employees strike back against 'human potential seminars'</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Union" class="extiw" title="w:Times_Union">Times Union</a></i>, March 25, 1989</li><li>Martha Brannigan "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/forum/forum107.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/forum/forum107.html" rel="nofollow">Employers' 'New Age' Training Programs Lead to Lawsuits Over Workers' Rights</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal" class="extiw" title="w:The_Wall_Street_Journal">The Wall Street Journal</a></i>, January 9, 1989</li><li>Martha Brannigan "<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/estpt15.html" class="external text" title="http://www.rickross.com/reference/est/estpt15.html" rel="nofollow">Training Course Sparks U.S. Suit By Market Workers</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall_Street_Journal" class="extiw" title="w:The_Wall_Street_Journal">The Wall Street Journal</a></i>, December 8, 1988</li></ul><b>Credit: <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Australian_Defence_Department_funds_controversial_development_training">Wikinews</a><br /><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/">cc-a-2.5</a></b>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-61948411774073838842008-05-28T04:48:00.000-07:002008-05-28T04:50:12.930-07:00Former ‘Landmark Forum’ Introduction Leader speaks out<div class="snap_preview"><p><a href="http://youtube.com/user/Nisseberka">Lars Bergwik</a> was an “Introduction Leader” to the <a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=81">Landmark Forum</a> course at <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html">Landmark Education</a>. He is now speaking out publicly against <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/forum.html">Landmark Education</a> in <a href="http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Nisseberka">video posts on YouTube</a>.</p> <p>I think his videos speak best for themselves so I will just say go watch them. If you don’t have much time, just watch the first one.</p><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ikDUGUjWNh8&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ikDUGUjWNh8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><p><strong>Here are his videos about Landmark (there are seven so far):</strong></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ikDUGUjWNh8">Landmark Education Lars Bergwik part 1</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ggqZg5aKEaI">Landmark Education Lars Bergwik Video part 2</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=iYa5YkcqpWQ">Landmark Education - Lars Bergwik on Randy McNamara - FL</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=IkMmwcu7wjU">Landmark Education - Lars talks part one</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=rBIL-yiUwVY">Landmark Education - Lars talks part two</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=VH4Zy9MhHI4">Landmark education -Lars talks part three</a></p> <p><a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=2QGNhy1Jztg">Landmark Eduction - Lars talks part four</a></p> <p><strong>Some links:</strong></p> <p>Discussion thread about it at <a href="http://forum.rickross.com/read.php?4,55944">Cult Education Forum</a></p> <p>Discussion thread about it at <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.landmark/browse_thread/thread/d791d054bb2b8243#">alt.fan.landmark</a></p> <p>Blog post at <em>The Macho Response</em>: <a href="http://themachoresponse.blogspot.com/2008/05/go-lars-go.html">Go, Lars, Go!!!</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2124">Why did Landmark Education Leave France?</a> - <em><a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=81">Cult News</a></em></p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-37366486052833400452008-05-08T14:44:00.000-07:002008-05-08T14:56:44.116-07:00Australian Defence Department funds controversial development training<p><b>Thursday, April 3, 2008</b></p><a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Australia" class="mw-redirect" title="Australia">Australia</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Defence_%28Australia%29" class="extiw" title="w:Department_of_Defence_(Australia)">Department of Defence</a> spent thousands of dollars on controversial development seminars, Australian media reported Wednesday. The seminars are run by a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco%2C_California" class="extiw" title="w:San_Francisco,_California">San Francisco</a>, <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/California" class="mw-redirect" title="California">California</a>-based training company called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Education" class="extiw" title="w:Landmark_Education">Landmark Education</a>. The company evolved from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Seminars_Training" class="extiw" title="w:Erhard_Seminars_Training">Erhard Seminars Training</a> "est", and has faced criticism regarding its techniques and its use of unpaid labor. <p>Australia's Defence Minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Snowdon" class="extiw" title="w:Warren_Snowdon">Warren Snowdon</a> said that the government is in the process of reviewing Defence Department expenditures on career development. "We're in the process now of doing an audit, completely unrelated with anything to do with Landmark, which is being undertaken into learning and development to make sure that they meet our needs. ... We have to be very sure that the courses that people do undertake are relevant, appropriate and indeed in line with what community expectations might be," said Snowdon in an appearance on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation" class="extiw" title="w:Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation">ABC Radio</a>.</p><p><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Australian" class="extiw" title="w:The_Australian">The Australian</a></i> and Australia's <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_News_%28Australia%29" class="extiw" title="w:ABC_News_(Australia)">ABC News</a></i> reported that Landmark Education had been listed in <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/France" class="mw-redirect" title="France">France</a> as a "possible <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cult" class="extiw" title="w:cult">cult</a>" in the mid 1990s. When asked about this on ABC Radio, a spokeswoman for the company in the <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/United_States" class="mw-redirect" title="United States">United States</a>, Deborah Beroset, responded: "What happened in France was that a commission established by the French parliament issued a report in which they listed almost 200 organisations as being possible cults ... We were never contacted. We were inappropriately included in that list".</p> <p>In a program which aired Wednesday, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation" class="extiw" title="w:Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation">Australian Broadcasting Corporation</a> radio program <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_%28ABC_Radio%29" class="extiw" title="w:AM_(ABC_Radio)">AM</a></i> reported that Australia's Defence Department spent at least <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AUD" class="extiw" title="w:AUD">AUD</a>12,270 of taxpayer funds to send government employees to Landmark Education courses. According to <i>AM</i>, the Defence Department said it does not appear that further funds have been sent to Landmark Education since 2004.</p> <p>In a statement released by the Defence Department, the government stated: "A search of Defence records does not indicate exactly how many individuals attended courses with this training provider, however it is believed it was a small number of individuals. ... Defence has been unable to determine individual reasons for why groups within Defence choose this training provider."</p> <p><i>AM</i> also reported that the use of unpaid labor by Landmark Education "has attracted the attention of the US and French governments," and that some individuals in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health" class="extiw" title="w:Mental_health">mental health</a> field have accused the company of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/brainwashing" class="extiw" title="w:brainwashing">brainwashing</a>. When asked about the allegations by mental health experts that Landmark Education's techniques amounted to brainwashing, Deborah Beroset responded: "Well, there is absolutely no credence to that whatsoever."</p><p>In a March 9 article in the <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herald_Sun" class="extiw" title="w:Herald_Sun">Herald Sun</a></i>, Peter Rolfe reported that taxpayer money was used to send at least 37 police and government staff from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_%28Australia%29" class="extiw" title="w:Victoria_(Australia)">Victoria, Australia</a> to seminars run by Landmark Education. Police and Emergency Services Minister <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Cameron" class="extiw" title="w:Bob_Cameron">Bob Cameron</a> said that "Decisions on the appropriateness of staff attending courses by Landmark Education are made by individual managers who remain best-placed to assess the development needs of their staff," but State Liberal MP <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Thompson" class="extiw" title="w:Murray_Thompson">Murray Thompson</a> told the <i>Herald Sun</i> that the funds should have been put towards fighting crime. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc." class="extiw" title="w:Apple_Inc.">Apple Inc.</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reebok" class="extiw" title="w:Reebok">Reebok</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz" class="extiw" title="w:Mercedes-Benz">Mercedes-Benz</a> have sent employees to Landmark Education seminars, according to a spokeswoman for Landmark.</p> <p>In October 2006, Landmark Education took legal action against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google" class="extiw" title="w:Google">Google</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube" class="extiw" title="w:YouTube">YouTube</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Archive" class="extiw" title="w:Internet_Archive">Internet Archive</a> and a website owner in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland" class="extiw" title="w:Queensland">Queensland, Australia</a> in attempts to remove criticism of its products from the <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Internet" class="mw-redirect" title="Internet">Internet</a>. The company sought a subpoena under the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act" class="extiw" title="w:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act">Digital Millennium Copyright Act</a> in an attempt to discover the identity of an anonymous critic who uploaded a 2004 <a href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/France" class="mw-redirect" title="France">French</a> documentary of the Landmark Forum to the Internet. "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyage_au_pays_des_nouveaux_gourous" class="extiw" title="w:Voyage_au_pays_des_nouveaux_gourous">Voyage au pays des nouveaux gourous</a>" (Voyage to the Land of the New Gurus) was produced by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi%C3%A8ces_%C3%A0_Conviction" class="extiw" title="w:Pièces_à_Conviction">Pièces à Conviction</a>, a French <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism" class="extiw" title="w:Investigative_journalism">investigative journalism</a> news program. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation" class="extiw" title="w:Electronic_Frontier_Foundation">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a> represented the anonymous critic and the Internet Archive, and Landmark withdrew its subpoena in November 2006 in exchange for a promise from the anonymous critic not to repost the video.</p> <p>Landmark Education is descended from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhard_Seminars_Training" class="extiw" title="w:Erhard_Seminars_Training">Erhard Seminars Training</a>, also called "est", which was founded by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Erhard" class="extiw" title="w:Werner_Erhard">Werner Erhard</a>. est began in 1971, and Erhard's company <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Erhard_and_Associates" class="extiw" title="w:Werner_Erhard_and_Associates">Werner Erhard and Associates</a> repackaged the course as "The Forum" in 1985. Associates of Erhard bought the license to his "technology" and incorporated Landmark Education in California in 1991.</p><p><a name="Sources" id="Sources"></a></p><h2><span class="mw-headline">Sources</span></h2><ul><li>"<a href="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23471173-12377,00.html" class="external text" title="http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23471173-12377,00.html" rel="nofollow">Defence sends staff on 'cult' courses: The Department of Defence has spent thousands of dollars on professional development courses run by an organisation listed in France as a possible cult</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Australian" class="extiw" title="w:The_Australian">The Australian</a></i>, April 2, 2008</li><li>Daniel Hoare "<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2205439.htm" class="external text" title="http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2205439.htm" rel="nofollow">Defence Dept under fire over professional development spending</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_%28ABC_Radio%29" class="extiw" title="w:AM_(ABC_Radio)">AM (ABC Radio)</a></i>, April 2, 2008</li><li>"<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/02/2205464.htm?section=australia" class="external text" title="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/02/2205464.htm?section=australia" rel="nofollow">Defence workers trained by 'cult': The Defence Department has admitted some of its personnel have undertaken professional development courses run by an organisation that had been listed as a possible cult</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_News_%28Australia%29" class="extiw" title="w:ABC_News_(Australia)">ABC News (Australia)</a></i>, April 2, 2008</li><li>"<a href="http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/200804/20080402am05-landmark-defence.mp3" class="external text" title="http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/200804/20080402am05-landmark-defence.mp3" rel="nofollow">Defence Dept under fire over professional development courses (AM)</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_%28ABC_Radio%29" class="extiw" title="w:AM_(ABC_Radio)">AM (ABC Radio)</a></i>, April 2, 2008</li><li>"<a href="http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/200804/20080402am06-landmark-snowdon.mp3" class="external text" title="http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/am/200804/20080402am06-landmark-snowdon.mp3" rel="nofollow">Govt doing audit of Defence Dept professional development courses (AM)</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_%28ABC_Radio%29" class="extiw" title="w:AM_(ABC_Radio)">AM (ABC Radio)</a></i>, April 2, 2008</li><li>Peter Rolfe "<a href="http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23342475-2862,00.html" class="external text" title="http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23342475-2862,00.html" rel="nofollow">We pay for seminars: Taxpayers are picking up the bill to send police officers and bureaucrats on a controversial personal enlightenment course</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herald_Sun" class="extiw" title="w:Herald_Sun">Herald Sun</a></i>, March 9, 2008</li><li>K.C. Jones "<a href="http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196601049" class="external text" title="http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196601049" rel="nofollow">Landmark Drops Copyright Infringement Subpoenas On Google And Anonymous Critic: Landmark sought a subpoena to find out who posted hidden camera footage from an event held by the French branch of the organization</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InformationWeek" class="extiw" title="w:InformationWeek">InformationWeek</a></i>, December 1, 2006</li><li>"<a href="http://www.eff.org/cases/landmark-and-internet-archive" class="external text" title="http://www.eff.org/cases/landmark-and-internet-archive" rel="nofollow">Landmark and the Internet Archive</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Frontier_Foundation" class="extiw" title="w:Electronic_Frontier_Foundation">Electronic Frontier Foundation</a></i>, November 29, 2006</li><li>Traci Hukill "<a href="http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html" class="external text" title="http://www.metroactive.com/landmark/landmark1-9827.html" rel="nofollow">The est of Friends: Werner Erhard's protégés and siblings carry the torch for a '90s incarnation of the '70s 'training' that some of us just didn't get</a>". <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Silicon_Valley" class="extiw" title="w:Metro_Silicon_Valley">Metro Silicon Valley</a></i>, July 9, 1998</li></ul><b>Credit: <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Australian_Defence_Department_funds_controversial_development_training">Wikinews</a><br /><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/">cc-a-2.5</a><br /></b>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-35596772957726128182007-11-22T06:23:00.000-08:002007-11-23T23:28:51.077-08:00Useful information from two Ph.D.’s, a parody play, and other LGAT discussion<div class="snap_preview"><p>Some <a href="http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/langone_michael_lgate.htm">Large Group Awareness Training</a> related news, information and postings:</p> <p>Related to our prior post, <a href="http://lgattruth.wordpress.com/2007/10/06/mankind-project-or-dancing-naked-with-other-men-while-beating-cooked-chickens/">Mankind Project or Dancing Naked With Other Men While Beating Cooked Chickens</a>, in a post “<a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/EWThrockmorton/11559640/">Article raises questions about New Warriors Adventure</a>” - Professor of Psychology Dr. Warren Throckmorton cites strange practices by the group including: <em>Blindfolded walking tours in the nude; People blowing sage smoke in his face while 50 or so naked men danced around candles; Men sitting naked in a circle discussing their sexual histories while passing a wooden dildo called “The Cock”; </em>and of course, <em>Naked men beating cooked chickens with a hammer. </em></p> <p>“<a href="http://sppeace.blogspot.com/2007/11/landmark-forum-and-red-flags-short.html">Landmark Forum and the Red Flags</a>” is an amusing, humorous satirical parody play discussing what the writer refers to as the “Formicans”, and a character’s research through both direct experience and (wisely so) also through research on the internet about this fictional parody group.</p> <p><em><a href="http://www.cultnews.net/">The Cult News Network</a></em> provides a link to an “<a href="http://www.cultnews.net/command/click?id=25807" class="main-link" target="_blank">Ongoing legal complaint re: Werner Erhard on Wikipedia ?</a>” The issue is also discussed at the <a href="http://forum.rickross.com/">Cult Education Forum</a>, under the topic: “<a href="http://forum.rickross.com/list.php?4">Large Group Awareness Training, ‘Human Potential’</a> “</p> <p><em><a href="http://echidneofthesnakes.blogspot.com/">Echidne of the Snakes</a></em> has an interesting piece called “<a href="http://echidneofthesnakes.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html#131959204236302492">A Guest Post on the Mankind Project</a>.” The writer cites the <em>Houston Press</em> article, “<a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/2007-10-04/news/weekend-warriors/">Naked Men: The Mankind Project and Michael Scinto</a>.” However, the most interesting quote from the Echidne of the Snakes post, would probably be a warning about secrecy related to <a href="http://skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a> organizations: <em>“<span class="item">Secrecy can be a good thing, but insisting on secrecy on this level should make us worried.”</span></em></p> <p><em>The Post</em> of Athens, Ohio in an article called “<a href="http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/Articles/Culture/2007/10/17/21768/">Conquering coercion</a>” has some very valuable information about coercive groups, and provides a list of “Warning Signs for College Students”. In its research for the piece, The Post consulted with psychologist <a href="http://www.csj.org/infoserv_profile/martin_paul.htm">Dr. Paul Martin</a>, director of the <a href="http://wellspringretreat.org/">Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center</a>. Dr. Martin was influenced by the work of Harvard-trained psychiatrist <a href="http://www.csj.org/studyindex/studycult/study_lifton2.htm">Dr. Robert Lifton</a>, who wrote about the <a href="http://www.csj.org/studyindex/studymindctr/study_mindctr_lifton.htm">Eight Criteria for Thought Reform</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://culticstudiesreview.org/csr_profiles/indiv/whitsett_doni.htm">Dr. Doni Whitsett</a> discussed deceptive mind control techniques and tactics often used by “destructive groups”, in an article in the <em><a href="http://media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2007/10/12/News/Professor.Warns.That.Cults.May.Target.Students-3029528.shtml">Daily Trojan</a></em>. Dr. Whitsett gave some advice to parents of potential victims of these deceptive practices: <em>“Don’t be discouraged by resistance … Kids will remember your questions when they begin to doubt. Question, but don’t give advice.” </em>This is very good advice, because through questioning and asking good points and probing into the background of some of these deceptive groups, the parents can begin to restimulate the rational skepticism of their child that may have been laying dormant as a result of harmful tactics they may have experienced.</p><p><a href="http://www.goletavalleyvoice.com/cgi-bin/business/readarticle.cgi?article=711">Small Company Secrets: The MindBend experience</a>, by Paul Burri, <em>Goleta Valley Voice. </em>A great little piece about a weekend “seminar” called MindBend (name changed to protect the author of the article from being sued), which is described as being similar to EST. Burri provides some <strong>excellent </strong>advice at the end of the article: <em>“<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Do not ever allow anyone to put you in an uncomfortable situation. Speak up and ask to have the rules changed, the setting changed or to make whatever changes are necessary to make you feel comfortable. It will keep you from agreeing to something that you might regret later.”</span></em></p> </div>GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37055295.post-86771438636553370562007-10-25T19:31:00.000-07:002007-10-25T19:35:58.086-07:00Drinking the Kool Aid - Press censored by complaint of “libel” ?On <strong>October 24, 2007</strong>, the <em>Daily Orange</em>, a student newspaper in Syracuse, New York, posted an article entitled: “<a href="http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2007/10/24/News/Drinking.The.Kool.Aid-3052190.shtml">Drinking the Kool Aid: Cults target college students in recruitment</a>.” This article discussed the presence of cults on the Syracuse University campus, and also gave information from cult expert <a href="http://www.csj.org/infoserv_profile/giambalvo_carol.htm">Carol Giambalvo</a>, a member of the board of directors for the <a href="http://www.icsahome.com/">International Cultic Studies Association</a>, and Syracuse University dean of Hendricks Chapel, Thomas Wolfe. Giambalvo stated that cults can masquerade as activist, self-improvement and religious groups.<br /><br />If you go to the Web page where this article was located, you can no longer read the article on “<a href="http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2007/10/24/News/Drinking.The.Kool.Aid-3052190.shtml">Drinking the Kool Aid</a>.” Instead a notice is displayed from the editor, stating that the <em>Daily Orange</em> removed the body of the article because it contained “libel,” and they apologized to “the parties involved.” Unfortunately, we do not know specifically what the allegation of libel was regarding, and what group made the allegation of libel, or even what groups were specifically analyzed in the article itself. It is certainly possible that one of the groups mentioned in the article contacted the paper and alleged a cry of “libel,” in order to get critical information quickly taken off of the internet. It is also possible that the <em>Daily Orange</em> editor, with no external provocation, chose to censor their own article without any actual threats or complaints from any outside group. At the moment, that key fact is not publicly known. But the <strong>censorship</strong> itself did occur.<br /><br />The comments section below the notice from the editor is still active, and the readers have made eight interesting key comments about the <strong>censorship</strong> of the article. One commenter posted a quick and funny note one hour after the <strong>censorship</strong>: <em>“Quick….to the lawyers. Truth be damned.”</em> Others have hazarded guesses about which group may have complained resulting in the censorship of the <em>Daily Orange</em>. We will not make guesses ourselves about that, and instead allow you to read the comments at their site and discuss and rationalize for yourselves what may have provoked this censorship.<br /><br />Interestingly enough and of direct relation to our site’s title, the eighth and last commenter below the <strong>censored </strong>article discussed <a href="http://www.csj.org/infoserv_articles/langone_michael_lgate.htm">Large Group Awareness Training</a>, and also spoke positively of his experiences with the group <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html">Landmark Forum</a>. Was <a href="http://skepdic.com/landmark.html">Landmark Forum</a> discussed in the <strong>censored</strong> <em>Daily Orange</em> article? Well, we do not know for sure, because the article is removed, but it is interesting that others are commenting about it, both positively and negatively, in the comments section below the article. However, <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html">Landmark Forum</a> has been referred to by academics as a form of <a href="http://skepdic.com/lgsap.html">Large Group Awareness Training</a>. One such recent reference would be:<br /><br />Rubinstein, Gidi. “Characteristics of participants in the Forum, psychotherapy clients, and control participants: A comparative study”, <em>Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice</em>, (2005) 78, 481-492. The British Psychological Society.<br /><br />The article is a very interesting read. Whether or not <a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?cat=81">Landmark Education</a> was mentioned in the article aside, it is most intriguing to note that they have acted in the past to attempt to remove critical information on the internet, and have explained this by claiming that such critical information is “libel.” Attorneys Skolnik and Norwick of firm <a href="http://www.lowenstein.com/">Lowenstein Sandler PC</a> have written an excellent article summarizing some of this history, called: “<a href="http://www.rickross.com/reference/landmark/landmark193.html">Introduction to the Landmark Education litigation archive</a>“. They explain that they created this <a href="http://www.rickross.com/groups/landmark.html#Litigation">Landmark Education litigation archive</a> so that future attorneys defending clients critical of Landmark Forum and accused of libel do not have to go through and spend as much time researching Landmark Education’s history of litigation as Skolnik and Norwick did. More recently, Landmark Education attempted to get the video known as “Voyage to the Land of the New Gurus” removed from the internet. More about that at: “<a href="http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2176">Landmark Education wants to make French news report a “forbidden video” on the Net</a>.” The Web site <a href="http://www.chillingeffects.org/">Chilling Effects</a>, which documents usage of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act to remove material from the internet, as well as other forms of <strong>censorship</strong> on the net, has posted a copy of a letter sent by Landmark Education attorneys to a Web site, asking them to remove the “Voyage to the Land of the New Gurus” video and associated transcript from their site, called the <a href="http://www.caic.org.au/">Cult Awareness and Information Centre</a>, which is based in Australia. Oddly enough, Chilling Effects decided to title the page where they host this letter from Landmark Education lawyers very similarly to the currently <strong>censored</strong> article from the <em>Daily Orange</em>. The page at Chilling Effects is titled: <a href="http://www.chillingeffects.org/copyright/notice.cgi?NoticeID=5731">Who is bringing the Kool Aid?</a><br /><br />As a caveat to the potential “lawyers” as the first commentator we spoke of above alluded to - we will make this statement here: Please note carefully - It is not our job on this site to characterize any group as a “cult” or to say that any group is not a “cult.” You can find information on “cults” at other Web sites, some of which we have discussed in the past as references, including the respected <a href="http://www.icsahome.com/">International Cultic Studies Association</a> mentioned above, that publishes the peer reviewed journal, the <a href="http://www.culticstudiesreview.org/csr_issues/csr_about.htm"><em>Cultic Studies Review</em></a>. Our interest in these posts is to educate the reader about <a href="http://perso.orange.fr/eldon.braun/awareness/lgat1.html">Large Group Awareness Trainings</a>, and their history, background, methodology and tactics. Therefore, we will not get into trying to parse which groups are widely considered “cults” and which are not, but rather will instead discuss and explain groups that are widely considered to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evaluating_a_Large_Group_Awareness_Training">Large Group Awareness Trainings</a>. We will leave the cult identification and discussion, to <a href="http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_icsa/icsa_brd_csr.htm">the experts</a>.<br /><br /><u>Related links:</u><br />Discussion about the <strong>censored</strong> <em>Daily Orange</em> article is going on at the <a href="http://forum.rickross.com/">Cult Education Forum</a>, under the topic <a href="http://forum.rickross.com/list.php?4">Large Group Awareness Training, “Human Potential”</a> .GuruTruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17342952332962188557noreply@blogger.com0