JOHN, A TM Governor requesting email suggestions sent directly to you at [EMAIL PROTECTED] non-cults and cults.
Why? --- In [email protected], taskcentered <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Give me a moment. I mean to give this post a positive agenda. But it may > take a second to get there. > > I could complain about Transcendental Meditation. But I'd like to give > the new leaders a few tips on how not to be a cult. In the future, at > least. > > Heck, science fiction has always been my preferred literature form. > > This is what I observe. When critics label a group cultic, there's a > knee-jerk reaction. The group enters an escalating spiral of > defensiveness. > > First, they claim they are not a cult. They give dozens of reasons why > they're just like other religions or groups. They attempt to destroy > their critics. They claim critics are "disgruntled," criminal, bankrupt, > unbalanced -- downright crazy. > > When these tactics don't work, cults ratchet up repressive isolation of > their members and forbid them to read critics. > > Critics rightly point out these defensive maneuvers make the groups even > more cultic than before. Which sets off another round of defensiveness. > > Once in a great while, modern cults claim they have reformed. > Scientology and ISKCON come to mind. > > I remember opening my apartment door one sunny, Sonoma summer day in > 1996 to Gene Ingram's smiling face > <http://web.tampabay.rr.com/sp/PI.html> . Gene's a private investigator > best-known for allegedly intimidating critics of his main client, > Scientology. He heard I left a startup cult activist foundation. So he > thought I might be sympathetic to Scientology's side of the story. > > "Scientology used to have some problems. But it's over. We threw the bad > guys out. The good guys won." > > Gene left me his business card and invited me to Los Angeles for a > private tour of Scientology's facilities there - and a private > audience with some church bigwigs. > > Somehow, I never got around to that trip. > > Gene sadly misjudged my state of mind. Despite his assurances, cultic > abuse complaints continue to dog Scientology some 12 years later. Maybe > the mainstream media didn't get the memo. > > Hare Krishnas reform? Same tune, different day with ISKCON's Hare > Krishnas <http://www.rickross.com/reference/krishna/krishna7.html> . > > Okay. So on to my positive agenda. > > Not every organization that critics label a cult started out to abuse > its members. But without forethought, any organization can become > cultic. Look at the problems the Catholic Church faces. > > So here are a few tips for Nader, Hagelin, and the other new TM leaders. > Maybe, just maybe they can dodge the cult label. > Be Transparent > * discuss policies, procedures & scandals openly > * publicize open complaint procedures > * report public scandals promptly to members, law officials & public > media > * allow free information flow & fully disclose "secrets," especially > those that might affect potential members' choice to join > * fully disclose the group's political & legislative involvement > * fully disclose finances, particularly international finances, with > third-party audits > * create a member-driven task force to set reasonable fees for > retreats & "courses" > * dialogue openly with laity, the press & the public > Be Accountable > * publish - and adhere to - a set of ethics > * publish - and adhere to - all fees & donation > policies > * oversee clergy & other agents with governing boards > * if any group agent acts unethically or illegally, take full > responsibility > Advocate Freedom > * allow open questioning of the leader's beliefs & practices > * Create a mechanism for modifying beliefs & practices > * create an elective or accountable structure of representation (as > in most churches) > * promote freedom of speech within the group, without reprisals for > contrary opinions > * promote academic freedom for clergy & scholars > * allow access to files/records held on members & public individuals > * advocate freedom to explore our spirituality without shunning or > other repercussions > * avoid use of shame or guilt to control members > Provide Member Protections > * institute safeguards against members devoting damaging amounts of > time, money & emotional resources to the group > Value Respect for Non-Members > * foster a systemic respect for other spiritual traditions & > non-members > * foster a systemic respect for the rule of law, rather than the > belief the ends justify the means > * foster a systemic respect for members' families, whether they are > members or not > * foster a systemic practice of charity & support to the less > fortunate > * encourage members to live or socialize with non-group members > Provide Informed Consent > * fully disclose negative side-effects of group's mind-altering or > medical techniques > * undertake real efforts to address & heal side-effects > * accept financial responsibility for members suffering side- effects > > Imagine a Transcendental Meditation Org that acted with this kind of > integrity. > > That's a spiritual organization I could be proud of. And I'm not willing > to accept anything less. > > I'm sure readers will think of more bottom-line policies for successful > non-cults. Please feel free to email suggestions directly to me at > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > John M. Knapp, LMSW > Therapist. Counselor. Coach. > Former TM Governor. > KnappFamilyCounseling.com <KnappFamilyCounseling.com/cultsb.html> >
