Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 54
more than one person at a time in enduring relationships. One representative said that she
hoped Unitarians would one day accept ―polyamorists‖ as they now do homosexuals.
A spokesman for the Family Research Council said that a polyamorist lifestyle would put
children in jeopardy. (AP in New York Times, 4/7/03)
Puchon Sect
Murders Admitted
Members of a Puchon, South Korea, sect led by Cho (only his last name is known) have
admitted to following his orders to kill nine other followers between 1992 and 1994 because
they questioned his authority. Members of the group, which has branches in major cities,
believe that they will gain eternal life by observing Cho‘s 131 commandments, including
avoidance of sexual relations during marriage. (Yoon Ja-young, Korea Times, Internet,
8/14/03)
Raël
Inside Look at “Atheist” Religion
Raël, former race-car driver Claude Vorilhon, the leader of the Canada-based worldwide
sect that promotes sexual liberation and human cloning, is surrounded by a fanatically
devoted circle of followers who will allegedly give up their lives — some of them sign a
contract promising this – to keep the CIA and French secret service from killing him.
University of Montreal psychologist-criminologist Dianne Casoni, who has studied cultic
groups, says: ―What worried me most is when conspiracy theories develop. The group says
to itself, ‗We‘re in danger, we have to protect ourselves,‘ and sometimes it becomes, ‗We
have to fight back,‘ and that‘s when things can go on the skids.‖
Raël also seems to be tightening his control over disciples — his creation of the Order of the
Angels among female followers is an example — and increasing his authority, according to
University of Laval sociologist Alain Bouchard. This trend also worries Mike Kropveld, head
of Montreal‘s Info-Cult/Info Secte information center. For now, says Bouchard, ―The
members are afraid it‘s created a thrill and cohesion in the group so everyone is satisfied.
When they begin to construct bunkers, that‘s when we should be worried.‖ Core supporters
live in condos at ―UFOland,‖ in Maricourt, near Montréal. Raël teaches that human beings
are clones of aliens.
Bouchard says the Raëlians have stagnated in the past 20 years, and Casoni believes things
could become complicated when the leader faces the crumbling of the movement. Raël will
have two choices — accept the dissolution of the group, or continue with only his core
followers. ―In the end, with the Order of the Solar Temple [a number of whose members
died in murder-suicide incidents in the mid-1990s in France and Canada], only the most
committed members killed themselves.‖ But for now, the commitment to die for Raël seems
symbolic, says Bouchard. Kropveld believes, moreover, that there is nothing to be
concerned about. ―It‘s one of the most transparent movements that I know.‖
Former Raëlians say attractive members cruise strip clubs and bars in Montréal offering free
sex to the lonely as a recruiting tool. The Raëlians are famous for their extreme free-love
philosophy and the attempt to foster the attitude and approach among Canadians. A man
formerly with the group for five years says: ―It wouldn‘t be such a bad place if you‘d leave
all the sex out. I don‘t like all the exposing of genitals or all the focusing on the anus.‖
Kropveld says some become members after attending ―touchy-feely‖ Raëlian meetings, and
that women in the sex and stripping trades join because the Raëlians support their lifestyle.

Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 55
Annual membership payments for dues to the national organization, meeting space,
religious regalia, books, and tapes, can reportedly amount to 10% of take home pay.
Teaching that ―loving is giving and expecting nothing in return,‖ the movement collected
some $1.8 million in dues last year — $600,000 from Asia a Japanese woman gave
$57,000 — down 11% from the preceding year, and has some $13 million in assets. The
authors of the recent Sun Media [of Canada] exposé [which this report summarizes] say
they paid about $2,000 during the nine months they were associated with the group,
undercover. (Bridgette McCann in Edmonton Sun and Sun Media, Internet, 10/7,8, 10/03
Kevin Connor, Sun Media, 10/11/03)
Rajneesh
Spreading Ideas in Nepal
Swami Anand Arun, a 59-year-old civil engineer and disciple of the late Osho Rajneesh,
who has established a number of prosperous centers in Nepal devoted to the teachings of
the late guru, now plans to focus on starting centers in India. Regarding reports of
Rajneesh‘s extravagant lifestyle, free sex in his Ashrams, and criminal activities of some of
his disciples in the U.S., Arun says: ―People thought he was corrupting us. But then, it‘s the
lot of every master. Even Jesus was accused of corrupting the morals of the youth.‖
(Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS, Internet, 1/6/04)
Reiki
Members Allegedly Harass Fellow Exxon Lab Employees
A former Exxon Mobil Corp. employee is suing supervisors at the Baytown, TX, facility whom
he alleges harassed and fired workers who rejected efforts to recruit them for a Reiki ―cult.‖
Technician William McCracken, 63, complains of religious discrimination in the activities of
the defendants who, he says, ―adhered to certain spiritual, religious teachings (of the cult
leader) and a ‗new age‘ belief system, including a practice known as Reiki.‖ (One of many
Reiki Web sites defined it as ―a method of natural healing based on the application of
Universal Life Force Energy.‖)
McCracken says a co-worker was fired after she refused to let a supervisor, allegedly the
cult leader, treat her cervical cancer. He alleges another colleague was terminated for
refusing to attend meetings at the supervisor‘s home. ―Favorable treatment‖ for Reiki
followers was the norm, and others were treated ―unfavorably,‖ he said. (Harvey Rice,
Houston Chronicle, Internet, 12/18/03)
Repressed Memories
Brain May Be Able to Bury Unwanted Memories
A team of researchers says in the January issue of Science that unwanted memories can
be expunged from the brain through the action of a particular circuit that is activated when
a person tries to forget something. The findings support the theory that memories can be
repressed and buried in the subconscious. Dr. David Spiegel, a professor of psychiatry at
the Stanford University School of Medicine, said the study supported the idea that people
can suppress traumatic memories and regain them later. (Anahad O‘Connor, New York
Times, 1/9/04)
Sikh
Canadian Leader Excommunicated
―The Body of Sikh Holy Men in Punjab‖ has excommunicated British Columbia-based
Harnek Singh Grewal, controversial leader of the Nanaksar sect, which has
congregations in Canada, the U.S., England, and India, for allegedly drinking liquor and