Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 135
spiritual healing. The judge said Mearon‘s role as a healer ―gave him access to the minds
and the bodies of his victims,‖ one of whom was 12 years old. ―He systematically
manipulated the young and vulnerable into believing his perverse practices were culturally
condoned.‖ (CBC News, Internet, 5/21/04)
Sri Chinmoy
Accused of Sexual Exploitation
Queens, NY-based guru Sri Chinmoy (Chinmoy Kumar Ghose), who preaches celibacy to
some 4,000 followers worldwide, is being accused by some of them of sexual abuse. One
reports in an online discussion board that the guru ―summoned‖ her for sexual encounters
in 1991 and 1996, and in 2000 asked her to have sex with another female disciple while he
watched. ‖I had never kissed a woman or touched a woman. It was not something I
fantasized about. ..my mind was completely blown. It was so hard for me, but not only did
I do it but I acted happy about it.‖ Another woman claims to have become pregnant by
Ghose, and says he paid for her abortion.
Sri Chinmoy‘s attorney said: ―You‘re going to have disgruntled people. His philosophy
attracts many people, and some of them are deeply troubled, some in a sexual way.‖
The guru‘s former attorney — a longtime member — says disciples went into debt
supporting him. ―Their whole existence is saving enough money to go on the [annual three-
month] Christmas trip. Celebrities attracted to Sri Chinmoy include Olympian Carl Lewis and
guitarist Carlos Santana. (Alex Ginsberg, New York Post, Internet, 5/32/04)
Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal
Parents Abduct 13-Year-Old Holy Man
The parents of Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal, a 13-year old boy who
has renounced worldly goods and set up his own monastery in the Indian State of Madras,
was recently abducted by his parents while giving a speech on spiritualism in a community
town hall. They say someone is using their son to make a fortune out of the ashram.
While as a minor the boy is legally under his parents‘ care, he has nonetheless returned to
the ashram to await a court decision in the matter. A reporter who heard the young swami‘s
comments when he returned to his devotees said the boy was ―taking his cue‖ from some of
them, who stood around him as he spoke. (Justin Huggler, Independent, U.K., Internet,
6/17/04)
Taxation/Unitarian Church
Official Says Unitarian Church Not Tax Exempt
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn says the Unitarian Church is not a religious
organization, for tax purposes, because it ―does not have one system of belief.‖ Some 1,000
religious organizations have been granted exemptions from taxation since 1999 in Texas,
and 17 have been denied, several of the latter because, like the Unitarians, they do not
mandate a belief in a supreme being. Officials say their belief test of religion is necessary to
avoid abuse of the system. Critics of the policy say the federal government uses less
stringent rules for tax exemptions while still discouraging abuse. (R. A. Dyer, Fort Worth
Star-Telegram, Internet, 5/17/04)
spiritual healing. The judge said Mearon‘s role as a healer ―gave him access to the minds
and the bodies of his victims,‖ one of whom was 12 years old. ―He systematically
manipulated the young and vulnerable into believing his perverse practices were culturally
condoned.‖ (CBC News, Internet, 5/21/04)
Sri Chinmoy
Accused of Sexual Exploitation
Queens, NY-based guru Sri Chinmoy (Chinmoy Kumar Ghose), who preaches celibacy to
some 4,000 followers worldwide, is being accused by some of them of sexual abuse. One
reports in an online discussion board that the guru ―summoned‖ her for sexual encounters
in 1991 and 1996, and in 2000 asked her to have sex with another female disciple while he
watched. ‖I had never kissed a woman or touched a woman. It was not something I
fantasized about. ..my mind was completely blown. It was so hard for me, but not only did
I do it but I acted happy about it.‖ Another woman claims to have become pregnant by
Ghose, and says he paid for her abortion.
Sri Chinmoy‘s attorney said: ―You‘re going to have disgruntled people. His philosophy
attracts many people, and some of them are deeply troubled, some in a sexual way.‖
The guru‘s former attorney — a longtime member — says disciples went into debt
supporting him. ―Their whole existence is saving enough money to go on the [annual three-
month] Christmas trip. Celebrities attracted to Sri Chinmoy include Olympian Carl Lewis and
guitarist Carlos Santana. (Alex Ginsberg, New York Post, Internet, 5/32/04)
Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal
Parents Abduct 13-Year-Old Holy Man
The parents of Sri Haribharanidhara Raghavendra Swamigal, a 13-year old boy who
has renounced worldly goods and set up his own monastery in the Indian State of Madras,
was recently abducted by his parents while giving a speech on spiritualism in a community
town hall. They say someone is using their son to make a fortune out of the ashram.
While as a minor the boy is legally under his parents‘ care, he has nonetheless returned to
the ashram to await a court decision in the matter. A reporter who heard the young swami‘s
comments when he returned to his devotees said the boy was ―taking his cue‖ from some of
them, who stood around him as he spoke. (Justin Huggler, Independent, U.K., Internet,
6/17/04)
Taxation/Unitarian Church
Official Says Unitarian Church Not Tax Exempt
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn says the Unitarian Church is not a religious
organization, for tax purposes, because it ―does not have one system of belief.‖ Some 1,000
religious organizations have been granted exemptions from taxation since 1999 in Texas,
and 17 have been denied, several of the latter because, like the Unitarians, they do not
mandate a belief in a supreme being. Officials say their belief test of religion is necessary to
avoid abuse of the system. Critics of the policy say the federal government uses less
stringent rules for tax exemptions while still discouraging abuse. (R. A. Dyer, Fort Worth
Star-Telegram, Internet, 5/17/04)
