Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 3, Nos. 2 &3, 2004, Page 136
Transcendental Meditation
Considered for Schools
The Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago is considering Transcendental
Meditation to help underperforming students do better. A ministry official said a seminar
for teachers on TM aims ―to open up their eyes‖ to the benefits of meditation.
The featured presenter, Dr. Alarik Alexander, of Iowa‘s Brain Research Institute [a
department of Maharishi International University, the seat of the Transcendental Meditation
movement], said he has seen TM practice ―improving self-confidence, social interaction, and
academic performance.‖ The president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers
Association, although unaware of the consideration given to TM, has said: ―Anything dealing
with prayer and meditation‖ being implemented in the schools would be a positive thing.
(Trinidad and Tobago Express, Internet, 5/15/04)
Twelve Tribes
Arrest in Child Custody Dispute
Lynn Delozier, 48, a member of the Twelve Tribes commune near Brattleboro, VT, has
been arrested for keeping her daughter away from Michael Ossip, the now 24-year-old girl‘s
father, despite a 1988 court custody and visitation order. The group, which has been
involved in several child custody conflicts elsewhere — members have allegedly hidden
children from authorities — was fined for child labor violations in New York in 2001. There
have also been investigations of the deaths of newborns in the group due to lack of medical
care.
The Twelve Tribes, with settlements in a number of countries, and described by some
observers as a cult, is planning to open a storefront café in Plymouth, MA. (Mike Kalil,
Brattleboro Reformer, Internet, 4/17/04 Dave Wedge, Boston Herald, 5/8/04)
Group founder and leader Elbert Spriggs advocates corporal punishment of children who are
home schooled and not allowed toys, candy, or television. Adults must give up all their
assets to the group before they join. Former members, some of whom were deprogrammed,
say Spriggs is getting rich off members‘ labor and assets. (Dennis Tatz, Patriot Ledger,
Internet, 5/8/04)
Unification Church
Senator Says Moon Organization Deceived Him
Sen. John Warner says he was deceived by an organization associated with the Rev. Sun
Myung Moon’s Unification Church when his office arranged for a ceremony in the
Dirksen Senate Office Building at which Moon declared himself the Messiah. The request for
use of a room was made by the Washington Times Foundation and its government liaison,
Gary Jarmin, and by Christian Voice, which Jarmin chairs. The Moon organization owns the
Washington Times, and Christian Voice has long been linked to Moon. Jarmin said there was
never any attempt to deceive. (Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, Internet, 7/24/04)
Moon-style Marriage for Former Uganda President
Former president of Uganda Godfrey Binaisa, 84, has married a wife chosen by the
Unification Church whom he has never seen. He has, however, spoken a number of times
on the phone with the 58-year-old Korean woman, who lives in the U.S. (Anastasia Ivanova,
Cultology.blogspot.com, Internet, 8/5/04)
Transcendental Meditation
Considered for Schools
The Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago is considering Transcendental
Meditation to help underperforming students do better. A ministry official said a seminar
for teachers on TM aims ―to open up their eyes‖ to the benefits of meditation.
The featured presenter, Dr. Alarik Alexander, of Iowa‘s Brain Research Institute [a
department of Maharishi International University, the seat of the Transcendental Meditation
movement], said he has seen TM practice ―improving self-confidence, social interaction, and
academic performance.‖ The president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers
Association, although unaware of the consideration given to TM, has said: ―Anything dealing
with prayer and meditation‖ being implemented in the schools would be a positive thing.
(Trinidad and Tobago Express, Internet, 5/15/04)
Twelve Tribes
Arrest in Child Custody Dispute
Lynn Delozier, 48, a member of the Twelve Tribes commune near Brattleboro, VT, has
been arrested for keeping her daughter away from Michael Ossip, the now 24-year-old girl‘s
father, despite a 1988 court custody and visitation order. The group, which has been
involved in several child custody conflicts elsewhere — members have allegedly hidden
children from authorities — was fined for child labor violations in New York in 2001. There
have also been investigations of the deaths of newborns in the group due to lack of medical
care.
The Twelve Tribes, with settlements in a number of countries, and described by some
observers as a cult, is planning to open a storefront café in Plymouth, MA. (Mike Kalil,
Brattleboro Reformer, Internet, 4/17/04 Dave Wedge, Boston Herald, 5/8/04)
Group founder and leader Elbert Spriggs advocates corporal punishment of children who are
home schooled and not allowed toys, candy, or television. Adults must give up all their
assets to the group before they join. Former members, some of whom were deprogrammed,
say Spriggs is getting rich off members‘ labor and assets. (Dennis Tatz, Patriot Ledger,
Internet, 5/8/04)
Unification Church
Senator Says Moon Organization Deceived Him
Sen. John Warner says he was deceived by an organization associated with the Rev. Sun
Myung Moon’s Unification Church when his office arranged for a ceremony in the
Dirksen Senate Office Building at which Moon declared himself the Messiah. The request for
use of a room was made by the Washington Times Foundation and its government liaison,
Gary Jarmin, and by Christian Voice, which Jarmin chairs. The Moon organization owns the
Washington Times, and Christian Voice has long been linked to Moon. Jarmin said there was
never any attempt to deceive. (Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, Internet, 7/24/04)
Moon-style Marriage for Former Uganda President
Former president of Uganda Godfrey Binaisa, 84, has married a wife chosen by the
Unification Church whom he has never seen. He has, however, spoken a number of times
on the phone with the 58-year-old Korean woman, who lives in the U.S. (Anastasia Ivanova,
Cultology.blogspot.com, Internet, 8/5/04)
