Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2005, Page 67
their needs. Then they can be offered alternatives. (Sharon Begley, Science Journal,
Internet, 10/9/04)
Symbionese Liberation Army
Documentary Treatment
Robert Stone‘s documentary film about the Symbionese Liberation Army, entitled,
―Guerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst,‖ opened in November in San Francisco and Berkeley,
where the events it recounts took place. According to Stone, Hearst says the documentary
is ―the fairest thing that‘s ever been done on the story.‖ He continued: ―For everything
she‘s been through, she‘s a remarkably well-balanced and together person and has a very
happy and stable family life.‖ (John McMurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 11/25/04)
Transcendental Meditation
Book Warns of Dangers
Walt Larimore, a physician and co-author of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook,
says a recent Washington Post article that praised Transcendental Meditation failed to
describe the potential emotional damage shown to be associated with the practice.
"One study showed that almost half of those that were active as transcendental meditation
trainers reported episodes of anxiety, depression, and confusion, while some of them have
frustration, mental and physical tension. ..It was really dramatically negative." He also
notes another study documenting psychiatric hospitalizations and attempted suicides among
practitioners. He added that TM, by opening the mind, makes it vulnerable to evil spirits.
(Mary Rettig, Agape Press, 1/18/05)
Unification Church
Moon Graduates Involved in Federal “Faith-based” Funding
Four ―operatives‖ of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church (UC) are
prominently involved in ―faith-based‖ programs funded by the federal government.
Unification Theological Seminary graduate Josephine Hauer, recently hired as a ―marriage
specialist‖ with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, led a ―Certified
Marriage Education Training Seminar‖ for pastors and social workers in San Francisco, in
October, assisted by the Rev. Bento Leal, another Moon seminary graduate who is minister
of a Unification Church congregation in San Leandro. Hauer was previously director of
marriage education at the University of Bridgeport, which is run by a Moon-affiliated
organization.
Hauer refused to speak about her ties to the UC, saying: ―I‘m a professional. I don‘t talk
about my religion or my politics. The assistant secretary for children and families at the
Department of Health and Human Services said: ―We don‘t ask people‘s religious affiliation
before we hire them. But if someone uses federal funds to proselytize, that would be a
violation.‖
Another Moon seminary graduate, Richard Panzer, heads Free Teens USA, an after-school
program in New Jersey that promotes abstinence until marriage. Free Teens has received a
$475,000 grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
In addition, longtime Moon political operative David Caprara is running the Office of Faith-
Based and Community Initiatives for the federal government‘s Corporation for National and
Community Service, which includes AmeriCorps Vista. It disbursed $61 million in 2003.
(Don Lattin, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 10/3/04)
their needs. Then they can be offered alternatives. (Sharon Begley, Science Journal,
Internet, 10/9/04)
Symbionese Liberation Army
Documentary Treatment
Robert Stone‘s documentary film about the Symbionese Liberation Army, entitled,
―Guerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst,‖ opened in November in San Francisco and Berkeley,
where the events it recounts took place. According to Stone, Hearst says the documentary
is ―the fairest thing that‘s ever been done on the story.‖ He continued: ―For everything
she‘s been through, she‘s a remarkably well-balanced and together person and has a very
happy and stable family life.‖ (John McMurtrie, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 11/25/04)
Transcendental Meditation
Book Warns of Dangers
Walt Larimore, a physician and co-author of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook,
says a recent Washington Post article that praised Transcendental Meditation failed to
describe the potential emotional damage shown to be associated with the practice.
"One study showed that almost half of those that were active as transcendental meditation
trainers reported episodes of anxiety, depression, and confusion, while some of them have
frustration, mental and physical tension. ..It was really dramatically negative." He also
notes another study documenting psychiatric hospitalizations and attempted suicides among
practitioners. He added that TM, by opening the mind, makes it vulnerable to evil spirits.
(Mary Rettig, Agape Press, 1/18/05)
Unification Church
Moon Graduates Involved in Federal “Faith-based” Funding
Four ―operatives‖ of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church (UC) are
prominently involved in ―faith-based‖ programs funded by the federal government.
Unification Theological Seminary graduate Josephine Hauer, recently hired as a ―marriage
specialist‖ with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, led a ―Certified
Marriage Education Training Seminar‖ for pastors and social workers in San Francisco, in
October, assisted by the Rev. Bento Leal, another Moon seminary graduate who is minister
of a Unification Church congregation in San Leandro. Hauer was previously director of
marriage education at the University of Bridgeport, which is run by a Moon-affiliated
organization.
Hauer refused to speak about her ties to the UC, saying: ―I‘m a professional. I don‘t talk
about my religion or my politics. The assistant secretary for children and families at the
Department of Health and Human Services said: ―We don‘t ask people‘s religious affiliation
before we hire them. But if someone uses federal funds to proselytize, that would be a
violation.‖
Another Moon seminary graduate, Richard Panzer, heads Free Teens USA, an after-school
program in New Jersey that promotes abstinence until marriage. Free Teens has received a
$475,000 grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
In addition, longtime Moon political operative David Caprara is running the Office of Faith-
Based and Community Initiatives for the federal government‘s Corporation for National and
Community Service, which includes AmeriCorps Vista. It disbursed $61 million in 2003.
(Don Lattin, San Francisco Chronicle, Internet, 10/3/04)
