Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 118
convicted of reckless homicide because they didn‘t seeking medical help for their seriously ill
newborn, but relied instead on faith healing.
In states like Ohio, the Schmidt‘s would not have been indicted because religious based
neglect that leads to death is exempt from prosecution. Even in Indiana, parents who shun
medical treatment won‘t be charged so long as the child survives, no matter the severity of
the disability that remains.
Iowan Rita Swan, a former Christian Scientist who now heads Children‘s Health Care is a
Legal Duty, says she was taught as a child that adult diseases stemmed from parents‘ sins.
(Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 5/15/05)
Guruism
Possible Harm in Motivational Programs
Advice from some of the gurus who present motivational programs may help some people,
but sometimes it can be dangerous. ―The search for self-improvement is a worthwhile thing,
and many people could be doing more with their lives,‖ says psychologist Sarah Edelman,
author of Change Your Thinking. ―But the danger is in swallowing everything you hear and
not questioning whether or not it‘s valid for you,‖ Edelman added.
―Unfortunately,‖ says Australian motivational speaker Mark McKeon, ―there are a lot of
people seeking answers who are also willing to give up their responsibility for their lives to a
guru.‖
Oxford psychiatrist Dr. Anthony Storr says: ―I think one of the things we ought to educate the
young about is not to fall for the doctrines of people who are terribly forceful in personality.‖
(Helen Hawkes, Sunday Telegraph in News.com.au, Australia, Internet, 5/29/05)
Hosanna Church
Devil-Worshipping Cult Investigated
The Tangipahoa Parish (LA) sheriff has arrested four more people in connection with his
investigation of an offshoot of the Hosanna Church, suspecting they were involved from
1999 until 2003 in a cult that sexually abused children and animals. ―This is hard to talk
about and harder to believe,‖ he said, ―but some of the suspects have told us their intention
in all of this was devil worshipping.‖ (Steven Ward, Baton Rouge Advocate, 5/21/05)
Alleged Sexual Abuser Beaten by Inmates
Nicole Bernard, extradited from Ohio recently on the suspicion that she was involved in the
alleged pedophile ring run inside Louisiana‘s Hosanna Church, was beaten by female
cellmates when they heard that several children had been raped by members of the now
defunct church. (MSNBC News in NBC4, 5/31/05)
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishna)
Visit to New Vrindaban
A recent visit to the Moundsville, WVA, establishment of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) (Hare Krishna) found the settlement of New
Vrindaban ―overflowing with Western devotees and Indian Hindus who had converged from
across the country to celebrate the birthday of ISKCON founder Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada. During a visit several months earlier for a Sunday feast, ―the temple and the
grounds had been almost deserted.‖ Nonetheless, the palace is one of the most visited
tourist attractions in West Virginia. (Dan Eldridge, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Internet,
5/29/05)
convicted of reckless homicide because they didn‘t seeking medical help for their seriously ill
newborn, but relied instead on faith healing.
In states like Ohio, the Schmidt‘s would not have been indicted because religious based
neglect that leads to death is exempt from prosecution. Even in Indiana, parents who shun
medical treatment won‘t be charged so long as the child survives, no matter the severity of
the disability that remains.
Iowan Rita Swan, a former Christian Scientist who now heads Children‘s Health Care is a
Legal Duty, says she was taught as a child that adult diseases stemmed from parents‘ sins.
(Robert King, Indianapolis Star, 5/15/05)
Guruism
Possible Harm in Motivational Programs
Advice from some of the gurus who present motivational programs may help some people,
but sometimes it can be dangerous. ―The search for self-improvement is a worthwhile thing,
and many people could be doing more with their lives,‖ says psychologist Sarah Edelman,
author of Change Your Thinking. ―But the danger is in swallowing everything you hear and
not questioning whether or not it‘s valid for you,‖ Edelman added.
―Unfortunately,‖ says Australian motivational speaker Mark McKeon, ―there are a lot of
people seeking answers who are also willing to give up their responsibility for their lives to a
guru.‖
Oxford psychiatrist Dr. Anthony Storr says: ―I think one of the things we ought to educate the
young about is not to fall for the doctrines of people who are terribly forceful in personality.‖
(Helen Hawkes, Sunday Telegraph in News.com.au, Australia, Internet, 5/29/05)
Hosanna Church
Devil-Worshipping Cult Investigated
The Tangipahoa Parish (LA) sheriff has arrested four more people in connection with his
investigation of an offshoot of the Hosanna Church, suspecting they were involved from
1999 until 2003 in a cult that sexually abused children and animals. ―This is hard to talk
about and harder to believe,‖ he said, ―but some of the suspects have told us their intention
in all of this was devil worshipping.‖ (Steven Ward, Baton Rouge Advocate, 5/21/05)
Alleged Sexual Abuser Beaten by Inmates
Nicole Bernard, extradited from Ohio recently on the suspicion that she was involved in the
alleged pedophile ring run inside Louisiana‘s Hosanna Church, was beaten by female
cellmates when they heard that several children had been raped by members of the now
defunct church. (MSNBC News in NBC4, 5/31/05)
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishna)
Visit to New Vrindaban
A recent visit to the Moundsville, WVA, establishment of the International Society for
Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) (Hare Krishna) found the settlement of New
Vrindaban ―overflowing with Western devotees and Indian Hindus who had converged from
across the country to celebrate the birthday of ISKCON founder Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada. During a visit several months earlier for a Sunday feast, ―the temple and the
grounds had been almost deserted.‖ Nonetheless, the palace is one of the most visited
tourist attractions in West Virginia. (Dan Eldridge, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Internet,
5/29/05)
