Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1989, Page 63
problems in our society, which do exist and then they magnify them 10 times, and then
they ascribe them to everybody. So everybody [outside of ISKCONI is unhappy.” Curt then
became philosophical: “if life didn't have its ups and downs (you wouldn't appreciate the
ups].” Ironically, Ken reminded Curt he was often unhappy in the Krishnas.
The third day: Afternoon
Guru kulas on videotape. Curt began the videotape. The documentary first outlined the
history of the guru kulas, their physical plant and underlying philosophy. Then, a devotee
stated to the interviewer that the movement would flourish and do good for America “if we
are not criticized too much.” Curt paused the tape and reacted strongly: “Where do they
come from asking not to be criticized? The President himself wouldn't make that
statement.” Curt continued to play the videotape. Krishna children at the guru kula were
interviewed, and they spoke about how they were forbidden to write to their parents, how
gifts that were sent to them were never received. Even the little children received two cold
showers a day to drive away sexual desires. In the school, there were no outside learning
materials (history books, newspapers, radios, etc.). The teachers were by state standards
unqualified to teach. At one point, a Krishna teacher admitted that, although they do spank
the children, they do not use sticks as had been claimed by several former devotees. But
when the interviewer asked a number of children how they are hit, they all answered “with
a stick.” The Krishnas also denied ever having a parasite problem. A state health official
however, reported numerous cases of ringworm, head lice, and other body parasites. The
announcer talked about how the children at the guru kula only saw their parents two or
three times a year. Several children were then asked if they wanted to go bark to their
mothers. They all said “no.” When they were asked why not, they all gave the same answer,
“because the spiritual master told me not to.” Although their words were clearly rehearsed,
their pained facial reactions were not.
At this point, the tape was stopped. Ken was fighting back tears. Curt asked Ken if he had
ever visited a guru kula or seen this documentary before. Ken replied “no.” But, head hung
low, he then added, “I relate to this.”
Despite Curt's concern that he might “float,” Ken did not retreat back into “Krishna
consciousness.” In fact, he became greatly upset by the obvious emotional pain and longing
the Krishna children were experiencing. Whether or not Curt planned it, the connection for
Ken was there. The guru kula videotape affected Ken deeply. With lowered voice and a very
serious tone, Ken made his feelings clear- “I was psychologically abused.” I was unsure
whether Ken was commenting on his experiences in ISKCON, or as an unhappy child. In the
meanwhile, Curt drew Ken's attention back to the fear in the children's faces.
The videotape of the guru kula was continued. The differences in quality of education were
pointed out. Since, according to ISKCON, girls are born with less native intelligence, they
require less education. Ken continued to look somewhat distraught, but from a distance. He
told Curt that watching this was upsetting him yet he wanted to see more. Curt replayed the
interviews with the motherless children. Everyone listened quietly until Curt again stopped
the tape in order to quote from Krishna doctrine: “We must develop detachment from all
such illusions” (referring to parents). Curt then explained that ISKCON must remove all
outside supports, so that the only place left for the devotee to turn is to ISKCON. Totalistic
groups deprecate the “outside” world in order to make their own noxious milieu appear
superior by comparison. He compared this process to the child who must belittle others to
make himself feel “big.” Ken's anger grew as Curt talked, and he stated with fervor that he
wanted to fight against cults. Sandy settled him down, however. He told him there are ways
to express one's anti-cult sentiments (without becoming the “anti-cult cult”) but that
everyone is an individual, and “the reality is, all you can do is reach out” to convince cultists
and the general public of the dangers of cultism. Curt and Greg then began to set up a
problems in our society, which do exist and then they magnify them 10 times, and then
they ascribe them to everybody. So everybody [outside of ISKCONI is unhappy.” Curt then
became philosophical: “if life didn't have its ups and downs (you wouldn't appreciate the
ups].” Ironically, Ken reminded Curt he was often unhappy in the Krishnas.
The third day: Afternoon
Guru kulas on videotape. Curt began the videotape. The documentary first outlined the
history of the guru kulas, their physical plant and underlying philosophy. Then, a devotee
stated to the interviewer that the movement would flourish and do good for America “if we
are not criticized too much.” Curt paused the tape and reacted strongly: “Where do they
come from asking not to be criticized? The President himself wouldn't make that
statement.” Curt continued to play the videotape. Krishna children at the guru kula were
interviewed, and they spoke about how they were forbidden to write to their parents, how
gifts that were sent to them were never received. Even the little children received two cold
showers a day to drive away sexual desires. In the school, there were no outside learning
materials (history books, newspapers, radios, etc.). The teachers were by state standards
unqualified to teach. At one point, a Krishna teacher admitted that, although they do spank
the children, they do not use sticks as had been claimed by several former devotees. But
when the interviewer asked a number of children how they are hit, they all answered “with
a stick.” The Krishnas also denied ever having a parasite problem. A state health official
however, reported numerous cases of ringworm, head lice, and other body parasites. The
announcer talked about how the children at the guru kula only saw their parents two or
three times a year. Several children were then asked if they wanted to go bark to their
mothers. They all said “no.” When they were asked why not, they all gave the same answer,
“because the spiritual master told me not to.” Although their words were clearly rehearsed,
their pained facial reactions were not.
At this point, the tape was stopped. Ken was fighting back tears. Curt asked Ken if he had
ever visited a guru kula or seen this documentary before. Ken replied “no.” But, head hung
low, he then added, “I relate to this.”
Despite Curt's concern that he might “float,” Ken did not retreat back into “Krishna
consciousness.” In fact, he became greatly upset by the obvious emotional pain and longing
the Krishna children were experiencing. Whether or not Curt planned it, the connection for
Ken was there. The guru kula videotape affected Ken deeply. With lowered voice and a very
serious tone, Ken made his feelings clear- “I was psychologically abused.” I was unsure
whether Ken was commenting on his experiences in ISKCON, or as an unhappy child. In the
meanwhile, Curt drew Ken's attention back to the fear in the children's faces.
The videotape of the guru kula was continued. The differences in quality of education were
pointed out. Since, according to ISKCON, girls are born with less native intelligence, they
require less education. Ken continued to look somewhat distraught, but from a distance. He
told Curt that watching this was upsetting him yet he wanted to see more. Curt replayed the
interviews with the motherless children. Everyone listened quietly until Curt again stopped
the tape in order to quote from Krishna doctrine: “We must develop detachment from all
such illusions” (referring to parents). Curt then explained that ISKCON must remove all
outside supports, so that the only place left for the devotee to turn is to ISKCON. Totalistic
groups deprecate the “outside” world in order to make their own noxious milieu appear
superior by comparison. He compared this process to the child who must belittle others to
make himself feel “big.” Ken's anger grew as Curt talked, and he stated with fervor that he
wanted to fight against cults. Sandy settled him down, however. He told him there are ways
to express one's anti-cult sentiments (without becoming the “anti-cult cult”) but that
everyone is an individual, and “the reality is, all you can do is reach out” to convince cultists
and the general public of the dangers of cultism. Curt and Greg then began to set up a
