Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1989, Page 77
Curt confronts me. At about 5:00 p.m., the Epsteins began to arrive home, and the
deprogramming began to move back upstairs. As we started cleaning the poolside up, Mrs.
Epstein called out to me to come in. My wife and daughter had arrived with some release
form I had forgotten to bring back the last time I went home. I began to busy myself
collecting signatures on the forms and taking care of other necessary paperwork. On the
television, the Epstein kids, the security team, and my family were watching “Superman” on
a cable movie network. Curt returned briefly, and then left. When he returned at around
6:00 p.m. he pulled me aside and complained to me about some of my behavior (both real
and imagined). I felt hurt and puzzled. Some of Curt's complaints seemed unwarranted and
confused. He suggested that I pay Risa for the extra food that was consumed as a result of
my “unplanned presence.” He noted to me that the deprogramming was finished and that
early the next morning, he and Ken would be flying to Iowa.
I asked him what was going on between us. He replied that he wanted me to leave, and
cited two specific examples of my objectionable behavior. One of these transgressions was
real. At one point during the past two days, I advised Beth to avoid being around Ken when
she was dressed in highly revealing shorts. It was not my place to make such a suggestion,
and Beth had apparently complained about it to her parents, who then complained to Curt.
However, I was unjustly blamed for a mishap that occurred the day before. Someone had
apparently placed a bottle of soda in the Epsteins' freezer in order to chill it quickly, and
then forgotten about it. Of course, it eventually exploded in the freezer and made quite a
mess. I briefly objected to this latter example, but then quickly surmised that I would get
nowhere defending myself with Curt. He wanted me out. I felt rather stuck. I wanted to
stay until the very end, although I also figured the additional information I would obtain for
my study would be negligible. I mentioned my concern about leaving early to Curt but by
this point his mind was made up. I asked if I could finish out the day, and he agreed that I
could stay until the evening. My wife and daughter left, and I went upstairs to present and
explain the forms my wife had brought over. I then returned downstairs just after 6:00 p.m.
to join everyone for dinner. I gave Risa some money to cover my end of the food bill.
Dinner was informal, with the conversation focused on the trip to Iowa early next morning.
At 7:30, I said my farewells and left.
Deprogramming Postscript
In the years since Ken Butler's deprogramming, I have learned the following about the
participants:
Curt Miller continues to work as one of a small number of highly experienced, full-time
deprogrammers. His hectic and unpredictable work schedule has resulted in several deep
disappointments in his personal life.
Sandy no longer works with Curt, and appears to have left the deprogramming field
altogether to concentrate on raising his family.
For several years, Dara continued to work as a university secretary with occasional
involvements in deprogrammings. She then decided to have a child, and is currently a
single, working parent raising her child. To the best of my knowledge, she is no longer
involved with deprogramming.
The last I heard from Brian, he had “graduated” from working security and was involved
part-time as an independent deprogrammer. He was also involved part-time in several
media-related projects. To the best of my knowledge, he continues to work on occasion with
Curt and several other well-known deprogrammers and exit-counselors.
Greg Stern completed his undergraduate education and is currently employed as an
advertising salesman and executive. He has built a studio in his home where he once again
devotes a great deal of time to his life-long dream of composing music. He is no longer
Curt confronts me. At about 5:00 p.m., the Epsteins began to arrive home, and the
deprogramming began to move back upstairs. As we started cleaning the poolside up, Mrs.
Epstein called out to me to come in. My wife and daughter had arrived with some release
form I had forgotten to bring back the last time I went home. I began to busy myself
collecting signatures on the forms and taking care of other necessary paperwork. On the
television, the Epstein kids, the security team, and my family were watching “Superman” on
a cable movie network. Curt returned briefly, and then left. When he returned at around
6:00 p.m. he pulled me aside and complained to me about some of my behavior (both real
and imagined). I felt hurt and puzzled. Some of Curt's complaints seemed unwarranted and
confused. He suggested that I pay Risa for the extra food that was consumed as a result of
my “unplanned presence.” He noted to me that the deprogramming was finished and that
early the next morning, he and Ken would be flying to Iowa.
I asked him what was going on between us. He replied that he wanted me to leave, and
cited two specific examples of my objectionable behavior. One of these transgressions was
real. At one point during the past two days, I advised Beth to avoid being around Ken when
she was dressed in highly revealing shorts. It was not my place to make such a suggestion,
and Beth had apparently complained about it to her parents, who then complained to Curt.
However, I was unjustly blamed for a mishap that occurred the day before. Someone had
apparently placed a bottle of soda in the Epsteins' freezer in order to chill it quickly, and
then forgotten about it. Of course, it eventually exploded in the freezer and made quite a
mess. I briefly objected to this latter example, but then quickly surmised that I would get
nowhere defending myself with Curt. He wanted me out. I felt rather stuck. I wanted to
stay until the very end, although I also figured the additional information I would obtain for
my study would be negligible. I mentioned my concern about leaving early to Curt but by
this point his mind was made up. I asked if I could finish out the day, and he agreed that I
could stay until the evening. My wife and daughter left, and I went upstairs to present and
explain the forms my wife had brought over. I then returned downstairs just after 6:00 p.m.
to join everyone for dinner. I gave Risa some money to cover my end of the food bill.
Dinner was informal, with the conversation focused on the trip to Iowa early next morning.
At 7:30, I said my farewells and left.
Deprogramming Postscript
In the years since Ken Butler's deprogramming, I have learned the following about the
participants:
Curt Miller continues to work as one of a small number of highly experienced, full-time
deprogrammers. His hectic and unpredictable work schedule has resulted in several deep
disappointments in his personal life.
Sandy no longer works with Curt, and appears to have left the deprogramming field
altogether to concentrate on raising his family.
For several years, Dara continued to work as a university secretary with occasional
involvements in deprogrammings. She then decided to have a child, and is currently a
single, working parent raising her child. To the best of my knowledge, she is no longer
involved with deprogramming.
The last I heard from Brian, he had “graduated” from working security and was involved
part-time as an independent deprogrammer. He was also involved part-time in several
media-related projects. To the best of my knowledge, he continues to work on occasion with
Curt and several other well-known deprogrammers and exit-counselors.
Greg Stern completed his undergraduate education and is currently employed as an
advertising salesman and executive. He has built a studio in his home where he once again
devotes a great deal of time to his life-long dream of composing music. He is no longer
