Comments on: Self-Help Guru Charged With Manslaughter

By: MikeHypercube

MikeHypercube — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:23:19 +0000

As long as society has this default view that religion is basically “Good” and that religious authorities are authorities, we can’t fairly criticise those who put their trust in such people. We are partly to blame for such tragedies, for allowing the idea that religion is anything other than morally neutral.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:45:34 +0000

I agree I was flippant. But I think ultimately people must take responsibility for their actions. I was reminded of a TED lecture I saw recently given by an ex-Moonie who is now a militant anti-brainwashing educator and I must admit to being astonished that human beings would allow themselves to be subjugated in such a way. Perhaps more research should be undertaken in this area do determine whether legislation should be adopted to protect such people from themselves, but where does one draw the line?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:36:20 +0000

Its too easy to just dismiss all endeavours where people offer opportunities for other people to develop themselves otherwise the human consciousness would not have developed in the way it is and you cannot argue that we are not genetically and neurscientifically programmmed to need to teach/pass on a message in order to survive as a species. There are always going to be people who misuse and misguide , that is also the nature of humanity. The issue as anon said is about vulnerability, ignorance and a lack of self awareness and that is where my frustration would lie. Why aren’t social intelligence and emotional intelligence a formal part of the education system for young people.
I also think blanket criticism is also based on ignorance and a lack of empathy and understanding.

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:41:50 +0000

I’m sure I’m very sorry if I find it difficult to sympathise with “intellectually-searching” souls who cram themselves into ovens only to emerge fully-baked!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:42:53 +0000

“Surely any fool, feable minded enough to participate in such an enterprise deserves his or her demise!”

People who are really desperate for help will willingly put their trust in those they see as authorities. It is the reason gurus thrive. Many very intelligent people find themselves “feeble-minded,” as you call it. The Beatles, JD Salinger, Van Morrison, and many other “intellectually-searching” people have found themselves under the guru spell. Nobody deserves to die. It’s time to “break the spell.”

By: spiderabc1

spiderabc1 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:28:11 +0000

Reminds me of an episode of Dollhouse.

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:52:37 +0000

It sounds like the Black Hole of Calcutta! Surely any fool, feable minded enough to participate in such an enterprise deserves his or her demise!

By: Don

Don — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:19:38 +0000

And the whole nanny state health and safety nazis will be picking on this and demanding that spiritually advanced persons have to take acount of such things as their punters surviving. Hey, he was helping these people, he just didn’t notice they were dead.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:27:52 +0000

Thanks, Oprah, for bringing us so many dangerous people. (Is Jenny McCarthy still getting her own show?)

http://www.thegoodatheist.net/2010/02/the-chasers-war-on-everything-tackles-the-secret/

By: Steve High

Steve High — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:32:49 +0000

You always have to wonder why ‘self-help’ gurus are keen on telling people what to do. How is that ‘self-help’?