Freethought & Rationalism Archive

PatrickHays · 02-06-2005, 09:10 AM

I have stumbled across a religious belief called ECKANKAR. It seems to be a somewhat cultish organization similar to the Krishna movement in the United States, and filled with lots of New Age concepts. Has anyone else heard of this group and know much about their belief systems? Just searching for more insight into this group.

KrishnadasaAnudasa · 02-09-2005, 04:08 PM

please so not lump us with ekankar

we have at least 5000 years of religious history

try looking that the Bhagavad Gita

Sarpedon · 02-10-2005, 07:45 AM

I have the privilege to live near one of their temples. It is a golden pyramidal structure in the neighboring town. Perhaps the Eck people were inspired by some hindu practices, but it is not fair to describe them as hindu. They call themselves the religion of the "light and sound of God" They believe light is holy, as is music, and frequently chant a sacred syllable (HU, not OM) They also believe that when the end of the earth comes, their temples and the area around them will be spared. I have not yet gotten around to asking my insurance company if that affects my rates.

premjan · 02-10-2005, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrishnadasaAnudasa

please so not lump us with ekankar
we have at least 5000 years of religious history
try looking that the Bhagavad Gita

In one respect I respect the amaterialists a bit better than the evident cultists like Jesus and Krishna worshippers: basically the starting point is a kind of slavish devotion to some cultish figure. You are basically an emotional slave of another person. A self-respecting person should not do that to him or herself.

Mageth · 02-10-2005, 10:54 AM

I think it's often referred to as simply "Eck".

The local cable access channels have several shows on Eck, featuring various Eck "gurus" or whatever they're called.

PatrickHays · 02-10-2005, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrishnadasaAnudasa

please so not lump us with ekankar

we have at least 5000 years of religious history

try looking that the Bhagavad Gita

Sorry . . . I did not intend to insult or categorize; however, after rereading my post I can clearly see how such can be construed.

wonkothesane · 02-11-2005, 12:21 AM

My ex-wife is big into this religion/cult.

When we were married, she tried to get me interested in it (well, she still *does* try)...

From the books of her's that I have read (or rather *tried* to slogh through with a straight face) I am of the opinion that they are a made up religion (well, what religion ultimately *isn't*?) that borrows...well, outright *steals* concepts from easter philosophy and Nu Age and just re-names everything (but claims that *they* though of it first!)

They also require more and more money from their initiates. Abit like scientology in that respect. They promise more "secret" knowledge in exchange for more money. (And you aren't supposed to share the materials that you pay for with "new initiates", because they aren't "spiritually ready"...they will be ready when that can *afford* to be ready! LOL!)

She dragged me to one of their conventions in Chicago a while back...I was trying to keep an open mind for her sake, but it's was just cringe worthy and I finally ditched the thing. (We were divorced shortly after...connection?)

She is trying to get my kids into it. So is *her* mother. Between that and their fundie aunt, it's all I can do to try to get my kids the learn to think critically.

Even to this day she thinks that when I criticise "Eck" (even gently) I am "criticising her". :banghead:

Toto · 02-11-2005, 01:26 AM

Eckankar from the Religious Movements website, which does not like to use the word cult.

Eckankar was founded by Paul Twitchell. who had studied various ancient and modern religions, and actually acheived the status of "clear" in Scientology.

There is a similar "new religious movement" (otherwise known as a cult) known as MSIA, founded by an Eckankar student John-Roger, which achieved some notariety in California politics.

premjan · 02-11-2005, 02:24 AM

Funny the word "chela" (disciple in Eck) is often a derogatory word in India (as in "sidekick").

wonkothesane · 02-11-2005, 04:00 AM

If you want to piss an Eckist off, ask them about Sri Darwin!

He was a deposed "Living Eck Master" (there leader/living messia/whatever)...

Most Eck book just kinda of gloss over or omit altogether his existence.

Aparently, there was some bad internal politics or something...so he lost the "Rod of Power"...

He went off to found his own offshoot of Eckankar ("ATOM", or something) but since most Eckankar names & terms are *copyrighted* and *trademarked* he had to make up new ones...

02-06-2005, 09:10 AM	#1
PatrickHays Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Texas Metroplex Area Posts: 116	Eckankar I have stumbled across a religious belief called ECKANKAR. It seems to be a somewhat cultish organization similar to the Krishna movement in the United States, and filled with lots of New Age concepts. Has anyone else heard of this group and know much about their belief systems? Just searching for more insight into this group.

02-11-2005, 02:24 AM	#9
premjan Obsessed Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 61,538	chela Funny the word "chela" (disciple in Eck) is often a derogatory word in India (as in "sidekick").

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02-09-2005, 04:08 PM	#2
KrishnadasaAnudasa Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 87	please so not lump us with ekankar we have at least 5000 years of religious history try looking that the Bhagavad Gita

02-10-2005, 07:45 AM	#3
Sarpedon Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota, the least controversial state in the le Posts: 8,446	I have the privilege to live near one of their temples. It is a golden pyramidal structure in the neighboring town. Perhaps the Eck people were inspired by some hindu practices, but it is not fair to describe them as hindu. They call themselves the religion of the "light and sound of God" They believe light is holy, as is music, and frequently chant a sacred syllable (HU, not OM) They also believe that when the end of the earth comes, their temples and the area around them will be spared. I have not yet gotten around to asking my insurance company if that affects my rates.

02-10-2005, 10:54 AM	#5
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	I think it's often referred to as simply "Eck". The local cable access channels have several shows on Eck, featuring various Eck "gurus" or whatever they're called.

02-11-2005, 12:21 AM	#7
wonkothesane Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Outside of the asylum... Posts: 2,049	My ex-wife is big into this religion/cult. When we were married, she tried to get me interested in it (well, she still does try)... From the books of her's that I have read (or rather tried to slogh through with a straight face) I am of the opinion that they are a made up religion (well, what religion ultimately isn't?) that borrows...well, outright steals concepts from easter philosophy and Nu Age and just re-names everything (but claims that they though of it first!) They also require more and more money from their initiates. Abit like scientology in that respect. They promise more "secret" knowledge in exchange for more money. (And you aren't supposed to share the materials that you pay for with "new initiates", because they aren't "spiritually ready"...they will be ready when that can afford to be ready! LOL!) She dragged me to one of their conventions in Chicago a while back...I was trying to keep an open mind for her sake, but it's was just cringe worthy and I finally ditched the thing. (We were divorced shortly after...connection?) She is trying to get my kids into it. So is her mother. Between that and their fundie aunt, it's all I can do to try to get my kids the learn to think critically. Even to this day she thinks that when I criticise "Eck" (even gently) I am "criticising her". :banghead:

02-11-2005, 01:26 AM	#8
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Eckankar from the Religious Movements website, which does not like to use the word cult. Eckankar was founded by Paul Twitchell. who had studied various ancient and modern religions, and actually acheived the status of "clear" in Scientology. There is a similar "new religious movement" (otherwise known as a cult) known as MSIA, founded by an Eckankar student John-Roger, which achieved some notariety in California politics.

02-11-2005, 04:00 AM	#10
wonkothesane Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Outside of the asylum... Posts: 2,049	If you want to piss an Eckist off, ask them about Sri Darwin! He was a deposed "Living Eck Master" (there leader/living messia/whatever)... Most Eck book just kinda of gloss over or omit altogether his existence. Aparently, there was some bad internal politics or something...so he lost the "Rod of Power"... He went off to found his own offshoot of Eckankar ("ATOM", or something) but since most Eckankar names & terms are copyrighted and trademarked he had to make up new ones...

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