Freethought & Rationalism Archive

lpetrich · 10-22-2001, 12:14 PM

Does anyone here know much about that sect? That seems like some flaky Hindu fundamentalist sect; is that a fair description?

Echo · 10-22-2001, 07:16 PM

www.ISKCON.org

This is the official website for the International Society of Krishna Consciousness. Yes they are pretty flaky, but no more so than any of the "mainstream" religions. Florida is home to the largest Hare Krishna commune in the US, and I spent a weekend there once on a retreat (I do such weird things for kicks). I actually had a pretty good time. I didn't buy any of their spiel, and they knew it, but the people there were quite interesting. Many of the devotees that I spoke with possessed advanced degrees and worked in various professional fields before joining the commune. And they fixed some mean chow, for vegetarians...

They are usually considered an offshoot of Hinduism because their philosophy is based on the Vedas, with special attention given to the Bhagavad-Gita. Unlike Hindus, they do not believe that Krishna was merely one of many incarnations of the god Vishnu; rather, they believe Krishna *is* the supreme God of the universe and that the Bhagavad-Gita reflects his actual words.

Their website says the following about God/Krishna:

Quote:

Krishna is God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is the original and primeval person who is simultaneously expanded everywhere throughout existence and yet is still situated in His eternal abode in His original, transcendental form. He is the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-merciful being. He is the chief eternal living entity amongst all eternal living entities who are His parts. He is responsible for fulfilling all the desires of the subordinate living entities since time immemorial.

Check out the FAQ on their website, particularly the answers to such questions as "what is absolute truth" and "how can I be certain about your philosophy". You will be reminded of the presuppositional argument often used by Christian apologists, except, in this case, we learn that it is Krishna who is the source of absolute truth.

Happy reading!

Toto · 10-22-2001, 11:54 PM

They are not as benign as the term flakey might suggest.

Here is a debunking site:
http://www.trancenet.org/krishna/betrayal/index.shtml

You can find more by entering he terms {Krishna cult murder} in a search engine.

Toto · 10-22-2001, 11:54 PM

{double post}

[ October 23, 2001: Message edited by: Toto ]

echidna · 10-23-2001, 09:38 PM

They run 2 of our best budget-priced vegetarian restaurants here, but that's about all I can add.

If dropping though, here's how to find them.

Bree · 10-24-2001, 07:06 AM

I also read a series of articles regarding the Hare Krishnas - apparently several young women are now coming forward (having spent their entire childhood in the cult) and speaking out about the emotional/spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse they experienced at the hands of cult members.

You can find an October 1998 New York Times article here, and the ISKON Awareness which is the best resource for this. It has several testimonials from ex-pupils detailing their abuse.

Just another example of religious fervor claiming the lives of innocent bystanders.

[ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: greenbean51 ]

xoc · 10-25-2001, 11:13 PM

edit/delete

[ October 26, 2001: Message edited by: a_theistnotatheist ]

Dunewalker · 11-01-2001, 06:40 PM

I spent five years with ISKCON (Hare Krishna), from 1973-1978. I, for one, never experienced any abuse nor did any abusing. I did hear third-hand accounts of such. But their concept of being "transcendental" to morals and laws is a troubling and dangerous philosophy. I now have nothing to do with them. If one moved next door to me, I would be concerned. They are to Hinduism what Baptists are to Christianity. 'Nuf said.

10-22-2001, 12:14 PM	#1
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	Hare Krishnas? Does anyone here know much about that sect? That seems like some flaky Hindu fundamentalist sect; is that a fair description?

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10-22-2001, 11:54 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	They are not as benign as the term flakey might suggest. Here is a debunking site: http://www.trancenet.org/krishna/betrayal/index.shtml You can find more by entering he terms {Krishna cult murder} in a search engine.

10-23-2001, 09:38 PM	#5
echidna Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 2,832	They run 2 of our best budget-priced vegetarian restaurants here, but that's about all I can add. If dropping though, here's how to find them.

10-24-2001, 07:06 AM	#6
Bree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Twin Cities, USA Posts: 3,197	I also read a series of articles regarding the Hare Krishnas - apparently several young women are now coming forward (having spent their entire childhood in the cult) and speaking out about the emotional/spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse they experienced at the hands of cult members. You can find an October 1998 New York Times article here, and the ISKON Awareness which is the best resource for this. It has several testimonials from ex-pupils detailing their abuse. Just another example of religious fervor claiming the lives of innocent bystanders. [ October 24, 2001: Message edited by: greenbean51 ]

10-25-2001, 11:13 PM	#7
xoc Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: in my mind Posts: 276	edit/delete [ October 26, 2001: Message edited by: a_theistnotatheist ]

11-01-2001, 06:40 PM	#8
Dunewalker New Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Michigan City, Indiana Posts: 1	I spent five years with ISKCON (Hare Krishna), from 1973-1978. I, for one, never experienced any abuse nor did any abusing. I did hear third-hand accounts of such. But their concept of being "transcendental" to morals and laws is a troubling and dangerous philosophy. I now have nothing to do with them. If one moved next door to me, I would be concerned. They are to Hinduism what Baptists are to Christianity. 'Nuf said.

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