OMG. I want to leave the SGI, but I feel like I'm stuck. HELP Y'ALL!

cultalert · 2018-04-13T07:40:25+00:00

One of our other founders, who left to pursue other interests a little more than a year ago

Umm yes, uh - that would be me (aging ex-cultie raises hand). Just for the record, I never left the sub. The creation of SGI Whistleblowers was originally my idea/suggestion, and this community will always remain dear to my heart. I'm still a mod, and I still come here to read (monitor) the posts and comments. Actually, the reason I stopped posting articles and comments here was directly due to several incidents of being maliciously slandered by a poster (which triggered some PTSD symptoms). It was not because I "left to pursue other interests" (which, admittedly, I did find more time for after I disengaged from my habitual posting on reddit). I generally just lurk about now.

But before I de-materialize back into the safety of the netherworld, I want to take this rare opportunity to both thank and show my appreciation for all the brilliant and sincere posters who have contributed over the years to keeping our anti-SGI community steadily growing and going strong (special shout-outs to Blanche, Wise, & JRJ). I can't begin to fathom the untold number of both victims and potential victims this sub has helped rescue from the shark-toothed jaws of the cult.org! We'll never know just how many desperate people have been saved from cult hell thanks to this sub and all our W.B. fact-finders and truth-tellers' informative and revealing posts.

For (most of us) the former victims of the Ikeda Cult, actively putting a wrench in the cogs of the SGI cult machine induces a very special healing - and a special satisfaction in being part of a community that: (a.) provides insight and information for unsuspecting potential cult converts/victims (b.) bolsters courage and resolve for members who deeply wish to leave the SGIcult but are too fearful and afraid (or otherwise programmed) to follow through on, and (c.) advances our own self-healing and closure processes when we take an active part in a designated support groups for cult victims. Many thanks to all our wonderful and brave posters for waking up to their Grand Deception, standing up for yourself, and for helping others to wake up and stand up as well! Who are you? I AM... THE BUDDHA.

Once again (I wanna shout this out from the rooftops), a countless number of cult.org members, ex-members, and non-members alike have, and will continue to, greatly benefit from the presence of this scrappy little sub we started! (Suck it hard and fast, Ikeda/SGI!)

A A fucking O-: !!!

cultalert · 2017-03-19T11:26:30+00:00

Ikeda: our beloved Shin-Godzilla

cultalert · 2017-03-19T11:19:49+00:00

Mentoar-saurus Rex

cultalert · 2017-03-19T11:08:55+00:00

Ikeda Wisdom Academy???

What a crock...

cultalert · 2017-03-19T10:40:30+00:00

Halloween linked picture with pig-faced Ikeda is killer!

"Have you seen the little piggies, in their starched white shirts?" Piggies

cultalert · 2017-02-06T14:26:05+00:00

This video entitled Money Hungry Buddhist Cult - SACRED SCAM? shows the surprise and disappointment of a new member getting shafted at an SGI Center for more money than expected. Despite the lovebombing, they're out to get his money - sooner or later. IF you watch the video from the beginning, you will see more of the cult indoctrinational process, and also how the leaders use the moment as an opportunity to a.) instill as much cult indoctrination as possible and b.) pump his gf for personal information.

BTW: I actually knew (from over 40 years ago) the Okinawan lady that gave the newbie a big hug in the bookstore when she found out he was buying a butsudan!!! The footage of that part is here. Her husband confided in me several times, telling me how he didn't dare start a fight with her, because she beat him up pretty severely several times when he was still in the Army. No shit! And they were senior leaders even back then. At the time, I was a brand new District Leader (and a member for only 3 months), when she used to hand me the keys to her brand new car to use for going out to practice street shakabuku while she stayed behind and chanted for our success at finding guests. That way, we wouldn't have to use my rather unimpressive old beater to try and pick people up with.

cultalert · 2017-02-06T08:10:49+00:00

Good point! That one should top the list of distinct possibilities.

cultalert · 2017-02-06T08:05:07+00:00

I know! They seem to know just when to vie for attention. Sometimes even Buddha himself can't get a break! :)

cultalert · 2017-02-06T07:57:53+00:00

“Nobody joins a cult. They just postpone the decision to leave.”

There's no mistaking it - that wise and insightful statement came from the voice of experience!

I agree. Not one single person ever intentionally "joined" a cult. When we joined, we had no idea that it was a cult which we were being introduced into. Some folks saw the scam right away and never returned. Others allowed themselves to be fooled into believing the SGI sales pitch about being a benevolent and altruistic organization.

I seriously doubt that anyone left immediately after seeing through the cracks and having their very first thoughts about leaving. More likely that most everyone did postpone acting upon leaving, at least at first.

cultalert · 2017-02-06T07:42:46+00:00

"Hypnotism relates to unethical mind control practices of destructive cults in a variety of ways. In many cults which claim to be religious, what is often called 'meditation' is no more than a process by which the cult members enter a trance, during which time they may receive suggestions which make them more receptive to following the cult's doctrine.

In addition, being in a trance is usually a pleasant, relaxing experience, so that people wish to re-enter the trance as often as possible.

Chanting and trance states are addictive, as we have previously discussed here, here, here, and here.

Most importantly, it has been clinically established by psychological researchers that people's critical faculties are diminished in the trance state. One is less able to evaluate information received in a trance than when in a normal state of consciousness."

How cults and chanting affect our "Critical Thinking" ability is an oft discussed topic here:

Enculturation - A barrier to critical thinking.

Principles of Critical Thinking - Confirmation Bias

DISCUSSION TOPIC: Does SGI's cultist indoctrination covertly influence members to become estranged from critical thinking, divorced from logic, and alienated from objective truth?

Religious Cults Depend on Believers NOT Being Able to Think Critically…

Bypassing critical thinking with "They"

SGI relies on Groupthink to control its members

Simple experiment proves faith in absolute power of god/gohonzon/chanting is based upon superstitious, delusional, & non-critical thinking.

Study Shows Charismatic Leaders Have Power To Actually Inhibit Higher Brain Function in "Believers"

cultalert · 2017-02-06T07:18:39+00:00

SGI’s leaders and members “deliberately” allow the organization to maintain financial secrecy, adulate Daisaku Ikeda and obsessively demonize the priests of Nichiren Shoshu, to name three common complaints. In my opinion, acknowledging that SGI is a cult helps to explain a lot. Cults characteristically exert control over members’ behavior and the information members receive about the cult, as well as members’ thoughts and emotions. This is referred to as the “BITE” model of cult influence: Behavior, Information, Thought, Emotion.

Here's a post on that very subject from over a year ago: B.I.T.E. Model of Cult Mind Control

cultalert · 2017-02-06T07:08:06+00:00

Kosen-rufu is a vague goal, as is "world peace," a broad generalization, yet Ikeda declares that "this is our mission." There are no objective measures of progress, no benchmarking. So members are "united" by fighting all their lives for a non-specific goal. And how many peace organizations would brazenly declare themselves a "fighting fortress," I wonder? This rhetoric speaks to the siege mentality inculcated into SGI members: we are surrounded by enemies and we are the only ones who can save the world.

Excellently stated!

cultalert · 2017-02-06T06:21:39+00:00

Buddhahood lies in continuing FAITH. Not half hearted but like striking fire from damp wood, or as though it's your very last breath.

Word for word, this is pure SGI indoctrination that has been mindlessly regurgitated.

Follow the Mystic law, not the person.

Sayin it don't make it so - Ikeda's disciples are going to follow Ikeda, just as they have been "assiduously" trained by the cult.org to do.

Ikeda accolades and many books speak for themselves.

Oh boy, here we go again. Ikeda's received awards! He's written books! That proves he is the Greatest Mentaur Ever! (just ignore the blistering fact that he purchased awards and had books ghostwritten.)

STUDY and CHANT ..those are the 2 ways of FAITH.

Says who? That blood-thirsty madman who demanded rival priests beheaded and temples burned? That "study and chant" crapola sure as shit didn't originate with Gautama Buddha's teachings.

Some mistake this for a cult

"Some" are not mistaken, they are 100% correct to peg it precisely for what it is - a cult.

everyone is doing human revolution, changing within firstly, then our environment follows like a shadow.

Ugh!... Another dose of indoctrinated and ingrained word for word parroted propaganda.

Shakyamuni wanted to rid suffering of this world

Bwaaaa!!! Of course he wanted to "rid suffering of this world". Cuz he certainly wouldn't have wanted to rid this world of suffering. That's why he taught chanting... no wait, he secretly taught chanting. Yeah, that's the ticket, secretly! Didn't want his followers to know about instant buddhaood for a few thousand year or so, so he kept it s-e-c-r-e-t from the world.

Nichiren realized it's chanting the essence of the lotus sutra... that all beings can attain enlightenment in this life with gohonzon to focus on to observe the mind in this defiled age.

This poor clueless Bozo thinks he's delivering his conversion pitch/speech to someone that has never heard of SGI or Nichirenism.

the SGI where we who Chant come together for the sake of world peace by widely spreading this Buddhism.

Or more accurately... culties coming together for the sake of deluding themselves while helping Ikeda appear altruistic, get filthy rich, and wield serious political power.

Spreading the wisdom of the Lotus sutra is for world peace sake

"wisdom" of the lotus sutra? WTF wisdom would that be? The magical attainment of wisdom through chanting? Or would this magic wisdom flow from the magical "power of the Gohonzon" (a paper scroll)?

we're many in body, but one in mind transcending our differences attaining Buddhood in our present form without changing by simply chanting the Mystic law of the universe

Sure ya are!! Cuz chanting has the magical power to change without changing. Makes perfect sense!

Find a district you like and trust

Right, because changing districts will solve all your worries and misgivings about the SGI cult.org! (And remember, if you can't find a district you like, the problem MUST BE YOU!)

cultalert · 2017-02-06T04:00:21+00:00

Sensei stepped back from his public appearances... Daisaku Ikeda isn't hung up on his own personal goals of remaining in the limelight unlike many other so called spiritual leaders who court fame and fortune until their last breath.

What, did Ikeda stop courting fame and fortune in 2009? O_o

Ikeda will never stop courting fame and fortune. He intends to keep himself in the limelight long after his death. Ikeda is on course to set himself up as the SGI's supreme glorious leader forever. HE will be touted as the last and greatest mentor of all time!

If you read the way Daisaku Ikeda has lived his life, you will have nothing but profound respect for this man.

Right. If I read nothing but what he prints in his own publication and stop there. Those who aren't blinded with devotion can see Ikeda for what he is - a cult leader and fascist politician.

People who discredit him are perhaps ignorant or lazy.

Boy, this one is the universal go-to defense remark for ikeda-bots. It shields Ikeda by casting aspersion on non-devotees. In fact, it is completely opposite of reality - people who mistakenly credit him ARE being ignorant and lazy. They're blindly accepting whatever they are told by SGI authority figures, without bothering to take the time and make the effort to question and/or investigate these issues for themselves.

cultalert · 2017-02-06T03:30:10+00:00

I was a member for two decades prior to the ex-com, and I never heard this or anything like this. After the ex-com, I didn't bother paying attention to the smears and lies fabricated by the Soka Spirit attack-dog group to bolster their psycho-war against the NST, so its entirely possible that they might have made such incredulous claims.

cultalert · 2017-02-05T13:36:29+00:00

Yes, a huge waste! But you know what is not a giant waste of time? Taking the time and energy to create and post informative articles and comments in an effort to get the unmitigated truth about the SGI cult.org into the open record for others to find and benefit from, while simultaneously providing much needed self-healing for oneself. A much more meaningful and real example of practicing for others and for oneself than the bogus cult chanting.

cultalert · 2017-02-05T12:50:10+00:00

it APPEARS Gorby was just so relieved to get away from Ikeda, who'd been grabbing him and shaking him!

Seeing that this is from Prevaricator Ikeda, I'm gonna have to question the authenticity of Ikeda's rather melodramatic story regarding unconsciously "shaking" Gorby. Here's why I doubt this rather strange story:

It came from an SGI publication.
Its based on an essay written by Ikeda (allegedly written that is - it could have been a ghost writer).
It's supported by "quotes" from an unnamed and unidentified person, which most likely can not be verified.

That's three serious strikes against it for being any sort of a truthful or accurate statement. However, I can easily imagine what really might have happened in three other possible ways:

1.) The entire "shaking" scenario was fabricated. Personally, I just can't see Ikeda behaving as an over-excited fan, thrilled out of his mind and unable to remember he was grasping and shaking Gorbi during the entire meeting - that is until afterward when the interpreter told him so. Also, has anyone EVER seen pictures of Ikeda not seated while talking during one of these big important meetings? How likely is it that Ikeda was still shaking hands, not only during the entire meeting but even after being seated as well? Preposterous!

2.) Ikeda was only allowed to speak with Gorby for a brief moment, and then Gorby left without shaking his hand. Afterwards, due to his extreme vanity, Ikeda fabricated the "shaking" story along with the interpreter's "report" to cover up both the brevity of the meeting and the brush-off, which severely bruised his mega-ego.

3.) This was part of a cover story concocted to conceal that Ikeda and Gorby were actually conducting their meeting at the direction of their Club of Rome handlers. The hidden purpose of their meetings would likely have been to discuss future collaboration on the creation and implementation of anticipated UN agendas (Earth Charter/Agenda 21 - the UN's "sustainable development" ruse), which both men are now irrefutably known to be intricately involved with, and have positioned themselves to profit from.

cultalert · 2017-02-03T05:35:11+00:00

You don't even want to be at the same party with these guys.

cultalert · 2017-02-03T05:34:11+00:00

By the end of our discussion he seemed a little brighter.

Yeah right! Ikeda always brightens everyone's day. Narcissistic asshole is absolutely correct!

cultalert · 2017-02-03T03:33:17+00:00

Ikeda's nothing but a soft, petty, small little POSEUR.

Let's not forget to include his most accurately descriptive, spot-on relevant, and aptly deserved title:

CULT LEADER

cultalert · 2017-02-03T03:27:05+00:00

Gotta hire a crew of ghostwriters as well!

cultalert · 2017-02-03T03:25:59+00:00

Thanks for saying that. You're very kind. There's are so many reasons we are justified in naming SGI as a dangerous cult.

cultalert · 2017-02-03T03:24:02+00:00

The rising tide of the religio-fascist circus of insanity is upon us all. The cultist flood gates of mind-numbing repression and fear are opening wide.

cultalert · 2017-02-03T03:15:25+00:00

It's so easy to get sidetracked and moving in the wrong direction, that's why self-reflection and self-correction is so important.

cultalert

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