Targeting Children
The BKWSU has always encouraged children to become members. The main child recruits are the children of new or existing members as it makes it easier for their parents to belong if the children do too. The children are indoctrinated along side their parents. The overwhelming problem is that when these children reach adulthood they have no grasp on reality – they see the world as they have been taught to by the BKWSU, complete with fear of a violent end of the world. There have been some horrendous outcomes as a result.
This has not stopped the BKWSU from actively engaging in the recruitment of children. This evidenced by following the links from the BKWSU website for the Global Retreat Centre in Oxford:
You will notice the link “Relax Kids” on the Brahma Kumaris website. From the link on the BKWSU site you will be directed here:
It is difficult to point the finger at Marneta as the main facilitator of this program to ensnare 5 to 12 year olds – she is a victim herself, having been indoctrinated as a child. The BKWSU is wholly responsible for this. We can be sure that neither Robert Holden nor Rebecca Abrahms have any idea about the relationship between Marneta, Relax Kids, and the BKWSU, however it does highlight how good the BKWSU is at getting at people in order to cast their nets further, and how dumb these people are.
The Brahma Kumaris also operate a “Youth Wing” – known in the west as the International Youth Forum. This is presented as an exercise in youth work – inspiring creativity, spirituality, “morality and values”.
On their website they list the programs that they have been involved in. As you can see they have been busy. Typically, they piggy back another organisations program and then ‘big speak’ what they have done – more PR.
On the surface it seems so moral and uplifting. However, at the end of the day the real intention is create more members anyway they can. It also has to do with keeping those youth who are already indoctrinated busy within the framework of “the cause”.
Whilst people like Marneta are no doubt sincere, as are many others, the problem remains the same – there is no duty of care, no responsibility for outcomes, and no disclosure of any kind. The core beliefs of the Brahma Kumaris remain hidden from view as do their real intentions.
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By klangcentreex, February 13, 2009 @ 7:10 am
True enough. These people are targeting children. In port of Klang Malaysia where i come from they are already going into the school under the pretext of moral uplifting classes conducted by some unscruplous gang.
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By The Truth, February 26, 2009 @ 1:12 am
Something else I noticed about these people is that they are using fronts such as Values Education to get into countries, usually via children and schools, where their Hindu or mediumistic stuff like trance meditation would work against them. Places like China and Moslem countries.
They take off one mask, put on another, and then attack the soft underbelly.
You have to remember, when they started, they had children going into trances for 7 days at a time believing they were in heaven with Krishna.
Schools are underfunded and desperate for anything to give to the kids. They use Values Education to work their way into to the social infrastructure, make connections, meet local important people like politicians and so on.
They even target street children.
Its a shame because the ideas of values education is perfectly acceptable … its what they are using it for.
In one moment they claim to be the BKWSU, in the next LVEP; one moment the LVEP is a BKWSU service programme, the next it is “independent” even though completely it is run by them … and, of course, they get money for it.
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By Anna, March 18, 2009 @ 8:36 am
This group recently partnered with Girl Scouts USA, and contributed to their new programming for girls and leadership program.
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thenakedtruth Reply:
June 29th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Someone should contact them and warn them.
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SimiMom Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Girl Scouts of the USA is complicit with Brian Bacon’s brainwashing techniques, as they have completely changed scouting in America from character-building to group-think advocacy and activism. The people who need to be warned is the American public. If you go to the HonestGirlScouts.com website, you can see the evidence for yourself.
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By Anonymous, January 10, 2010 @ 10:58 am
Marneta Viegas is a business woman whose only goal is to make money. She does not go to murli and has recently got married; another one bites the dust! Yet, she is still hanging around the Oxford Centre.
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Anonymous Reply:
January 26th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I have practised Raj Yoga /meditation with the Brahma Kumaris my whole life…I’m now 28. I go to work everyday as an accounts assistant, I work in the local community in a voluntary capacity for the youth offending service, I have a very active social life including going to the gym twice a week, and meeting regularly with my friends (I have a lot of them).
It seems to me that people leaving non descript messages about being left angered and isolated etc etc are people who have brought that on themselves. My BK peers (those who have also attended BK centres in both the UK and abroad) have NEVER felt any of the things you talk about on this website.
I can understand why people may choose other paths of ways of leading their lives and rightly so…after all it’s their life and they should do whatever they like with it.
In my 28 years as a BK I have never been dictated to, only guided – even then it has ALWAYS been MY CHOICE whether I take that on…the very 1st lesson of Raj Yoga meditation is that you are a soul comprising of the mind, Intellect and Sanskars.
If people don’t use their own intellects and make their own judgements then that’s their own stupidity.
If someone chooses to lead an alternative life outside of BK principles and yet actively chooses to co-operate in the form of doing service and providing a public service then that’s their business. Just because someone doesn’t want to be a BK it doesn’tmean the door is closed, nor does it mean that all others are beneath BK’s.
Each person’s spirituality and belief or non belief in God is their own and the highest form in their own right and capicity.
Not everything is everyone’s cup of tea, I was never forced. I still have the option to walk away, get married etc. But I haven’t…….
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By Anonymous, January 30, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
I have been a BK for almost 25 years and I started following the principals when I was 18/19. I have always lived outside the centre. I have been a regular morning student and do my best to follow the life style and principals. I go to work, I exercise regularly, I volunteer my time to the organisation and I actively support my aging mother and family members who live with mental health issues.
Now just to give another perspective, I have never been forced to follow anything. The guidence has always there and its been up to me how far I want to go. I have found that each one of principals offers an added dimension to spirituality and extra protection. Now at one stage I thought these are the teachings of God himself and after many years, I too questioned, is this really just God. My conclusion is that it is mostly Brahma Baba speaking through Dadi Gulzar and I am comfortable with that. Afterall Brahma has experienced the full range of being human. Bramha was not perfect at all, however he is an example that a high stage can be achieved.
I have never felt the seniors to be manipulative but rather dutyful (in the West) So what if other BK’s pass the knowledge on slowly or quicky. I have seen many BK’s come and go and they have always been welcomed back, when they come back. There is not so much senior worship in this country. Rather I see alot of acceptance of where people are at and what they need to do. Anyway this is my experience and not living in a centre I have not got caught up in the internal politics. And I’m glad I didn’t loose myself or my life. I feel BK teachings have added stability and strength in my life.
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By Joel, February 13, 2010 @ 4:03 pm
Dear Anonymouses and others,
Speaking as former member at the outside of the inner circle (or the inside of the outer circle), there is a nourishing, life-affirming and exhiliarating experience to be found among the BKs. Not all find it! The abuse and misbehavior is also present, and is a focus of this website. Many never see this negative side of the BKs. The BKs are not angels or devils, one or the other. However the dishonesty of hiding psychological problems and suicides of members, of countenancing manipulative practices, and of concealing finances… it smelled bad to me then when I needed to learn deeper self-acceptance, and it smells bad now.
You can see only good in the BKs if you so choose, just as the BKs learn to see only evil in the sexual-active, meat-eating and booze-drinking world, where much love and virtue is in fact blossoming this minute.
This website publicizes aspects of the BKWSU that are normally concealed. As I understand it, the site does not attempt to characterize all that may be good in the history of this religious group.
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Anonymous Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Please read below, they are all extracts from the editor. I think it falls under characterisation of the organisation and anyone associated with it:
By editor, March 4, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
sorry for the delay in replying. I think the answer to your question is simple – you are in the wrong place. The BKWSU is a cult and does not have the divine authority that they claim. We recommend that you look into Buddhism – most of the BK practises that work have been plagiarised from Buddhist texts.
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Anonymous Reply:
February 17th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Joel:
I have put asterik’s around another comment posted by the editor, stating the reason for this website.
By editor, January 17, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Hi Roshni. Your story is not uncommon unfortunately. There are many, many cases of families being disturbed when a family member joins the Brahma Kumaris.
And notably there is the politics and egocentric attitudes and behaviour that you find at the BK Centres – this is everywhere in the world – not just at your centre. When centre in charges behave this way is extremely unpleasant for the victims of this manipulation and abuse. It is also proof that something is wrong!
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What is said in the murli is not practised by those who are in charge – this is the problem with the BK organisation and the very reason we have this website.
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But the reality is that what is said in the murli about dharna can be found in many Hindu scriptures. The murli is not unique as is claimed. The knowledge in the murli is common Hinduism and Buddhism. The only “knowledge” that is unique to the murli is the weird stuff about 5,000 year repeating cycles etc.
I hope that you recognise that what you see at the centres – the attitudes and actions of the “seniors’ – is more important than the words you hear in the murli. Do not remain in denial about what you are seeing. The proof is in front of your eyes – this is not God! There is no special power that these so called yogis have – their attitude and actions are of bhogies and therefore that is what they are.
It sounds to me that you have suffered a lot because of your association with the BKWSU. There are people who have taken their own lives because of this suffering.
We strongly recommend that you take some time away from the centre and just practise your meditation at home. God is your companion anyway – why let human beings, who only say they are spiritual, destroy your love of God and goodness? You simply don’t need them or their stupidity and lies.
Your family is upset no doubt. And for good reason. The Brahma Kumaris have destroyed many families – but your family are the people who will be with you for the rest of your life. The BKs will never help you if you have problems. You can see that the Bks are the problem. And the biggest problem they will make for you is to separate you from your family.
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By Alison, November 20, 2010 @ 10:23 pm
Here is a website/location in Seattle. I’m wondering what people can do, once they know this problem exists? How do we get anyone involved, how do we get anyone to care, shut the place down, etc.? Are there specific actions that can be taken? http://www.livingvalueseducation.org/About-Us.htm
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By Joel, November 25, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
We know that people of faith can be compassionate and supportive, even if there is misbehavior at some levels of their organizations. I personally know Diane tillman, listed on the site, to be warm, human, and ethical. I would worry more about people who inhabit the city, state and federal offices. As a group, the BKs are very small in the larger scheme of things.
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By filthy shudra, November 28, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
Joel said: We know that people of faith can be compassionate and supportive, even if there is misbehavior at some levels of their organization
True enough. However, the organization becomes culpable by omission rather than by commission when it has no policies in place, or does not apply them when some individual does what humans inevitably do sooner or later, commit a crime.
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By anon, April 30, 2011 @ 12:41 pm
YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!!!!!!!!
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