26 Jun

Posted at 08:00h by

Another scandal-ridden, home-grown LA spiritual organization is the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA). Founded in 1971 by John-Roger (born...

19 Jun

Posted at 08:00h by
Looming above the altar?  A six-foot painting of a cow where the crucifix should be. The large vacant space appeared to hold the aftermath of a party, which is exactly what it was. The friendly manager told us that last evening’s event had been one in which reveler’s eat as much meat as possible, without utensils, rubbing their greasy hands all over each other’s… well, you may or may not

12 Jun

Posted at 08:08h by
The University of Santa Monica (USM) offers Masters degrees, Doctorates, and Certificates in “Spiritual Psychology.” The website states that the classes “take place in an uplifting Soul-Centered learning environment that nurtures the awakening of the human Spirit inherent in each student… [providing them] with practical information, tools, and experience for transforming their consciousness and

15 May

Posted at 10:00h by
synanon-spiritual-los-angeles“Our religious posture is: Don't mess with us. You can get killed dead, literally dead... These are real threats … I am quite willing to break some lawyer's legs, and next break his wife's legs, and threaten to cut their child's arm off ... I really do want an ear in a glass of alcohol on my desk."  In 1978, LAPD reported a tape recording of Synanon founder, Chuck Dederich, stating the above in response to its

08 May

Posted at 10:00h by
michael-bernard-beckwithIf you’ve never been to a service at the Agape International Spiritual Center, you ought to go if just for the music. Or the sense of joyous celebration, or for the fact that your neighbor will greet you with loving kindness. Services are definitely a finely crafted show: the entertainment value is enormous. Agape was founded and headed by the charismatic