James Ray, a self proclaimed guru, was charged with three counts of manslaughter. Three of his “students” were participating in the sweat lodge activity and later died at an Arizona hospital. The full story can be found at:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/04/arizona.sweat.lodge/index.html?iref=allsearch
I felt this story was relevant to me because I am currently enrolled in an Eastern religions class. My teacher claims to have several gurus that she follows. I wonder how she felt about hearing this story.
It also makes me think about the cult crimes of the 20th century. A lot of people get caught up in looking for ways to better themselves that they will believe anything and follow anyone. I am not saying that looking to others for advice in wrong, but one should check out the person they are asking help from. Are they a licensed therapist? What kind of credentials to they have? Would you refer them to a friend of family member? If you are unsure about the answers to any of these questions, seek another method of help.
This reminds me of one of the greatest shows of all time: Unsolved Mysteries.
They did a story about the McCloud family. As I watched that, and heard of all the allegations of horrible things he did to demean women that weren’t even of age at the time, it actually made me sick.
Also, did you know that there is actually evidence to suggest that the “Son of Sam” murders were actually committed by a Satanic cult and that Berkowitz was just a fall guy? Thank you Unsolved Mysteries… you guys were awesome. Oh, and Robert Stack’s voice scared the crap out of me when I was a kid… just so you know, haha.
That has to be one of the most bizzar stories I have ever heard of. I do not see how a self pro-claimed guru could kill three people by having people participate in a sweat lodge is crazy. It is almost like he is trying to get sympathy for the sickening crime he committed. It almost seems unreal that sweat lodges still exist in America today.
He’ll get whats coming to him.