Changes

==Beliefs==

==Beliefs==

Brahma Kumari beliefs include;

Brahma Kumaris believe God possessed a multi-millionaire Hindu jeweler called Lekhraj Kripalani in Pakistan and started to speak and act through him. He and his followers predicted the end of the world, which Brahma Kumaris call "Destruction" in WWII, 1950, 1976, the mid-1980s and year 2000. For the first 20 years of their existence, his followers believed him to be Prajapati God Brahma. At some point after 1950, they introduced the concept of a new spirit being called God Shiva. Until that time, the small community lived off Lekhraj Kripalani's accumulated fortune and other donations. From the early 1950s, the movement became evangelical and has since spread to the West, amassing considerable wealth and a large property portfolio including a English country mansion and many upscale ashrams.

» belief in the imminent destruction of this world by an unavoidable Nuclear Holocaust [now overdue by 30 to 50 years]

» belief in themselves as the only true messengers of God

 

» belief that God only speaks to them and them alone in person at their Indian headquarters via a mediumistic channeller

* belief in the imminent destruction of this world by an unavoidable Nuclear Holocaust [now overdue by 30 to 50 years]

» hypnagogic, trance-like practises and repetitive auto-suggestion

* belief in themselves as the only true messengers of God

» fixation on attracting VIPs to enhance their credibility and act as "microphones" for their message

* belief that God only speaks to them and them alone in person at their Indian headquarters via a mediumistic channeller

» exaggerated distinction between "pure" [their teachings and activities] and "impure" [the rest of the World's opinions and leaders]

* hypnagogic, trance-like practises and repetitive auto-suggestion

» exaggerated sense of self-importance [they being topknot "Brahmins"], the rest of the World [Untouchables or "Shudras"]

* fixation on attracting VIPs to enhance their credibility and act as "microphones" for their message

» belief in an unrealistic view of science, e.g. all of time existing within one endlessly repeating 5,000 year timeframe

* exaggerated distinction between "pure" [their teachings and activities] and "impure" [the rest of the World's opinions and leaders]

» a slow and gradual re-writing of their core beliefs as they fail

* exaggerated sense of self-importance [they being topknot "Brahmins"], the rest of the World [Untouchables or "Shudras"]

» unquestionable and unaccountable non-democratic leadership

* belief in an unrealistic view of science, e.g. all of time existing within one endlessly repeating 5,000 year timeframe

» amassing of considerable wealth from followers under such pressures

* a slow and gradual re-writing of their core beliefs as they fail

» complete separation from non-BKs by complete control of diet, demanding lifestyle, celibacy

* unquestionable and unaccountable non-democratic leadership

» graphic exaggeration of the plight of those that leave the group ; "grinding of teeth like the sound of mustard seeds ... crying tears of blood at Destruction", sexual activity being like "throwing one's self from a 5th storey high building", having to face a severe God at Judgement Day

* amassing of considerable wealth from followers under such pressures

» secrecy, revision and disguise of the nature and process of teachings

* complete separation from non-BKs by complete control of diet, demanding lifestyle, celibacy

» intense and long lasting social and psychological problems within individuals leaving the organisation.

* graphic exaggeration of the plight of those that leave the group ; "grinding of teeth like the sound of mustard seeds ... crying tears of blood at Destruction", sexual activity being like "throwing one's self from a 5th storey high building", having to face a severe God at Judgement Day

* secrecy, revision and disguise of the nature and process of teachings

* intense and long lasting social and psychological problems within individuals leaving the organisation.

The Brahma Kumaris encourage followers;

The Brahma Kumaris encourage followers;

» not to eat food cooked by impure non-followers such as physical relatives

* not to eat food cooked by impure non-followers such as physical relatives

» to practice detachment from parents and children

* to practice detachment from parents and children

» to separate from non-Brahma Kumari partners and family so as not to make any more "karmic accounts" with them that would be obstacles to their path

* to separate from non-Brahma Kumari partners and family so as not to make any more "karmic accounts" with them that would be obstacles to their path

 

Under these pressures, individuals are willing to put aside reason and surrender themselves mind, body and wealth, to the will of senior members of the BKWSU. Most of these senior members are professionally untrained in any manner whatsoever. Despite dabbling with perhaps the deepest levels of the human mind, many of these senior members have only ever had a basic education, e.g. 3 years schooling, and no professional experience. One senior BK recently estimated that in India there were as many as 20,000 so-called teachers that have had no training whatsoever. The curriculum and teaching methods have been likened to that of a primary school or kindergarten where followers are infantilized

Under these pressures, individuals are willing to put aside reason and surrender themselves mind, body and wealth, to the will of senior members of the BKWSU. Most of these senior members are professionally untrained in any manner whatsoever. Despite dabbling with perhaps the deepest levels of the human mind, many of these senior members have only ever had a basic education, e.g. 3 years schooling, and no professional experience. One senior BK recently estimated that in India there were as many as 20,000 so-called teachers that have had no training whatsoever. The curriculum and teaching methods have been likened to that of a primary school or kindergarten where followers are infantilized