Japanese Buddhist cults

1. 69

   Hezekiahposted 11 years ago

   A friend of mine is a member of some Buddhist cults and seems to be brainwashed by some fortune teller.   Telling her about the futures doom and gloom, and trying to enlighten me, saying that one only way forward is to also join.
   
   Wouldn't this kill your friendship? Should I work on un-brainwashing? or waste of time.

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      EncephaloiDeadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds just like organized Christianity. It shouldn't kill your friendship, unless that's what the other person wants.

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         Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         The issue is, it pops up in conversatons. E.g. I took a friend sightseeing at some famous shrine in Tokyo and this girl Im talking about now freaked out when she saw the picture telling me I should erase it, as any another belief other than hers is wrog. She told me the next day that the photo I showed her made her feel sick and gave her a headache.

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      tmbridgelandposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Depends on how important this person is to you, and how obnoxious she gets about it. Personally, I have always found Buddhism a very negative way to look at life, but the average Buddhist not much different from anyone else. The cults can get pretty wacky though.

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         Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I would consider her a good friend but its an obvious cult that shes in and has no personal opinion on anything which is what is irritating in conversatons.

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      Zelkiiroposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "Buddhist cult" is an oxymoron. If you deviate from the teachings of Buddha...
      
      ...wait for it...
      
      ...waiiiit for iiiiit...
      
      ...you're not a Buddhist!
      
      *shock and awe*

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   FatFreddysCatposted 11 years ago

   I'd keep the person at arm's length, and if they call you and ask for your help to carry gas canisters into the subways, call the authorities.

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      Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I do think about that incident with Sarin gas in Tokyo.

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3. 82

   Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years ago

   - tell her to get back to you when she is done with the cult. Tell her you think she is being brainwashed and you want no part of it. Tell her you are serious! And stand behind your "No!" to friendship at this time.

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      Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe thats the best way, to just be frank.

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      EncephaloiDeadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What if your friends said that to you? How you would you feel?

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         If they were my friends they would be thankful for my honesty. They would listen to me and get the heck out of that cult. If not, I guess they are not my friends.

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            EncephaloiDeadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Is that how you base your friendship, what religion one believes?
            
            How about those people who care about you and are are asking you to get out of the cult of Christianity?

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            1. 82

               Kathryn L Hillposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I do not care about them,  if they do not respect me or my religion. Obviously they have no respect for Christianity which is not a cult.  Maybe in your eyes, so no, you would not be a friend. Why would I care about the opinion of a non-friend or a stranger?

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                  Rad Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  And my friends that is exactly what a response would look like when one attempts to get someone out of a cult.

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                  EncephaloiDeadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Then, you should show the same respect for others who have beliefs if you want others to show respect for yours.

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         Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I don't think anyone would complain about my beliefs. I come fom a Christian back and everything stays in the church mainly with gospel singing. I would never have any negative opinions an other religeons or attempt to preach and enlighten people which is very annoying.
         
         People in these cults should keep it to themselves or within their groups

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            EncephaloiDeadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I certainly respect you for that, however a number of believers here would not agree or respect your words. They would consider you very un-Christlike.

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               Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Well that's okay, I just like to avoid bothering people with religious topics unless they take an interest, which can be observed through the context of conversation. And also I subtle church invite, won't hurt.

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            Rad Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            If everything stays within the church then why are you telling us about it? But I do appreciate that you don't preach.

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               Hezekiahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I'm not telling people about what I hear in Church, the only thing I ever tell non-believers about church is that fact that I can play the keys (gospel) therefore can help out in bands that have an R&B, Jazz, Neo Soul flavor to them. Nothing religious ever comes into play or topic.
               
               My initial complaint about the cults is that, every topic I discuss turns into a topic of doom and gloom which sounds like something repeated from their fortunate telling cults leader.
               
               E.g. Her stories are very contradicting, e.g. China will attack Japan in 2014 or was it 2017 according to her fortunate teller. Japan and China have under tension for a while, and now especially with the Sengoku Islands dispute. I said to her, why don't you read the news from various sources, come up with your own personal conclusion as to what how you think China and Japan will solve this issue and have a normal discussion / debate. Her answer "My opinion doesn't matter , our mentor told us this will happen". Is that not brain washing? Next there will be a big earthquake in 2017 that will destroy everything - There are earthquakes every week here. She told me too many things can did not turn out.

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                  Rad Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Sounds like Claire. Yes, she's gone and it's my opinion that a good friend would attempt to help her without getting dragged in yourself. Never go with her when she goes to worship.

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4. 69

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   If she is in a cult then a rational response of "I respect that you believe these things, but I am living by my own beliefs and they are different" will cause her to shun you.  Worry if/when that happens.
   
   If she can follow her new religion and respect your differences, you should do the same.

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