Ramtha's School of Enlightenment: Difference between revisions
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|name = Ramtha's School of Enlightenment |
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|location = [[Yelm, Washington]] |
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|founded =1988 |
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|founder = [[JZ Knight]] |
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|students = 5,000 |
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|website = {{URL|ramtha.com}} |
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'''Ramtha's School of Enlightenment''' ('''RSE''') is an American [[Spirituality|spiritual]] school near the rural town of [[Yelm, Washington]]. The school was established in 1988 by [[J. Z. Knight|JZ Knight]], who claims to [[Mediumship|channel]] a 35,000 |
'''Ramtha's School of Enlightenment''' ('''RSE''') is an American [[Spirituality|spiritual]] school near the rural town of [[Yelm, Washington]]. The school was established in 1988 by [[J. Z. Knight|JZ Knight]], who claims to [[Mediumship|channel]] Ramtha the Enlightened One, a 35,000 year-old being. The school's teachings are based on these channeling sessions. |
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==About the school== |
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===Overview=== |
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Ramtha's School of Enlightenment is located outside [[Yelm, Washington]] on property owned by the school's founder, [[J.Z. Knight|JZ Knight]].<ref name="Macdonald"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> The school's {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} fenced campus is usually open only to staff members and students, and not the general public.<ref name="Brenner"/> However, the school occasionally offers introductory events for the public at its campus.<ref name="Wyble RSE">{{cite news |title=RSE opens its doors Saturday |last1=Wyble |first1=Steven |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_59902647-27fc-5404-b265-2bb728235aab.html |newspaper=Nisqually Valley News |date=May 3, 2013 |accessdate=October 1, 2013}}</ref> Many of the school's classes are held in Yelm, though events are also held at other locations worldwide. Additionally, the school's teachings are available through books, tapes, CDs and videos.<ref name="Lydgate"/> |
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The school's operations are managed by the company JZK Inc. According to estimates from the school, students attending events in Yelm contributed nearly $2.5 million to the local economy in 2007. The same year, the company's profits were reported to be around $2.6 million, according to [[Hoover's|Hoover's Inc]].<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> |
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===Ramtha=== |
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The school's teachings are focused on the knowledge of Ramtha the Enlightened One, whom the school's founder claims to [[mediumship|channel]]. He is more commonly referred to as Ramtha.<ref name="Lydgate"/> Knight has described Ramtha as a male warrior who is approximately 35,000 years old.<ref name="Leventis">{{cite news |title=Ramtha - Just another neighbor |last1=Leventis |first1=Angie |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=4GS8-K6G0-010F-80FY&csi=262920&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=The News Tribune |date=July 31, 2005 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> According to information provided by Ramtha during channeling sessions, he is originally from [[Lemuria]], but migrated to [[Atlantis]].<ref name="Lewis"/><ref name="Ramthabook">{{cite book |title=A Beginner's Guide to Creating Reality |author=Ramtha |authorlink= |year=2004 |publisher=JZK Publishing |location= |isbn=1578730279 |page= |pages=61-64 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cCEXtPHSFy0C&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=Ramtha+Atlantis+Lemuria&source=bl&ots=8Uo0XRiU75&sig=IhRes-Kwhohg4wvvV9PJ84ZEeYI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xTkWUu7UBpCJiwL48oHoCg&ved=0CHkQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=Ramtha%20Atlantis%20Lemuria&f=false |accessdate=August 27, 2013}}</ref> |
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According to Knight, Ramtha first appeared to her in her home in [[Tacoma, Washington]] in 1977, while she and her husband were experimenting with pyramids.<ref name="Lewis">{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions |author=James R. Lewis |authorlink= |year=2001 |publisher=Prometheus Books |location= |isbn=1573928887 |page= |pages=596-600 |url=http://www.amazon.com/The-Encyclopedia-Cults-Sects-Religions/dp/1573928887/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382105628&sr=8-1&keywords=Encyclopedia+of+Cults%2C+Sects%2C+and+New+Religions |accessdate=October 20, 2013}}</ref> During Knight's early encounters with Ramtha, Knight says she was told that she was one of his daughters in an earlier life and that he wanted to use her as a channel to share his knowledge.<ref name="French"/><ref name="Leventis"/> Knight has described Ramtha as being 7 feet tall and having black eyes and a shining aura around him.<ref name="French"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> Though there is no concrete evidence of Ramtha's existence, students of the school have accepted his accounts as factual.<ref name="Lewis"/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===Origins of the school=== |
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According to Knight, Ramtha's spirit first appeared to her and her husband in the kitchen of their Tacoma, Washington home on February 7, 1977.<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Leventis"/> After his initial appearance, Ramtha continued to appear to Knight over the next several months.<ref name="French"/> The following year, Knight claims to have channeled Ramtha for the first time.<ref name="Pemberton"/> |
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Knight first channeled Ramtha publicly in 1978. Early on, Knight would channel Ramtha for small gatherings of people in their homes. Later, her events grew to include thousands of people and took place around the country.<ref name="Lewis"/><ref name="">{{cite news |title=Teachings of 'Ramtha' Pull Hundreds West |last1=Lindsey |first1=Robert |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/us/teachings-of-ramtha-pull-hundreds-west.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 16, 1986 |accessdate=September 23, 2013}}</ref> In 1979, Knight purchased the property in [[Yelm, Washington]] that would later become the location of the school.<ref name="Pemberton"/> Knight continued to tour and channel Ramtha throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, delivering talks known as "Ramtha Dialogues" across the United States.<ref name="Pemberton"/> In 1985, Knight appeared on [[The Merv Griffin Show]] for an interview while channeling Ramtha.<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="French"/> |
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[[J. Z. Knight]] claims that in 1977, an entity named [[Ramtha]] began channelling through her. Ramtha, it is claimed, is a 35,000-year old [[Entering heaven alive|ascended]] entity from an ancient civilization who has been teaching through Knight about how reality is created and how human beings can create their own personal reality. |
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===Foundation of the school=== |
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Between 1979 and 1988, Knight has been having private sessions with students of Ramtha's teachings, which were called "dialogues". The dialogues were held in 24 cities (including Seattle, Honolulu, New York and Denver), when she decided to found Ramtha's School of Enlightenment, on land which was previously a ranch. By 1995 she had expanded her tours to include other countries in the world, such as Australia, Italy, Japan and South Africa.<ref name="olympian3">{{cite news|last=Pemberton|first=Lisa|title=Behind the gates at Ramtha's School|url=http://www.theolympian.com/689/story/50044-p3.html|publisher=The Olympian|date=July 16, 2006|accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref> It is now a place where students can travel to and attend the more systematically organized lessons, usually staying there over the course of several days, called ''retreats''. The campus is located on a property owned by Knight under the umbrella of JZK, Inc. (a corporation by Knight).<ref name="olympian2"/> The school's {{convert|80|acre|m2|adj=on}} fenced compounds are open only to staff members and students and not to the public.<ref name="olympian2"/> |
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Ramtha's School of Enlightenment was officially established in 1988 in Yelm.<ref name="Lewis"/><ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Leventis"/> A few years after the school's foundation, Knight was involved in a legal dispute with a German woman who also claimed to channel Ramtha. The lawsuit, originally filed in 1992, was settled in 1997 by the Austrian Supreme Court, which ruled that Knight had the sole rights to channel Ramtha.<ref name="Associated Press Ramtha is">{{cite news |title=Ramtha Is Solely Knight's, Court Says |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970612&slug=2544252 |newspaper=Associated Press |date=June 12, 1997 |accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="Associated Press Ramtha can't">{{cite news |title=Ramtha Can’t Speak German, Court Rules Austrian Judges Put Gag Order On Atlantean Warrior |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/1997/jun/13/ramtha-cant-speak-german-court-rules-austrian/ |newspaper=Associated Press |date=June 13, 1997 |accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="Macdonald"/><ref name="Scott">{{cite news |title=She's Some Profit! |last1=Scott |first1=Marion |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=3WHY-TG20-007C-74TW&csi=145253&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=Sunday Mail |date=May 23, 1999 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> |
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In 1997, the school invited researchers from universities including [[Temple University]], the [[University of Oregon]], [[Colgate University]] and [[Chicago Theological Seminary]] to study Knight as she channeled Ramtha. The researchers determined that Knight undergoes physical changes when channeling Ramtha.<ref name="Iwasaki"/> In 1999, the school began a World Tour which included events in [[Australia]], [[Germany]], [[Italy]], [[Japan]], [[South Africa]] and [[Scotland]].<ref name="Pemberton"/> |
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In 2007, Knight's profits from the school's activities and from sale of books, tapes, CDs and DVDs had reportedly been around $2.6 million. <ref name="olympian2"/> |
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===Recent history=== |
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In 2004, various Ramtha school leaders joined community groups to strongly oppose a proposed 75,000-seat NASCAR racetrack in Yelm. The proposal was withdrawn.<ref name="olympian2"/> |
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In 2004, students of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment worked with other Yelm-area residents to oppose a proposed [[NASCAR]] track in the area over concerns that the track would negatively impact local traffic, contribute to pollution and place a strain on the local law enforcement.<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Associated Press One proposed">{{cite news |title=One proposed NW site sparks debate |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?id=1852033 |newspaper=Associated Press |date=August 4, 2004 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> The developers withdrew their proposal in favor of another Washington state location.<ref name="Leventis"/> |
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Two years later, the school participated in a series of community events in to help educate Yelm-area residents about the school. This included Knight's appearance at events at [[The Evergreen State College]] and the local library, as well as a three-day event on campus, where Knight invited local leaders and members of the media to learn about the school.<ref name="Pemberton">{{cite news |title=Behind the gates at Ramtha's school |last1=Pemberton |first1=Lisa |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.theolympian.com/2006/07/16/50044_p3/behind-the-gates-at-ramthas-school.html |newspaper=The Olympian |date=July 16, 2006 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2008, lessons were given to the public in more than 20 countries, including the [[Czech Republic]], [[Romania]] and [[Chile]] for the first time.<ref name="olympian2"/> |
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Throughout the 2000s, the school continued to host World Tour events. By 2008, the school had conducted events and seminars in 22 countries, including the [[Czech Republic]], [[Romania]], [[Chile]], [[Uruguay]] and [[Paraguay]].<ref name="Brenner"/> Also in 2008, the school was involved in a lawsuit against another spiritual teacher who had presented Ramtha's teachings at her own workshop event two years prior. The spiritual teacher, a former student of Ramtha, was found to have broken the agreement she signed while attending the school that stated that students may not use Ramtha's teachings for commercial gain<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Seattle Times Knight">{{cite news |title=Knight defends lawsuit against spiritual guide |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2008165988_apwaramthalawsuit.html |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=September 10, 2008 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> and was ordered to pay Knight $10,000, which is what she received from the 2006 workshop.<ref name="Associated Press Jurors">{{cite news |title=Jurors side with Ramtha School founder |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Jurors-side-with-Ramtha-School-founder-1285344.php |newspaper=Associated Press |date=September 16, 2008 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2012, a former student released several videos containing clips of Knight channeling Ramtha, which received media coverage because they contained profanity and featured Ramtha making comments about [[Catholic Church|Catholics]], [[homosexuality|homosexuals]] and [[Mexican people|Mexicans]].<ref name="Shannon">{{cite news |title=Democrats to give away JZ Knight’s donations to the Anti-Defamation League and to R-74 |last1=Shannon |first1=Brad |last2= |first2= |url=http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2012/10/26/democrats-to-give-away-jz-knights-donations-to-the-anti-defamation-league-and-to-r-74/#more-35791 |newspaper=The Olympian |date=October 26, 2012 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> The school has stated that the footage of Knight channeling Ramtha was spliced together and was taken out of context.<ref name="Pawloski Attorneys"/> Following the release of the videos, the school filed a lawsuit against the former student for releasing copyrighted materials. In 2013, the former student was found to be in breach of the contract she had signed with the school while she was a student there.<ref name="Pawloski">{{cite news |title=Judge bars former Ramtha student from posting more videos |last1=Pawloski |first1=Jeremy |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.theolympian.com/2013/07/08/2614150/judge-bars-former-ramtha-student.html |newspaper=The Olympian |date=July 8, 2013 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> She was also ordered to pay the school's legal fees.<ref name="Wyble Virginia">{{cite news |title=Virginia Coverdale ordered to pay JZK, Inc. $600K |last1=Wyble |first1=Steven |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_09586d70-f60e-11e2-bfed-001a4bcf887a.html |newspaper=Yelm Online |date=July 26, 2013 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> The former student has announced her intent to appeal the case.<ref name="Pawloski Attorneys">{{cite news |title=Attorneys for JZ Knight want former student to pay $715,000 in attorney's fees |last1=Pawloski |first1=Jeremy |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/07/09/2671587/attorneys-for-jz-knight-want-former.html |newspaper=The Olympian |date=July 9, 2013 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Wyble Virginia"/> |
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==Teachings== |
==Teachings== |
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{{see also2|[[J. Z. Knight#Teachings|J.Z. Knight - Teachings]]}} |
{{see also2|[[J. Z. Knight#Teachings|J.Z. Knight - Teachings]]}} |
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Although the school does not consider itself to be an institution that teaches religion,<ref name="Leventis"/><ref name="Macdonald"/> scholars classify the school as a [[new religious movement]]<ref name="Lewis">{{cite book |title=Handbook of Religion and the Authority of Science |author=James R. Lewis |authorlink= |year=2010 |publisher=Brill Academic Pub |location= |isbn=9789004187917 |page=788 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=OQOJJiyOyH8C&pg=PA788&dq=%22new+religious+movement%22+Ramtha&hl=en&sa=X&ei=n4MWUtzBBsKhigLfhoHgAQ&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22new%20religious%20movement%22%20Ramtha&f=false |accessdate=August 27, 2013}}</ref> of the [[New Age]] type.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dawson |first=Lorne L. |title=Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious Movements |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Don Mills, Ontario |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-542009-8 |page=3 }}</ref> According to religious scholar [[J. Gordon Melton]], the schools teachings are similar to [[gnosticism]], which previously prompted the school to use the name The American Gnostic School.<ref name="Macdonald">{{cite news |title=Christianity Vs. New Age |last1=Macdonald |first1=Sally |last2= |first2= |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980509&slug=2749650 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 9, 1998 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Pemberton"/> |
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The school teaches that human beings have the capacity to utilize their inner wisdom, focus their brains, and create their own reality. <ref name="olympian2"/> |
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[[File:2012-05-17 Yelm Ramtha School of Englightenment entrance.jpg|thumb|left|320px|Gate to Ramtha's School of Enlightenment northwest of [[Yelm, Washington]].]] |
[[File:2012-05-17 Yelm Ramtha School of Englightenment entrance.jpg|thumb|left|320px|Gate to Ramtha's School of Enlightenment northwest of [[Yelm, Washington]].]] |
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Lessons at the school are based on the teachings of Ramtha and incorporate a combination of philosophy, science, history, psychology, [[self-help]] and [[paranormal]] activities.<ref name="Pemberton"/> Classes are often taught by Knight while she is channeling Ramtha.<ref name="Leventis"/> According to students of the school, when Knight channels Ramtha her posture, voice and eyes all undergo changes.<ref name="French"/><ref name="Macdonald"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> According to Knight, she is in a trance when channeling Ramtha and has no recollection of what was discussed during periods of channeling.<ref name="Lewis"/> Beginning in 2006, Knight started to teach classes herself.<ref name="Pemberton"/> She also appoints long time students as teachers to lead classes.<ref name="Macdonald"/><ref name="Leventis"/> The school's teachings are also available in books and other forms of media published by Knight.<ref name="Lydgate"/> |
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The school's curriculum is based on the channelings by Knight of the entity Ramtha.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Lydgate |title=What The #$*! is Ramtha?: The year's sleeper hit was inspired by a 35,000-year-old warrior spirit from Atlantis. |url=http://wweek.com/story.php?story=5860 |work=[[Willamette Week]] |date=December 22, 2004 |accessdate=2008-01-25 }}</ref> Although the school has been criticised for being a [[cult]] (see below), Knight and her followers deny such claims and say that the school is neither a [[religion]] nor a cult.<ref name="whitebook">{{cite book|last=Knight|first=J.Z.|title=Ramtha: The White Book|publisher=JZK Publishing|location=Yelm, Washington|year=1999, rev.2004|page=28}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ramtha.com/html/media/faqs/school/school-religion.stm RSE - School-Religion]</ref><ref>[http://www.ramtha.com/html/aboutus/about-jz.stm RSE - About Us]</ref> |
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The school teaches students that they are capable of creating their own reality through a practice known as Consciousness and Energy, which combines [[kundalini yoga]] and focused concentration.<ref name="Lewis"/> The school also teaches that god is present inside everyone.<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Wyble">{{cite news |title=Ramtha 101: RSE teaches hands-on techniques at retreat |last1=Wyble |first1=Steven |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_7fb43542-e427-11e2-b129-0019bb2963f4.html |newspaper=Yelm Online |date=July 3, 2013 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Leventis"/> Students are encouraged to know God in human form, to try to know the unknown and to create the life they want to live.<ref name="Leventis"/><ref name="Brenner"/> |
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Ramtha's School of Enlightenment teachings have been described as part of the [[New Age]] movement (the school itself claims to be outside it). A controversial religious scholar, [[J. Gordon Melton]], wrote a book countering this argument called ''Finding Enlightenment: Ramtha's School of Ancient Wisdom''. |
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Some of Ramtha's teachings focus on catastrophic millenarian predictions for the future, including [[natural disaster]]s. Students of the school have been encouraged by Ramtha to become sovereign and to prepare for catastrophes by building underground shelters and gathering emergency supplies and food.<ref name="Brenner"/><ref name="Bamford">{{cite news |title=Insider lifts lid on 'deep paranoia' |last1=Bamford |first1=Helen |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/insider-lifts-lid-on-deep-paranoia-1.1015474#.UfmG_GSglxI |newspaper=ioL news |date=January 22, 2011 |accessdate=August 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Lydgate"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Wojcik |first=Daniel |editor=Partridge |editor=Christopher |title=New Religions: A Guide |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |year=2004 |isbn=0-19-522042-0 |chapter=Apocalypticism and Millenarianism |page=393 }}</ref> |
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Lessons in the school's compounds sometimes include wine drinking,<ref name="cunningham"/> tobacco pipe smoking and dancing to rock 'n roll music. Allegedly, it is being taught that the nitric oxyde in red wine (not the alcohol), also found in pipe tobacco (not the nicotine), can help to facilitate changes in the brain as a part of the process in which to achieve these means.{{cn|date=December 2012}} |
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Teaching techniques used at the school include completing tasks while blindfolded and meditation, which includes the school's breathing technique "Consciousness and Energy".<ref name="Lydgate"/><ref name="Wyble"/><ref name="Hageman"/> Students are also encouraged to practice telepathic powers. In 2004, the ''[[Willamette Week]]'' reported that Knight sometimes uses wine in "wine ceremonies" during lessons.<ref name="Lydgate">{{cite news |title=What the #$*! is Ramtha |last1=Lydgate |first1=Chris |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-3962-what_the_%24%2A__is_ramtha.html |newspaper=Willamette Week |date=December 22, 2004 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> |
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Through various focus techniques, the students believe they are on their way to becoming as "enlightened" as other shamans who can alter their personal reality at will.<ref name="szimhart"/> The main activities towards that goal vary from specific focusing, meditation-like techniques, breathing techniques, blindfolded archery, energy healing (for one's self and for someone else), finding the heart of a maze, and many more. The students are taught that human beings can train themselves into such powers that will allow them to levitate, raise the dead, make gold appear in their hand and predict the future. Eventually this may lead to the "ascension" of the physical body into the "light body".<ref name="szimhart"/> |
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===Students of Ramtha=== |
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Other skills allegedly obtained by attending the lessons include [[psychokinesis]], [[telepathy]], [[clairvoyance]], and other [[Extrasensory perception|ESP]] skills,<ref name="remarkable">{{cite video|people=Students of the RSE|title=http://ramtha.com/Remarkable.html Videos of Remarkable Students from the School}}</ref> which have been criticized by various skeptics around the world. |
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People who attend the school are called "students" or "adherents".<ref name="French">{{cite news |title=Ramtha: ancient teacher or fraud? |last1=French |first1=Thomas |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=3SKP-9BP0-0060-219D&csi=11063&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=February 16, 1987 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> Prospective students must attend an introductory course and additional follow up courses designed to provide a more detailed overview of the school's teachings and disciplines. Following the completion of these courses, individuals may join the school as students. To remain a student of the school, students must attend two seven-day retreats each year.<ref name="Lewis"/> |
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Students do not live at the school, but may stay on campus while attending events.<ref name="Macdonald"/> Only Knight lives on the school's campus.<ref name="Lydgate"/> There are approximately 5,000 current students who attend the school, of which approximately 2,000 live in the Yelm area.<ref name="Lydgate"/><ref name="Leventis"/> As of 2008, the school estimated that between 50,000 and 75,000 students have studied Ramtha since Knight first began delivering lessons in the 1970s.<ref name="Brenner"/> The majority of the school's students are from the [[Baby Boomer]] generation, female, college educated and caucasian.<ref name="Lydgate"/><ref name="Leventis"/><ref name="Pemberton"/> |
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The dialogues, and a lot of transcripts from Knight's Ramtha talks, have been compiled and published over the course of many years. Videotapes of various dialogue sessions have also been released. While some of the major themes around the school's teachings are covered in these publications, a more in-depth and systematic presentation of its philosophies and teachings are only accessible by attending a retreat in person. |
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==Research== |
==Research into Ramtha== |
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In 1997, Knight was persuaded by religious scholar [[J. Gordon Melton]] to invite researchers to study both her, as she channeled Ramtha, and the students of the school. The researchers came from [[Temple University]], the [[University of Oregon]], [[Colgate University]], the [[Chicago Theological Seminary]] and other institutions and included individuals who specialized in psychology, physics, parapsychology, religion and other fields.<ref name="Iwasaki"/> Some of the studies conducted determined that Knight's body undergoes physical changes when she is channeling Ramtha. Changes were noticed in Knight's blood pressure, breathing and heart rate.<ref name="Iwasaki">{{cite news |title=JZ Knight Not Faking It, Say Scholars |last1=Iwasaki |first1=John |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=3TTJ-KXD0-00GX-91WR&csi=168800&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=February 10, 1997 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Lydgate"/> |
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In February 1997, Knight hosted a conference of scholars who had been studying her, the students and the school for the previous year. During their research phase, they also observed Knight's Ramtha sessions and measured various physiological functions of her body. The researchers examined Ramtha’s teachings and the school's practices from a variety of perspectives, including physics, feminism, parapsychology and religion. Melton organized the research. In addition to the conference presenters, Knight invited the media to attend. However, Knight said she did not sponsor the conference to gain publicity or to convince her skeptics.<ref name="tribune">Maynard, Steve. "JZ Knight to open ranch to scrutiny: Upcoming conference will allow professors a chance to voice their opinions on teachings of Ramtha". ''The News Tribune''. Tacoma, WA. 2/1/97. A.1</ref> |
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After the research was completed, Knight and Melton, who had also conducted research on the school, held a conference in Yelm inviting the researchers to present their findings. The researchers determined that the existence of Ramtha could not be verified or denied and that Knight is not faking the channeling episodes.<ref name="Iwasaki"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> For the conference, Knight covered the travel and lodging costs for the presenters. As a result of this, some of Knight's critics suggested that she had influenced their research. Researchers involved in the studies denied the accusations.<ref name="Iwasaki"/> |
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Knight paid the travel expenses and stipends for the conference presenters,<ref name="tribune"/> which caused some of Knight’s critics to suggest she had influenced their research, a contention described as odious by Joe Bettis,<ref>Iwasaki, John. "JZ Knight not faking it, say scholars". ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'', 2/10/97. B3</ref> one of the presenters whose Northwest Research Group partially funded the research phase<ref>Conference proceedings video ''In Search of the Self''. Yelm, WA. February, 1997.</ref> but not the conference in which their papers were presented. |
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Prior to the 1997 studies, Melton studied the school for five years as part of his work on his book about the school, ''Finding Enlightenment: Ramtha's School of Ancient Wisdom''. In his book he explains his findings that Knight's channeling is authentic, that the school's philosophy is an emerging religion and that the school is similar to other spiritual groups.<ref name="Iwasaki"/><ref name="Macdonald">{{cite news |title=Christianity Vs. New Age |last1=Macdonald |first1=Sally |last2= |first2= |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980509&slug=2749650 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=May 9, 1998 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Brenner"/> |
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Apart from the conference proceedings, two papers were published. In 1998, [[Stanley Krippner]] published a paper on the psychological, phenomenological and geomagnetic results of the various studies.<ref>Krippner, Stanley et al. ''The Ramtha Phenomena: Psychological, Phenomenological, and Geomagnetic Data.'' The Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 92:1, January 1998</ref> In 2009, Joan Hageman published a paper examining the results of the physiological testing on Knight and six students.<ref>Hageman, Joan H. et al. ''Sympathetic Reactivity During Meditation.'' Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine. 19:2, 2009.</ref> |
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In 2009, Joan Hageman published a paper examining the results of the physiological testing on Knight and six students while they were meditating using the Ramtha-taught Consciousness and Energy breathing technique.<ref name="Hageman">{{cite journal |last1=Hageman |first1=Joan H. |last2=Krippner |first2=Stanley |last3=Wickramasekera |first3=Ian |year= |title=Sympathetic Reactivity During Meditation |journal=Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=26-27, 47 |publisher= |doi= |url=http://www.rambenelux.com/downloads/article-jz-knight--journal-v19n2-hageman-sympa.pdf |accessdate=September 6, 2013}}</ref> |
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==Controversy and criticism== |
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==Criticisms of the school== |
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{{see also2|[[J. Z. Knight#Controversy and criticism|J.Z. Knight - Controversy and Criticism]]}} |
{{see also2|[[J. Z. Knight#Controversy and criticism|J.Z. Knight - Controversy and Criticism]]}} |
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Some former students of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment have spoken out against Knight and the school, including several former students who formed the group Life After Ramtha School of Enlightenment (LARSE). LARSE members have claimed that the school used fear and "brainwashing" to ensure the obedience and retention of students. The organization has been called a [[cult]] or a scam by both members of LARSE and several other former students.<ref name="Brenner">{{cite news |title=Disillusioned former students target Ramtha |last1=Brenner |first1=Keri |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=4RR2-0D80-TWWX-P1GN&csi=255268&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=The Olympian |date=January 27, 2008 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="French"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> |
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Ramtha's School of Enlightenment has been called a cult by various people, including her former husband Jeff Knight,<ref name="jeffknight">{{cite video|people=Knight, Jeff & Szimhart, Joe|title=The Jeff Knight interview, 1992|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5378628563904592346#|location=Google Videos|date=1992}}</ref> former personal bodyguard Glenn Cunningham,<ref name="cunningham">{{cite video|people=Cunningham, Glenn & McCarthy, David|title=Glenn Cunningham Interview|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9124849147412897371#|date=2001}}</ref> former students of the school (such as David McCarthy<ref name="olympian2">{{cite news|last=Brenner|first=Keri|title=Disillusioned former students target Ramtha|url=http://www.culteducation.com/reference/ramtha/ramtha26.html|date=January 27, 2008|accessdate=November 19, 2009}}</ref> or Joe Szimhart<ref name="szimhart"/>), and [[skeptic]] [[Michael Shermer]].<ref name="shermer">{{Cite book|last=Shermer|first=Michael|authorlink=Michael Shermer|title=Why People Believe Weird Things|publisher=Henry Holt and Company|location=New York|year=2002|page=295}}</ref> Melton's book, which denies the school's status as a cult,<ref name="melton">{{cite book|last=Melton|first=J. Gordon|title=Finding enlightenment: Ramtha's school of ancient wisdom|publisher=Beyond Words Pub|year=1998|isbn=1-885223-61-7}}</ref> has been criticized for siding with the school and not providing a neutral description of what is going on within the school. He has also been called a "cult apologist" by various opposers of cults. His position was further criticized when he took the stand as a witness in the case of Knight v. Knight (1992–1995) against Jeff Knight (JZ Knight's husband at the time - see [[J. Z. Knight#Court cases|J.Z. Knight court cases]]), by further supporting that the school is not a cult.<ref name="szimhart">{{citation|last=Szimhart|first=Joe|title=Essay on Gordon Melton's Study on Ramtha|date=July, 1998|url=http://www.kelebekler.com/cesnur/txt/ram2.htm|accessdate=November 20, 2009}}</ref> |
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One former student has also claimed that the school threatened him with stories of lizard people who would come to earth and hurt those who were not protected by Ramtha. The school has denied these accusations.<ref name="Brenner"/> Another former student alleged in 1987 that, though Ramtha was real at one point, Knight no longer has the ability channel him. The former student believes that Knight has continued to act as though she can channel Ramtha to grow the school.<ref name="French"/> Christian organizations have also been critical of the school because channeling Ramtha is in opposition with Christian beliefs.<ref name="Leventis"/><ref name="Pemberton"/> |
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[[File:2012-05-17_Yelm_Ramtha_School_of_Enlightenment_sign.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Sign along [[Washington State Route 510|WA 510]]. The entrance to Ramtha's School of Enlightenment is in the background on the left.]] |
[[File:2012-05-17_Yelm_Ramtha_School_of_Enlightenment_sign.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Sign along [[Washington State Route 510|WA 510]]. The entrance to Ramtha's School of Enlightenment is in the background on the left.]] |
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Knight's former husband Jeffrey Knight was also critical of the school following his divorce from JZ Knight. In 1992, he claimed that the channeling was fake and that he had been under Ramtha's control when he agreed to the original divorce settlement.<ref name="Associate Press Ex-mate">{{cite news |title=Ex-mate calls spiritualist a con artist |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=3SKN-0B00-005H-52SM&csi=8119&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=Associated Press |date=September 26, 1992 |accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> The divorce settlement was reevaluated in an evidentiary hearing following which the judge presiding over the case determined that Knight had not used mind control and was not operating a cult.<ref name="Brenner"/> |
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Former students of the school have accused the RSE of practicing brain-washing and mind-control, as well as using intimidation and fear techniques to keep students in the school. David McCarthy, a student of the RSE between 1989 and 1996, calls Knight a "spiritual predator", and he mentions various parts of the teachings which had an intimidative character, such as the prophecy that unless students remain faithful to Ramtha, they will become prey of the "lizard people", and that the ancient figure of [[Jehovah]] would return to earth accompanied by lizard people, in a spaceship.<ref name="olympian2"/> The former students (including David McCarthy and Joe Szimhart) have formed what they call ''Life After Ramtha's School of Enlightenment'' (also known as LARSE), a community group to provide support for people who have quit the school and find themselves lost.<ref name="larse">[http://www.enlightenmefree.com EnlightenMeFree.com]</ref> |
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In response to criticisms of the school, a school spokesman has noted that the majority of former students have had positive experiences with the school and that the criticism presented by groups like LARSE represents only a small fraction of the school's estimated 50,000 to 75,000 former students. The school and several former students have spoken about their positive experiences with the school, saying that they have used Ramtha's teachings to better their lives.<ref name="Pemberton"/><ref name="Brenner"/> The school has also repeatedly denied allegations that it is a cult<ref name="Leventis"/><ref name="Lydgate"/> and have pointed to the 1997 research conducted on the school in which the researchers determined the school was not a cult.<ref name="Brenner"/> |
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A further controversial issue regarding the Ramtha teachings involve the so-called "days to come", which were prophesized earth changes. Instructions reputed as coming from Ramtha were given to the students, telling them to leave the cities, find a place in the country to grow their own food and become sovereign or self-sufficient. Another instruction was told to students to build underground shelters to protect themselves and their families.<ref name="szimhart"/> |
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Various incidents within the school's grounds have been characterized as controversial. Glenn Cunningham, in an interview with David McCarthy, describes how, one evening, Knight suggested that all students should stay there overnight because she said it would be "good for the energy". That was before the Great Arena (formerly used as horse stables) had been floored, and as a result there would be a lot of dust in the air. Cunningham says that there was a very old woman among the students, who begged him that she did not want to do this and she wanted to go home, but Ramtha said that she can stay under the protection of Ramtha and her bodyguard. Leaving the arena the following day, the old woman died of pneumonia (due to the dust in the air and humidity).<ref name="cunningham"/> |
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Another incident which is mentioned by both Cunningham and Joe Szimhart is the practice of running blindfolded in a large fenced field. Szimhart mentions in particular an occasion around the year 1990, in which about 1,000 blindfolded students were directed to split up and run across the field, with their hands in the "Consciousness & Energy" position in front of them, and the exercise was meant to help the students overcome their fears. Szimhart recalls how many people crashed into each other, and that there were some injuries. A customer of his ended up with a deeply bruised shoulder and a big lump on his forehead. Aside from the minor injuries, a few people had to be treated at the hospital.<ref name="cunningham"/><ref name="szimhart"/> |
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== Related projects == |
== Related projects == |
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In 2004, three members of the |
In 2004, three members of the Ramtha's School of Enlightenment directed a film that combined documentary interviews and a fictional narrative to posit a connection between science and spirituality called ''[[What the Bleep Do We Know!?]]''<ref name="Lydgate"/> The film includes portions of an interview with Knight channeling Ramtha,<ref name="Yahr"/> though the film does not include a direct reference or connection between the school and the film.<ref name="Lydgate"/> The directors of the film have asserted that the school did not fund the project.<ref name="Yahr">{{cite news |title=Let’s get metaphysical |last1=Yahr |first1=Harriette |last2= |first2= |url=http://www.salon.com/2004/09/09/bleep/ |newspaper=Salon.com |date=September 9, 2004 |accessdate=August 27, 2013}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Anti-cult movement]] |
* [[Anti-cult movement]] |
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* [[New Religious Movement]] |
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* [[Pseudoskepticism]] |
* [[Pseudoskepticism]] |
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* [[Skepticism]] |
* [[Skepticism]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.ramtha.com/ Ramtha's School of Enlightenment Official Web Site] |
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* [http://ramtha.tv/ Ramtha TV Web Site] |
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{{Wikiquote|Ramtha}} |
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* [http://www.ramtha.com/ Ramtha's School of Enlightenment] - official website |
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* [http://www.enlightenedmind.co.uk/ UK co-ordination website] |
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* [http://www.jzknight.com/ JZ Knight's Official Web Site] |
* [http://www.jzknight.com/ JZ Knight's Official Web Site] |
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* [http://www.enlightenmefree.com/ EnlightenMeFree] - A site set up by former students of the school |
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*[http://ramtha.com/emailers/2013/0923_WT/online.html] you can see the 2014 world tour in details |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramtha's School Of Enlightenment}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramtha's School Of Enlightenment}} |
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[[Category:New Age organizations]] |
[[:Category:New Age organizations]] |
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[[Category:New religious movements]] |
[[:Category:New religious movements]] |
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[[Category:Thurston County, Washington]] |
[[:Category:Thurston County, Washington]] |
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[[Category:Mysticism]] |
[[:Category:Mysticism]] |
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[[Category:Parapsychology]] |
[[:Category:Parapsychology]] |
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Revision as of 07:23, 10 November 2013
| Ramtha's School of Enlightenment | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | JZ Knight |
| Number of students | 5,000 |
| Website | ramtha |
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment (RSE) is an American spiritual school near the rural town of Yelm, Washington. The school was established in 1988 by JZ Knight, who claims to channel Ramtha the Enlightened One, a 35,000 year-old being. The school's teachings are based on these channeling sessions.
About the school
Overview
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment is located outside Yelm, Washington on property owned by the school's founder, JZ Knight.[1][2] The school's 80-acre (320,000 m2) fenced campus is usually open only to staff members and students, and not the general public.[3] However, the school occasionally offers introductory events for the public at its campus.[4] Many of the school's classes are held in Yelm, though events are also held at other locations worldwide. Additionally, the school's teachings are available through books, tapes, CDs and videos.[2]
The school's operations are managed by the company JZK Inc. According to estimates from the school, students attending events in Yelm contributed nearly $2.5 million to the local economy in 2007. The same year, the company's profits were reported to be around $2.6 million, according to Hoover's Inc.[3][2]
Ramtha
The school's teachings are focused on the knowledge of Ramtha the Enlightened One, whom the school's founder claims to channel. He is more commonly referred to as Ramtha.[2] Knight has described Ramtha as a male warrior who is approximately 35,000 years old.[5] According to information provided by Ramtha during channeling sessions, he is originally from Lemuria, but migrated to Atlantis.[6][7]
According to Knight, Ramtha first appeared to her in her home in Tacoma, Washington in 1977, while she and her husband were experimenting with pyramids.[6] During Knight's early encounters with Ramtha, Knight says she was told that she was one of his daughters in an earlier life and that he wanted to use her as a channel to share his knowledge.[8][5] Knight has described Ramtha as being 7 feet tall and having black eyes and a shining aura around him.[8][2] Though there is no concrete evidence of Ramtha's existence, students of the school have accepted his accounts as factual.[6]
History
Origins of the school
According to Knight, Ramtha's spirit first appeared to her and her husband in the kitchen of their Tacoma, Washington home on February 7, 1977.[3][5] After his initial appearance, Ramtha continued to appear to Knight over the next several months.[8] The following year, Knight claims to have channeled Ramtha for the first time.[9]
Knight first channeled Ramtha publicly in 1978. Early on, Knight would channel Ramtha for small gatherings of people in their homes. Later, her events grew to include thousands of people and took place around the country.[6][10] In 1979, Knight purchased the property in Yelm, Washington that would later become the location of the school.[9] Knight continued to tour and channel Ramtha throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, delivering talks known as "Ramtha Dialogues" across the United States.[9] In 1985, Knight appeared on The Merv Griffin Show for an interview while channeling Ramtha.[3][8]
Foundation of the school
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment was officially established in 1988 in Yelm.[6][3][5] A few years after the school's foundation, Knight was involved in a legal dispute with a German woman who also claimed to channel Ramtha. The lawsuit, originally filed in 1992, was settled in 1997 by the Austrian Supreme Court, which ruled that Knight had the sole rights to channel Ramtha.[11][12][1][13]
In 1997, the school invited researchers from universities including Temple University, the University of Oregon, Colgate University and Chicago Theological Seminary to study Knight as she channeled Ramtha. The researchers determined that Knight undergoes physical changes when channeling Ramtha.[14] In 1999, the school began a World Tour which included events in Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Africa and Scotland.[9]
Recent history
In 2004, students of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment worked with other Yelm-area residents to oppose a proposed NASCAR track in the area over concerns that the track would negatively impact local traffic, contribute to pollution and place a strain on the local law enforcement.[3][15] The developers withdrew their proposal in favor of another Washington state location.[5]
Two years later, the school participated in a series of community events in to help educate Yelm-area residents about the school. This included Knight's appearance at events at The Evergreen State College and the local library, as well as a three-day event on campus, where Knight invited local leaders and members of the media to learn about the school.[9]
Throughout the 2000s, the school continued to host World Tour events. By 2008, the school had conducted events and seminars in 22 countries, including the Czech Republic, Romania, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.[3] Also in 2008, the school was involved in a lawsuit against another spiritual teacher who had presented Ramtha's teachings at her own workshop event two years prior. The spiritual teacher, a former student of Ramtha, was found to have broken the agreement she signed while attending the school that stated that students may not use Ramtha's teachings for commercial gain[3][16] and was ordered to pay Knight $10,000, which is what she received from the 2006 workshop.[17]
In 2012, a former student released several videos containing clips of Knight channeling Ramtha, which received media coverage because they contained profanity and featured Ramtha making comments about Catholics, homosexuals and Mexicans.[18] The school has stated that the footage of Knight channeling Ramtha was spliced together and was taken out of context.[19] Following the release of the videos, the school filed a lawsuit against the former student for releasing copyrighted materials. In 2013, the former student was found to be in breach of the contract she had signed with the school while she was a student there.[20] She was also ordered to pay the school's legal fees.[21] The former student has announced her intent to appeal the case.[19][21]
Teachings
Although the school does not consider itself to be an institution that teaches religion,[5][1] scholars classify the school as a new religious movement[6] of the New Age type.[22] According to religious scholar J. Gordon Melton, the schools teachings are similar to gnosticism, which previously prompted the school to use the name The American Gnostic School.[1][9]
Lessons at the school are based on the teachings of Ramtha and incorporate a combination of philosophy, science, history, psychology, self-help and paranormal activities.[9] Classes are often taught by Knight while she is channeling Ramtha.[5] According to students of the school, when Knight channels Ramtha her posture, voice and eyes all undergo changes.[8][1][2] According to Knight, she is in a trance when channeling Ramtha and has no recollection of what was discussed during periods of channeling.[6] Beginning in 2006, Knight started to teach classes herself.[9] She also appoints long time students as teachers to lead classes.[1][5] The school's teachings are also available in books and other forms of media published by Knight.[2]
The school teaches students that they are capable of creating their own reality through a practice known as Consciousness and Energy, which combines kundalini yoga and focused concentration.[6] The school also teaches that god is present inside everyone.[3][23][5] Students are encouraged to know God in human form, to try to know the unknown and to create the life they want to live.[5][3]
Some of Ramtha's teachings focus on catastrophic millenarian predictions for the future, including natural disasters. Students of the school have been encouraged by Ramtha to become sovereign and to prepare for catastrophes by building underground shelters and gathering emergency supplies and food.[3][24][2][25]
Teaching techniques used at the school include completing tasks while blindfolded and meditation, which includes the school's breathing technique "Consciousness and Energy".[2][23][26] Students are also encouraged to practice telepathic powers. In 2004, the Willamette Week reported that Knight sometimes uses wine in "wine ceremonies" during lessons.[2]
Students of Ramtha
People who attend the school are called "students" or "adherents".[8] Prospective students must attend an introductory course and additional follow up courses designed to provide a more detailed overview of the school's teachings and disciplines. Following the completion of these courses, individuals may join the school as students. To remain a student of the school, students must attend two seven-day retreats each year.[6]
Students do not live at the school, but may stay on campus while attending events.[1] Only Knight lives on the school's campus.[2] There are approximately 5,000 current students who attend the school, of which approximately 2,000 live in the Yelm area.[2][5] As of 2008, the school estimated that between 50,000 and 75,000 students have studied Ramtha since Knight first began delivering lessons in the 1970s.[3] The majority of the school's students are from the Baby Boomer generation, female, college educated and caucasian.[2][5][9]
Research into Ramtha
In 1997, Knight was persuaded by religious scholar J. Gordon Melton to invite researchers to study both her, as she channeled Ramtha, and the students of the school. The researchers came from Temple University, the University of Oregon, Colgate University, the Chicago Theological Seminary and other institutions and included individuals who specialized in psychology, physics, parapsychology, religion and other fields.[14] Some of the studies conducted determined that Knight's body undergoes physical changes when she is channeling Ramtha. Changes were noticed in Knight's blood pressure, breathing and heart rate.[14][2]
After the research was completed, Knight and Melton, who had also conducted research on the school, held a conference in Yelm inviting the researchers to present their findings. The researchers determined that the existence of Ramtha could not be verified or denied and that Knight is not faking the channeling episodes.[14][2] For the conference, Knight covered the travel and lodging costs for the presenters. As a result of this, some of Knight's critics suggested that she had influenced their research. Researchers involved in the studies denied the accusations.[14]
Prior to the 1997 studies, Melton studied the school for five years as part of his work on his book about the school, Finding Enlightenment: Ramtha's School of Ancient Wisdom. In his book he explains his findings that Knight's channeling is authentic, that the school's philosophy is an emerging religion and that the school is similar to other spiritual groups.[14][1][3]
In 2009, Joan Hageman published a paper examining the results of the physiological testing on Knight and six students while they were meditating using the Ramtha-taught Consciousness and Energy breathing technique.[26]
Criticisms of the school
Some former students of Ramtha's School of Enlightenment have spoken out against Knight and the school, including several former students who formed the group Life After Ramtha School of Enlightenment (LARSE). LARSE members have claimed that the school used fear and "brainwashing" to ensure the obedience and retention of students. The organization has been called a cult or a scam by both members of LARSE and several other former students.[3][8][2]
One former student has also claimed that the school threatened him with stories of lizard people who would come to earth and hurt those who were not protected by Ramtha. The school has denied these accusations.[3] Another former student alleged in 1987 that, though Ramtha was real at one point, Knight no longer has the ability channel him. The former student believes that Knight has continued to act as though she can channel Ramtha to grow the school.[8] Christian organizations have also been critical of the school because channeling Ramtha is in opposition with Christian beliefs.[5][9]
Knight's former husband Jeffrey Knight was also critical of the school following his divorce from JZ Knight. In 1992, he claimed that the channeling was fake and that he had been under Ramtha's control when he agreed to the original divorce settlement.[27] The divorce settlement was reevaluated in an evidentiary hearing following which the judge presiding over the case determined that Knight had not used mind control and was not operating a cult.[3]
In response to criticisms of the school, a school spokesman has noted that the majority of former students have had positive experiences with the school and that the criticism presented by groups like LARSE represents only a small fraction of the school's estimated 50,000 to 75,000 former students. The school and several former students have spoken about their positive experiences with the school, saying that they have used Ramtha's teachings to better their lives.[9][3] The school has also repeatedly denied allegations that it is a cult[5][2] and have pointed to the 1997 research conducted on the school in which the researchers determined the school was not a cult.[3]
Related projects
In 2004, three members of the Ramtha's School of Enlightenment directed a film that combined documentary interviews and a fictional narrative to posit a connection between science and spirituality called What the Bleep Do We Know!?[2] The film includes portions of an interview with Knight channeling Ramtha,[28] though the film does not include a direct reference or connection between the school and the film.[2] The directors of the film have asserted that the school did not fund the project.[28]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Macdonald, Sally (May 9, 1998). "Christianity Vs. New Age". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Lydgate, Chris (December 22, 2004). "What the #$*! is Ramtha". Willamette Week. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
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External links
Category:New Age organizations
Category:New religious movements
Category:Thurston County, Washington
Category:Mysticism
Category:Parapsychology