The Event: Princess Diana's Death

Material pertaining to the infamous Princess Diana death of August 1997 was recently recovered on a 'recovered' laptop by Blatherskites Greg Barrett and Dave (daev) Walsh... Read a Blather special on the phenomenon of bisociative coincidence.

POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK

Father Dougal: God, I've heard about those cults Ted. People dressing up in black and saying Our Lord's going to come back and save us all.

Father Ted: No, Dougal, that's us. That's Catholicism.

Father Dougal: Oh right.
(From TV Comedy Series *Father Ted*)

On March 22nd, *The Irish Times* published two articles on the antics of Mike Garde, Ireland's *Cult Watchdog*. In response, we issued a letter of criticism to the paper's letters editor, which has yet to appear in print. If there were any other critics of the cult articles, their incensed reactions are also absent from the letters page.

What follows is an edited version of the letter despatched:

It was with some despair that I read the almost xenophobic March 22nd article on Mike Garde, 'The Cult Watchdog'. My copy of the Concise Oxford English dictionary (not that I use it as a bible of 'true' language) describes a cult as 'a system of religious worship esp. as expressed in ritual'. One of the many definitions of religion given is 'a particular system of faith and worship'. However, in everyday vernacular, the term 'cult' seems to carry pejorative baggage, referring to any suspicious, occult, or simply 'crazy', form of belief. This has not been helped by a tradition of hyperbolic media coverage of Waco, Heaven's Gate, the Order of the Solar Temple, and other tragedies.

While I full accept that some of Ireland's 'new religions' have questionable methodologies, and a fair share of disgruntled ex-members, I find it incredible that we, as a nation, can still allow our biggest umbrella cult (by dictionary definition), the mainstream Christian churches, to decide what does or does not constitute a 'cult' (pejorative definition). Are we to allow the big religious bodies to employ dog-in-the-manger tactics?

As a cheerful agnostic, I bear no grudge to any religion in particular, but naturally enough, I would be concerned by any the behaviour of any organisation, religious or otherwise, which seems to be exploiting members. It's worth bearing in mind that only recently, Pope John Paul II apologised for the sins of Catholicism in the past.

In closing, may I suggest that if any body is to take responsibility for keeping an eye on suspect 'cults', that it should be a Government sponsored independent body and not only include theologians, but also members from *every* Irish religion, regardless of creed or size, as well as members that are unaffiliated to any particular faith.

Is mise, etc., Dave (daev) Walsh

The Cult Watchdog, *The Irish Times*, March 22nd, 2000

'Trust in God and everything will be alright', *The Irish Times*, March 22nd, 2000

Father Ted: The Craggy Island Examiner

COMPETITION NEWS
Giselle Ladouceur (who lives in Niagara Falls, New York, USA) is the winner of our most recent Blather competition, and receives a copy of Paul Devereux's *Re-Visioning the Earth*. There is no Blather competition running at the moment, but anyone interested in sponsoring a prize should consider contacting us

For more on Paul Devereux (who we thank for his generosity), visit his website at http://www.acemake.com/PaulDevereux/

*Re-Visioning the Earth*:

Considered by the author to be one of his most important works, this book looks at the interaction of human psychology, perceptions and spiritual sense with the natural world through the ages, and explores the nature of place, especially sacred place. It ranges from the neurophysiological workings of human cognition to the poetic power of ancient sacred monuments - "the planet without, the world within". It includes much experiential material. A highly original, perceptive, groundbreaking work. It will take years for the scope of its message to truly sink in. Stanley Krippner, venerable consciousness researcher and Professor of Psychology at Saybrook Institute, San Francisco, says of this book: "Paul Devereux has articulated new ways in which humans can be at home with their earth... based on sound ecological principles as well as profound knowledge of the lifestyles of ancient and indigenous peoples. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that this book may be a survival manual for the 21st century." Dr Rana P.B.Singh, President of the Society of Pilgrimage Studies, says that this book "will be a path-maker for work on eco-psychology"

BOOK REVIEWS - recently added:

Fritjof Capra, *The Tao of Physics*

Iris Chang, *The Rape of Nanking*

William F. Pepper, *Orders To Kill - the Truth Behind the Murder of Martin Luther King, Jr.*

Jeanette Winterson, *The Passion*

LINKS

Flann O'Brien: Comic Genius - At Disinformation (by daev)

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'For everyone interested in the wildlife, flora and fauna of Ireland including environmental and conservation issues.'