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Sexual abuse lawsuit update: The latest information on the sexual harassment lawsuit against Ananda,
currently under way in San Mateo.

Declarations of Expert Witnesses in the sexual abuse lawsuit:

  • Declaration of Janja Lalich: From her experience as a cult information specialist and counselor, and using examples and documentation from Ananda's own literature, Ms. Lalich offered the court this detailed analysis of Ananda church doctrine and community dynamics.
  • Declaration of Pamela Cooper White: Episcopal Priest, Harvard graduate and nationally recognized expert on the issue of clergy sexual abuse, this powerful document is White's clinical analysis of the sexual abuse allegations against both J. Donald Walters and the Ananda church. This is the expert witness Ananda tried to block from the trial.

Articles about Clergy Sexual Abuse:
    

  • Toward a New Spiritual Ethic An interview with the Dalai Lama. A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama of Tibet met with Western Buddhist teachers and answered questions on how to deal with abusive teachers.
  • Tantric Robes, interview with June Campbell As a young woman acting as a translator for a renowned Buddhist teacher in the 1960's, Ms. Campbell describes her life as a sexual "consort", and her views and feelings now about her experiences.
            
  • "Soul Stealing", Christian Century magazine, by the Reverend Pamela Cooper White. Episcopal Priest, Harvard graduate and nationally recognized expert, eloquently describes the true nature of clergy sexual abuse. 4 pages.
          
    Code of Ethics: What sort of official guidelines and policies do Ananda and other organizations and churches have for dealing with pastoral misconduct? Some powerful examples: 
        
  • California Yoga Teachers Association Code of Ethics Two years in the making, this concise and powerful document sets new standards for leaders and teachers. Does your teacher follow these guidelines? Does Ananda?
     
  • Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada (Disciples of Christ) This one page document lists a concise and thorough program for discipline and rehabilitation of clergy offenders.
        
  • Network of Western Buddhist Teachers This simple, clear and powerful document covers six important areas, including relating to one's teacher, and how to handle sexual or other types of misconduct.
        
  • Ananda Church of Self-Realization Sexual Harassment Policy

    Other contemporary views of sexual harassment/abuse:

        
  • Policy of the U.S. military regarding sexual harassment; These revealing excerpts from newspaper  reports about the U.S. Army's "zero tolerance" policy leave one asking, "Why is the Army more enlightened and ethical than some churches?"
        
  • Dr. Laura Schlesinger, national radio talk show host The nationally known "Dr. Laura", whom 20 million listeners tune in to each day for guidance on ethical issues, bluntly tackles a case of clergy sexual abuse.

    Information about cults and cult leaders

        
  • Repairing the Soul After a Cult, by Janja Lalich. Using her own personal story of cult involvement, Ms. Lalich's explains the before, during and after effects of cult involvement on one's life, and how to begin the healing process.
        
  • Declaration of Janja Lalich: From her experience as a cult information specialist and counselor, and using examples and documentation from Ananda's own literature, Ms. Lalich offered the court this detailed analysis of Ananda church doctrine, community dynamics and the role of Swami Kriyananda, (J. Donald Walters)
        
  • Checklist of Cult Characteristics From "Captive Hearts, Captive Minds" by Madeline Tobias and Janja Lalich. A handy one page checklist of warning signs that a group may be in developing into, or is, a cult.
        
  • Ananda's "Rules of Conduct for Members"- Excerpts. Entered as evidence in the sexual harassment trial. Details how members must ask permission to marry, change jobs, and pledge their "obedience and loyalty" "Above all" to Swami Kriyananda, (J. Donald Walters).
        
  • "Ways to Evaluate Groups" From the best selling book "Combating Cult Mind Control", by Steve Hassan. (click here for a link to Mr. Hassan's Web site) A detailed and in-depth guide for understanding and evaluating a group for destructive tendencies.
        
  • Cult leaders: "Saint" or Psychopath? Charismatic leaders are not always what they appear to be. What about your teacher? From "Captive Hearts, Captive Minds" by Madeline Tobias and Janja Lalich.
        
  • "Narcissistic Personality Disorder" Divine Revelation, or...Mental disorder? From the official
         diagnostic manual for mental health professionals, this easy to read two page description starkly reveals the underlying illness of many abusive teachers and clergy.