Info about Osho followers | |
FACING THE FACTS
Some members of some religious movements commit crimes; the organisational structure of some religious movements opens the way for abuses of authority. But criminal, dangerous or 'anti-social' behaviour is by no means typical of all religious movements. Simply because a religion is unfamiliar, or new or 'different' does not mean that it is necessarily a cause for concern. On the other hand, lack of information or misinformation about religious movements - old and new - can and does result in unnecessary suffering.
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Fact:
Residents of Rajneeshpuram (a township, now defunct, built by followers of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, latterly known as Osho) were found to have a high level of mental health. Research indicated that Bhagwan's followers had very positive self-concepts, and, compared with the wider society, lower feelings of personal distress and anxiety and greater feelings of personal autonomy and independence of thought.
[6]
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[6]
Latkin, C.A., R. Hagan, R. Littman and N. Sundberg (1990)'Who Lives in Utopia?' A Brief Research Report on the Rajneeshee Project',
Sociological Analysis,
48, 1987 73-81 and C.A. Latkin 'The Self-Concept of Rajneeshpuram Members',
Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,
29, pp91-98.
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INFORM
(Information Network Focus On Religious Movements)
www.inform.ac
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