International Cultic Studies Association
 Department: Group Report - Hare Krishna

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001

Hare Krishna: news articles 1993

ISKCON in the News Articles from the Cult Observer 1984-1999 

1993

Vol 10, No. 1

Krishnas Protest Solicitation Rules (p. 5) Tampa-area Hare Krishnas are asking a federal judge to give them the right to ignore a local ordinance Prohibiting anyone from asking motorists for donations on county roads. The Krishnas and their attorney say that the ordinance is unconstitutional on both free speech  and religious grounds.  Criminal charges against the Krishna solicitors were dropped in late November when prosecutors determined they had been arrested within city limits. (From "Religious cult attacks soliciting rule," by Tracie Reddick, St. Petersburg Times, 12/10/93, 1,2)

Vol 10, No. 2  

"FUQRA" Allegedly Bombed Krishna Temples, Cheated State (p. 5)  Members of a fundamentalist Islamic sect whose Colorado compound was raided in October are suspected in firebombings of Hare Krishna Krishna temples in Denver and Philadelphia several years ago, according to court records. Officials found about thirty assault weapons stashed in two hillside mine tunnels near the 101 -acre compound of FUQRA, said to be a spin-off of the Black Muslims [Nation of Islam]. Both the Black Muslims and orthodox Muslims deny any link to the group, which has now been implicated in criminal activities in a number of cities around the country. 

The president of the Los Angeles Hare Krishna temple said FUQRA members hate Hare Krishnas because the Krishna religion is affiliated with the Hindu religion, and Hindus and Muslims have a long history of conflict.  A Denver Krishna leader said police told him that FUQRA members have also targeted Jews for violence. 

Documents filed with the indictments of the FUQRA  members taken into custody expose glaring flaws in the Colorado workers' compensation fund that allowed the men - who live with their families in the compound - to collect more than $355,000 in phony claims over eight years.  (From "Krishnas say L. A. temple targeted" and 'Sect suspected in crimes across U. S.," by Ann Carnahan " Not linked to raided group, say Black and orthodox Muslims," by Robert Jackson,  Rocky Mountain News, 10/18/92) 

Vol 10, No. 7/8

 Help! Who Are the Hare Krishnas? (p. 18)  I am writing from Slovenia, a former Yugoslavian independent republic of two million inhabitants, capital Ljubljana. I am a freelance TV journalist for Channel 'A' TV and the author of a TC documentary entitled Elizuje, which deals with spiritual movements, religions, the New Age, etc. The programs, 30 minutes long, are broadcast on Wednesdays.   

My last three programs have dealt with the Hare Krishnas, and since I have tried to speak, in addition to other matters, about the dangers of such cults, I am now receiving abusive and veiled threatening letters from Hare Krishna sympathizers. My mother was also harassed. It is impossible to point a finger at the Krishnas, but the trouble began after the first show about them. At the same time, many concerned parents and confused young people are asking me specific questions and I am at a loss for answers.  As a result of protests, especially from the Krishnas, TV Channel A is now preparing an open discussion, a round table between them and others. I will probably be in charge and also a main target.  

As you can see, I have a lot of questions. I will gladly receive any help you can provide (books, materials, VHS cassettes, addresses, etc.). I know that a lot of addresses to which I am sending this letter will not be able to help. In this case please at least send me addresses of people who can, or forward my letter to them. It could provide a real help for the forthcoming program and for defense of my own position. Many people, mostly parents, simply do not understand what is happening, and there is no institution dealing with cases like this. When I talk to teenagers about my programs, they denounce me because "everybody at the Krishna temple is so happy, so nice. They don't lie. So where are your proofs [that there is a problem]?, etc."

The media are, in general, unaware, and using as resources only Hare Krishna propaganda, if they comment at all. The Krishna represent themselves as a mainstream, benign religion. In a few years they have grown from a small group to a community of 50 "bhaktis" and several hundred devotees. They have bought a former student house and hire the biggest halls for their festivals and other events. Young people are being tirelessly recruited and avidly listening to the Krishna propaganda. A survey of three classes in a local high school shows that 80% of pupils have been approached and that 10% have visited the Hare Krishna temple and attended the group's programs.  

International Cultic Studies Association
 Department: Group Report - Hare Krishna

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001

Hare Krishna: news articles 1993

ISKCON in the News Articles from the Cult Observer 1984-1999 

1993

Vol 10, No. 1

Krishnas Protest Solicitation Rules (p. 5) Tampa-area Hare Krishnas are asking a federal judge to give them the right to ignore a local ordinance Prohibiting anyone from asking motorists for donations on county roads. The Krishnas and their attorney say that the ordinance is unconstitutional on both free speech  and religious grounds.  Criminal charges against the Krishna solicitors were dropped in late November when prosecutors determined they had been arrested within city limits. (From "Religious cult attacks soliciting rule," by Tracie Reddick, St. Petersburg Times, 12/10/93, 1,2)

Vol 10, No. 2  

"FUQRA" Allegedly Bombed Krishna Temples, Cheated State (p. 5)  Members of a fundamentalist Islamic sect whose Colorado compound was raided in October are suspected in firebombings of Hare Krishna Krishna temples in Denver and Philadelphia several years ago, according to court records. Officials found about thirty assault weapons stashed in two hillside mine tunnels near the 101 -acre compound of FUQRA, said to be a spin-off of the Black Muslims [Nation of Islam]. Both the Black Muslims and orthodox Muslims deny any link to the group, which has now been implicated in criminal activities in a number of cities around the country. 

The president of the Los Angeles Hare Krishna temple said FUQRA members hate Hare Krishnas because the Krishna religion is affiliated with the Hindu religion, and Hindus and Muslims have a long history of conflict.  A Denver Krishna leader said police told him that FUQRA members have also targeted Jews for violence. 

Documents filed with the indictments of the FUQRA  members taken into custody expose glaring flaws in the Colorado workers' compensation fund that allowed the men - who live with their families in the compound - to collect more than $355,000 in phony claims over eight years.  (From "Krishnas say L. A. temple targeted" and 'Sect suspected in crimes across U. S.," by Ann Carnahan " Not linked to raided group, say Black and orthodox Muslims," by Robert Jackson,  Rocky Mountain News, 10/18/92) 

Vol 10, No. 7/8

 Help! Who Are the Hare Krishnas? (p. 18)  I am writing from Slovenia, a former Yugoslavian independent republic of two million inhabitants, capital Ljubljana. I am a freelance TV journalist for Channel 'A' TV and the author of a TC documentary entitled Elizuje, which deals with spiritual movements, religions, the New Age, etc. The programs, 30 minutes long, are broadcast on Wednesdays.   

My last three programs have dealt with the Hare Krishnas, and since I have tried to speak, in addition to other matters, about the dangers of such cults, I am now receiving abusive and veiled threatening letters from Hare Krishna sympathizers. My mother was also harassed. It is impossible to point a finger at the Krishnas, but the trouble began after the first show about them. At the same time, many concerned parents and confused young people are asking me specific questions and I am at a loss for answers.  As a result of protests, especially from the Krishnas, TV Channel A is now preparing an open discussion, a round table between them and others. I will probably be in charge and also a main target.  

As you can see, I have a lot of questions. I will gladly receive any help you can provide (books, materials, VHS cassettes, addresses, etc.). I know that a lot of addresses to which I am sending this letter will not be able to help. In this case please at least send me addresses of people who can, or forward my letter to them. It could provide a real help for the forthcoming program and for defense of my own position. Many people, mostly parents, simply do not understand what is happening, and there is no institution dealing with cases like this. When I talk to teenagers about my programs, they denounce me because "everybody at the Krishna temple is so happy, so nice. They don't lie. So where are your proofs [that there is a problem]?, etc."

The media are, in general, unaware, and using as resources only Hare Krishna propaganda, if they comment at all. The Krishna represent themselves as a mainstream, benign religion. In a few years they have grown from a small group to a community of 50 "bhaktis" and several hundred devotees. They have bought a former student house and hire the biggest halls for their festivals and other events. Young people are being tirelessly recruited and avidly listening to the Krishna propaganda. A survey of three classes in a local high school shows that 80% of pupils have been approached and that 10% have visited the Hare Krishna temple and attended the group's programs.  

International Cultic Studies Association
 Department: Group Report - Hare Krishna

Vol. 1, No. 1, 2001

Hare Krishna: news articles 1993

ISKCON in the News Articles from the Cult Observer 1984-1999 

1993

Vol 10, No. 1

Krishnas Protest Solicitation Rules (p. 5) Tampa-area Hare Krishnas are asking a federal judge to give them the right to ignore a local ordinance Prohibiting anyone from asking motorists for donations on county roads. The Krishnas and their attorney say that the ordinance is unconstitutional on both free speech  and religious grounds.  Criminal charges against the Krishna solicitors were dropped in late November when prosecutors determined they had been arrested within city limits. (From "Religious cult attacks soliciting rule," by Tracie Reddick, St. Petersburg Times, 12/10/93, 1,2)

Vol 10, No. 2  

"FUQRA" Allegedly Bombed Krishna Temples, Cheated State (p. 5)  Members of a fundamentalist Islamic sect whose Colorado compound was raided in October are suspected in firebombings of Hare Krishna Krishna temples in Denver and Philadelphia several years ago, according to court records. Officials found about thirty assault weapons stashed in two hillside mine tunnels near the 101 -acre compound of FUQRA, said to be a spin-off of the Black Muslims [Nation of Islam]. Both the Black Muslims and orthodox Muslims deny any link to the group, which has now been implicated in criminal activities in a number of cities around the country. 

The president of the Los Angeles Hare Krishna temple said FUQRA members hate Hare Krishnas because the Krishna religion is affiliated with the Hindu religion, and Hindus and Muslims have a long history of conflict.  A Denver Krishna leader said police told him that FUQRA members have also targeted Jews for violence. 

Documents filed with the indictments of the FUQRA  members taken into custody expose glaring flaws in the Colorado workers' compensation fund that allowed the men - who live with their families in the compound - to collect more than $355,000 in phony claims over eight years.  (From "Krishnas say L. A. temple targeted" and 'Sect suspected in crimes across U. S.," by Ann Carnahan " Not linked to raided group, say Black and orthodox Muslims," by Robert Jackson,  Rocky Mountain News, 10/18/92) 

Vol 10, No. 7/8

 Help! Who Are the Hare Krishnas? (p. 18)  I am writing from Slovenia, a former Yugoslavian independent republic of two million inhabitants, capital Ljubljana. I am a freelance TV journalist for Channel 'A' TV and the author of a TC documentary entitled Elizuje, which deals with spiritual movements, religions, the New Age, etc. The programs, 30 minutes long, are broadcast on Wednesdays.   

My last three programs have dealt with the Hare Krishnas, and since I have tried to speak, in addition to other matters, about the dangers of such cults, I am now receiving abusive and veiled threatening letters from Hare Krishna sympathizers. My mother was also harassed. It is impossible to point a finger at the Krishnas, but the trouble began after the first show about them. At the same time, many concerned parents and confused young people are asking me specific questions and I am at a loss for answers.  As a result of protests, especially from the Krishnas, TV Channel A is now preparing an open discussion, a round table between them and others. I will probably be in charge and also a main target.  

As you can see, I have a lot of questions. I will gladly receive any help you can provide (books, materials, VHS cassettes, addresses, etc.). I know that a lot of addresses to which I am sending this letter will not be able to help. In this case please at least send me addresses of people who can, or forward my letter to them. It could provide a real help for the forthcoming program and for defense of my own position. Many people, mostly parents, simply do not understand what is happening, and there is no institution dealing with cases like this. When I talk to teenagers about my programs, they denounce me because "everybody at the Krishna temple is so happy, so nice. They don't lie. So where are your proofs [that there is a problem]?, etc."

The media are, in general, unaware, and using as resources only Hare Krishna propaganda, if they comment at all. The Krishna represent themselves as a mainstream, benign religion. In a few years they have grown from a small group to a community of 50 "bhaktis" and several hundred devotees. They have bought a former student house and hire the biggest halls for their festivals and other events. Young people are being tirelessly recruited and avidly listening to the Krishna propaganda. A survey of three classes in a local high school shows that 80% of pupils have been approached and that 10% have visited the Hare Krishna temple and attended the group's programs.