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EDITORIAL May 6, 1999 VNN3807 See Related VNN Stories Annutama's Letter BY ANONYMOUS EDITORIAL, May 6 (VNN) — It all sounds very nice that Iskcon is appearing to do something for the gurukulis, but I question the GBC's motives. I do not think it is coming out of the fact that they really care about the issues, but rather are trying to appear to save face. After all, Iskcon is supposed to be a spiritual organization. We have to show the media that we are doing our utmost to rectify these things and not let them happen. Our GBC generals are afraid of the gurukulis filing a class action suit; that is one big reason why they are appearing to be so concerned about the welfare of the children. Maybe someone should check out the memos that go back and forth between the GBC members where are beloved leaders write to one another about the necessity of doing the best they can to cover up the issues at hand, not only the child abuse, but so many other abuses and mistakes. (Let's see what they do about the poison issue. Will we ever hear from them?) It is a sad affair to be living within Iskcon at this time, most painful indeed. I have stayed because Srila Prabhupada said that he wanted us to stay and cooperate with one another, "Your love for me will be shown by how you cooperate together with one another." He also said, "Don't leave." I guess that in itself might be able to earn one a trip back home, back to Godhead, as it is becoming more and more difficult to fulfill these instructions that Srila Prabhupada left. It is sad indeed that within the vaisnava sanga one can not even feel free to speak openly and honestly, but rather has to feel a sense of fear that there will be some great repercussion for one's questioning things with honest and good intentions. In Bhagavad-gita in the tenth chapter Srila Prabhupada defines satyam, and explains that the truth is not always palatable to hear, nonetheless, it must be spoken. Isn't that what Vaisnavism is about? How can we in all genuiness clear up the problems if we don't bring them out and speak honestly about them? I have personally spoken with many of my GBC godbrothers about the child abuse issue, and I am appalled by their lack of concern and downright uncaring. Their only interest is to simply cover it up, and put a cover of facade to make it appear as if they really care, when the only caring they have is to protect their own assets and make themselves a reputation of being magnanimous. When are we, the assembled vaisnavas going to wake up? How long is it going to take? Who are we kidding anyway? Srila Prabhupada told us to use our intelligence. He wanted his Iskcon to go on and be the beacon of society. If we continue to go on in the way that we are going, slighting our godbrothers who are sincere devotees but who do not always agree with the Iskcon authorities, then we will have more and more schisms. It is the GBC duty to represent its devotees. Why don't you do this? Why instead deal in this mood of falsity where you simply polish the cage and neglect the bird inside? This is how I see this present state of affairs, including this article by Annutama. I have emailed many of my GBC godbrothers about various issues, but they avoid answering my questions. Maybe Annutama can answer these particular statements of mine and hopefully convince me that the GBC's pledge is a genuine one, made because they genuinely care about the issue at hand. I'm sorry that I have to submit this anonymously, but if one has anything to say about Iskcon that does not support the party line, then that devotee is in trouble. See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this story | Contact VNN about this story | Send this story to a friend
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