Suddenly and shockingly, almost overnight, many Sai devotees demonized those who, for decades, were highly regarded in the Sai Baba fold, once they spoke out. As I was to learn from others well beyond this cult who have exposed corruption and betrayal in authoritarian organizations, this demonization process is an inescapable result for those who speak out, no matter how responsibly and within integrity they do so. It is, perhaps, all the more disturbing when the hatred, anger, distortion of one’s words, defamation, libel, and ice-cold shunning come from those who claim to be involved in spirituality.
Happily, Glen Meloy’s hope expressed to me (see below) that we would be able to get a distinguished acharya widely influential within Hinduism to make a public statement about the abuse issue was to be realised. We eventually corresponded with a renowned Vedic scholar and teacher, Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya (Dr Frank Morales). He responded personally, graciously and kindly. He also soon went public, which we found Indian religious authorities unwilling to do. For the Acharya-ji’s statement, see my post that follows this one:
The following note from Ron Mead (husband of one of the foremost Sai cult matriarchs, Bernice Mead) to Glen Meloy shows a reaction typical in its head-in-the-sand attitude when devotees are confronted with their guru’s wrongdoings: psychological denial.
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 22:53:07 -0700 (PDT
To: Glen Meloy
Subject: Re: BABA DOUBTING
Glen I have dealt with the issue you are dealing with for many year numerous times and have searched for clues and “I” have talked to some of the males involved. I did not jump to the same conclusions that you have. My first case goes back as far as 68 and 69. When possible I always ask question but did not always get answers because The boy involved would not or could not relate their thoughts and fantasies prior to the act that would be described as sexual. Remember sex is a mental process. You face the same situation. Those boys did not tell you or anyone else their thoughts or fantasies, related to sex, that repeated themselves perhaps most of their life. Homosexuality is brought on by an Aberration of the mind, (thoughts) in some form related to sex. AND can only be controlled in the same manner. I COULD GO ON AND ON FOR HOURS. I WANT YOU TO KNOW IT IS NOT MY INTENT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING BECAUSE I THINK YOU HAVE YOUR MIND MADE UP. IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT YOU CONSIDER Sathya Sai Baba TO BE AN ORDINARY MAN OR A LITTLE EXTRA ORDINARY IF AT AGE 74 HE COULD HAVE AN EJACULATION WITH THOSE FEW MOTIONS OF THE PELVIS. THE ACT WAS NOT FOR HIS GRATIFICATION. I will just consider this time wasted motion. If I had the time a conversation with you I think it would be interesting just to find out how you are reasoning. R. MEAD
Glen Meloy comments:
“The strange logic employed by Bozzani and the Meads is interwoven with excuses for the oilings, but no outright denial that they took place. And somehow they seem justified in their minds because they believe Sathya Sai Baba to be pure and that he is only involved in a healing ritual and does not receive any physical gratification for himself. This reasoning is absurd…. Even if the oiling was the only act performed, one could still legitimately question why if he was really God, does he need to actually touch their genitals? Would not a gesture or a look from the all powerful God of the Universe be enough to effect a healing without touching the individual? Surely, the God of the Universe would not have to engage in oral sex and/or ejaculate in the mouths of his devotees to effect a healing?. Where is the healing in an act which most prudent persons would characterize as pure self gratification? Barry, I want you to know that I am grateful to have Timothy Conway’s documented research on the record, but we still need an authentic voice from the hierarchy in the Hindu priesthood in India to speak out on these alleged kundalini raising procedures employed by Sai Baba. I think that the Hindu spiritual leaders owe it to all the faithful followers of Hinduism to set the record straight. It’s time for them to come out of the closet and dispel the false notion that shaktipat can only be done by touching the genitals or the muladhara region. It’s actually an insult being hurled by Sai Baba to all the Deities such as Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Jesus, Lord Buddha, Moses or any of the names of God. Let’s put this kundalini raising claim to rest once and for all, so that the leadership of the Sai Organization cannot hide behind those false assertions. As Timothy so aptly stated…… Barry, you have my permission to distribute this to anyone on your mailing list and to also post it on any web site, both pro and con. Much Love and Light, Glen Meloy”
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In my post at this time last year:
‘For thousands of former Sathya Sai Baba followers worldwide, there is no celebrating the late would-be ‘Avatar’s’ birthday on 23 November. Often without formally resigning, countless left his international Sathya Sai Organization. Many who had thought to join it did not do so. The cult is in terrible disarray.
I am all the more saddened at his vast betrayal, because, for two years (circa 1978-79), I lectured in the three-years Arts degree course at the Sathya Sai College at Whitefield, and will never forget, as I was all too slow in discovering, his and his organization’s profound failure in duty of care for the students. See my article and the BBC television documentary, The Secret Swami: The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ – A Revision
I worked hard, as any conscientious teacher does, to see that the utmost dedication, trust and skill served them as of their complete birthright. I was at my most idealistic – More than just a work force, I wanted to see the building of a soul force.’
As I was to learn from others well beyond this cult who have exposed corruption and betrayal in authoritarian organizations, this demonization process is an inescapable result for those who speak out, no matter how responsibly and within integrity they do so. It is, perhaps, all the more disturbing when the hatred, anger, distortion of one’s words, defamation, libel, and ice-cold shunning come from those who claim to be involved in spirituality. Indeed, right at the Sai Organizational apex, Sai Baba’s close aide, Dr Venkataraman could be seen in full swing, and most devoid of the love and truthfulness which he, like Sai Baba, so often extol above all qualities. See:
Posted by Barry Pittard on October 18, 2009
After he learnt of Sathya Sai Baba’s serial and large-scale sexual abuse of boys and young men, Glen Meloy embarked on an enormously self-sacrificing, far-reaching systematic investigation of the allegations. This included families and victims whom Glen had known for years. By some children of Sathya Sai devotees of many years standing, Glen was lovingly known as ‘Uncle Glen’.
Increasingly, from circa 2000, much-assisted by the spectacular growth of the internet, first-hand and terrible stories spread of homosexual and other forms of abuse at the hands of Sathya Sai Baba. Devotees in many countries became former devotees, and began to network. I just wish we could have had Skype back in those days.
This exit from the worldwide Sathya Sai Organization included top leaders as well as those from the rank-and-file. See my articles (which contain many further links) e.g.,:
The Late Leo Boogaard: A Dutch Voice of Conscience On Sathya Sai Baba and Sathya Sai Baba Critic Serguei Badaev: An Incisive Voice of Conscience From Russia ‘BILD’ Story. “Guru Wants Sex” (Sathya Sai Baba) and Why Do Prominent Sathya Sai Baba Sect Critics Persist? and Timothy Conway Ph.D – On ‘The Hislop Letters’ and BBC Transcript ‘The Secret Swami’ (Sathya Sai Baba’s Frauds Exposed)
With an enormous amount of international coordination among former Sai Baba devotees, we were able to bring our case to the United Nations, Interpol, and many leading media. See:
BBC Caught UNESCO Head Bowing To Indian Government
Posted by Barry Pittard on June 26, 2007
Barry Pittard’s Guide To His Articles On The BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ (Exposing Sai Baba)
See my obituary for Glen, who was (until after his death when Robert Priddy and I joined forces) my closest collaborator in exposing Sathya Sai Baba and his cult:
Glen Meloy (“Standing up for truth and goodness”) – In Memoriam
Posted by Barry Pittard on November 18, 2009
See also:
The Genesis of the BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’ (Sai Baba)
Posted by Barry Pittard on June 9, 2007
U.S. State Department Named Sathya Sai Baba To BBC’s ‘The Secret Swami’
Posted by Barry Pittard on January 31, 2010
Sathya Sai Organization, Australia, Ex-Head Terry Gallagher’s Testimony Against Sathya Sai Baba
Posted by Barry Pittard on November 20, 2009
On Leaving the Sathya Sai Baba Cult (Parts 1, 2 and 3)
Posted by Barry Pittard on November 20, 2009
Sathya Sai Baba’s Chief Broadcaster Dr G. Venkataraman: Select Critical Articles by Barry Pittard
Posted by Barry Pittard on June 24, 2010
See, too former head (resigned in 2000 after investigating multiple sex abuse and the cover up of murders in Sai Baba’s bedroom) of Norwegian Sathya Sai Organization Robert Priddy’s:
SATHYA SAI BABA – WORLD-WIDE EXPOSURE OF REPORTED SEXUAL ABUSES BY THE ‘SECRET SWAMI’
A documented overview of the history and extent of the alleged sexual abuses by Sathya Sai Baba and the questions they raise
Part 1 – The Great Scandal Has Come to Stay
Part 2 – Smoke Not Without Fire – Claims and Evidence of Serious Molestations
Part 3 – More smoke and fuel to the fire
Part 4 – The Jigsaw of Mounting Testimony & Circumstantial Evidence Takes Shape
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