Science of Identity Foundation

Science of Identity Foundation   (Cult)
Formation	1977
Headquarters	Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Leader	Chris Butler
Interests	Islam, Homosexuality
Membership	•  Mike Gabbard •  Carol Porter Gabbard
Hare Krishna type of cult with political ambitions.

The Science of Identity Foundation is an off-shot from the Hare Krishna movement (International Society for Krishna Consciousness / ISKCON), founded and lead by Chris Butler.

History

Butler began his own religious movement in the early 1970's. He, along with his followers briefly joined with the Hare Krishna's in 1972, but later left again, after the death of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder and Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (popularly known as Hare Krishna). It initially had the name: Holy Name Society (or Hari Nama, or Hare Name Society), Identity Institute, finally the Science of Identity Foundation.

Butler’s followers chant, practice vegetarianism, claim to practice Bhakti yoga (superficially) and must refrain from intoxicants and “illicit sex,” or all sexual contact except between married couples at the most fertile time of the month (an ideal likely rarely followed in practice). Unlike some ISKCON (Hare Krishna) members who were witnessed begging publicly in the early 1970's, Butler’s “other Krishnas” tend to support themselves by creating their own businesses. Modern ISKCON however, is mostly Indian professionals - doctors, lawyers, college professors and business owners, who support the religion by donation.

Associates of Butler ran for office in the 1976 election. In the 80s and 90s, Butler appeared on TV in a series of shows titled: Jagad Guru Speaks.

Criticism

There are reports that behind closed doors, the group venerates Butler as if he were a divinity and that members have been warned that Butler has magic powers and can read their thoughts. It is said that he runs the organization in an authoritarian manner, thereby creating a culture of fear and control among members.

"Every kid is raised in this group, fully indoctrinated into every belief and made to worship Chris Butler."

As other cults, they are promoting secrecy and isolation among members, discouraging them from interacting with people outside the organization and keeping them isolated from the outside world. Former members have said that:

"Everything you do in the cult is pretty much watched, and you're insulated and isolated and you only associated with people inside the cult."

The group is criticized for views on homosexuality and promoting intolerance towards other religions and cultures, especially Islam.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia (as of 03/2023) has nothing to say about abusive practices within the Cult.

Members

Tulsi Gabbards parents have been members of the cult at the time she grew up. The circumstances of her upbringing have been investigated in detail by Mike Prysner.

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