Sunday, September 16, 2007

What is Congregation for the Light?

In the following weeks I will be posting my personal experiences with this organization as well as ex-members' experiences and those affected negatively by this group.

For now, suffice it to say that Congregation for the Light is a congregation of about 200 people that meet weekly (Thursdays) on 160 E. 35th St. NYC. The group is headed by Tom Baer.

Some have said it is a cult.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Multiple reports of physical, sexual and psychological abuse involving minors, alledgedly committed by members of the cult known as the Congregation for the Light, that have been reportedly condoned and covered up by the cult's leadership have initiated investigations by city, state and federal agencies. If you feel you are in physical danger or have been the victim of abuse by this cult, you may anonymously leave a comment on this blog with the words: "yes, I need help," and future postings will provide information that will confidentially provide you with assistance on safely leaving the cult without fear of retribution.

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Anonymous said...

The duplicity of this group between what they preach and what they actually DO is astonishing to say the least. I know this to be true from many personal experiences.

Anonymous said...

i can give personal direct examples of sexual, physical and verbal abuse, and will not do so here.

Anonymous said...

i am interested in what legal protection is available for ex-cult members who speak or write about The Light.

Anonymous said...

Although it's been more than 3 decades since my involvment with this fiasco, the abuse inflicted by it's members has had far reaching effects. I am particularly interested in the comment by 'Anonymous' regarding legal protection upon speaking out or writing about this horrible group of people. Can anyone answer that question?

Anonymous said...

To answer Anonymous > June 1, 2012:
These events are conducted in a very cultlike atmosphere, with a demand for compliance to it's teachings motivated by fear and or threats of reprisal. Either in this lifetime or in future lifetimes. Questioning anything put forth is highly discouraged.
Those who leave are shunned, even by family members. Physical punishent of children is encouraged, homophobia is rampant.
Kindnesses are extended only to other members, not to anyone outside the group. There is more, but that is all I will say for now.

Anonymous said...

I would like to add a comment to the 6/1/12 anonymous post regarding the shunning that takes place within this group when anyone is made to leave for non-compliance. If the premise is that all souls are on a journey consisting of multiple lives, and that each is put in whatever life circumstances for "a reason",(this supposedly to work off various karmic situations), doesn't it seem completely contrary to cut this individual off with no further contact? Where is the learning and working off karma in that? Can anyone in this group explain this practice?

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Anonymous said...

I too was raised in The Light and left as a young adult for myriad reasons. Although there were some difficult times with my family, those schisms have mostly healed. I was never shunned, never mistreated. Myself and my siblings were never abused in any way and I am totally unaware of any abuse, sexual or otherwise, from any of the other kids I grew up with. How hard was it to leave? I simply stopped going.

Anonymous said...

In response to Anonymous' comment of March 12, 2014: I am glad to hear that the shunning did not take place in your family. That certainly is a credit to those involved. However that was not the case with me. I have family members that have not spoken to me since the early 70s. Imagine? And I know of several others from my generation that experienced very much the same fate. Do I care at this point? Not at all. If anything, it made me realize that the decision to leave and distance myself from these angry, bitter, self righteous people was probably the single most important thing I've ever done. Good luck to you Anonymous 3/12/14, I wish you only good things.

Anonymous said...

Could this cult be based on Scientology? Sounds like it is, but on a smaller scale.

Anonymous said...

I too think that the Light and Scientology are quite similar. Last Tuesday Leah Remini had a segment on A&E regarding Scientology's feeling about children....just people in small bodies, not to be treated differently than adults. Wow, did that hit home. So many similarities. I think old Morry must has stolen some pages from the L. Ron Hubbard play book.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I was wondering if anybody has any information or personal stories relating to The Congregation for the Light...it's hard to find information on the internet...there's not much current stuff out there. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am also looking for current information with regard to this group as I have a friend who is involved with the head family and I am very scared for her and her children. I have found little to nothing on the internet.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous 5-10-18: Check the New York Post article dated November 2, 2014. I thinks it is titled something like "The Cult Next Door". It will tell you all you need to know about this group. I know it to be true because I was involved with them for a period of time. Good luck to your friend and her children.

Anonymous said...

Just fell down this rabbit hole, not sure how tried this info is that I found on form website.
"I did some more looking into them(the light) and they actually sold their property on east 35th street (for just under 8 million) in December of 2017, and moved up to Harrison in Westchester County."

Anonymous said...

For me, the true test if something is a cult? How does the group react when you leave? The Light is a cult.

Anonymous said...

are you talking about thomas baer ? josh and david?