Sweat Lodges, the NYTimes and Psychics...

headscratcher4 · 22nd October 2009, 06:59 AM

Today NYT has a story of the unfortunate newage deaths in a Arizona sweatlodge.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/us...t.html?_r=1&hp

During the course of the story, the paper quotes a "psychic" as authority on how the newage movement around Sedona has been corrupted:

"...A psychic in Waynesville, N.C., Page Bryant, who was among the first to claim in the 1980s that Sedona had several “vortexes” of high energy — the initial lure for the legions of seekers — said that she became fed up and left nearly two decades ago “because of the craziness I saw going on in the New Age community.”

No questioning the word "psychic," no "so-called," just "psychic."

Needless to say, such credulity is annoying.

jasonpatterson · 22nd October 2009, 09:29 AM

My favorite part of the whole story comes right at the end, a comment from a Dr. Bunn, who had paid $10k for this garbage.

Quote:

On a conference call Mr. Ray held last week for sweat lodge participants, Dr. Bunn was shocked to hear one recount the comments of a self-described “channeler” who visited Angel Valley after the retreat. Claiming to have communicated with the dead, the channeler said they had left their bodies in the sweat lodge and chosen not to come back because “they were having so much fun.”

Dr. Bunn had a less charitable view: “They couldn’t re-enter their bodies because they were dead.”

headscratcher4 · 22nd October 2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by jasonpatterson

My favorite part of the whole story comes right at the end, a comment from a Dr. Bunn, who had paid $10k for this garbage.

Yeah, I saw that too. Should make an intersting legal argument...No your honor, it wasn't negligent homicide...I was doing them a favor... Should go over big.

22nd October 2009, 06:59 AM	#1
headscratcher4 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 6,424	Sweat Lodges, the NYTimes and Psychics... Today NYT has a story of the unfortunate newage deaths in a Arizona sweatlodge. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/us...t.html?_r=1&hp During the course of the story, the paper quotes a "psychic" as authority on how the newage movement around Sedona has been corrupted: "...A psychic in Waynesville, N.C., Page Bryant, who was among the first to claim in the 1980s that Sedona had several “vortexes” of high energy — the initial lure for the legions of seekers — said that she became fed up and left nearly two decades ago “because of the craziness I saw going on in the New Age community.” No questioning the word "psychic," no "so-called," just "psychic." Needless to say, such credulity is annoying.
	__________________ Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel. -- Homer Simpson

22nd October 2009, 09:29 AM	#2
jasonpatterson Philanthropic Misanthrope Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Macedonia, OH Posts: 908	My favorite part of the whole story comes right at the end, a comment from a Dr. Bunn, who had paid $10k for this garbage. Quote: On a conference call Mr. Ray held last week for sweat lodge participants, Dr. Bunn was shocked to hear one recount the comments of a self-described “channeler” who visited Angel Valley after the retreat. Claiming to have communicated with the dead, the channeler said they had left their bodies in the sweat lodge and chosen not to come back because “they were having so much fun.” Dr. Bunn had a less charitable view: “They couldn’t re-enter their bodies because they were dead.”
	__________________ Sandra's seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins' gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susie spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein

22nd October 2009, 09:32 AM	#3
headscratcher4 Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: USA Posts: 6,424	Originally Posted by jasonpatterson My favorite part of the whole story comes right at the end, a comment from a Dr. Bunn, who had paid $10k for this garbage. Yeah, I saw that too. Should make an intersting legal argument...No your honor, it wasn't negligent homicide...I was doing them a favor... Should go over big.
	__________________ Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel. -- Homer Simpson