E-book: The Psychic Mafia

[Caterpillar]

The Psychic Mafia by M. Lamar Keene (as told to Allen Spraggett) was originally published in 1976 and is out of print.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Lamar_Keene

From above: ?In his book The Psychic Mafia (1976), Keene admitted that all of his psychic activities were done by fraudulent means. He revealed how he got rich by tricking thousands of people in s?ances (Randi 1995:135). He described how the victims fell for the most transparent ruses. He coined the term True-believer syndrome in the book (Keene 1997:151).?


There is an electronic version of this book (minus the pictures) by an anonymous typist with footnotes:

http://members.fortunecity.com/misteryo/pm1.html


In part 3 of 6, the typist mentioned JZ in the footnotes:

http://members.fortunecity.com/misteryo/pm3.html

Quote: ?49. J. Z. Knight, an Oregon woman who claims to trance-channel "Ramtha," a 35,000 being from Atlantis, previously made her living by breeding horses. Not surprisingly, "Ramtha," when counseling people over their investments, would urge them to invest in Knight's thoroughbred farm.?


http://members.fortunecity.com/misteryo/pm5.html

Copied from part 5 of 6 from above (or Page 150 and 151 of 1997 book):

?I knew how easy it was to make people believe a lie, but I didn't expect that the same people, confronted with the lie, would choose it over the truth.

One of the board members, George Mathern, who had moved from Ohio to join the church and had given generously of both cash and property, had said to Raoul, "Do you mean to say that you duped me?" and got the reply, "That's right, George." Yet even after that, he stayed in his seat beside Raoul and is still active in spiritualism to this day.

The true-believer syndrome merits study by science. What is it that compels a person, past all reason, to believe the unbelievable? How can an otherwise sane individual become so enamored of a fantasy, an imposture, that even after it's exposed in the bright light of day he still clings to it-- indeed, clings to it all the harder?

The true-believer syndrome is the greatest thing phony mediums have going for them. No amount of logic can shatter a faith consciously based on a lie.

I think Raoul had those people on the church board virtually hypnotized. Every one of them, with a single exception, had had numerous private sittings with him, and he did have exceptional skill in brainwashing people. He had turned them into unthinking zombies.

In our library was a copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf, which Raoul read avidly. He adopted in his mediumship some of the specific techniques in mass psychology that Hitler described. Looking through that book and noting the many passages Raoul marked, and his comments, was very revealing.?



More on the ?true believer? syndrome from the Skeptic?s Dictionary:

http://skepdic.com/truebeliever.html

From above: ?For many people, the will to believe at times overrides the ability to think critically about the evidence for and against a belief. The concept of the true-believer syndrome, however, does not help us understand why people believe in the psychic or supernatural abilities of admitted frauds. Since by definition those suffering from true-believer syndrome are irrationally committed to their beliefs, there is no point in arguing with them. Evidence and logical argument mean nothing to them. Such people are incapable of being persuaded by evidence and argument that their notions are in error.?


Fortunately for JZK, she may always have a following of true-believers who are like ?unsinkable rubber ducks? (" " from James Randi).

Quack!

[journeythroughramthaland]

Cat,

Great book! A real eye opener to how easy it actually is to get over on someone. I guess we all in a way if we get fooled or conned might like to think the one that "got us" was particularly good in some way but it really seems that the methods are sort of basic.

If I remember correctly, the horses that were sold were said to have been a part of R/jzs army back in the day and that the people buying them were part of his army or family also.

Now they are auctioning off carpet and other items of R/JZ.

R/JZ have come a long way in their position in the marketplace since then.

Then, IT (JZ/r), might have been able to sell a $25,000 horse for $300,00 in an hour or 2, now a private session for an hour gets a measly 15,000???

[Caterpillar]

Jtrl, I think JZ would have studied the successful psychics and channelers, and realize the spirituality industry can be a lucrative bu$ine$$. As you have mentioned, the methods seem basic. Add some persuasion and brainwashing techniques, and JZ/R has followers.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Lamar_Keene

Copied from above about M. Lamar Keene: ?He left the psychic business after his book was published, and went into the business of importing antiques.?

It is interesting that JZ is also into the antique business.


JZ?s creation about Ramtha and his army 35,000 years ago is clever as believers often use that story as an excuse. A Ramster friend advised that my leaving RSE is due to a betrayal issue with ?the Ram? (so fondly spoken, such a fatherly, loving figure) from 35,000 years ago. Many students and horses are led to believe that they were in Ramtha?s army. Jeff Knight had mentioned about the horses from Ramtha?s army and Ramtha?s inaccurate predictions in the video interview with Joe Szimhart.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 3904592346


A few years ago at an event, Ramtha mentioned that he appeared on his black horse, Shamiridin at the light review of two students that had died recently (one was the guy that died in Blue College during the wine ceremony). He took the two students to the 23rd universe where he also has ?another RSE? there, and they were welcomed there. Some students were ?in tears? in this storytelling due to the supposedly ?loving? actions of Ramtha from 35,000 years ago. Never mind his countless abusive behavior which is often forgotten. Another example of the ?true-believer? syndrome.

Speaking of horses, JZ recommended the book, Seabiscuit which is about a horse that became a symbol of hope in US during the Great Depression. We also watched the movie, Seabiscuit (2003 film) at an event, and JZ/R gave a teaching on Seabiscuit as a ?concept of hope?.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabiscuit

JZ/R seems to be promoting gambling. Last year at an event, we practiced our ?psychic? skills on horse racing and Roulette via the internet.


Perhaps JZK/R could have been wealthier if she did what J.K.Rowling has done with Harry Potter. Similar initials but Rowling is truthful that Harry Potter is a fantasy and has made more money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._K._Rowling

[ex]

the ramfantasie would make a good sf movie. but the publicety it creats might hit backwards. like the what the ... movie. then the question how would you sell it: true history? true second personalety? tru copywritten fantasie? dont let me start on all the coppiecat isues of all the ramstories. i also think hollywood doesent like the headlines promoteing a cult.