International Society for Krishna Consciousness

[[File:Swami Prabhupada.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada]]
{{Cult}}{{Hinduism}}
The '''International Society for Krishna Consciousness''' ('''ISKCON'''), also known as the '''Hare Krishnas''' (or in pop culture, "those annoying guys that used to bug you at the airport"), is a "new religious movement" founded in [[New York City]] in 1966 by A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.<ref>{{wpa|A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada}}</ref> It is based on [[Hinduism]], [[Krishna]] being a Hindu [[god]]. It has been branded as a "[[cult]]".

One narrative about the cult is that the Swami was a genuine (if possibly a bit naive) and honest [[guru]] who had authentic teachings to impart, but that the group which formed around him included exploitative cynics, interested only in gaining and consolidating worldly power. Apparently, one chief cabalist was mainly in it for the great [[India]]n [[Codeine|cough medicine]] buzz.<ref>[http://www.harekrsna.org/iskgone/monkey/monkey.htm Monkey on a Stick (Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas)] by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson. The title refers to a South Asian agricultural practice, in which an impaled monkey is planted in a crop field, as an example to the others who might otherwise be tempted to picnic there.</ref> One thing led to another…

Although ISKCON has thus been represented as having 'gone astray',<ref group=note>I.e. a [[Falldidit|lapse]] from an [[Garden of Eden|ideal beginning]] due to [[Adam and Eve|bad supplicants]]; [[Original sin|sounds familiar]]?</ref><ref name=gelberg>[http://archive.is/OfdJW On Leaving Iskcon] by Steven J. Gelberg (Subhananda das) (28 Jan 2005 18:50:49 +0530) ''Gaudiya Discussions Archived'' (archived from 26 Jan 2020 02:51:30 UTC).</ref> its often bizarre beliefs and exploitative or abusive practices actually find support in A. C. Bhaktivedanta's many books and recorded talks. Among the 'purports' he wrote to accompany the Srimad Bhagavatam, he condones [[rape]]{{efn|''Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4, Chapter 25 Text 41''<br/>"A man is always famous for his aggression toward a beautiful woman, and such aggression is sometimes considered rape. Although rape is not legally allowed, it is a fact that a woman likes a man who is very expert at rape."}} and encourages [[Child sex abuse#Modern child-brides|child marriage]],{{efn|''Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 4, Chapter 25 Text 42''<br/>"As soon as a woman attains the age of puberty, she immediately becomes very much agitated by sexual desire. It is therefore the duty of the father to get his daughter married before she attains puberty. Otherwise she will be very much mortified by not having a husband."}} and he encouraged [[Deceit|deception]] and considered anyone who disagreed with him as "envious," [[Demonization|demonic]], and deserving of destruction. Present-day believers condemn rape<ref>[http://www.iskcondesiretree.com/video/should-a-devotee-oppose-crimes-like-rapes-should-he-feel-compassi Should a devotee oppose crimes like rape? Should he feel compassion for the criminal?]</ref> and formed a worldwide child protection office to prevent child sex abuse in their community.<ref>[http://www.religionfacts.com/hare-krishna Hare Krishna: Hare Krishna fast facts and introduction.] religionfacts.com, February 21, 2017. ''"To prevent future abuses, ISKCON has established a worldwide child protection office to screen out actual or potential abusers and educate children and adults on [[child abuse]], and has made other organizational changes to increase the transparency and accountability of ISKCON leadership."'' Retrieved on 21 June 2017.</ref> However, ISKCON remains a "woman-fearing, woman-hating, woman-exploiting institution", primarily because the leadership structure is and has been the exclusive domain of men.<ref name=gelberg/>

In other instances, he suggested that eventually his followers would fight and kill non-believers, using an analogy with [[Islam]]ic [[jihad]].{{efn|''Morning Walk Vrndavana, March 15, 1974''<br/>Prabhupada: When there will be military march of Krsna conscious soldiers. Anyone who does not believe in Krsna, "Blam!" Yes. The same process as the [[Islam|Mohammedans]] did, with sword and [[Koran]], we'll have to do that. "Do you believe in Krsna or not?" "No, sir." "Blam!" Finished.}}{{efn|''Morning Walk Conversation December 3, 1975''<br/>Sunyavadi, they say, “There is no God, and there is nothing, fact. Everything is combination of some illusory things.” This is sunyavadi. And the Mayavadi, they say, "Yes, there is God, but He has no form." Therefore we have to kill both of them. Nirvisesa-sunyavad-pascatya-desa-tarine. The whole [[Western world]] are filled up with these sunyavadi and impersonalists.}}

==Teachings on sexuality==
Despite their wholesome [[hippie]] image of sandal-wearing vegetarians who like nothing more than wandering through the streets chanting and hitting drums, ISKCON have some rather socially-regressive views on [[sexuality]]. Though there are [[LGBT]]-affirming trends within ISKCON, the general attitude towards [[homosexuality]] is that it goes against the teachings of Krishna. The pop star Boy George was rejected by the group because of his sexuality and told that he must either become [[celibate]] or marry a woman.<ref>[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/07/27/boy-george-rejected-by-hare-krishnas-for-being-gay/ Boy George rejected by Hare Krishnas for being gay], Pink News</ref>

That said, it isn't just gay sex they don't like: non-procreative heterosexual sex is bad too.<ref name=gelberg/> Not big fans of sex in general, then. Rather a strange religion for [[The Beatles|the authors of "Love You Do"]], no?

==See also==
*[[Hindu creationism]]
*[[Michael Cremo]]

==External links==
* [http://www.iskcon.org/ International Society for Krishna Consciousness Official Website]
* [http://www.religioustolerance.org/hare.htm Religious Tolerance — Hare Krishna and ISKCON]
* {{wpa|International Society for Krishna Consciousness}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161002015148/http://breaking-free.info/ Former ISKCON members telling the truth about Srila Prabhupada and other HK madness.]
* [http://prabhupadasaid.com/ Another combining thousands of quotes of Prabhupada (the founder of ISKCON), witch sections on child marriage and anti-semitism, all backed up by sources, mainly from a website which backs ISKCON]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161014043513/http://breaking-free.info/links/ A list of links about ISKCON]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|2}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Antifeminism]]
[[Category:Antisemitism]]
[[Category:Anti-Christian bigotry]]
[[Category:Cults]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]
[[Category:Islamophobia]]
[[Category:Sexism]]
[[Category:Transphobia]]
[[Category:Hinduism]]

Categories: Antifeminism, Antisemitism, Anti-Christian bigotry, Cults, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Hinduism