14 - Sunday, July 7, 19S1 - North Shore News WHAT IS a cult? By Peggy Trendell-Whittaker News Reporter The question was raised, if not answered, by a recent BCTV news story on the West Vancouver- based Xanthyros Foundation, a spiritual community in’ which about 30 adults and their children live together in seven British Pro- perties homes. The Xanthyros community was unhappy with the television coverage, which they said unjustly labelled their group a ‘‘cult.”’ While some people contacted by the North Shore News did express some concerns about the group, none called it a cult. But how do we define the word? According to the Concise Ox- ford Dictionary, a cult is a system of religious worship, especially as expressed in ritual. No negative connotations are inherent in the dictionary meaning, but the word is often used in connection with alternative movements that have the potential to cause harm to their followers. While the one woman inter- viewed on the TV news story ex- pressed fears about her daughter’s alienation from her family follow- ing her membership in the Xan- thyros Foundation, the spiritual community has also received posi- tive responses from other arenas. “They’re ail very fine people ... who are truly looking for an alternate lifestyle,’’ said Treasa O'vDriscol, who was briefly in- volved with the foundation. ‘*They’ve got very good inien- tions.” Xanthyros members operate their own construction and gardening companies. Xanthyros representative Philip Clement says they are very successful. “We offer quality work and a lot of integrity,’’ he says. ‘‘People are impressed with our work as well as our attitude.” Clement, who is a counsellor with Xanthyros, also notes that the group has given nine residen- tial workshops throughout North SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING The Xanthyros Foundation rejects cult label America. Some members have just returned from Germany, where they were asked to give a two- week course. Controversy does arise. howev- er. O'Driscoll says that the counselling work ‘‘creates entities of anger" by ‘‘persuading (clients) they've been abused’’ and thus creates divisiveness within fami- lies. Clement acknowledges that the Xanthyros community’s quest toward true intimacy with one’s self and others is not an easy ride. “A lot of work is exploring and expressing the darkness,”’ he says. “We are playing an edge. We're not lightweights.”” In his counselling work, says Clement, he works to help clients find ‘tsafe and creative’’ ways to express their anger. ‘‘You have to express that energy. It's there. You can't New Age it away ... There is no shortcut.” He says that it is inevitable that some friends will be lost when one embarks upon any major personal growth. **The end of the family is the beginning of community,’’ he believes. ‘‘The nuclear family is a limited structure.” Nanthyros thought is expanded upon ia the three books written by the community’s founder, 44- year-old Robert Masters. While a few have suggested that Masters claims too much power over group) members, Clement says ‘*(Masters) has attracted u lot of people who want to turn him into a guru. He's very opposed to that.” In one of his best-known books, The Way of the Lover, Masters writes: “Guru worship is the epitome of childish responsibility. Its adherents glibly bleat about faith, trust, and ego-transcendence, but they’ve no true faith in themselves, nor any real trust in their capacity to stand their own ground, and their egos are not nearly developed enough, let alone known, to be transcended."' Seemingly, what one television crew might consider a cult is a positive, healthy way of life for some pcople, but one that perhaps might raise concerns or eyebrows in yet other circles. Asked for his definition of a cult, Clement says *‘a chief char- e Blood Donors Urgently Needed | + Wednesday, July 10 RED CROSS BLOOD DONOR CLINIC 10am-4pm B.C. Rail, 221 West Esplanade Monday & Tues., July 15 & 16 2:30-8:00pm Lions Gate Hospital Medical Day Care Centre Gymnasium 200 East 15th St. MINIT = TUNE & BRAKE EOD ON A COMPLETE 4 WHEEL BRAKE PACKAGE OUR BRAKE PACKAGE INCLUDES REPLACE FRONT PADS REPLACE REAR SHOES RESURFACE DRUMS AND ROTORS CHECK WHEEL BEARING, CALIPERS, HOSES, SPRINGS AND PARKING BRAKE CABLE ALL THIS FOR $4 1999 * Metallic pacts exire. This coupon musi be presented lor beet Only one coupon per sexvice ct OTHER AUTO CENTRES SAVE LEB Scam ANY TUNE-UP REG, PFCES STARTING AT $64.44 ELECTRONIC ENGINE ANALYSIS NEW SPARK PLUGS CHECK ROTOR CHECK ALL ALTERS CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM TAENG RESET ADJUST CARBURETOR (IF NECESSARY) ROAD TEST *EXTRA FOR POINTS & CONDENSOR Paces apply fp ros vances This oo:g0n myst bo oserd scounts. Only one coupon per service. m ‘tors may nat be conte ad LUBE, OIL & FILTER CHANGE OIL” REPLACE OIL FILTER LUBRICATION CHECK AIR FILTER CHECK ANTI-FREEZE CHECK ALL FLUID LEVELS $1928 “UP TP 4.55 LITRES OF 10W300L SURCHARGE MAY APPLY FUEL SYSTEMS - BATTERIES - CHARGING SYSTEMS - STEERING SERVICES COOLING SYSTEMS - SHOCKS - CARBURETORS - MINOR ENGINE REPAIR visit YOUR MINIT-TUNE AUTO CENTRE AT NORTH VANCOUVER . 850 MARINE DRIVE ¥ EST VANCOUVER 1525 CLYDE AVENUE 986-0386 926-7353 acteristic is that it over-protects. If truth isn’t a priority, if there’s a cover-up going on, it’s cultic behavior.”’ And News astrologer Robert Aiken warns against labelling any- thing too hastily: “Too often we see individuals and ideologies as hard opposites,” August 34/94 <.323:MOUNTAIN HWY. he writes. ‘‘They are either good or bad. We also are prone to categorize groups too neatly. They are either the children of light or the children of darkness... “Misled by this philosophy of dualism, we are unprepared for the ambiguities and ambivalence of life."* Refer 4 friend Receive 25% off « Receive 2 friends Receive 50% off © Refer 3 frierids Receive a free cut 983-3233 - Motor Vehicle injury Claims Free initial consultation Percentage fees or hourly rates 687-0411 Call Stephen Frame, Loreen Williams or Jim Graham HARPER. GREY. EASTQN & COMPANY A law firm established in 1907 OUR FINEST SOLID OAK HEAVY DUTY ARROW BACK DINING CHAIR ELL TT TET TTT TTT 4 Rayal City Antiques “and -Fing Furnishiags itd. Royal City Antiques and Fine Furnishings is voluntarily liquidating all inventory. Over $4 million of fine antiques, paintings, sculptures, and new furniture must be sold at cost or less! Save 50% and more now until October 30th at our two remaining locations in Vancouver and Haney. Royal City Antiques Going Out of Business Sale. After 27 years you'll find the savings of a lifetime. 275 East 8th, Vancouver 873-4267 SSS n 7 F 22653 Dewdney Trunk J A $ 9 Maple Ridge = ’ 463-4955 >