Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Bad Things Happen to Stupid People

I'm not saying that there shouldn't be criminal prosecutions for the deaths in that Arizona sweat lodge. The people running that lodge may very well have done something criminal--even if the people at the sweat lodge were dumb as mossy rocks.

I'm sorry, but anything that involves a "sweat lodge ceremony" intended to induce "cleansing sweat" as part of a "spiritual warrior" program should be a blinding warning light that something isn't quite right. Just going to the place highlights that the gene pool might not miss your contributions.

This is possibly the most astounding part of the story:

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that Ray held a telephone-conference call with many of the participants in the ceremony, according to people involved in the call who provided a transcript.

In the call Wednesday, Ray stressed the importance of eating healthful food, exercising, resting, meditation and surrounding themselves with "like-minded individuals."

"Remember all that we've learned and experienced and knowing by law of the universe that out of every apparent chaos comes a greater state of order, an order that never existed prior to the chaos," he said, after asking those on the call to imagine themselves standing in a prayer circle.

Ray said he used the call as a way to provide closure to those attending his retreat.

Ray's spokesman, Howard Bragman, confirmed the phone conference was held. ...

A woman identified as Barb told the callers that a "channeler" at the retreat said the deceased had an out-of-body experience and "were having so much fun that they chose not to come back."


And if, after a casualty count of three, you participated in a conference call designed to put the events in perspective, you truly can't be reached even with with a clue bat.