ECETI .... what????

I found out today that one of my nieces (on DH's side) has moved to Trout Lake, Washington to join a group called ECETI ( Enlightened Contact with ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence), and is, as she tells her Mom, "happier than I have ever been"). My niece has joined a cult! That's news, no? Now, as far as my limited web research skills can find out, it is not perverted or sex-crazed; it is just a bunch of people who follow the leader . . . James Gilliland, and live in an area known for UFO sightings. Mr. Gilliland believes that these extraterrestrials are trying to communicate with us, and have communicated with him.

What is the difference between a cult and a 'religion'? What's the difference between spiritual beings with whom one communicates through prayer, and extraterrestrial beings with whom one communicates through, um, er, I'm not sure? What is the down side of this? The down side I think resides in CaZekiel.org - The Self-Mastery Earth Institute Homepage, which redirects you right back to ECETI.org, and which is, I believe the beginning of a site that will use mind controlling techniques on those who follow. Whatever lack of pithy information on those sites he makes up for by selling many books on 'enlightenment' there, but I sure don't have the money to buy anything, even though some sound intriguing. But back to cult - I think that he may re-brand himself as 'CaZekiel' at some point. It has a nice ring to it. And he does seem to be using J.Z. Knight's methods of obtaining her wealth by over pricing her Ramtha teachings. I mean to say, if Ramtha is an enlightened being who has come back to this world thru J.Z., wouldn't he want everyone to be able to partake of his teachings? I think so.

Unlike his books, so far, Gilliland's workshops aren't very expensive, but then, he is just getting started. When he becomes (more) powerful it is then that he becomes more dangerous. Power corrupts. All I can do is watch. So far he has not cut off communication for the residents of the ranch like my niece, which is good, but that day may come. And I hear she's staying in a TeePee, for God's sake! I hope the facilities are nice. At this point the ranch is open to the public Thursday - Sunday. I wonder when/if that will change. What I like least is that it is in an isolated area. Hard to get to means hard to get away from.

Of course, realize that my fears are based on nothing but speculation which is based on very little information. All I can say for sure is that her Mother loves her and misses her dearly, and is trying to put as positive a spin on her daughter's decision to move to the ranch near Trout Lake as possible. "She's happy. She's on a spiritual quest." Sigh. I wish them both well.

Good Night, TTYL, and Be Well,
Webster