Stef has been invited to speak at two events in Philadelphia on July 4-5. There seems to be some opposition to his appearances according a discussion called "Conservatives flaming mad about Stefan at the Philly Tea-Party"
http://freedomainradio.com/board/forums/p/21062/166347.aspx#166347

The following posts were the ones Stefan censored from FDR about his Philadelphia visit...

Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Subject: A welcome visitor to Philadelphia????
To: xxxxxxx
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
City Editor
Philadelphia Inquirer
400 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130 26 June 2009


Dear Ms xxxxx,
I am writing to bring to your attention a series of upcoming events over the 4th of July holiday period that should be of interest and great concern to the people of Philadelphia. Over the weekend a global internet based cult leader from Canada, Mr Stefan Molyneux, will be a featured speaker at rallies in your City. On the 4th Mr Molyneux will be addressing a rally at the Peoples Plaza at Independence Mall and on the 5th he will be speaking at Drexel University, ostensibly to promote his extreme political philosophy. (Before I get too far, apologies to all for the multiple copies, wasn't quite sure who to specifically address this to but given the importance of it wanted to ensure it got everybodies attention.)
Stefan Molyneux is the promoter and leader of an internet anarchist cult, Freedomain Radio (FDR) (Footnote 1) which accesses the worldwide web via www.freedomainradio.com and YouTube. The façade for the website is a muddled mix of philosophy, politics and psychology but is really about mind control and the creation of new political religion with Mr Molyneux at the center. Mr Molyneux and his wife Ms Christina Papadopoulos dominate the website which contains public and private areas which are used to entice and ensnare potential members. The website principally targets the vulnerable young and through various techniques, convinces them into believing that they have been abused in some way by their parents and to ’DEFOO ’ (“departing family of origin”) family and friends thus making them reliant on the cult for support and friendship.
While seemingly FDR is an offshoot of the Libertarian movement, FDR is far from a movement about the exchange of philosophical or political ideas and personal liberty but one of memory transference, rigid ideology and the destruction of the Family. Even groups that are sympathetic some of the Molyneux’s more general philosophical and political views are appalled by the extreme mind controlling, virtually fascist tendency. A good example of this opposition within the anarchist community can be found on the Liberating Minds website.
Both Mr Molyneux and Ms Papadopoulos actively and openly promote what they refer to as “DEFOO” (Footnote 2). Each member is encouraged to “DEFOO”, thereby cutting all ties with their family of origin (biological families) . Mr Molyneux is not a trained psychologist or therapist and is effectively and openly practicing without license, competence or compassion. As a practitioner he refers to, organizes and actively leads counseling and therapy sessions. A hallmark of the sessions is bullying, humiliation and punishment (by way of intimidation or banishment) of people who disagree with him. Contact, dialogue and reconciliation with family and friends is forbidden. While the number who have “defooed” is uncertain, it is estimated to well exceed 100 and is accelerating. Breaking away from FDR is not easy and in some cases has required “deprogramming” and always considerable therapy to repair the damage of Mr and Mrs Molyneux’s “therapy”. The cornerstone of the Molyneux’s appeal and power is the creation or enhancement of sense of abuse among his members. The abuse need not be real, and is usually drawn from Mr Molyneux’s experience and imposed on the member. That often being the case suggests to others that the real abuse is inflicted by Mr Molyneux. Mr Molyneux is therefore a serial psychological abuser of the vulnerable and young and the internet gives him license.
The FDR “public” approach to ideas and members can best summed up in Mr Molyneux’s own words (which can be accessed via Footnote 4) Private areas are where much of the therapy takes place, augmented by direct one on one counseling sessions via Skype. Counseling usually entails marathon sessions with the young person where the negative experiences and emotions are amplified by memory transference from the Molyneuxs and direction from them. As I understand it the memories and emotions transferred are from childhood experiences of the Molyneuxs, who are clearly and openly a troubled pair.
Ms Papadopoulos is a licensed psychotherapist in Canada in the field of family practice and is heavily involved in every aspect of the FDR activities. Ms Papadopoulos runs “Ask a Therapist” sessions on FDR and Mr Molyneux refers to her as “the real brains of the outfit” in podcast FDR453 (Footnote 3). Together they are equally responsible for immense damage they are doing to young people and their loved ones. Psychologists, therapist and family counselors who have examined the evidence surrounding this pair are increasingly alarmed.
With respect to FDR you will become aware that Mr Molyneux and Ms Papadopoulos benefit financially from their internet practice as members pay a ‘voluntary’ subscription to FDR. There are differing levels of payment, ascending to ‘Philosopher King’, essentially the inner circle. All members are encouraged to have ‘therapy’ and to make podcasts. There are copious numbers of these, which start off innocuously, but become progressively damaging and psychologically inappropriate with the recipient often ending up in a distressed state. These podcasts are frequently lengthy therapy type sessions lasting at least 90 minutes and are usually published on the FDR site, YouTube and now iTunes. Therapy should not be interpreted as scientific interview but a process where the Molyneux’s own thoughts supersede the unfortunate patient. These podcasts are then used as tools in further indoctrination sessions and for recruitment.
Recruitment to the FDR cult is a major ongoing focus for Mr and Mrs Molyneux with schools being a prime target. Because the activities are internet based, Mr Molyneux and Ms Papadopoulos seem to “fly below the radar” of many professional bodies including bodies in the academic psychology, applied psychology such as counseling and psycho therapy and general education areas. This is rapidly changing as concerned bodies in the UK, Canada and US are beginning to take notice of their activities and the poisoning of young peoples minds.
You should be aware that the parents, family and friends of victims of this cult have banded together into an international group called Friends and Family of Origin (FAFOO) and would like to see the theories pushed by this couple and the couple themselves exposed for the dangers they are and to prevent the spreading of this poison to other children, families and communities. Only when they and their practices are exposed, examined and rejected by the professional and wider communities can one really hope to neutralize this couple. I should add that in addition to the Liberating Minds website more mainstream and respected publications such as the Guardian in UK and the Globe and Mail in Canada have done stories on this cult (see links below and attached articles) as have the BBC and Sky News and ITV in the UK.
It seems a bit bizarre that the City of Brotherly Love and the cradle of American democracy is being used as a backdrop on the 4th July to an individual who is diametrically opposed to American concepts of freedom, democracy and family. The Philadelphia Inquirer would be doing the people, families and children of Philadelphia a tremendous service if it joins other esteemed news organizations in running a story, coinciding with Mr Molyneux’s trip to your City to expose the truth about this man, his website and the danger he poses to all. I trust this letter is of help to you in alerting you to his presence, his idea and the threat.
Yours sincerely,



xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To:xxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Tea Party Contact: Stefan Molyneux - How did he get on the Podium
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:12:53 -0400

Good heavens Rob,

This isn’t a freshman philosophy lesson. This guy is a family destroying cult leader who believes Ron Paul is the wrong choice and has said so. He thinks our constitution is a silly piece of paper that could just as well be shredded. Hates Bush and Obama equally. I listened to the New Hampshire speech. Did you? It was a small hotel room with a bunch of sycophants. If he gives anything like that speech on the 4th, Ron Paul will be totally embarrassed to be associated with it. And the media will love it.

Since I can’t get you to really look into this guy, I am going to record his speech myself. I am going to personally provide the loonier clips to MSNBC, CNN and any other outlet who is interested. I can see the head lines now. Stefan Molyneux, an internet cult leader was invited to speak at the Campaign for Liberty event in Philadelphia on the 4th of July. The Campaign for Liberty is Ron Pauls front group. Molyneux is an anarchist who is on record as saying rights to not exist. WE have always had Ron Paul on the fringe. I think he is now over the edge. Now for some clips from the speech… I will have the Bush Murdered his troops, Obama has a god complex, Police and politicians are the same. The both are terrorists that have a gun perpetually placed at your throat. Or some of his many other loony comments. There will be lots of them.
-------------------------------
To: Mxxxxxxxxx
Cc: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Michael:

Think you should be aware of the e-mail that I just received. xxxxxxx and I attended the meeting conducted by xxxxxxxxxxxx a
few weeks ago at the Holiday Inn. At that time, a young fellow in
the back was talking about how we do not need the government and how
the constitution was irrelevant. His comments were not welcome to
most of the people there. This e-mail seems to make the point that
you may be getting infiltrated by people who are out to destroy your
group.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------
Now the Campaign for Liberty chapter here in Philadelphia has
invited Stefan Molyneux to speak. Believe me when I say that this
is an outrage. Who is Stefan Molyneux? I used to listen to his
podcasts. He is a truly gifted speaker with an engaging personality
and charisma. But as time went on, he started going a little (and
then a lot) nutty. I stopped listening but kept tabs on what he was
doing. At the time I did not realize that first and foremost he is
a cult leader who preys on college kids. He is responsible for a
lot of pain and suffering in a lot of families throughout the world
and here in Philadelphia. He keeps this part of his nature as
secret as he can. Secondly he is a nutty anarchist who has the
beliefs and attitude towards conservatism match up in most ways with
. say. xxxxxxxxxxx He is quite public and glad to discuss
these beliefs. His speech will no doubt lead with a case for
Anarchy as the way to freedom. He has lots of other beliefs and
opinion that are ..well here are some that he works into most public
engagements.:


1. Patriotism and love of country is what the state uses to
keep weak minded suckers under control

2. Thinks our constitution is a foolish document that should
be shredded. We have all been conned these 200 plus years.

3. Anarchy is the true road to freedom. No kidding. Proud
anarchist. Indeed the speech will be primarily extolling Anarchy as
the solution

4. Borders are ridiculous and only show the irrationality of
the state

5. Our soldiers routinely kidnap and torture Iraqi's

6. Anyone who has the slightest bit of support for winning in
Iraq is a poor deluded loser. They should be ridiculed and mocked.

7. George Bush should be indicted and convicted for murdering
his own soldiers

8. Religion is mysticism. Anyone who practices it is a fool.
Anyone who brings up a child with religion is committing child abuse

9. Virulent Atheist. Actually wrote a book called the God of
Atheists. Never misses a chance to ridicule people of faith

10. Believes cops and politicians are the real terrorists who
have a gun to our necks but we are too stupid to notice

11. Hates the U.S.A. - he routinely refers to terrorism but only
as it relates to our government

12. Hates the military


If Keith Olbermann or the aforementioned Jeanine were on the stage,
they would not be as damaging as Molyneux. That is because we
invited this lunatic to speak. If the media actually shows up and
tapes this guy, they will have proof that the Tea Party movement
really is a bunch of right wing nut jobs. Depending on how wild he
gets, he could undo the accomplishments of the entire day. The
Inquirer and MSNBC will have a field giggling about how the 'Tea
Baggers' invited an American Hating anarchist to the show, followed
by a clip of one of his outrageous comments (which will be followed
by cheers from his loony followers in the audience). Anyway, he has
no business in front of Independence Hall on July 4. It is an
affront to everything any of us believe in. Yes he is free to
speak, but he can pick his own corner. We don't need to give him a
podium and a microphone.


Now to expand on something. Stefan Molyneux is a Canadian who runs
an internet cult that captures mostly college kids. He persuades
them to leave their families and then pay him graduated donations
(silver, gold, etc). These donations are his only source of income
so he has to keep them coming. The reality is that he is coming to
Philadelphia on a recruiting trip for his cult. He is using thinly
veiled persona as a reason based anarchist to con the Campaign for
Liberty folks. At first I thought all I had to do was tell them
about the problem. I figured they just did not realize how nutty
Molyneux was. I did this. I sent quotes, links to sites and videos
to prove out that Molyneux really is a loon.


But the person who invited Molyneux (xxxxxxxx of the campaign for
Liberty) thinks he has some following and will attract his
sycophants to the event. There is no telling what Molyneux will say
once he gets on the podium. He is thoroughly undisciplined and a
narcissist in the extreme. Since he is really on a recruiting trip
for his cult, he could care less about any Tea Party theme of
taking back our country. Indeed he is of the belief that it is
better if our country fails completely and he achieves his goal of a
stateless society.


So here is my request. Please send a one or two line email to xxxxxxxxi. Let him know that you are disappointed that Molyneux is
presenting. Pick your own reason.

He is an anarchist, Cult leader, Hates our troops, Hates the
constitution, (see above list to see what aggravates you the most).

preliminary note: I don't want the names of third parties who have not given permission to use their names to appear in a controversial post on LM, so to be on the safe side, I deleted those names in the post.

Of course there are a lot of things to say about the post itself as well, but I don't have a lot of time today. I agree with a lot and disagree with a lot, both qua content and qua style and qua the actions described in the post as well as the action of the post itself.

Likely more tomorrow

These posts almost make me want to support Stef!

- NonE

okay, for what it's worth a couple of points re my take on this:

• I obviously strongly disagree about the points made about patriotism, the army, the constitution, anarchy etc. (and appreciated the point about how people who actually agreed with Molyneux on those matters (anarcho-capitalists) think Molyneux himself is a douchebag (my wording)
  
• I don't share Molyneux' views on religion (whose hostility to it is perfectly exemplified in the thread Patience linked to)
  
• I strongly disapprove of the action described in one e-mail of trying to get a lot of negative press coverage of their organization (and the Ron Paul campaign and what not) as a sort of blackmail (which in itself should not be illegal of course) to get the organizers to change their minds
  
• I think the e-mails would have greatly benefited from a calmer, more factual and less (at times) hyperbolic tone
  
• I do dig re Molyneux not really having any affinity or sympathy for the organization he will be speaking for but just seeing it as a podium, and how it's only fair that the organizers take that (suspected) attitute into consideration
  

In closing i would however like to re-emphasize that despite some of the above I am of the opinion that Molyneux is one of the greater douchebags in this world, an utter hypocrite, and that what he is doing is harmful to quite a lot of people (though not in the 'violation of NAP sense' (except for that whole 'I will ask the state to throw you in prison if you call my organization a cult')

To echo Conrad's comments SM is an undoubted douchebag and to quote others I know that listened to a couple of podcasts, a "blowhard". But he is more. Looking at his considerable body of "work", he is a psychological abuser of his acolytes of the first order and more than that a serial abuser. Give him his platform in Philly, let real independent thinkers, including the media look at him and question and throw light on his fundamental ideas, principles and objectives in a forum he cannot dictate or control. The letter to the Inquirer I think sets those principles out. I would hope that as many contributors to LiMi would petition the Inquirer to expose the fundamental flaws and hypocrisy of the man. Philosophy and politics aside it is his tortuous abuse of psychology that is obscene. SM is quick to accuse others of "abusive" behaviour but in reality he is a user of peoples problems and misery and is the real purveyor of abuse - which from what I understand anybody who escaped his grasp will concur. Again it is my contention that Molyneux is a serial abuser

can't find much fault with that (other than that the term 'abuse' may have some legal connotations that would not be appropriate)

I'm not a lawyer so cannot comment on legal definitions. It is Molyneux that throws out the word "abuse" like so much candy floss without regard to legal connotations (or facts). Ethically and morally what would you call some one who manipulates, twists, controls and ultimately the behaviour and thoughts of those who are vulnerable and troubled for his own apparent vicarious enjoyment and perhaps financial gain. To quote the "great" man, " I think you know where I'm coming from!"

Interesting concern, Conrad.

I would suggest that just because some assholes in suits decide to give a word a specific definition that does not preclude the rest of humanity using that word in thier own context and meaning.

- NonE

I like how the FDR thread is defending calling insane people nutters and bastards. I think the doctors at the asylum should do it since it has been pointed out that its perfectly acceptable. If that sounds bad it is probably because it is always bad taste.
They miss the point, the truth can be abuse. If I hit you with a baseball bat to point out the truth of the fact I can do it, it is abuse. Us kids at my school abused the retarded kids by calling them retarded. (I'm not proud about it) But even as 7 year olds we recognized this fact.

That's a lotta "ifs" Conrad!!!

Actually, I think there is a confusion, which I only learned to grasp about 10 years ago as a result of Nathaniel Branden's taped talk on spirituality, between religion and spirituality. I think that pretty much the definition of religion is the acceptance of something without or even in spite of proof to the contrary. Spirituality is a whole 'nuther thing.

For instance, when you describe someone believing in something religiously, it means that there is no reason involved and no reason is accepted either. On the basis of that understanding of the idea of religion, I must say I find it evil.

So if you are supporting the idea of parents helping children to explore the sense of spirit that they feel motivates some parts of their existence, I would give high praise to this. But the religion thing... well. Not.

The religion of statism or of particular racial beliefs, or beliefs in certain political parties holds the same problems. To my way of thinking, the word religion describes a way of thinking (or not), not a relationship with magical beings. Just as racism for the sake of racism is disgusting, so is any other belief based upon prejudice and ignorance and the unwillingness to open examination and consideration.

I hope this is clear. I don't have a problem with people using metaphors in their lives, practicing rituals and so on, if these are personal choices and help these people along. But it appears most "religion" is far beyond that and is based more on fear and intimidation than on love and free inquiry.

- NonE

There are many issues that FDRers disagree with and use their dogma to condemn. Religion is probably one at the top of the list. To me the question is this: Should people be judged for what they believe (and I am talking about things that do not break the law) if it is in disagreement with the values and judgments of others, or should they be allowed to freely believe and practice as they wish without judgment or condemnation from anyone? This is beginning to veer off the original topic of the thread, but it is notable that FDR is quick to label and condemn others who disagree with their system of beliefs. As a matter of fact, they do not hesitate to verbally abuse others who disagree with them, and even cut all ties with those who disagree with them. It appears to me to be the antithesis of freedom.