Hi John,
The way I heard it was: the UN building in Thailand is available for rent for private functions. They request that the UN symbol be removed before the event. Mr Rawat's cult rented the hall, and requested, specifically that all the faithful turn up dressed particularly smart.
Lo and behold, when Mr Rawat came to give his message to the faithful, the symbol was still there. Apparently the premies said, "They didn't have time to take it down". The speech was duly filmed and the impression somehow given that "He was addressing the UN".
I had some correspondance with the UN about this. It took me a while to get through, but I received a very clear reply saying that in no way were they associated with the cult, or gave it any support. If you read the cult literature where this is mentioned, they carefully don't say he addressed the UN, but that he gave a speech in the UN building.
They do a similar three card trick with Oxford University, where a hall was hired, photos taken and then published giving the impression- without actually coming out and saying it, that he was addressing students and lectuers.
Is this cheap and tacky or what?
I think this sort of stuff is aimed at the premies, to make them think something wonderful is happening in the world. Nobody else would be stupid enough to be fooled by such blatant spin.
I suspect Marcus has overstepped the mark, being a believer and all that. I think he'll be in trouble with the premie PR people for putting this in print.
anth who went to Oxford University and addressed the UN.
(I was at the university for about half an hour, and I addressed the UN in the email correspondance I had with them)
