Ramtha's School of Enlightenment
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Ramtha's School of Enlightenment or RSE, is a school based in the rural town of Yelm, Washington, in the United States. The school's curriculum is based on the alleged channelings by JZ Knight of the entity Ramtha. The school has variously denied being a religion[1] or a cult.[2] It is estimated that the somewhere between 1,000-3,000 people who attend live within a fifty mile radius of the school. RSE does not hold non-profit status and so pays the required taxes for a US corporation. The organisation is run as a business with more than fifty employees. The school offers classes (called "events") which can last for just one evening, a weekend, or more. Specialized events are run twice yearly for students to stay "current" in the school which allows them to be able to attend all other classes. These required retreats are now held worldwide. In addition to organizing these events, the school sells clothing, books, tapes, DVDs, and other merchandise.
According to the school's website, Ramtha's School of Enlightenment was founded in 1987. Before that time, classes (or "dialogues") were arranged nationwide and worldwide. The school was then formed and settled into one location where students travelled to attend events. The school's campus is located on a property owned and managed by JZ Knight. The school falls under the umbrella of JZK, Inc., a corporation formed and operated by JZ Knight that exists as the parent organization to several other business ventures.
Ramtha's School of Enlightenment teachings have been described as part of the New Age movement, and the organization's practices have been criticized by religious and media groups as being similar to established cults. Controversial religious scholar J. Gordon Melton wrote a book countering this argument, called Finding Enlightenment: Ramtha's School of Ancient Wisdom. The school has hosted several high-profile speakers since its formation 20 years ago. Some celebrities that are students of the school include Linda Evans, Salma Hayek and members from the Canadian rock band Ripped.[citation needed]
In 2004, three members of the RSE produced a controversial film purporting to be about quantum physics and its implications for living, called What the Bleep Do We Know!?. The film has been criticized as propaganda attempting to legitimize New Age philosophies by mis-interpreting and ignoring established scientific thought.
- Ramtha's School of Enlightenment
- nndb Database of People
- Religious Movements Homepage: Ramtha's School of Enlightenment