Does Mr. Ross possess any higher educational degrees, diplomas or certificates that qualify him to practice in his chosen fields of Counseling, Intervention Specialization and Expert Consultation on cults, extreme, unsafe and controversial groups? Such as:
- Psychology?
- Psychiatry?
- Sociology?
- Divinity?
- Theology?
- Religious Studies?
- Pastoral Care?
- Social Work?
- Anything related?
The answer is a resounding NO! Nothing but a High School Diploma.
Rick Ross became interested in radical groups in 1982 when his grandmother, then an 83-year-old resident in a Jewish nursing home, was approached by an ardent recruiter. This group (?) had supposedly infiltrated the facility specifically to target the Jewish elderly. Ross brought the problem to the attention of the facility's director and working together, they put an end to the group's proselytizing within the nursing home. In 1983 as a Jewish pastoral care volunteer (while working at an Auto Salvage business) and then a Chaplain(1) within the Arizona prisons and jails network. It is during this period where he personally and privately monitored inmates, their families and the different religions with in the Arizona prison and jail system. It is from this educational platform that Mr. Ross has launched his self professed enlightening career.
So there it is, from circa 1983 to 1984 Mr. Ross monitoring different religions and there denominations with in a prison system qualifies him to be an academic or as he professes an "Internationally Renown Expert?" I believe Mr. Ross took advantage of circumstances, situations and manipulated events to force his way into the media spot light as a way (as he probably thought) to make a lucrative living from the grief and turmoil of vulnerable individuals - remember Mr. Ross has two recorded criminal convictions, one a felony - Second Degree Conspiracy and Grand Theft!
Rick Ross claims hundreds of deprogramming to his name and posts on his web site a list personal "Intervention" cases. It is interesting to note that in the Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in Bellevue case involving Jason Scott and his younger two brothers Mathew and Thysen. A strapped for cash Rick Ross (as his published tax return for that year highlight) was hired by the boys estranged mother Kathy Tonkin in 1990 to kidnap and deprogram all three boys for a fee in the thousands of dollars (the money paid to Ross from an inheritance from her father, reported at $25,000 by the New C.A.N.). It is noteworthy that during the "deprogramming" sessions of Mathew and Thysen it was reported that Ross struggled "theologically" to persuade and dissuaded the two lads.
The real reason why Rick Ross terminated his personal involvement in such "Intervention" case is that they often were a complete disaster (and now in this current political climate are totally incorrect), perpetrated by an unlearned pack of thugs. Mr Ross single handedly and systematically ripped a family apart, paraded them across a mid day media circus and attempt forcibly to change a man’s interpretation of the Bible for his own financial and narcissistic gain.
It is also interesting to note that Rick Ross "Cult-buster", "Exit Counselor" (deprogrammer), "Cult Expert", "Intervention Specialist", "Expert Consultant" and "International Known Expert" has not published anything of any significance. At first glance under "Publications" in his resume Mr. Ross sites many published works but a second glance of the list is an embarrassing list indictments for one who is a "Cult-buster", "Exit Counselor" (deprogrammer), "Cult Expert", "Intervention Specialist", "Expert Consultant" and "International Known Expert". Mr. Ross to bolster his professional credibility lists as published works:
- Co-authored brochures published by Jewish groups 1982 / 1985 / 1995.
- An article published by an Arizona newspaper 1982.
- Wrote the forward in a book by Tim Madigan on David Koresh. Published by Summit Group 1993
- Various "Letters to the Editor" in newspapers and magazines including Penthouse.
Every credible professional / academic who practices in the field of Counseling, Intervention Specialization and Expert Consultation on cults, extreme, unsafe and controversial groups has noted works and reference materials published. It seems that Mr. Ross' only international literary claim to fame is in a pornographic publication.
While scrolling through Mr. Ross' web site an impressive list of articles and their authors can be read. The lists of names on the reference material reads like a who's - who of the cult busters international fraternity. Literally scores of newspaper and magazine articles can be uploaded and read on any given cult, extreme and controversial group. But after awhile it dawns on the perceptive internaut that Rick Ross' name is not on any of the information. While Mr. Ross portrays himself as an elite professional of the cult busters alliance, really he is only a mere collector and dispenser of corroborated and uncorroborated information on people and groups he as chosen to inform the world about. All of the information on the major cults on Mr. Ross' web site that he has given his name to is re-hashed with his own words from reference materials easily obtained from any local library.
For this reason this site is posted to enlighten people about the nature of Rick Ross' past, of his actions regarding cult deprogramming, and of his claims to be a "cult expert."
While it is true that Mr. Ross has gained national recognition for his involvement in the labeling of "cults," it is also true that he has a quite "shady" past, and that his labeling of some religious groups as "cults" is nothing more than a means, he has established to garner attention from the press and to further his career in "cult deprogramming."
While destructive cults, potentially unsafe and controversial groups do proliferate our society doing harm and shipwreck peoples and families lives it is not so of all religious movements. Careful analyze needs to be undertaken when investigating groups and movements. Many credible authors and group do exist that deal with cults, potentially unsafe and controversial groups many well give advise and counseling free of charge. Listed below is a small selection of reference material an contacts to help groups. As I highlighted in the introduction to this site (Why This Site), I am writing from a Christian point of view so if you are reading this and need counseling because of a present or past involvement in a cult like movement I strongly advise that you seek out firstly in your local community a good Bible based Church and make an appointment to see its Pastor. He will be professionally trained in counseling and able to deal with and pray for your needs. Also he will have a wealth of reference material at hand to share with you.
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Integrity?
- The Gripe
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