A dispute over the Brahma Kumaris' connection to the Living Values education program erupted on the website of The Guardian national newspaper related to an article about how "Schools revive 'touchy-feely' approach". See also, "BKs in our school systems and outright deception".
The article is probably based on PR to promote Dr Neil Hawkes' paid consultancy service and website Values-based Education.
Of course, we could argue that this is another example of someone else within the BK sphere taking an element of BK service and turning it into a private business, an approach unthinkable until recently, and low and behold Neil even promotes another such example, Relax Kids, on his website. But is it right to say Neil Hawkes started this "movement" or the Brahma Kumaris? (I know other BKs who worked on the original idea).
Discussion by the readers of The Guardian raises concerns about the cultic connections to which Dr Neil Hawkes answers, perhaps poorly advised, stating he is "not a Brahma Kumari member" ...
Now remember Vales Education is about promoting values in educations like "truth and honest" because, strangely, on 08 December 1995 Frances Farrar, who wrote a book about Neil's work, published an article on TES the largest network of teachers in the world which said -
Who is right? Dr Neil Hawkes has certain spoken at many Brahma Kumari events and been involved in promoting the Living Values service programme.
They even claim Living Values was "developed for UNICEF in New York" and at his seminars, Neil regularly promotes such BK publications such as;
What is the truth?
The Brahma Kumaris world is full of such ambiguity and obfuscation with only those with close, direct connections with the BKs can pick up on. It regularly represents its members ... adherents ... students ... followers ... whatever, its spin off organizations, and the business of its adherents and "serviceable" ex-adherents as if they are entirely separate in a manner to give its activities more credibility.
It talks about truth and honest as virtues or values ... and then it deceives and manipulates non-adherents.
Although not relevant to the outside world, another ethical question arises within the BK world about the right of BK adherents ... students ... followers ... (cough, "members") ... to take and use elements of the religion's philosophy and service programmes, and turn them into private business ... when it is forbidden to the general rank and file. Why had the leadership started to allow this, especially as it involves the discussion of business between adherents?
Has Dr Neil Hawkes officially "ex-ed" himself from the BKWSU ... and this is an attempt to make something out of his time with them? Or was he only a "co-operative" or "microphone soul" ... a demi-BK used and manipulated by the BKWSU leaders for their own benefit?
Given the revolving doors between Living Values and the BKWSU organization, is he still promoting them by stealth?
What is inarguable is that the Brahma Kumaris started Living Values as its 3rd international service in 1995, that it was run from its centers worldwide by leading adherents, that they used it to gain credibility and further penetration, especially in territories where they real agenda or message would be highly unacceptable, e.g. Middle East, China and public school systems. We must presume Dr Neil Hawkes is perfect aware of what their beliefs and agendas are.
See also:
The article is probably based on PR to promote Dr Neil Hawkes' paid consultancy service and website Values-based Education.
(Expect pages and comments to go "missing" from the internet, so take copies if you are interested)
The Guardian wrote:This school is located in the heart of (UK Prime Minister) David Cameron's Witney constituency in West Oxfordshire ...
Tower Hill is one of a growing number of schools in the UK that have adopted values-based education, a fast-growing movement set up by a former Oxfordshire headteacher, Neil Hawkes.
Of course, we could argue that this is another example of someone else within the BK sphere taking an element of BK service and turning it into a private business, an approach unthinkable until recently, and low and behold Neil even promotes another such example, Relax Kids, on his website. But is it right to say Neil Hawkes started this "movement" or the Brahma Kumaris? (I know other BKs who worked on the original idea).
Discussion by the readers of The Guardian raises concerns about the cultic connections to which Dr Neil Hawkes answers, perhaps poorly advised, stating he is "not a Brahma Kumari member" ...
Dr Neil Hawkes wrote:NeilHawkes 7 August 2012 4:09PM
... One of the writers today, has inferred that I am a member of the Brahma Kumaris, and that my website id a front for them!
This is not true, as I have never been a member of this group.
Now remember Vales Education is about promoting values in educations like "truth and honest" because, strangely, on 08 December 1995 Frances Farrar, who wrote a book about Neil's work, published an article on TES the largest network of teachers in the world which said -
TES wrote:Mr Hawkes, a former RE adviser for Buckinghamshire and principal education officer on the Isle of Wight, chose to go back into a school post in order to regain contact with children.
He studies aspects of spirituality with a group called Brahma Kumaris outside Oxford, and believes that the practice of reflection is valuable to the whole curriculum as well as to the whole child.
A Brahma Kumaris book, Visions of a Better World, published in co-operation with the United Nations, is on display in the school's front hallway, and the Brahma Kumaris Co-operation in the Classroom schools resource pack is used by several of the teachers.
- revised 12 May 2008
Who is right? Dr Neil Hawkes has certain spoken at many Brahma Kumari events and been involved in promoting the Living Values service programme.
- Perhaps he is depending on that favorite old half-truth ... the Brahma Kumari's convenient claim that "the BKWSU has no members".
Or perhaps he is just lying? (Not in front of the kids, please).
They even claim Living Values was "developed for UNICEF in New York" and at his seminars, Neil regularly promotes such BK publications such as;
- Co-operation in the Classroom, and
Living Values - Brahman Kumaris World Spiritual University
What is the truth?
The Brahma Kumaris world is full of such ambiguity and obfuscation with only those with close, direct connections with the BKs can pick up on. It regularly represents its members ... adherents ... students ... followers ... whatever, its spin off organizations, and the business of its adherents and "serviceable" ex-adherents as if they are entirely separate in a manner to give its activities more credibility.
It talks about truth and honest as virtues or values ... and then it deceives and manipulates non-adherents.
Although not relevant to the outside world, another ethical question arises within the BK world about the right of BK adherents ... students ... followers ... (cough, "members") ... to take and use elements of the religion's philosophy and service programmes, and turn them into private business ... when it is forbidden to the general rank and file. Why had the leadership started to allow this, especially as it involves the discussion of business between adherents?
Has Dr Neil Hawkes officially "ex-ed" himself from the BKWSU ... and this is an attempt to make something out of his time with them? Or was he only a "co-operative" or "microphone soul" ... a demi-BK used and manipulated by the BKWSU leaders for their own benefit?
Given the revolving doors between Living Values and the BKWSU organization, is he still promoting them by stealth?
What is inarguable is that the Brahma Kumaris started Living Values as its 3rd international service in 1995, that it was run from its centers worldwide by leading adherents, that they used it to gain credibility and further penetration, especially in territories where they real agenda or message would be highly unacceptable, e.g. Middle East, China and public school systems. We must presume Dr Neil Hawkes is perfect aware of what their beliefs and agendas are.
See also:
Values, and Values in Education, Redbridge Advisory Service 1999
Living Values: An Educational Initiative is a project which is currently been piloted in 5 countries. The Living Values Educators’ Kit comprises a range of materials including a guidebook, values activities for different age groups, a card pack and poster. Training courses for educators are coordinated by the Brahma Kumaris (World Spiritual University).
'Living Values: an educational program’—from initiative to uptake'. Elisabeth Arweck & Eleanor Nesbitt
This article is concerned with the connection between religions and education. It explores the case of one particular values education programme, ‘Living Values: an educational program’, and its link with the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) to show how the programme originated and developed, which individuals and institutions were involved in these processes, how such a programme finds application in British schools and what form such application takes. The article traces a ‘chain of transmission’ from inception to classroom.