<p>Harry Palmer created Avatar after his presidency of the Church of Scientology's Elmira Mission ended in the mid-1980s, as a result of legal proceedings around trademark infringement. Avatar says that it aims to create an 'enlightened planetary consciousness' or EPC through its courses, which are expensive and numerous. Former students say they have been left with massive debts as a result of their attendance.</p><br><p>Full research sources listed <a href="https://www.ltaspod.com/46" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. You can support us on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=7859667" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon</a> or Acast+, with a <a href="http://paypal.me/SarahPSteel" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">one-off donation</a>, or grab some <a href="https://www.ltaspod.com/merch" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">merch</a>. Sarah Steel's debut book <em>Do As I Say</em> is <a href="https://bit.ly/3dEBQuF" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available on audiobook now</a>, and you can order Joe Gould's LTAS soundtrack album <a href="https://joegouldmusic.bandcamp.com/album/nobody-joins-a-cult" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p> </p><p>With thanks to <a href="https://audio-technica.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audio-Technica</a>, presenting partner for season 6 of Let's Talk About Sects. Head <a href="https://www.ltaspod.com/win" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to enter our competition to win a pair of ATH-SQ1TW Wireless Earbuds!</p><br><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.internationalavatarcourse.com/whoisHarry.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Who is Harry Palmer?</a> — archived founder bio on former Avatar website, May 2006</li><li><a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Living_Deliberately/7FP0ozxX350C" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Living Deliberately: The Discovery and Development of Avatar</a> — by Harry Palmer, Star’s Edge International, 1994</li><li><a href="https://stargazette.newspapers.com/search/?query=avatar%20harry%20palmer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harry Palmer’s Scientology Mission, Star’s Edge, and Avatar</a> — special report series by Lisa Bennett, Elmira Star-Gazette, 2-7 February 1988</li><li><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/wed-like-to-welcome-you-to-enlightenment/EYWTOTTDCSTQQ5ZNFGGU4OY6BI/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We'd like to welcome you to 'enlightenment'</a> — by Russell Blackstock, NZ Herald, 17 August 2014</li><li>Interview with Margie - Ex-Scientology / Avatar | The Origins of the Avatar Course - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avJBzECjIeo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Part 1</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRLAT0HB69c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Part 2</a> — Avatar Uncovered YouTube channel, 15 & 19 January 2018</li><li><a href="https://avataruncovered.is/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Avatar Uncovered</a> — website maintained by former Avatar Master Amanda Reed, accessed January 2024</li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075645/http://aboutharrypalmer.com/bio/8.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">An Interview With Harry Palmer</a> — by Matt Ding, HP Magazine, 1996, interview excerpt archived from About Harry Palmer website</li><li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43584884" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Avatar: Scientology-style sect causes concern in Netherlands</a> — by Anna Holligan, BBC News, 31 March 2018</li></ul> <p>Subscribe and support the production of this independent podcast, and you can access early + ad-free episodes at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects">https://plus.acast.com/s/lets-talk-about-sects</a>.</p>
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