From another thread:
Is that true? What is the reality of this ban?
There were many BKs in France and Russia, not so many in Greece.
In Australia, they have closed many of the suburban centres in the major cities to focus on large retreat centres (which they even hire out to other groups, even using volunteer BK labour to cook and clean, and include in the hire fee). Many (most?) BKs usually read Murli at home (there's online subscription services now) and once a week they gather in someone's house, the main centre or a hired hall. The numbers of "pukka BKs" would definitely be down on the glory days of the 1980s and 90s (and what's a "pukka" or "firm" BK is different now too), but the number of "contact" or casuals attending occasional retreats and events would be about the same.
They seem to have given up on large service programs & "exhibitions" in large auditoriums except maybe if Janki or similar person comes, they'll arrange speaking tour with one or two VIP co-speakers. Mostly it's events at the retreat centres - children's activities in school holidays, women's group type things ... and selling media - CDs etc.
One wonders about the ongoing upkeep cost of these places - even with volunteer labour, there's council & water rates, insurance, electricity, maintenance, but they are used for only a fraction of their time.
Misty wrote: It [the BKWSU] is only banned in a few countries : Greece, France and Russia.
Is that true? What is the reality of this ban?
There were many BKs in France and Russia, not so many in Greece.
- Are the BKs totally banned in these countries, or restricted?
Are there BKs still there in an "underground" capacity, meeting secretly?
Do they operate openly under other guises?
In Australia, they have closed many of the suburban centres in the major cities to focus on large retreat centres (which they even hire out to other groups, even using volunteer BK labour to cook and clean, and include in the hire fee). Many (most?) BKs usually read Murli at home (there's online subscription services now) and once a week they gather in someone's house, the main centre or a hired hall. The numbers of "pukka BKs" would definitely be down on the glory days of the 1980s and 90s (and what's a "pukka" or "firm" BK is different now too), but the number of "contact" or casuals attending occasional retreats and events would be about the same.
They seem to have given up on large service programs & "exhibitions" in large auditoriums except maybe if Janki or similar person comes, they'll arrange speaking tour with one or two VIP co-speakers. Mostly it's events at the retreat centres - children's activities in school holidays, women's group type things ... and selling media - CDs etc.
One wonders about the ongoing upkeep cost of these places - even with volunteer labour, there's council & water rates, insurance, electricity, maintenance, but they are used for only a fraction of their time.