Some Thoughts on Subud

The relatively unknown New Age religion (or cult) of Subud has been in the news ever since the unexpected and untimely death of Loretta Fuddy, the Hawaiian official who vouched for the authenticity of Barack Obama’s so-called “long-form birth certificate” (LFCOLB).  Fuddy, it was learned, was once chairperson of Subud USA.  Inexplicably, it’s also reported that Fuddy was a very devout Catholic. How is that possible?

Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the Roman Catholic faith would have to wonder how a woman described by her parish priest as a devout Catholic could possibly also be an official of a group like Subud.

A website that researches religions and cults from a “Christian perspective” has flagged Subud as a dangerous cult.  While the site focuses upon organizations in New Zealand, their research and analysis concerning Subud is nevertheless valuable: [emphasis added to quotes]

Once a very secretive New Age cult, Subud is now expanding and becoming more open, and no longer hides its teachings behind password-protected web sites.  …

Subud was founded in the 1920s in Java, Indonesia by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (b. 1901, d. 1987), who is normally called Bapak (“Father”) by Subud members. … 

The founder’s daughter took over leadership when her father died. From Indonesia she picks names for many children and some adults, which helps reinforce group identity (another sign Subud is a cult). This leader is considered to have all the power of her father, who proclaimed himself to be a Christ-like/Muhammad-like figure and was believed by some to be the second coming of Christ. …

Central to Subud practice is the latihan – an occult activity like transcendental meditation which according to Dr Stephen Urlich, a Christchurch scientist who wrote an article published in a journal of the American Psychological Association, involves “uninhibited weeping, shouting, writhing, moaning and speaking in tongues” and that “laughing, jumping and dancing can occur”. …

Some Subud members call the latihan “getting opened” which is appropriate for an activity that involves opening oneself to demonic manipulation.

Subud has been known to practice strong relationship control, and in a 1964 study cited by Dr Urlich, 24 cases linked Subud to “schizophrenic episodes requiring hospitalisation”. … This is not true of most religious experience and is strong evidence of cultic practice when it occurs. …

Roman Catholic teaching about the occult is straight forward:

Don’t dabble, for the sake of your own soul. 

For example, here’s a Catholic perspective on Ouija boards:

… The Ouija board is far from harmless, as it is a form of divination (seeking information from supernatural sources). The fact of the matter is, the Ouija board really does work, and the only “spirits” that will be contacted through it are evil ones. …

On the experiential side of the issue, we have the testimony of the Church’s exorcists. …

Some investigating supernatural phenomena from a Catholic perspective have gone so far as to say that 90 percent of their very worst cases involving demonic activity have been linked to the use of the Ouija board.

Simply put, nothing positive can ever come from the use of the Ouija board, and God warns us against such things for our own spiritual safety.

One of the most infamous cases of demonic possession involved a Ouija board, through which a young man was “getting opened” to supernatural entities, while trying to contact his deceased aunt.  A Catholic demonologist explained:

The enemy almost never appears in their true form, they lie and deceive constantly. We know from experience that many cases of demonic oppression and possession start with a “harmless” or “helpful” spirit haunting or interaction.

They sometimes start with communications with what seems to be a dearly departed relative or helpful spirit guide, or a pitiful soul that needs your help. …

There is always an act of free will involved in letting a demon enter your body; you just might be unaware that it is a demon. Your permission might be given in response to a deception, but the door is opened nonetheless. You should never assume that you can get something out once you let it in. … 

It seems rather obvious that the practice of latihan after “getting opened” in Subud is inconsistent with Catholicism (and with other Christian faiths, as well).  That the founder of that cult was believed by some to be the second coming of Jesus Christ should certainly turn inconsistency into absolute dichotomy.

Loretta Fuddy was known by another name, which is consistent with Subud practice.  She went by Deliana.  Was this a Subud name bestowed upon her by Ibu Siti Rahayu?  If so, that name was used in both her obituaries as well as at her funeral, so it was known to her pastor.  What gives?

See no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil. 

Or at the very least don’t seek it out!  Sometimes there’s a lot of wisdom in those old adages, although we might add:

Recognize evil; reject evil; repulse evil.

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