I agree with you about Barrett's entry on Elan Vital but why don't you email him instead of complaining here? Barrett treats many, diverse movements and hence he naturally made some mistakes. His book generally does not give whitewashed versions of the history of cults and NRMs (sometimes just "foundation myths") http://www.thenewbelievers.com I have found several mistakes in books by NRM scholars and I have or will simply email them. Why treat them as enemies?

You know, if I emailed Barrett, I'd get accused of something -- not that that stops me -- I guess I don't care what he has to say.  lol  I don't think of Barrett as my enemy and I also don't think of myself as a cult-fighter.  I post when I have something to say, but I'm just not on a crusade here, Andries.  This is a bulletin board that I post on and it's not the purpose of my life. Maharaji all too often told premies that being his devotee and practicing Knowledge (specifically by doing satsang, service and meditation) was the purpose of life itself. 

Cults rarely give a detailed rebuttal to the accusations by former members. I wonder why.

Because cults tend to have a lot to hide, Andries, especially when there is a live leader kicking around, who garners all the attention and money from the devotees.  Because they (cults leaders/members) lie a lot and it's tough to keep up with all the lies.  Because cults tend to be secretive -- that's where lies start, too.  This isn't exactly rocket science! 

I don't want to talk about Introvigne anymore today.  He bores me numb.

Best wishes for the New Year