Jim,

It's so strange and funny the way they avoid the obvious questions this story gives rise to, such as "What the hell did this kid know at 3 years old and how'd he know it?"  or "What 'way' to go inside and where'd he get it anyway?"  To answer those questions is to admit that this is just another ridiculous cult.  Plain and simple.  To avoid them like this pretty much sends the exact same signal. 

To ex-premies it's obvious that Rawat is running a cult.  But you have to remember that most people don't know anything about what even makes a cult a cult, much less a destructive one that has a leader like Rawat.  Plus, people like mysteries and myths and strange ideas, otherwise the New Age movement wouldn't be thriving as it is.  And folks just love child prodigies and the "stories" of their success.   

When I think about the Larry King show and how many psychics, spiritual leaders and other hucksters he has on his show (and often) I have to conclude that that is what folks like to watch -- what sells.  Deepok Chopra, for one, is a frequent guest on King's show, even when Larry convenes a panel of learned, respected "spriritual leaders," to discuss current events.  So, there you go.  It's not as if we're living in an age of reason (especially in the U.S.). 

Plus, the average age of a cult recruit is 18 to 25 years old.  I still maintain that it's the Coolchill youth crowd that Rawat is going after for those fresh, newly inherited real estate packages, trust funds, and coming-of-age large money inheritences to hand off to him in moments of excessive "gratitude."  Don't underestimate the skills of a lifelong conman.  He didn't get rich the way he is because he's dumb about stealing other people's money.