I'm sorry folks, but I just don't buy the argument that they (PAM's) are victims...

I don't think PAMs per se are the issue. It is that there is still a core group in the West who genuinely believe that Maharaji is really the Lord of the Universe, the one and only one who has the power to save them, and whose grace makes the Knowledge work. This group includes many who have no personal relationship with M at all, just old-timers who have kept plugging away at the K for years, as well of course as premies who do have a personal relationship with M.

PAMs, almost by definition, have to belong to this core group, since they have to invest such a lot in that role, that only members of that core group would stay the course. And once they have completed the course to be in the inner circle, that is a powerful reason to stay in that core group, since they have invested such a lot to get there.

I think PAMs are as much victims as any other premie; or, to put it another way, they deserve whatever they get for not taking responsibility enough, as much as any other premie. A famous premie up on stage giving his spiel, is in many ways as responsible as those in the audience who want to hear the gushing satsang as much as he/she wants to give it.

The fact is, that as premies we all fed of off each other. When you were a premie, would you not have given everything you own to have a personal relationship with M?

I think the real dividing line these days, is the internet, the forums like this and the EPO sites. Back before the late 90's, there was no public information easily obtainable. Now there is. Before the late 90's, I think any premie, PAM or not, had a tolerable excuse (it was mine, anyway!). Now there is no excuse. Premies (PAM or not) who will not look at the overwhelming evidence, easily obtainable, and refuse to exercise any critical thinking, can no longer claim it is not their fault they were ignorant.

One more point: to be around M and know that he drinks, smokes, whatever, means nothing to a core group premie, since he is the Lord. So 'witnessing the crap' does not influence a core group devotee at all as to whether M is the Lord, and that is the key issue.

Just my two cents worth, since you ask.