Talk:Michael Beckwith

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Contents

[edit] Note about links

These links are to be avoided (see Wikipedia policy on Links normally to be avoided):

  • Links to Amazon.com
  • Links to blogs — some exceptions
  • Links to commercial sites — some exceptions
  • Links to sites that only have an indirect relationship to this site

—WikiLen 04:34, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] PHD ?

In his offical biography he uses a PHD title, but does not mention what is it ..

I couldn't find any reference to a PhD in his website, however he refers to himself as "D.D." (Doctor of Divinity). According to http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_did_Rev_Dr_michael_beckwith_receive_his_doctorate , it's an honorary degree, awarded by the United Church of Religious Science, now known as the United Centers for Spiritual Living. Interestingly, the UCRS was founded by "Dr." Ernest Holmes, another fake "doctor", and Michael Beckwith is affiliated with the present incarnation of the UCRS, which means that one fake doctor has awarded another person who is now basically an employee, with another fake doctorate.Bricology (talk) 17:57, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Edit

Per the above section titled "Note about links", that explains the external links policy, I have removed more external links that violate this policy: YouTube (For having material that is copyrighted) and the links that were used as references that went to a blatant sales spam site. (http://thesgrprogram.com). Instead, I have linked to their "About" page, which is not as blatant, and is more relevant. I've also removed non-reliable sources from references, (Lightstreamers.com), and I have replaced the non-reliable source for the Oprah appearance with the actual page from Oprah's site. I question the use of www.agapelive.com as a reliable source, as that's not third-party, but I left it in. Please keep in mind that this article needs to not use peacock terms such as "prominently featured", etc., as these are not neutral, and that information must be cited with reliable sources per the biographies of living persons policy. I've added {{fact}} tags to passages that need to have proper citations added, or they may be removed, especially sentences that claim actions, such as "After the official launch of the program, Beckwith was removed from the marketing material due to the perceived commercial nature of the program."

Additionally, I have formatted the article to be in line with the manual of style, especially biographies, which states: Academic and professional titles (such as "Doctor" or "Professor") should not be used before the name in the initial sentence or in other uses of the person's name. This article was referring to the person in every instance as "Dr. Rev." which is not correct per the manual of style. Finally, a valid reliable source needs to be found to verify he has a Ph.D., as his biography states he has a D.D (doctor of divinity), which is not the same thing, academically.

To whomever monitors the article (and who knows who this person is), I urge you to find some reliable news sources to back up the statements that need citations. Thanks! Ariel♥Gold 08:47, 27 October 2007 (UTC)

A heads-up. Many high profile New Thought ministers are currently using the "Rev. Dr." prefixes in front of their names. What they aren't mentioning is that these are usually HONORARY doctorates passed out by New Thought-based non-accredited institutions. See, for example, Mary Manin Morrissey. She refers to herself occasionally as "Dr. Rev.", often forgetting to note that it is an honorary degree. [1] -- Copy Editor 08:07, 9 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Controversy section?

The more I read about Beckwith, the more I'm leaning towards the need for there to be a "controversy" section added to the entry. The matter of his "doctorate" being honorary rather than earned is, I believe, worthy of inclusion, and he has some definitely controversial associates, such as the woman who not only gave him his honorary DD, but performed his marriage ceremony -- Mary Manin Morrissey -- and David Schirmer, both of whom have been charged with fraud. Anyone know more? Bricology (talk) 18:12, 22 April 2008 (UTC)