Reactions to Eckankar

I think the community [of Chanhassen] has been wary of us. They were watching to see what we were all about. We have gone to great lengths to invite the community in. —Eckankar President, Peter Skelskey

Since the original community outrage in response to Eckankar’s purchase of the Chanhassen property, reactions to Eckankar seem to be mixed. On one hand, people have accepted the non-traditional nature of Eckankar as just another feature of the modern American landscape, an expected side effect of the increased discourse and promotion of the value of “religious pluralism” in this country. At the same time, ECKists can attest to prejudice and even violence that they have faced as a result of their oft-misunderstood faith. Kathleen, the public representative of ECK, said:

"I personally moved here about 12 years ago…and most people know what my religion is, I haven’t had a problem with it. I think with anything that’s new I think sometimes people have questions and I’m sure years ago when we came here there were probably a lot of questions. And I think sometimes, as people become more familiar with a certain thing and they meet people and they’re like ‘Oh, that person is not so bad,’ they kind of realize this isn’t anything bad or anything like that."¹

Eckankar President, Peter Skelskey, seconded Kathleen’s feelings:

"I think the community has been wary of us. They were watching to see what we were all about. We have gone to great lengths to invite the community in. The Temple is open to the public five days a week, and our worship services are open. I think most members of the community have seen we’re real normal people. I’m a resident of Chanhassen and I think it’s a nice little town. But people are cautious about what they don’t know or understand."²

“They’ve been great neighbors. We really don’t hear a lot about them,” said Laurie Hokkanen, Chanhassen’s assistant city administrator at the time of Eckankar’s purchase of the Chanhassen property.³ Denny Laufenburger, a current member of the Chanhassen City Council, wrote:

"The presence of Eckankar is reflective of both the diversity and openness of the community. Chanhassen would like to be considered a community for people of all beliefs, races, creeds and family values. Whether Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Eck or other, all are welcome to appreciate, respect and value the differences that make America, and Chanhassen a great place to live, work, play and raise a family."⁴

Michael, a tour guide, happily noted that “the people at the Hilton [Hotel in Minneapolis, where a number of Eckankar worship services, meetings, and seminars are held each year] love us—we’re so friendly and happy.”