Tulsi Gabbard Slammed for Worshipping ‘Wacky Anti-Gay’ Guru

A recently unearthed photograph shows Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, participating in a religious ritual for Chris Butler, a man accused of leading a cult-like organization. This revelation has sparked concerns about her ties to the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF) and its controversial leader.

The photograph, taken when Gabbard was a teenager, depicts her placing an offering at an altar dedicated to Butler. A second image from Gabbard’s 2015 wedding program includes a “special blessing” from Butler, who uses the name Siddhaswarupananda.

Despite Gabbard’s spokesperson claiming she has “no affiliation” with the SIF, evidence of her upbringing within the group continues to surface. Former members describe Butler as a self-styled “world teacher” with near-total control over his followers.

One ex-member, Rama Renson, painted a grim picture: “It’s a cult of personality. Butler hijacks people’s fear and beliefs, convincing them he’s God on earth.”

Butler’s influence allegedly extended into every aspect of his followers’ lives, from their education to their marriages. Former followers also accuse the group of enforcing extreme obedience, ostracizing dissenters, and fostering anti-LGBTQ sentiments.

The revelations are not new but gain significance as Gabbard prepares for her Senate confirmation hearing. Critics highlight her past anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, which mirrored Butler’s teachings. In the late 1990s, Butler was recorded calling homosexuality “deviant” and likening it to bestiality. Gabbard later ran for office on an anti-gay marriage platform, though she now claims her views have evolved.

“I regret the hurt my past positions caused,” Gabbard said in a 2019 interview. “I’ve grown and learned since then.”

Founded in the 1970s after Butler broke away from the Hare Krishna movement, the SIF operates as a secretive and tightly controlled organization. Former followers report bizarre rituals and strict hierarchies:

• Daily prayers at 5 a.m. before Butler’s image.
• Sterilization protocols for food, furniture, and even human interactions with Butler.
• A ranking system dividing followers into “A’s, B’s, and C’s” based on their proximity to Butler.

One ex-member recalled, “We had to sanitize everything. Even vegetables were soaked in acid water. Butler’s paranoia about disease ruled our lives.”

Gabbard’s parents were devoted followers. Her father, Mike Gabbard, served as Butler’s secretary, while her mother managed the group’s finances. Tulsi and her siblings attended SIF boarding schools in the Philippines, described as centers for indoctrination.

“It wasn’t education; it was brainwashing,” said a former student. “Girls and boys were segregated. By the time I returned to normal life, I was socially paralyzed.”

Gabbard’s ties to Butler cast doubt on her ability to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Critics, including ex-SIF members, question whether she remains under Butler’s influence.

Anti van Duyn, a former member, told The New York Times, “I’m concerned she’s still controlled by Butler, who harbors political ambitions.”

Gabbard’s confirmation hearing will test her ability to navigate these controversies. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) expressed mixed feelings: “The jury’s still out.”

For many, the larger question looms: Can someone with such a fraught and secretive past be entrusted with America’s most sensitive intelligence?