by Sally Scott, Manager at a not-for-profit service, Perth, Western Australia
I had travelled from Perth to be at the Universal Medicine event scheduled for Friday 12th October 2012. Once a month on a Friday night Serge Benhayon presents for about two hours on Esoteric Medicine. This has been happening since 2010 and anyone is welcome to attend these informative sessions.
On entering the hall I noticed Serge at the back of the hall talking with a man. They seemed deep in discussion. Serge spent all his time with this man before he got up to present to the group who had gathered for the evening, approximately 150 people.
Serge informed us that we had an unexpected guest with us, David Millikan, and that he was a Uniting Church Minister and an expert in cults and that he was writing a book and was open and interested in Universal Medicine. He had some questions for the student body. David then took the stage adding that he was a theologian and an expert in cults, having studied them for 30 years and was used by police to investigate groups.
Now initially when Serge took the stage, we were told that David was open to know more about Universal Medicine and that he would ask questions to the student body and we could have an honest and open discussion with him.
What transpired was anything but open and honest. The scene that played out in the Lennox Head Community Centre was disgraceful. All of a sudden there were a number of people in the audience who were filming David on stage and us as the audience, all of us, children included (David’s hidden camera people).
Students attempted to answer David’s questions and ask him questions back but David would not be engaged in a true dialogue. He was just ranting and throwing out accusations. Serge came back on stage very calmly, and questioned why David had completely changed his tune about Universal Medicine and why nothing that David was putting to the student body was what had been discussed with Serge.
As this continued heavy-duty cameras came to the entrance of the Community Centre and desperately tried to get additional footage of the people in attendance, along with shots of Serge and David. It was more than evident that this was a set up. At the same time students attempted to get the internal hand-held cameras to stop filming as permission had not been sought or given. It was like a circus with lots of things going on to draw our attention, to incite us into reaction, with David still on stage making up ridiculous questions or statements to try and invoke the student group into an emotional scene or outburst for the group to give the media something juicy they could use. I mean, let’s be honest, you only need a couple of 2-3 second scenes to cut and paste it into any story you want.
The absolute arrogance of the media, of this man David Millikan, was obvious to all. It was clearly all part of an elaborate plot to set up Universal Medicine and us as its students. Most people sat in disbelief. An honest open dialogue could have been most interesting, but it was impossible as it became more and more apparent that David had made his mind up and had an agenda. It was now about a push to get footage to fit his predetermined story. As David spoke he admitted when directly questioned by one of the students that yes, he was on the pay role for a well known television station.
Let’s face it, until David and his film crew hijacked our evening we had all entered a Community Hall in Lennox Head of our own free will looking forward to a presentation on Esoteric Medicine by Serge. Universal Medicine hired the venue, there is a $5 entry fee and the presentation was open to all. People are free to come and go as they please. Both long-term students of Universal Medicine and those who had never attended arrived, taking their seats and talking quietly or just sitting and waiting. Nothing sensational going on; very, very normal. However, the tone quickly changed once David claimed the stage after being introduced by Serge and the hidden cameras came on. It was immediately evident that David was not interested in true discussion, just sensational grabs for the story that he was attempting to manufacture. A disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful use of media power.
I witnessed the defiant and aggressive behaviour, I felt attacked for what is my most basic right, that is, the right to choose. I choose to be a student of Universal Medicine and I chose to attend this presentation. I chose to go and listen to Serge Benhayon speak. I have this right. Universal Medicine offered to refund everyone’s money as the scheduled Esoteric Medicine event had been disrupted. David Millikan hijacked the evening for personal gain and for a story. I feel it is David Millikan who should be refunding me my money.
From what he displayed David Millikan was not concerned about us as a group of people or interested in what we might have shared with him. He had calculated an attack against Universal Medicine, and against me as a student. David, and not Serge Benhayon, used the group for his own personal gain. It was masterminded and deceitful and David was the ‘cult leader’ of the whole show, yes, performance and show. He and the media in general seem to have brainwashed reporters, film crews, etc. to think that it is ok to lie, deceive, cheat, accuse, fabricate, twist the truth, edit responses to suit a desired outcome and to sensationalise. It seems they see themselves as above the law and above reproach. This behaviour is unacceptable.
So yes, the morning after I am still outraged by what I experienced at the hand of David Millikan. This form of intimidation should be seen as criminal. A crime, that I feel, David Millikan should be made responsible for!
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
An accurate description of the nights events and when we feel how this has unfolded, it allows me to deepen my feeling of disdain for the way that corruption has been allowed to have such a strong footing in so many of our so called working for humanity groups!!!!!
We have seen far too many examples of ‘religious’ people who plan something and do not truly care for the harm it will bring. This was just another of such episodes. It says heaps regarding the current state of religion in the world.
I question where our society is at when people like David Millikan are being paid for what he did that night at a Universal Medicine event. He was accusing participants at the Universal Medicine event, he was displaying abusive behaviour and ambushing the audience in order to get a ‘story’. I wonder why David Millikan did what he did and it also brings me to question, could it be because our current society is more interested in sensationalised stories, drama and lies than truth?
“What transpired was anything but open and honest.” This disgraceful episode exposed the opposite of what is presented and shared by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine which is always presenting the truth with complete openness.
There was a total abuse of power by the media at this event from what has been described, and yes I agree, ‘ David Millikan was not concerned about us as a group of people or interested in what we might have shared with him. He had calculated an attack against Universal Medicine, and against me as a student. David, and not Serge Benhayon, used the group for his own personal gain. It was masterminded and deceitful’. Very much so.
Yes so true Sally – we see that this is absolute betrayal, and seemingly never near true. So David Millikan indeed is responsible for what he chooses and he is creating his own karma by attacking and demanding others and stating as wrong in any way. Hence he is not truly a specialist in what he says he does, but contrary.
I agree Sally. The media have brainwashed people who work in the industry. I have a friend who works in the media and who is a well known presenter. She is well aware of how the media self-medicate and fabricate stories of their own agenda following each other’s stories across the world. When a story was published about Serge Benhayon, UniMed and the students, it was copied and pasted by media publishers across the world. Not one took up the responsibility of investigating Serge, UniMed or the students – they all followed their agenda of lies and sensationalism journalism. Like Sally expressed you only need the right 2 sec shot and some lies to go with it and you have a story. We have a responsibility to discern what we watch. I don’t watch the news or read their stories. I know the truth and no need to fill myself with garbage.
Several years on I still remember the event like it was yesterday due to the utter shock experienced of feeling under attack. The deception for personal gain at the expense of many is still difficult to process… nobody deserves that even if the stories they concocted and what they accused us of was true.
It feels like this is society in a nutshell and how society generally deal with things. Maybe not in an intentional way but still. Being emotional, evoking reaction, this is how we think things are to be run. However there is another way as we know. Emotionality is more insidious that we think. Sometimes everything can seem calm and the other second everything can turn to be chaotic. What Serge and Universal Medicine promotes is to live in a way that allows harmony to be and I’m more than sure that what was about to happen could be felt by all, hence a great opportunity to speak up and claim truth in each and every moment.
I was not at the event that night Sally but by what I have read about the disgraceful behaviour of David Milking that took place on that night I can understand your outrage.
I understand your outrage – This kind of behaviour is unacceptable from any human being at any point of time, whether it be media or another profession.
Thank you for sharing more detail on the event Sally.
” I felt attacked for what is my most basic right, that is, the right to choose. I choose to be a student of Universal Medicine and I chose to attend this presentation. I chose to go and listen to Serge Benhayon speak. I have this right. Universal Medicine offered to refund everyone’s money as the scheduled Esoteric Medicine event had been disrupted. David Millikan hijacked the evening for personal gain and for a story. I feel it is David Millikan who should be refunding me my money.” We all have a right to choose what we attend – peacefully. To have such an event hijacked is appalling. Appalling behaviour by David Millikan and others.
This is a great service for many to come, Sally, that you have written down your experience. You are a witness of this incident and you have given your testimonial. Even hundreds of years from now people will be able to learn from this.
The more I read on the events of this evening the more I wonder about David Millikan’s integrity as a church minister. I am also brought to question his so called expertise on the subject of cults and how he came about gaining his ‘expertise’. In looking at The Facts about Universal Medicine site, a cult is…”any group that someone has decided that they do not like”. How then has he gained his ‘expertise’? Is this the behaviour that he uses with every other group of people he has deemed to be a cult, i.e. essentially deception, lies and then attack? How is this the behaviour of someone whose life has revolved around Jesus and God? It’s this kind of hypocritical behaviour that results in people leaving churches in droves.
If David Millikan is a theologian and an expert in cults and has been used by the police to investigate groups in the past, why did he show up that evening and ambush the $5 Esoteric Medicine talk presented by Universal Medicine with the media??? The fact he was ‘on the payroll of a well known television station’ clearly answers that question and thus simultaneously raises questions about his intentions and level of integrity full stop.
Beautifully reported Sally!! A gross violation of rights by someone that odd enough, collaborate with law enforcement bodies (those protecting the very same rights violated).
Very well said Sally, it does seem as though those involved in setting this up created quite the scene and exposed the fact that it is they who are the ones we should be taking a closer look at. The media is not above reproach and this type of behaviour has gone on far too long!
Absolutely Sally and well said. The calculated attack was reprehensible and the accusation incongruous. It concerns me greatly that this man is considered an expert in his field and investigates on behalf of the police. 30 years of extensive knowledge and skill in his field, culminated in false accusations and inflicting trauma on innocent people. His authority on the subject of cults is now unarguably forever tarnished with this colossal mistake and his integrity undeniably in question.
Sally, that evening feels awful. The level of injustice is so uncalled for. If that was done in a Church in the middle of a mass for example, the repercussions would have been far greater and that group of people would have been called to account.
Such a strong illustration of how there is no room for any kind of reality when one brings with them a preconceived ‘mindset’ and a preplanned agenda, no truth in that. In the case of David Millikan, only great effort to use his own brush to make a tainted ‘black and black’ forgery with no resemblance to the original picture. All the while missing the true colours, vibrancy and grandeur of the original and what it represents. The violence of the brush strokes and the deep stain of black paint will take a long time to ware off David Millikan’s hands.
Thank you for this blog Sally, this just highlights just how low the media can go to manipulate a story into getting what they want. It is absolutely crazy that in this day and age that this can still happen.
I agree Samantha, it is pretty crazy that this form of media is still being used. When we look at the bigger picture, our society in general is not doing well and we are accepting a lesser form of what we call ‘media’. The media is a money making industry and has become much less about people, integrity, respect, honesty and delivering truth to people.
Reading your detailed and accurate account of the behaviour most vile – it sounds like this guy David Millikan stood on a mad stone and delivered from there – sheer madness! Australia – democracy – Zimbabwe – what’s the difference?
Well said Sally – a behavior like this is unacceptable
Thank you for sharing your first hand experience Sally – I was not even there, but can feel the assault and abuse from reading your post, and have also been impacted, not only as a Universal Medicine student, but as a member of society. The behaviour of David Millikan and his film crew is an absolutely appalling and a disgrace! Thanks to all those who have written their personal account of the media events on Friday night, the truth ‘is’ out there for those who choose to investigate further than the totally hyped-up, misleading, fabricated story that David and his team will no doubt manage to put to air.
The bullying tactics used were severe, how can a group of adults get away with such behaviour? Teenagers in attendance have consulted psychologists to help deal with the trauma this group of adults incited, this is truly shocking.
Sally, thank you. I witnessed all you have shared and more. The moment that Millikan turned on us and started screeching his sound bites for the cameras was a moment of shock, stunned silence and betrayal. The most disgraceful aspect of Millikan’s carefully planned attack and what followed, was the effect that it had on some of the children present who hid in the bathrooms and cried. Later one young girl was very distressed as she knew that it was illegal to film minors without their consent and she was afraid that she would be ostracised at school if it were shown on TV. And this from a man who introduced himself to us as a ‘Minister of the Uniting Church” and later admitted that he was being paid by a well known television channel. To say that this was unacceptable behaviour is an under statement – it was an outrage!
Riding roughshod over everyone to get a story by such underhanded means, has brought the media to a new low in Australia.
How low will it be allowed to go before decent people in positions of authority step up and seriously investigate, then do something to stop this appalling behaviour from occurring again?
I am feeling the brutality of the event. It feels like a massacre.
Sally not being at the event your account is clear and presents a clarity that leaves a ‘ disgusting taste in one’s mouth’. When does this media violation end, it is unacceptable and down right disgusting that a man can throw accusations and allegations at whom ever he feels in the name of journalism. A witch hunt, just the modern day version.
The hypocrisy of some television channels & the media is clear to see… this morning on the Channel 7 weekend sunrise show (2 days after this incident) I watched as celebrity, Sharon Osbourne spoke about the media & reality TV & very blatantly commented that it is common practice to (in her words) ‘makeup bullshit lies to make it interesting TV’. This was in reference to the fact that the truth wasn’t that interesting or newsworthy. Well this is exactly what David Millikan & the media are doing in regards to Universal Medicine & those that attend their talks & workshops. Telling the truth about how amazing we feel in our bodies by choosing a lifestyle of self care and making life about love first… is apparently just not newsworthy, but making up stories that we are part of a cult is much more interesting news for those that will be fooled. What is really going on is defamation, corruption & media bullying. This kind of behaviour is not ok & I will not be sitting back and accepting this.
Thank you for writing this Sally. David Millikans approach was false, misleading and vindictive. He came in to the event with the intent to accuse and manipulate for his own benefit. I agree Rachel (Hall), it would be publicly decried as an outrage to pull a stunt like that in a church. He, as a senior member of the Uniting Church should be aware of that.
It is outrageous that in Australia, a country based on democracy and freedom to choose within the law, that law abiding and fully participating citizens are maliciously persecuted for a their participation in an organisation that does no harm whatsoever. The harm done on Friday night by David Millikan and the television station he works for, as you say Sally, should be accounted for.
Sally, so hard to comprehend that this can happen in modern day Australia. The need for the sensalised story totally overrode any thoughts for the men, women and children in attendance. A total betrayal of trust and lack decency on behalf of the man who hijacked the event. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I agree, Sharon, it is difficult to imagine that this kind of ambush (crime, as Sally calls it) could happen in Australia, and that David Milikan can get away with such disgraceful behaviour.
It is clear that those energies who perpetuated the evil and abhorrent witch hunts and inquisitions in the past have plenty of empty vessels in the here and now to still do it!
The experience left me feeling stunned and violated! What I find shocking is that David Millikan is representing a Christian community as a Uniting Church minister and his behaviour is far removed from the teachings that he espouses ….
Spot on Sally, thank-you. That those present felt “violated”, is an understatement.
Thank for writing this, I agree with all of it… but the following part which I copied and pasted is because I too agree with this fully.
From what he displayed David Millikan was not concerned about us as a group of people or interested in what we might have shared with him. He had calculated an attack against Universal Medicine, and against ME as a student. David, and not Serge Benhayon, used the group for his own personal gain. It was masterminded and deceitful and David was the ‘cult leader’ of the whole show, yes performance and show. He and the media in general seem to have brainwashed reporters, film crews, etc. to think that it is ok to lie, deceive, cheat, accuse, fabricate, twist the truth, edit responses to suit a desired outcome and to sensationalise. It seems they see themselves as above the law and above reproach. This behaviour is unacceptable.
So yes, the morning after I am still outraged by what I experienced at the hand of David Millikan. This form of intimidation by the media should be seen as criminal. A crime, that I feel, David Millikan and the television station he works for should be made responsible for!
Can you imagine someone walking into a church and pulling this kind of stunt (for that is what is is)? Well this is the same thing. People are being persecuted for choosing to attend a workshop and for their beliefs. This is outrageous, disturbing and a total abuse of power and position. The media will stop at nothing to get a story and now we have witnessed it first hand. This is modern day Autsralia not the Dark Ages or a country run under a tyranical government or regime – we are free to choose what we think, what we believe, what workshops to go to and how we live. Never in my darkest hours did I ever think that people would try and accuse and abuse us for simply being more loving and responsible for our lives. Sheer madness.
Absolutely agree Rachel, thats really madness. What are they actually accusing us of? For being more caring, more loving, to take responsibility for our lives, to live healthy, to raise children in equality, to live without harming others, for working for humanity, caring about our communities, living in brotherhood…. the list could go on endlessly.
I was not in attendance at the Friday night event but I was there at the same venue the following day for another Universal Medicine presentation and the media presence was felt again. Although there was no intrusion this time there was a real feeling that this could happen again and disrupt the meeting. This I found very distracting. Is this how it’s going to be now for all future events held by Universal Medicine? Are we now to arrive in fear of being abused by someone and attempts to film this on camera in the name of discrediting this group that I freely chose to associate with and which has had great benefit to my life and many others. I find this quite incredible!
Yes it is criminal, and so well planned, almost like a bank robbery or military attack, with each of the members of the TV team well trained and well prepared to know their role in the situation, of what they needed to do to get what they want. This activity needs to be seen for what it is, crime and the law and the government need to step in and begin to make the media accountable for this because it’s not only happening to us, but to innocent people on a daily basis all across the world.
Perhaps there needs to be an investigation into why the media is so desperate to label UniMed as a cult. What is it that they don’t want to admit about themselves, and society in general. UniMed and Serge Benhayon have offered a way of harmonious living that obviously does not mix well with super emotional, sensationalistic media practices based on attention, recognition, and the bullying behavior that was displayed at the last Esoteric Medicine presentation.
Spot on Michael! Why is it that the media is so often intent upon sensationalising something that has no truth or foundation, and what is ‘their’ agenda? It seems to me that in this example it should be David Millikan and the media themselves that should be investigated.
No doubt you feel cranky, you Perth folk travel a bloody long way to get to Lennox, (make our Sydney commute look easy!) – I would be wanting David Millikan to refund an appropriate proportion of travel expenses, flights, hire car, accommodation, not just the 5 bucks! Ironic; they report the news ‘for the people’, yet their irresponsible behavior just irritates those same people they are serving their media to!