# I AM Activity · The Cult Dossier · The Atlas · The Congregation of Tomorrow

Source: https://congregationoftomorrow.org/atlas/library/cults/037-i-am-activity/ · The Congregation of Tomorrow · the Atlas · language: en
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The Cult Dossier · No. 037 · Occult / Esoteric / Satanic
I AM Activity
Saint Germain Foundation
1930 – present · Mount Shasta, California; Chicago
IV. THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY
Fully religious — Ascended Master movement
### Who led it
### What it worshipped and taught
### Who was in it
### How it ended, or where it stands
### The dead
### Of note
### Its timeline
- August 1930 Ballard's claimed encounter with Saint Germain on Mount Shasta.
- 1934 Unveiled Mysteries published; movement expands to a claimed one million adherents (probably closer to tens of thousands).
- 29 December 1939 Guy Ballard dies of arteriosclerosis — a serious problem, since he had taught that faithful students would ascend without dying. Edna announced he had ascended.
- 1940–1944 The Ballards indicted for mail fraud over claims of healing powers.
- 24 APRIL 1944 UNITED STATES v. BALLARD, 322 U.S. 78 — CONFIRMED AGAINST THE REPORTED DECISION. The Ballards were prosecuted under a MAIL FRAUD statute requiring proof of a knowing intent to defraud. The trial judge instructed the jury that it could not weigh the truth or falsity of the religious claims, only whether they were sincerely held; the Court of Appeals reversed that approach; and THE SUPREME COURT REVERSED THE COURT OF APPEALS, 5–4, JUSTICE WILLIAM O. DOUGLAS WRITING. The holding: the First Amendment does not permit courts or juries to inquire into the TRUTH of a religious belief, though SINCERITY may be examined. One of the most consequential religious-liberty rulings in American law — and it comes out of a cult prosecution.
- 1946 Convictions ultimately reversed; the movement continues quietly.
### Its people
### Guy Warren Ballard
Godfré Ray King
Co-founder, the I AM Activity · 28 July 1878 – 29 December 1939 · active 1930–1939
Before the law. Died before the mail fraud indictment; his wife and son were prosecuted in his place.
Where things stand. Deceased 1939.
- August 1930 The claimed Mount Shasta encounter.
- 1934 Unveiled Mysteries published.
- 29 December 1939 Dies of arteriosclerosis, having taught that students would not die.
Checked
### Edna Anne Ballard
Lotus Ray King
Co-founder and leader, the I AM Activity · 25 June 1886 – 10 February 1971 · active 1930–1971
Before the law. Convicted of mail fraud; conviction ultimately reversed. HER CASE IS A LANDMARK OF US RELIGIOUS LIBERTY LAW.
Where things stand. Deceased 1971. The Saint Germain Foundation continues.
- 1930 Co-founds the movement with her husband.
- 1939 Takes over on his death; announces he has ascended.
- 1940 Indicted for mail fraud with her son Donald.
- 24 APRIL 1944 UNITED STATES v. BALLARD, 322 U.S. 78. The Supreme Court holds 5–4, per Justice Douglas, that juries may not rule on the TRUTH of a religious belief — only on whether it is SINCERELY HELD.
- 1946 Convictions ultimately reversed.
- 10 February 1971 Dies.
Checked
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