(Below is Part II of a three-part series on the book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon Lechter. Click on these links to read Part I or Part III.)
Problem #2 - Kiyosaki's New Age Background & Philosophy
Kiyosaki's talk of an inner "financial genius" only hints at some of his bizarre beliefs and spiritual moorings. It's a long story, but he has been a motivational speaker for the better part of 25 years employing various New Age concepts and psychobabble such as self-actualization, visualization, motivating forces, metaphysical coaches, rebirthing, auditing, thought reform, Buddhism, Hopi Indian sacred teachings, and heavy doses of Scientology (yes, the same wacko stuff that actor Tom Cruise promotes). What else would you expect from a disciple of Werner Erhard and his controversial EST movement of the 1970's? Kiyosaki's values are rooted in the "human potential movement" and its emphasis on "self."
For example, Kiyosaki offers this New Age gem on pages 46 and 47,
"Rich dad went on to explain that a human's life is a struggle between ignorance and illumination. He explained that once a person stops searching for information and knowledge of one's self, ignorance sets in." [emphasis added]
Another example is found on page 69,
"The mirror symbolizes the power of self-knowledge."
and page 70,
"That is why my educated dad said the Japanese valued the power of the mirror the most, for it is only when we as humans look into the mirror do we find truth."
Notice the focus is always on "self" as the answer. Everything you need is inside you. All you have to do is wake it up or become illuminated.
Yet Solomon taught in Proverbs 1:7 that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..." and in Proverbs 2:5-6 "Then you will discern the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Knowledge doesn't come from the inner "financial genius" or "self."
Scripture consistently reveals that God is the answer to all of life's questions. Truth is not found in the mirror but in Christ. "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..." (John 14:6)
In short, Kiyosaki does not bring one biblical credential to the table when it comes to money. Instead he relies on a tangled web of meaningless New Age theologies and the perversion of Scripture. He doesn't even take the time to pretend he's a Christian. What is this man doing in our churches teaching God's people? Why are Christians recommending and selling his materials?
Problem #3 - Rich Dad Does Not Exist
I hate to break it to you, but Rich Dad does not exist. The entire storyline of Rich Dad Poor Dad, presented as unquestioned fact by Kiyosaki, is really a work of fiction.
SmartMoney magazine (Karma Chameleon by Eleanor Laise, February 2003, pages 97-103) provides the best summary of Kiyosaki's deceptions regarding Rich Dad.
When questioned by Laise, Kiyosaki gave this string of answers regarding Rich Dad's existence.
1. "Rich Dad passed away at around the same time as his biological father -- in 1992."
2. "Two weeks later...Kiyosaki [claims] Rich Dad...is very much alive -- he's just a reclusive invalid."
3. Later when asked again, Kiyosaki "insists there was an original Rich Dad, but he admits that the character in the books is actually a 'composite' of seven different mentors..."
4. When pressed further, "Kiyosaki finally loses his cool. 'Is Harry Potter real?' he demands. 'Why don't you let Rich Dad be a myth, like Harry Potter? The real issue is, am I credible?'"
No, Mr. Kiyosaki, you are not credible. A man or woman is only credible by telling the truth. All four of those statements cannot be true and Kiyosaki is therefore lying. Liars are not credible.
Amazingly, Kiyosaki's attempts to deceive don't end there. He employed the following gimmick with another investigative reporter as described in Money magazine (Poor Man's Prophet by Peter Carbonara, January 2003, pages 83-87):
"Kiyosaki, though, agreed to put me in touch with the son of Rich Dad, on the condition the family name not be printed. Why the secrecy? Kiyosaki says he promised Rich Dad not to identify him publicly. I did speak to a Hawaii businessman who knew Kiyosaki as a boy in Hilo and who says his father is the real Rich Dad. He too asked that his family name not be used."
So which is it? Is Rich Dad dead, an invalid, a composite, a fictional character like Harry Potter, or a real man with a son living in Hawaii? The truth doesn't need a string of lies to defend it. I can only conclude that Rich Dad is a figment of Kiyosaki's imagination. That's why he can't get his facts or story straight. He's making it up as he goes, just like the book.
You will see in Part III that this isn't the only area where Kiyosaki gets caught in his own web of deception. Most people I know -- Christian or not -- believe honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to money. Is this the kind of man we should trust for financial knowledge and guidance? Is a liar someone we should hold up as an example to our children by using his materials to instruct them about money? Not in my house.
Don't worry if Kiyosaki caught you off guard on this one. You're not alone. Even Oprah was duped! Kiyosaki was her guest in 2000 and she plugged the book. Hmmm....I wonder if she's going to come clean about Kiyosaki like she recently did on her website, Oprah's Book Club, and TV show with the book "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey?
Forget Oprah. Should the Christian community embrace and promote the work of a man who stakes his credibility on a complete fabrication and then goes to great lengths to cover his deception by telling more lies?
I say no.
Is Kiyosaki's popularity among Christians and homeschoolers a reflection of his powers of persuasion or our lack of moral standards and a willingness to uphold them?
I fear it is the latter.
Click on the link below to continue with...
Part III
Click on the link below to go back to...
Part I
Related Tags: Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki, money, parenting, Kiyosaki, finance, Rich Dad, real estate, entrepreneur, biblical finance, homeschooling, home school, bible, investing, stock market
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