| Sylvia Brown is probably one of the most well | | | | purchase all of their religious/spiritual |
| known psychics in America. While she has many | | | | books and materials from Novus. |
| followers, she also has many critics. | | | | |
| | | | Another cause for concern over the integrity |
| Sylvia Brown was born Sylvia Celeste | | | | of Sylvia Browne, is the fact she has been |
| Shoemaker in 1936 in Missouri. She has her | | | | indicted on charges of fraud and theft in |
| own radio show and has appeared as a regular | | | | California. |
| guest on the Montel Williams show and Larry | | | | |
| King Live. | | | | Critics of Sylvia Browne note that her |
| | | | predictions or claims are founded on classic |
| Sylvia claims she first began having visions | | | | psychic reading techniques that anyone can |
| when she was five years old and that her | | | | learn. Furthermore, on numerous occasions |
| grandmother was also psychic. She later on | | | | Browne has made predictions in public that |
| in 1974 started giving psychic readings and | | | | were later found to be incorrect. |
| attracted attention. Currently her psychic | | | | |
| readings for a 30 minute session cost $850. | | | | Sylvia Browne has some strong critics, Robert |
| | | | Lancaster is one skeptic who created the |
| In one of her many books she claims to know | | | | website to challenge her claims. You can |
| what the environment in heaven is and | | | | visit his site for more details and |
| describes it in specific detail. | | | | criticism. |
| | | | |
| In 1986 she formed a church in California | | | | Even with all the critisism, Sylvia Browne |
| named the Society of Novus Spiritus. This | | | | continues to release new books. She still |
| church refers to itself as a Gnostic | | | | has a large fan base of supporters willing to |
| Christian church and follows the traditions | | | | give her money or buy her next book. In the |
| of Christianity. It's interesting to note | | | | end whether or not Sylvia Browne has psychic |
| that satellite churches have been created and | | | | powers or not, one thing is certain, she |
| these smaller churches receive no financial | | | | knows how tell a good story that captures |
| support from Novus. They are also required | | | | people's attention and (maybe wallets). |
| to send money to the headquarters and | | | | |