Who Is Chris Butler, The Elusive Founder Of The Science Of Identity Foundation?

Because Chris Butler is the (somewhat unseen) face of the Science of Identity Foundation, it pays to look at the foundation to try and understand it. According to the Science of Identity Foundation website, it exists to promote how yogic wisdom provides, "practical answers to the personal and social issues of today such as racism, sectarianism, hatred and conflict, fear of death, the causes of crime, how to have a peaceful, progressive society." Their Facebook page discusses "how to add [Kirtan] to your life," which is a, "deep reservoir of all-satisfying waters ... The more you drink from this reservoir, the more your heart will be filled with spiritual love and comfort."

On YouTube we get a glimpse of Butler himself. The foundation's channel contains little clips of Butler speaking about issues tagged with titles like, "Our Natural Function," "The Soul Possesses the Body," and more. Many of the videos of Butler, while posted within the past six months, look like they were recorded more than 30 years ago. Most of Butler's photos, barring the occasional recent photo on another Science of Identity Foundation website, look similarly aged. Old photo examples include Twitter threads and, well, yet another Science of Identity Foundation website. 

Quaint photos and a legion of websites add to the mystery of Chris Butler and his foundation. Is it just a harmless gathering of some white-clad folks on a beach wearing leis around their necks, or is it a for-real cult?