SGI members twist their minds into a grotesque pretzel

"SGI is the bastion of anti-authoritarianism" -- Daisaku Ikeda  

and

"SGI is the jewel of Buddhist democracy"-- Daisaku Ikeda

Still, the members assert that Daisaku Ikeda speaks honest words, truthful words. They twist their minds into a grotesque pretzel to come to this conclusion. Is it brainwashing, wishful thinking, or something else?