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Seeing with the Eyes of Scripture
David Greensberg answers Subhadra-mayi dd

The sankirtan movement is the entrance into the transcendental realm. The activities of the participants are transcendental, even if they are not purely motivated. This is the special benediction of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The pastimes of Sri Caitanya are non-different then the pastimes of Sri Radha Krsna. This is the reality, although at first the desire of the participants may not be completely pure, through participation in the sankirtan yajna, one destroys one’s material desires.

The sastra describes free will as being minute, or limited. We are all following the path that we are being led on by God. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krsna states "I am directing the wanderings of all living entities." As Paramatma, God is leading us on a path of purification. To the enlightened devotee everything is part of that reality. There is no other influence.

Our Reputation: We Have Free Will
Subhadra-mayi dd answers David Greensberg

I know that everything is under Krishna's control. I don't doubt that. But we also have free will. We are supposed to engage in devotional service to please Krishna.

But a lot goes on in the name of devotional service that doesn't have anything to do with Krishna consciousness. And consider for yourself. Doesn't Krishna have a choice in whether he considers something to be of high quality or low quality devotional service? Or even that it’s not devotional service at all?

Our Reputation: 
The Victory is Decided
David Greensberg answers Subhadra-mayi dd 

On video, you can see, one of the last times Srila Prabhupada was speaking, before he left this world, he says, "Everything is going on by the will of God. This consciousness is Krsna consciousness." The Bhagavad-Gita confirms this, "Everyone follows my path in all respects."

There is the illusory energy of the Lord, known as Maha-Maya. It causes the conditioned soul to perceive the actions going on in this world to be separate from the control of God. This is not the fact. Arjuna complained to Sri Krsna, "Why should I fight? The conclusion has already been arranged. Why can I not go away and immerse myself in self-realization?"

Response to "Our Reputation"
Subhadra-mayi dd 
answers David Greensberg

Dear David,

You say in your letter, "What may appear to be negative attacks or injurious behavior by some devotees is in fact part of the plan of the Personality of Godhead." I'm sorry to say it so bluntly, but that sounds like shoving the blame on Krishna's back.

The reason why there are negative attacks or injurious behavior is that we are not following Prabhupada's instructions. If we all would act as Vaishnavas, genuinely taking care of each, protecting each other, no one would have any reason to complain or turn against ISKCON. There wouldn't be any court cases either.

You also say that we learn from our mistakes. I read somewhere that one thing man learns from history is that man doesn't learn from history. Be part of the solution, but don't say it's all Krishna's plan. I'm sure Krishna isn't much pleased with the things that happened in the past, or present, for that matter.

Your servant,
Subhadra-mayi dd

Our Reputation
David Greensberg answers 
Bhakta Jason Pearson

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Krsna says, "Everyone follows my path in all respects," and that the enlightened sage sees everything equally— everywhere he looks, he sees the work of the Personality of Godhead. This is Krsna consciousness: seeing Krsna everywhere. Isvara parama Krsna— God is in control.

This includes everything. There is nothing that is not going on under the control and direction of the Personality of Godhead. The media, as much as it may pain you, also falls into this category.

What’s Happening 
to Our Reputation?
From: Bhakta Jason Pearson

Hare Krsna,

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to His Holiness Tamal Krsna Goswami Maharaja!

First I would like to offer my sincerest obeisance to all the devotees working so hard to carry out the wishes of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, our greatest instructor. I understand that it's been a long and hard road in certain respects for the population at large to understand the purpose of Lord Caitanya's mission, and even harder for people to see ISKCON's work as one arm of Mahaprabhu's extended endeavors.

I see ISKCON as Srila Prabhupada's means to reach out to others, a vehicle he created to spread the teachings of his guru maharaja and all in our parampara before him. This vehicle (ISKCON) has done so much good for people (though often under-appreciated and under-exposed) and unfortunately has caused some problems too. That is to say that ISKCON as an organized and governed entity has been subject to internal and external struggles and controversy.