ICSA Member Update
September 2010, Vol. 1, No. 5
News on the activities of ICSA members (in no particular order). Available online: http://icsahome.com/infoserv_respond/news_member.asp
More than 120 people attended ICSA’s September 18-19 conference in Rome, entitled “Cultic Groups in Society: Prevention, Information, and Assistance.” Forty-five speakers discussed a range of topics, including assisting ex-members and families, the special needs of second generation adults (SGAs), trance and cults, legal issues, and how various European countries are responding to the cult phenomenon. Roberto Asquini, an Italian legislator, reported on a novel legislative proposal that focuses on funding for assistance and preventive education, rather than on restrictive laws. ICSA’s collaborators for this conference included: Info-Cult/Info-Secte, Osservatorio Nazionale Abusi Psicologici (ONAP), Sette Religioni e Spiritualità (SRS), and SOS- Abusi Psicologici. The 88-page conference handbook containing abstracts and biographical sketches can be found here: URL: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7wsUBpBPDH5NDQ4MDdiZjktZWQ1OC00ZDFhLWFkZjctNmI4Y2M2YjI0OWRk&hl=en )
ICSA’s 2010 Annual Conference took place July 1-3 at the Doubletree Hotel in Fort Lee, New Jersey – across the Hudson River from New York City. More than 100 ICSA members contributed to the conference as speakers or volunteers. We thank them all for their efforts. A report on the conference, including awards and the Phoenix Project, is in issue 2 of ICSA Today, which should go to press soon. All ICSA members will receive the magazine (Web format for Web-only members). The conference handbook containing abstracts and biographical sketches can be found here: URL: http://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7wsUBpBPDH5NDQ4MDdiZjktZWQ1OC00ZDFhLWFkZjctNmI4Y2M2YjI0OWRk&hl=en )
Raffaella Di Marzio, Cristina Caparesi, Alessandro Pennesi, Mike Kropveld , and Michael Langonepresented a panel, moderated by Jean-Francois Mayer, at the September CESNUR (Center for the Study of New Religious Movements) conference in Turin, Italy. Entitled, “Responses to Harm and NRMs in Europe and North America,” panelists spoke on the following topics:
- Facing the 'Dark Side' of Cults: Balance of Ten Years Experience - Raffaella Di Marzio
- The Helping Process in a Center for Cult Victims - Cristina Caparesi
- Christianity and Alternative Medicine - Alessandro Pennesi
- Cults, NRMs and Related Groups: What Governments are Asked to Do; What Governments Should Consider - Michael Kropveld
- Harm, NRMs, and the Work of the International Cultic Studies Association - Michael Langone
Other ICSA colleagues contributed papers to the CESNUR conference: Lorraine Derocher’s paper, “Childhood in a Sectarian Environment – Challenges of Integration into Society at an Adult Age” was presented by Mike Kropveldbecause Lorraine could not make the conference. Marie-Andree Pelland gave a paper written by Dianne Casoniand her entitled, “From External Conflict to Group Crisis in Canadian New Religious Movements: An Experience of Transformation.”
Our colleagues at Australia’s Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) tell us that a report resulting from an Australian Senate inquiry in June 2010, to which CIFS contributed, recommends changes that CIFS has advocated: “ The Committee recommends that the incoming government should follow the emerging international best practice and work with the Council of Australian Governments to amend legislation governing not-for-profit entities to include a definition and test of 'public benefit'. . . In the discussion of whether detriment should be taken into account when considering whether an organisation would pass a 'public benefit' test for tax concessions, there was discussion of the behaviour of cults. . . It is a matter of concern that allegations of grossly inappropriate behaviour continue to be made, and arouse concern, yet there is no systematic means of dealing with these allegations, especially where no specific criminal offence has been committed. . . The Committee believes that sufficient evidence was put before it to suggest that the behaviour of cults should be reviewed with a view to developing and implementing a policy on this issue that goes beyond taxation law.”
On November 20 th INFORM is conducting a conference at the London School of Economics, “State Reactions to Minority Religions.” Speakers include ICSA director Mike Kropveld and Eileen Barker, head of INFORM. More information: http://www.inform.ac/
Mike Kropveld will also be the featured speaker at an ICSA Special Event in London on November 21 st . Organized by Lois Kendall, this special event is entitled, “Helping People Affected by Cults: What people are doing in the UK and around the world.” For more information: http://icsahome.com/infoserv_respond/event_conferences_workshops.asp#Special_ICSA_Event_
Lorna and Bill Goldberg and Doni Whitsett will contribute to another CIFS conference in Australia in August 2011. We will pass on details as they become available.
Doni Whitsett was quoted extensively in an October 17th story in the Brisbane Times entitled, “In thrall to a cult: how the unwary fall victim to mind control.” She is also working on a virtual social work program at University of Southern California.
Mary Kochan , a senior editor at www.catholicexchange.com, is working on a project about how cults distort members’ ideas about money and what they don’t tell you that you end up learning the hard way after you get out. She is interested in gathering anecdotal information and is especially interested in hearing ex-members’ replies to the following questions:
- What did you used to believe about money that proved to be a distortion/falsehood (reference to actual teaching of your group – and documentation if available -- would be very helpful)?
- What did you find yourself unprepared for when you got out of the cult?
- Was anything a shock to you?
- Were there any cult habits/attitudes that proved harmful to you financially and that you had to overcome (or any that proved advantageous)?
She says that she will keep your confidence and change names/personal details if she publishes anything about this. You can e-mail her at [email protected].
Colleen Russell announces a Family Support Group for families, partners, and friends of a loved one currently involved in a cult or high-demand group. The group will meet the first Tuesday of every month, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in Mill Valley, beginning October 5th. The fee is $45.00 per person or $80.00 for a couple. Also, an on-going Group for Former Members of Cults continues every other Saturday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM in Mill Valley, CA. Call 415-383-7721 or email [email protected] for more information.
Rachel Bernstein is running a support group for ex-members in Los Angeles. The group began on a monthly schedule, but has decided to meet twice monthly. Contact Rachel for more information: [email protected]
John [Paul] Lennon has received his license to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the Board of Counseling of the State of Virginia.
Michael Wolloghan interviewed Diana Pletts on ICSA’s Phoenix Project. The interview was published in the June 2010 issue of The Aussie Skeptic. Subjects covered include the history of the project and how art helps people deal with trauma.
On March 9, 2010 Marybeth Ayella gave a Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education presentation entitled "Cult Fiction: The Laws, Psychology & Behavior of Cults and Extremist Groups."
On October 15 th Michael Langone was the featured speaker at a conference organized by the Florida Community Alliance, “How to Work with Gang Affiliated Youth: Gang Prevention and Intervention.” His talk was entitled, “Gangs or Destructive Cults.”
Lora Brown will speak March 17-19, 2011 at a workshop for Evangelical Ministries to New Religions to be held at Midwestern Theological Bible Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. The name of her workshop is, "The False Teachings of a Psychotherapy Cult: An Autobiography." Her presentation discusses the five years she lived with Anne Stous, radical leader of the "Stous House", an obscure pseudo-psychotherapeutic cult in the heart of Kansas City that came to an end in 1997.
Miguel Perlado says his recent and planned activities include:
- Two TV interviews about cultic phenomena in Spain.
- An interview with a journalist from Discovery Channel about a documentary on cults.
- An interview with a newspaper journalist on TVIND.
- A seminar for mental health professionals on cults – to take place in November.
- The completion of a Spanish newspaper library on cultic groups: www.miguelperlado.com/hemeroteca (the site has articles from 1976 to 2010).
- The completion of an article on cultic influence over children for a mental health journal in Spain (in press).
- Talking about the Spanish cult situation for ICSA’s September conference in Rome.
Nancy Mereska sent us news on Stop Polygamy in Canada:
Stop Polygamy in Canada (SPC) is still going forward with representation in the reference case testing the constitutionality of s. 293 (the law that bans the practice of polygamy in Canada) in the B.C. Supreme Court. Pro bono lawyers are representing the interests of SPC. We have six expert witnesses who will be testifying for our group: Professor Marci Hamilton, Professor Nicholas Bala, Professor Steve Kent, Dr. Susan Stickevers, Laura Chapman, and Mr. John Llewellyn. The trial is scheduled to start November 22, 2010. Those arguing that s. 293 is unconstitutional have once again had their deadline for filed affidavits/evidence changed. They are now due by October 15th. His Lordship Chief Justice Robert Bauman is allowing the members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to file anonymous affidavits, use pseudonyms, and have their identities hidden from the public in the open court room. Please see the 23-page document outlining his reasons for allowing this atwww.stoppolygamyincanada.wordpress.com under right side bar “court documents.” The late filing of these documents may cause the trial to be postponed to another date. We don’t know yet.
I had the pleasure of meeting with the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Council of Muslim Women recently. Many Muslim women in Canada do not know their rights; and, there is Muslim polygamy in Canada. Ironically, the first group to invite me out to speak is a local chapter of the Knights of Columbus (a group of men!).
Stop Polygamy in Canada has graduated from being a “recognized group” for the purposes of the reference trial to electing a Board of Directors. They are Nancy Mereska, President; Dr. Susan Belcher, Vice President; Mr. Sandy McIntosh, Secretary; and, Mr. Yehia El-Nahaas, treasurer. There are four members-at-large.
Raffaella Di Marzio has contributed a chapter, “La Missione-Luigia Paparelli,” in a new book, Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices, 6 vol., ABC-Clio, Santa Barbara (California) J. Gordon Melton and Martin Baumann, Editors, vol. IV, pp. 1918-1919.
Tim Dunfield and Robin Willey, who presented at ICSA’s New York conference, recently finished a paper on Obama and the Christian Left in American Politics. They contrasted Obama's policies with those of George Bush Jr and the Christian Right. The Institute for American Studies at the University of Alberta is publishing the article in the fall.