Press Release International Conference in Montreal Brings Together Experts on Cults, Psychological Abuse, and New Religious Movements

by Dogpatch 5 Replies latest jw friends

  • Dogpatch
    Dogpatch

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact Michael Kropveld (1-514-274-2333;
    [email protected]) or Michael Langone (1-239-514-3081;
    [email protected])

    Ever since the 1978 mass murder-suicides at Jonestown in the jungles
    of Guyana, when nearly 1000 people died, cults have periodically made
    front-page news. Aum Shinrikyo’s release of sarin gas in the Tokyo
    subway and the murder-suicides of Solar Temple members in Switzerland,
    France, and Canada are two other well-known tragedies that captured
    the media’s attention.

    These are striking examples of cult-related harm. Many people do not
    realize, however, that there are thousands of mostly small high-demand
    groups, some of which psychologically and/or physically damage members
    and families.

    The researchers, mental health care professionals, families, former
    members, and others who will be coming to Montreal for the annual
    conference of the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
    share a common concern about group-related abuse. The conference is
    open to the public and will take place from July 5-7. It is organized
    jointly with Info-Cult/Info-Secte in collaboration with the Université
    de Montréal, The International Centre for Comparative Criminology
    (ICCC) of the Université de Montréal, and l’Association québécoise
    Plaidoyer-Victimes.

    Lorna Goldberg, President of ICSA, says that “the goals of ICSA’s
    annual conference are to help victims and families, provide training
    and support for helping professionals, and bring researchers together
    to improve understanding of the phenomenon.”

    Attorney Carolle Tremblay, President of Info-Cult/Info-Secte, says,
    “We eagerly collaborate with ICSA on bringing this important
    conference to Montreal for the first time. Since researchers consider
    the province of Quebec to be fertile ground for alternative groups and
    movements, we hope that many educators, mental health professionals,
    and others come to the conference to learn more about this intriguing
    phenomenon.”

    This year’s conference will offer special sessions for former group
    members and families, and will feature presentations in English or
    French by more than 100 speakers from 16 countries on 5 continents.

    Here are titles of some of the English sessions:

    • "By their fruits ye shall know them” - perhaps: how good and bad
    works can deceive - the case of the Legion of Christ
    • Constructive activism: what can I do?
    • Manipulation and victimization by the Exclusive Brethren:
    conceptual, legal, historical, and psychological issues
    • A practical approach for law enforcement when dealing with cultic
    groups
    • Recovering your sexual self after the cult
    • From perception to reality: the case of ISKCON [“Hare Krishna”] in
    Belgium
    • Spiritual manipulation in pseudo-Christian cults: a panel discussion
    with former members
    • The neurobiology of belief
    • Teen Mania: exploitation in a teen cult?
    • The popularity of Christian evangelical patriarchy in the US and the
    resultant vilification and abuse of women and children
    • Listening to the still small voice: reclaiming the self after
    leaving religious totalistic groups
    • Cult-induced ecstasies, dissociation, and psychosis
    • Healing the rift between ex-cult member parents and their second
    generation adult children (SGAs)
    • The case of freedom of belief vs. freedom of speech
    • The guru pedophile unmasked
    • An indirect cult experience in psychotherapy

    Here are the titles of some of the French sessions:

    • La dynamique des croyances
    • Les sectes et nos enfants : pistes pour une liberté religieuse
    responsable
    • Discours sur le châtiment corporel des enfants chez les protestants
    conservateurs québécois francophones : l’influence des différences
    générationnelles
    • Victimes de crime d’honneur : entre religion, culture et tradition
    • L’isolement social : une situation pouvant justifier une
    intervention en matière de protection de l’enfance en milieu religieux
    fermé
    • Criminalisation de l'abus de faiblesse
    • Intégrisme religieux entre manipulation et victimisation
    • Comprendre l'expérience de la polygamie

    The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centre
    Ville Downtown.

    For information on how to register :
    http://infosect.freeshell.org/infocult/flyer_Montreal_Tourist_etc_English.pdf
    or contact Info-Cult/Info-Secte at 1-514-274-2333 or at
    [email protected].

    Journalists interested in arranging interviews should contact Mike
    Kropveld, Executive Director of Info-Cult/Info-Secte: 1-514-274-2333;
    [email protected].

  • Refriedtruth
    Refriedtruth

    Good to go bravo

  • yalbmert99
    yalbmert99

    Seems nice, just be careful for those who want to go, there might be some cult apologists who will be there.

  • yalbmert99
    yalbmert99

    They spoke of it in the news in Quebec(Canada)

    http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/societe/2012/07/05/003-congres-sectes-montreal.shtml

    "Jusqu'à samedi, Montréal accueille un congrès international sur le phénomène des sectes. L'objectif de ces rencontres est de mieux comprendre et susciter le débat sur les raisons qui peuvent conduire une personne à intégrer un tel mouvement. L'International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), l'un des plus grands organismes professionnels dans le domaine, organise ce congrès avec l'association Info-Secte. Des chercheurs ainsi que des membres et ex-membres de mouvements sectaires participent à des ateliers de discussion. « Le but du congrès est d'encourager des débats, mais en même temps de reconnaître que des gens sont victimisés [sic] à cause d'une expérience dans certains mouvements », a expliqué le directeur général d'Info-Secte, Mike Kropveld. L'association, basée à Montréal, tenait depuis longtemps à ce que ce congrès se tienne dans la métropole québécoise. Des tables rondes sont organisées, en français et en anglais. Le Centre international de criminologie comparée (CICC) de l'Université de Montréal tient également un colloque intitulé Manipulation et victimisation en contexte religieux : connaissances et controverses. Info-Secte, une organisation montréalaise Fondée en 1980 à Montréal, l'association Info-Secte a pour but de promouvoir l'étude des phénomènes sectaires, de sensibiliser, informer et éduquer la population à ces phénomènes. L'organisation se fixe également comme but de venir en aide aux personnes qui ont été victimes d'abus à la suite de leur adhésion."

  • AndersonsInfo
    AndersonsInfo

    Our very own Lady Lee or Lee Marsh is attending and will be a speaker. Go Lee, go!

    Barbara

  • Dogpatch
    Dogpatch

    Yes, she'll be writing a report that we will soon have. I got bored at these sometimes and doodled comics from the panel speakers, Each with theiw own quirks . .even Margaret singer (but I loved that woman.

    Cynthia Kisser, one of the leaders of the old CAN, used to be mocked mercilessly by Scientology. The Sci-nuts bankrupted us and purchased the entire mailing list from the judge in court procedings to help pay for the bankruptcy! Thousands of people. It would be like selling off Simon's entire registry to the Watchtower, and then them setting yourself up as the new CAN (Cult Awareness Network). It is tough back then.

    Randy

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