The Cult Observer is published ten times each year by the American Family Foundation, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, FL 33959. (212) 249-7693. Subscriptions. Contributors of $30 or more to AFF ($42 outside North America – in U.S. dollars only) will receive The Cult Observer, Young People and Cults, and the AFF Annual Report for one year. AFF is a research and educational organization founded in 1979 to assist cult victims and their families through the study of cultic groups and unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control. AFF shares its findings with professionals, the general public, and those needing help with cultic involvements. AFF's staff works with more than one hundred professionals volunteering their time to AFF's Research Advisory Committee, professional education committees, Victim Assistance Committee, and more than a dozen study groups. AFF volunteer professionals include educators, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, sociologists, attorneys, clergy, business executives, journalists, law enforcement officials, college and university administrators, scientists, and others. AFF is supported solely by tax-deductible contributions. THE CULT OBSERVER Vol. 10 No. 9 1993 ISSN 0892-340X Editor R.E. Schecter Editorial Board Lois Bell Michael Kropveld Eugene H. Methvin Herbert L. Rosedale, Esq. Marcia R. Rudin Cult Education Lesson Plan for Schools Too Good to be True: Resisting Cults and Psychological Manipulation, a new lesson plan about cults, psychological manipulation, and occult rituals for use in middle schools, high schools, churches, and synagogues is now available for purchase from the International Cult Education Program (ICEP). Too Good to be True, designed for three to five class sessions, is an effective way to teach middle and high school students about cults and the pressure and manipulation recruiters use to get people to join groups and stay in them, how to recognize mind control and psychological manipulation, and how to develop critical-thinking skills in order to resist them. It consists of the following components available in different combinations and priced according to the option chosen: 1) a 30-page student text; 2) an 11-page teacher's guide; 3) Cults & Mind Control, a 6-page handout for students; 4) Cults: Questions & Answers, a 13-page pamphlet; 5) “Cults: Saying No Under Pressure,” a 29-minute videotape developed by ICEP and the National Association of Secondary School Principals' InService Video Network and narrated by Charlton Heston. Sales Options and Prices Option 1 — one student text, one teacher's guide, one copy Cults & Mind Control: $16.00, $4.00 postage and handling ($6.00 postage and handling for Canadian and overseas orders) Total: $20.00 ($22 for Canadian and overseas orders) Option 2 — one student text, one teacher's guide, one copy Cults & Mind Control, one copy Cults: Questions & Answers: $18.00, $4.00 postage and handling ($6.00 postage and handling for Canadian and overseas orders) Total: $22.00 ($24 for Canadian and overseas orders) Option 3 — one student text, one teacher's guide, one copy Cults & Mind Control, one copy “Cults: Saying No Under Pressure:” $76.00 ($4.00 postage and handling ($6.00 postage and handling for Canadian and overseas orders) Total: $80.00 ($82 for Canadian and overseas orders) Option 4 — one student text, one teacher's guide, one copy Cults & Mind Control, one copy Cults: Questions and Answers, one copy “Cults: Saying No Under Pressure:” $78.00 ($4.00 postage and handling ($6.00 postage and handling for Canadian and overseas orders) Total: $82.00 ($84 for Canadian and overseas orders) American Family Foundation financial supporters may subtract $2.00 from the price of each option. Additional copies of the materials may be purchased. For further information or to obtain an order form, contact International Cult Education Program, P.O. Box 1232, Gracie Station, New York, NY10028, 212-439-1550. Forwarding Address Requested American Family Foundation P.O. Box 2265 Bonita Springs, FL 33959 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 69 Bonita Springs, FL 33959 PROFESSIONAL PROFILES American Family Foundation News American Family Foundation committee members, and others who are vital to AFF's research, information, and education functions, will learn of one another's recent activities in this column. Of course, much more work occurs than is reported to us. We'll try to relate the news in the order we receive it. A M E R I C A N F A M I L Y F O U N D A T I O N A Review of Press Reports on Cultism and Unethical Social Influence The Nassau County (NY) Commission on Hu- man Rights made a determination in October involving a cult-related company that promises to protect large numbers of employees against potential religious discrimination. The commission found probable cause for religious discrimination to exist where Maryann Slutsky and Karen Friel, two employees of a physical therapy firm then known as Manhasset Pediatric Rehabilitation and now known as Long Island Pediatric and Adult Therapy Center, were discharged by their employer for refusing to take training courses given by Sterling Management Systems. The employees claimed that the courses given contained religious material of the Church of Scientology and that requirements that they study the material and use it in their work as a condition of their employment violated their religious freedom. Herbert L. Rosedale, president of the American Family Foundation [publisher of The Cult Observer], who served as attorney for the complainants, said, “This is a very important decision for the protection of the religious freedom of thousands of employees. Sterling Management Systems and related companies inculcate the doctrines of the Church of Scientology; protection of employes' rights throughout the country to resist religious indoctrination and solicitation of membership in another church has been greatly advanced by this decision. To my knowledge this is a ground-breaking precedent and one which should be followed throughout the country.” The American Family Foundation, founded in 1979, is a not-for-profit organization of professionals which conducts research about cults and psychological manipulations, educates the public on these issues, and provides assistance to former cult members and their families. (Cult Observer Report) Protection Against Cultic Influence in the Workplace Drowned While Meditating An Australian woman has described how her best friend drowned in 1991 during an underwater meditation session. Queenslander Janina Jacobson says Dayle Reynolds, a devotee of New Age healing techniques, was conducting a relaxation class for pregnant women at the time. The man who taught the dead woman breath control for the relief of pain during child birth, says he underwater experiments was uniquely personal and had nothing to do with rebirthing technique he taught. Ms. Reynolds' former de facto husband blamed her obsession with meditation for the end of their four-year love affair. A government medical officer said he believed Ms. Reynolds had lost consciousness hyperventilating, and drowned. Another story from of Australia tells of a 34-year-old woman, who starved to death, under the influence of the leader of the Gospel Truth Fellowship, a credit card salesman, allegedly while trying to “starve the devil” out of her body. Sharon Kovac, who had suffered for years form lupus, would have lived, nonetheless, if she had taken her medication, according to her father. Yet another story relates how Ralph Volmer, said to be a deeply Devout husband, brought in a religious cult to exorcise the demons he said possessed his wife, who had been receiving psychiatric treatment following a breakdown. A three-day vigil was allegedly kept over the “possesses” wife and a phone link support system was maintained with other cult followers around the country. The exorcist, from Melbourne, proceeded on his arrival to wrap the house in plastic to provide a shield against evil. Ralph Volmer reportedly said, “There was a great noise of hissing and screaming as we forced open her mouth to let the demons out. As the noise died down I looked at her eyes and I saw the light leaving them.” Members of the group said Mrs. Volmer would rise from the dead. At the graveside, her husband said, “She has gone to heaven. Maybe she didn't want to come back because it was so beautiful up there. Her place is secure. She is with the Lord.” (From “Bizarre.” New Idea, Melbourne, 2/27/93) “Captive Hearts, Captive Minds” I n the newly published Captive Hearts, Captive Minds, authors Madeleine Landau Tobias and Janja Lalich address issues of recovery and re‰ntry for those who have been in cults, cult-like groups, or relationships with ultra-authoritarian individuals. Carol Giambalvo, author of Exit Counseling: A Family Intervention, has said, “This comprehensive book takes the former cult member through all the necessary healing stages—from understanding the effects of mind control and cult involvement to taking positive steps toward a healthy, balanced recovery . . . I highly recommend this book, which respects the strength, courage, dignity, and intelligence of former cult members.” The book deals with common traits of the charismatic leader; working through feelings of grief, shame; helplessness, betrayal, and fear; dealing with the effects of trauma, such as “floating,” dissociation, nightmares and self-blame; reestablishing relationships with family and friends; the special needs of those born and raised in cults; accounts of ex-members who share their experiences through the healing process; guidelines for the mental health professional. Madeleine Tobia is a therapist who specializes in treating trauma survivors and has counseled over 200 victims of restrictive groups or relation-ships. She spent 14 years in eastern and psycho-therapy cults, and is now active in cult education. Janja Lalich was in a political cult for 10 years and is co-coordinator of the Bay Area support group for former cult members (FOCUS). Both authors are members of advisory committees of the American Family Foundation (publisher of The Cult Observer). The volume is from Hunter House Publishers of Alameda, California. Recognizing Healthful Leaders Maxine Pinson Ienjoyed playing Follow the Leader and Simon Says as a child. But in real life, following a false lead- er or an unhealthy Simon is deadly. Fifteen years ago, a trusting group of men, women, and children followed their leader, the Reverend Jim Jones, to Guyana in South America; it was the last journey they ever took. On November 18, 1978, six days before Thanksgiving, the group enacted a version of Simon Says. Jim Jones played Simon. He instructed his devotees to drink a cyanide-laced purple drink dipped from a community vat; it was the last thing “his children” ever swallowed. Even the colony's pet gorilla died. Jim Jones established his rule upon a false basis of authority. True authority is not inherited with a position or a title. Rather, true authority is authoritative; postured or pseudo-authority is authoritarian. An authoritative leader receives the loyalty of his group naturally; his followers desire serving their leader because he serves them. An authoritarian leader demands group loyalty by focusing on submission, obedience, and disciplinary action for anyone who does not comply. An authoritarian leader not only wants to be served by others, but expects their servitude. If Jim Jones's followers had discerned between authentic and false authority, the Jonestown tragedy would have been prevented. T he ritualistic mass suicide at Jonestown presents a ghastly reality. Yet, passive suicide takes place whenever a false leader is followed, and the ensuing emotional or spiritual death is just as horrendous. Association with some individuals or groups contributes to and nurtures one's personal growth; others stifle it. We must learn, and we must teach our children, to distinguish between the two. To parents, talking with our children about involvement in unhealthy relationships and succumbing to peer pressure is imperative. Yet, how do we, as adults, respond when confronted with peer pressure—social, business, political, religious? Who are the leaders we follow? Who are the Simons we obey? Jim Jones, called Dad by the members of Peoples Temple, moved his following to Guyana to isolate them from the influence of the outside world. The continuation of his totalitarian rule was dependent upon his escape from external accountability and scrutiny. Just as Emerald City first appeared impressive to Dorothy, Jonestown initially impressed Congressman Leo Ryan, in spite of his skepticism. Yet, Jim Jones, like the Wizard of Oz, was only a man hiding behind a mask of power—a very sick man. Congressman Ryan's attempt to expose Jim Jones and his cultic group cost Ryan his life. Once the facade of Jonestown was unveiled, self-imposed mass suicide ensued. Jonestown: a white-washed tomb transported to another continent—a purple drink—human carnage in a jungle. Wrong may run, but it cannot hide; at least, not forever. Jim Jones will be cited always as a heinous example of how a false leader can bend the minds of his followers with a diabolic blend of professed altruism, pseudo-spirituality, and psychological tyranny. Since we are not all called to be leaders, how does one determine which leaders should be followed? Which authority figures need to be questioned, confronted, or avoided? Authentic leaders demonstrate authority and credibility by the congruence of their message with the life they lead. If there is a discrepancy between the message one speaks and the life he leads, the actions reflect the truth and serve as a gauge for the message's authenticity. Leaders are more accountable because of their position of authority, not less accountable. Real leaders do not neglect the real needs of real people for the sake of personal or hidden agendas. Maxine Pinson, once a member of a destructive, authoritarian church group, is publisher/editor of Savannah Parent magazine, in Savannah, Georgia. “Fifteen years ago, a trusting group of men, women, and children followed their leader, the Reverend Jim Jones, to Guyana in South America.” Josep Maria Jansa (M.D., University of Bar- celona) was in his last year of medical school in his native city when a volunteer from Pro Juventud, the Spanish grass roots organization similar to the Cult Awareness Network in the U.S., asked if he would join them to help cult victims. He attended his first cult-related conference in 1983, got involved with other professionals in an “intervention” (exit counseling), and “began to learn.” Casting his lot with their effort, he helped to form CROAS, a small association of helping professionals which, under a contract type of relationship, provides assessment and treatment services for AIS (the new name for Pro Juventud). AIS gets monetary support (about 50% of its annual expenditures) from the Catalan provincial government, and a bit from the Barcelona City Council, as well. Dr. Jansa reports that their system works well, enabling them to do research, provide public information, and present programs of various kinds in addition to their helping cult affected families. Indeed, CROAS offers a “practicum”—a sort of internship—for psychology and sociology students at the university. Like his counterparts in other countries, Dr. Jansa has had to face attacks from cults, including lawsuits. Scientology recently demanded that the board of registration in medicine expel him for his activities. The board refused, and now Dr. Jansa has asked the very medical committee that judged his activities to pass a resolution condemning cults. The main problem for him and CROAS, as Dr. Jansa sees it, is the isolation they feel because there are so few fellow Spanish professionals in the field. They have no way to check their work, he says, adding that this makes their connection to AFF that much more important. Readers will recall that Dr. Jansa established links with AFF in the mid-'80s when he and two colleagues, social worker Enriqu‚ Sagnier Sagues and psychologist Alvaro Rodriguez, spent almost three months observing AFF's educational and research work and studying clinical applications with Drs. John Clark and Michael Langone, and The Rev. Roger Daly, at AFF's offices. Like AFF in the U.S., CROAS and Dr. Jansa are trying hard, through research publications and professional presentations, to gain credibility in academic and professional circles in Spain Note, finally, that in the midst of his cult-related work, Dr. Jansa, in his capacity as an epidemiologist for the Barcelona Department of Health, recently travelled to Bosnia as part of a humanitarian group assessing the situation in Mostar. He calls that situation terrible. Manhattan Guru Called Cultic Former students of Tilak, a Sri Lankan guru on the west side of Manhattan with a devoted following of some thirty painters, writers, real-estate brokers, psychologists, administrative assistants, indeed, a wide variety of educated and professional people—say he is a spiritual charlatan who uses hypnotic techniques and mind control to sustain a group whose sole purpose is to exalt him. They say that he has had sex with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of female students; that his “explosions of light”—beacons on the path of enlightenment— experienced in his therapy are mere magic tricks, and that he wrings hundreds of thousands of dollars from students while keeping a cash-filled briefcase at the ready for frequent trips to Atlantic City. Tilak's “sessions,” lasting 90 seconds and costing $100, consist of the student lying on a bed with his eyes closed while Tilak blows on to the student's face in a flurry of loud, short breaths; the students see first a small, steady light, then flashing lights. For $1100, Tilak conducts “intensives,” which can last through the night. He has followers all over the country and has given thousands of sessions. (It all began in his native country when this son of a physics professor was hit by a bus and began, he says, to emanate a special energy and was sought out as a mystic and healer.) His inner circle of followers has worked hard to promote him throughout the country and he frequently tours, courting new followers. Former Rajneesh follower Swami Virato (Joseph Banks), publisher of New Frontier magazine, says about Tilak—who he says is adept at performing siddhis, feats combining physiological and psychological processes to produce paranormal results—“when you have those abilities and mix them with fraud or sleight of hand, you have a very powerful package.” Despite their variety, Tilak's typical student is a vulnerable woman, often with a psychological or physical ailment, an addiction, or a history of abuse. “He finds your emotional hook,” says a former student, “and then it doesn't matter how intelligent a person is.” To one student, a masseuse, Tilak explained that his sex with her was really “a sacred transmission of the light.” The masseuse tracked down other women who had left Tilak and found that he had told them what each wanted to hear: that sex with Tilak would make her attractive to other men; or that sex with Tilak would heal the scars of an abusive past; or that sex with Tilak was the way to achieve enlightenment. Although a number of close lieutenants have become disillusioned and forsaken him, Tilak carries on, filling their places with new devotees. (From “The Cult of Tilak,” by Stephen J. Dubner, New York, 6/22/93, 33-39) Soka Gakkai's Appeal to American Blacks The special appeal of the Soka Gakkai Buddhist group to American blacks—who participate at a high rate in the group (according to Turning Wheel, Spring 1993)—is an exception to the largely white, middle-class involvement in Eastern Religions and the New Age Movement in North America. Interviewed about their attraction to the group, a number of African-American members speak about self-empower-ment. Soka Gakkai, which is known for its use of chanting to achieve desired goals and “Buddha-hood,” is said to teach that through dialogue, divisions in society based on racial and other differences can be bridged. One said, “. . . Buddhism gave me a sense of power that I could make a difference, and I know that in jobs and other situations where I felt people were doing things to me because I was black, if I chanted enough, I had the power to change things.” Said another, “Why does Soka Gakkai attract people of color? I think race is still the most polarizing issue in this society. People hear 'race,' [and] they jump on both sides of the issue right away; but we in the SGI [Soka Gakkai International] don't focus on the problems, because we're always offering solutions. I think it's appealing to people of color because it gives them a sense of hope.” (From Religion Watch, North Bellmore, NY, July/August 1993, 3-4) Scientology Book in Schools The Way to Happiness has become a widely used textbook on moral values, although many teachers are surprised to learn that the text is published by the Church of Scientology. The book, which has been used by an estimated 6.8 million pupils in 7,000 U.S. schools, teaches uncontroversial moral teachings mixed with some Scientology doctrine, such as the view that the “truth is what is true for you.” Although most of the controversial church teachings are absent from the book, critics charge that the church is trying to proselytize the schools through its distribution. (From Newsweek, 6/14/93, 76) U. S. Counseling Group's Scientolgy Roots ABelgian study group on psychotherapy cults reports that Re-Evaluation Counseling's founder Harvey Jackins organized a business in 1952 named Personal Counselors Inc. in order “to engage in, conduct and teach the art and science of Dianetics [the Scientology philosophy], that the organization was in fact first known as The Dianetics Institute of Seattle, and that Jackins engaged in “the full-time practice of Dianetics.” Although he is said to have been a member of the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation [Hubbard founded Scientology and developed Dianetics], he never voluntarily referred to the roots of his work. In 1965, he was claiming that “accidental circumstances” had led him to the discovery of the counseling technique which he once attributed to Hubbard's Dianetics. The report's authors believe that Jackins has turned his organization [apparently operating exclusively in the U.S.] into an authoritarian and abusive cult. Allegedly, many members know this but are afraid to speak out because of Jackins's tendency to eliminate anyone who challenges him. He has assumed the title of “International Reference Person” and considers himself infallible. It is widely believed that Jackins has seduced literally hundreds of female clients during his career; many participants of his workshops are said to have noticed that he generally selects pretty young women to work with in front of the group in public “demonstrations.” After his client has given a display of the RC techniques, he directs her to say to him that she loves him and wants to be close to him. Ostensibly this direction to the woman is intended to “contradict her pattern of isolation.” Those who voice concern are excommunicated, leaving only true believers, thus, says the report, moving the organization further into unhealthy cultism. (FAIR NEWS [Family Action, Information and Rescue, London], Summer 1993, 7-8) Israeli Recruited by Moonies in U.S. “Moonstruck,” tells the story of Raz Chen Hirschfield, a 22-year-old Israeli backpacking around the United States earlier this year who told a friend in New York City that he had decided to postpone his trip to Chicago in order to take a three-week course about philosophical ideas, with young people working to make the world a better place. The group turned out to be the Unification Church's CARP (the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles). As he later told about it, Raz's involvement was apparently an example of a classic Moonie recruitment, involving much personal attention, the promise of achieving idealistic social goals within a loving family—Raz's parents had both died of cancer seven years earlier—and a studied program of psycho-logical manipulation. The friend, concerned about what he thought was Raz's growing Moonie mind-set, called the new devotee's sister in Israel, and after she and her husband did a crash course on cultism and the Unification Church, they flew to America, accompanied by Danny Ben-Zvi, Raz's high school math teacher, and in California met up with Evelyn Einstein, a deprogrammer (and the granddaughter of Albert Einstein). Albeit reluctantly, the camp directors bowed to the adamant demands of Raz's sister Pazit, and Ben-Zvi, and brought Raz forward to see his visitors. They persuaded him to join them for a ride to the city and brought him to a restaurant where he spent two hours in an educational session about the Unification Church with Einstein, and then continued the process—voluntarily, all parties agree—at a motel, where visiting ex-Moonies came to speak with him, as well. By the end of the first night, Raz says he realized “something really stank, and I had made a mistake.” Now back at his home kibbutz, Raz is deciding whether to continue his travels and wanting to help the people he met at the Moonie camp, or people like them. “The people I met were solid gold,” he says. “They did all these things because they believed. “How could they know it was all organized by a man in South Korea who has an M-16 factory? How could they know that they sell flowers and the money goes into his pocket.” (From “Moonstruck,” by Carl Schrag, The Jerusalem Post [International Edition], 7/31/93) Scientology Is Surviving Its Founder Claims that cult movement founders do not remain, after death, vitally important to members are given the lie by Scientology, which apparently continues to venerate and use founder L. Ron Hubbard's charisma. This can be seen in a recent Scientology magazine spread concerning the celebration of Hubbard's birthday “in 341 cities” around the world, and shows a picture of Ron Hubbard with an enormous candle-studded birthday cake. David Miscavige, considered by many to be Hubbard's successor, presided over the birthday celebrations on March 13th. “This year, once again,” the paper reports, “Ron received more awards on his birthday than ever in history. In the United States alone, proclamations and awards were received from every area of the country. In total, he received recognitions this year with 'L. Ron Hubbard Days' from 32 states across the country.” The whole back page is taken up by a letter, dated 1983 (!) “from Ron with love”, thanking the faithful for their good wishes on his birthday and encouraging them to take up the legacy of this “tech” [nology for living]. A newcomer to the scene would in no way suspect that Hubbard had actually died in 1986. He is presented very much as being still alive and as still influencing in person what is happening in Scientology. (FAIR NEWS, Summer 1993, 8-9) Sahaja Yoga Various European countries' handling of cases involving children of parents in the group is encouraging. A three-page report from a Belgian contact tells about a eight children, from France, Germany, and Switzerland, who have been taken from or stopped from going to Sahaja schools, which isolate children from parents beginning at age six. In the most publicized case, the grandparents of a French child fought hard by legal means to retrieve Yoann Durant from the unrestricted influence of the group. Resolution on “Cults and Sects” The International Humanist and Ethical Union, at its Board meeting in Berlin in July, accepted a draft resolution expressing its “grave concern about the growth of destructive cults and sects throughout the world. “Noting the authoritarian ideology of these groups, their aims of economic benefit and power, and their recruiting programs, targeting young people; condemning their methods of mental manipulation, which can be characterized as “brain washing;” and detesting the physical and sexual utilization of manipulated victims which take place in many of these groups, the IHEU regard the operations and methods of such cults and sects as violating human rights and rights of freedom; the IHEU, therefore, calls on national governments to investigate the activities of cults and sects, to examine the condition and symptoms of their victims, and to report to the UN and its organizations in order to initiate condemnation. [The IHEU] appeals to the world governments to take actions against mental manipulation which is harmful to people's integrity, calls on the educational authorities to create preventative educational programs, and encourages health and social personnel to contact voluntary organizations for information about the profiles and methods of local destructive cults and sects. (From Professor Kari Vigeland of the University of Oslo [Norway] who drafted the resolution.) COG Prays for Scientology A Children of God [The Family] prayer list issued in August, 1992 asks members to pray for “our friends in Scientology, a group which fights openly for religious freedom and against the anti-cult organizations, who have been supplying us with needed resource materials; that the Lord will bless them for their help and that we will be able to continue to have good rapport with them.” ( FAIR NEWS, Summer 1993, 5) London Church of Christ The London Church of Christ has come under much critical media scrutiny since the Waco disaster, and the National Union of Students is mounting a campaign against the use of University facilities by cults and religious sects, especially the fast-growing LCC. Keele University took the controversial step of renting facilities to the group for its annual conference, despite the fact that the LCC has been banned from some universities and colleges. A Keele University spokesman said that the university received complaints from students, but there was nothing that could be done because the school could not simply opt out of the contract. (FAIR NEWS, Summer 1993, 5-6) T he following letter, dated October 1993, was written by Herbert L. Rosedale, a New York City attorney and President of the American Family Foundation, publisher of The Cult Observer, to Andrew P. Bacus, a New York City attorney, who represents the Unification Church. A number of Cult Observer readers may have received copies of Mr. Bacus' letters to Mr. Rosedale. Since the identities of those who may have received these copies have been withheld from Mr. Rosedale, he has not been able to communicate with them. Mr. Rosedale says “Mr. Bacus' letters contain scurrilous and libelous accusations that various people were guilty of criminal activities, although none had ever been convicted of any crime. I thought that there might be some interest among those of you who have received Mr. Bacus' unsolicited communications in reading my final letter to him.” Dear Mr. Bacus: Good-bye Andy. Iread your last letter and have come to the conclusion again that further communication with you is a waste of time. Obviously, you are a victim of that narrowing of thought processes that precludes civilized discourse. Your inability to comprehend the accepted meanings of words contained in the English language sufficient to respond to my inquiries makes it fruitless to reiterate them. Your blatant use of inaccurate material demonstrates your continued commitment to the doctrine of heavenly deception long held by members of the Unification Church. Your arrogance bespeaks the overriding irrationality of a true believer. Before you take up any more of my time, I suggest that you read Dostoyevsky (whose parallel to your actions was first pointed out to me by a Russian defector from the Unification Church), Orwell, Koestler, and more particularly Dusty Sklar, whose work comparing the Unification Church doctrine with Nazi totalitarianism is most appropriate in the light of the Unification Church's support for European right wing extremists and the recent attack by such extremists on black members of an American Olympic team in Germany. The best answer to all of your letters is the people waiting to talk to me about counseling and legal problems involved in leaving the Unification Church. I will not take another minute away from them to write to you. If, however, you want to reserve a place in the line, I will be glad to talk with you after your mind is opened. Before we do so, however, it would profit you to read Recovery From Cults, edited by Michael Langone and published by W. W. Norton. I can get you a copy if you want to buy it. Finally, since you write so much about your children, I wish to extend to them the hope that the blindfold of your bigotry and intolerance will be raised from their eyes and they will be able to understand that other people's freedom is just as important as their own, and that in this world a commitment to the possibility that other ideas besides those you hold true is necessary for democratic pluralism [and] growth in a democracy. In closing, let me remind you that I hope you will be as energetic and active in removing racism and anti-Semitism from Unification Church dogma as you are in dictating to others. It has been interesting writing you but I would not honor you with the term “correspondent,” as that term was used in the Membership News (a publication of an affiliate of the Church of Scientology). That term implies a level of mutual rational discourse to which you may aspire, but have not attained. Very truly yours, Herbert L. Rosedale Appeal for Help from Japan (Unedited transcription of letter to The Cult Observer from Japan dated October, 1993) Dere My Friends: My name is Miss ________. I leaved from [name of group] may, 1992. This is the Cult in Japan. and it have some branches in California, Hawaii, Brasil, Taiwan, etc. The reader s neme of the Cult is [name of the leader withheld here]. he called messiah himself. and He have twice criminal records. He is jast swindler. Calt pressed us a lot of money, labor, and sexual things. but, Constitution of Japan protect them. and we can t anything. We just keep silence? We want yur letter. we hope your help. What we can? and How to do? please some body helpe us. I can t write English well. But I hope your understand. becouse I could nt get a coperator. Reson is Calt. Person want no touch. But we need many coprator. We are MAN. WE HAVE HUMAN RIGHTS. Please answer soon. Sincerely, yours __________. Deprogrammer Sentenced to 7 Years Self-described deprogrammer Galen Kelly, 45, of Esopus, NY, was sentenced in late September in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, VA, to seven years and three months in prison for kidnapping a District of Columbia woman he mistakenly believed to be a member of The Circle of Friends. The woman's roommate was the member. Kelly, hired by the mother of the intended deprogramee for a fee of $6,500, as he testified, acknowledged at his trial that he had taken people against their will for deprogramming more than 30 times. He and his lawyer argued that he acted on behalf of families and committed no crimes. Prosecutor Lawrence J. Leiser said in court papers that Kelly deserved a severe sentence because “Mr. Kelly and his cohorts in the last 20 years have developed a cottage industry out of the pain and suffering of adult parents and their cult offspring.” Kelly was acquitted last December of conspiring to kidnap Lewis du Pont Smith, allegedly part of an effort by Smith's father to break his son's allegiance to a group headed by political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr. (From “Deprogrammer Gets 7 Years For Abduction,” by Wendy Melillo, The Washington Post, 9/25/93, D5) Judge Timothy Ellis said: “I would hope the sentence imposed by the court today sends an abundantly clear message to people that they cannot take adult children simply because they do not like the activities [their children] are engaged in.” Ellis said Kelly knew he was breaking the law by abducting cult members. “The dilemma of what a parent [of a cult member] does is a very difficult one,” but kidnapping is not an option, Ellis said. “One man's cult is another man's religion.” Throughout the trial, Kelly argued that he was set up by a cult whose leader he helped put behind bars. And he insisted that prosecutors were withholding evidence that could clear him. The probation report gave an ironic twist to that, mentioning that while Kelly was waiting for sentencing he was helping the Internal Revenue Service build a bank fraud case against the woman who accused him of kidnapping her. Asked by the judge—who had earlier noted that Kelly's life has been “exemplary” in many ways—whether he would resume deprogramming if he were set free tomorrow, Kelly said, “No, your honor. It's very easy to stand here at this juncture and say no for all the 'appropriate' reasons, but I have to say the work I did was appropriate, needed, etc., etc.” I wish there were a more eloquent way to put it, but I've had it. I've really had it. If it were possible, I'd like to pack up and move and be with my family . . . I don't think I have it in me anymore.” A spokesman of the Church of Scientology hailed Kelly's fall, saying, “I think this is a great victory for the people who want to practice their religion in peace.” (From “Deprogrammer gets 7 years,” by Wayne A. Hall and Kelly Richmond, The Times Herald Record [Middletown, NY], 9/25/93, 1) Scientology and Its Corporations Declared Tax-Exempt The federal government agreed in early October to grant a tax exemption to the Church of Scientology and more than 150 of its related corporations, ending one of the longest-running tax disputes in American history. Neither Scientology nor the IRS would spell out the settlement, or why it had been reached after decades of costly and bitter court fights, but people familiar with the group's closely held finances said the exemption could save Scientology at least tens of millions of dollars a year in taxes. The settlement will apparently close more than a dozen lawsuits. IRS officials said that the decision will not change the existing standards for determining when an institution is to be considered religious for tax purposes, nor would it affect how other groups are treated. But some tax lawyers said the ruling would make it easier for organizations seeking tax exemption to argue their cases. The Government has argued for decades that although Scientology can be considered a religion, its associated organizations—including more than 150 educational and counseling groups— are businesses operating for financial gain of the church's leaders, notably its founder, the late L. Ron Hubbard. One result of the IRS challenge was that anti-IRS sentiments became church dogma. An IRS representative said the decision came after a two-year review of financial statements and other information provided by Scientology organizations about their structure and purposes. Now, Scientology-related organizations will no longer have to pay Federal income taxes and church members may also deduct their membership dues from their taxes. Scientology spokesman Marty Rathbun, unusually conciliatory, said the church had prevailed after what he called an “objective review.” Scientology—which claims eight million members; ex-members put the number at around 50,000—says it is a “new religion,” but some courts and many former members have called the organization a sham, saying it relies on religious pretenses to mask a highly profitable business. In 1984, a Tax Court concluded that the church had “made a business out of selling religion,” and that Hubbard and his family had diverted millions of dollars of church funds. And a Los Angeles Superior Court judge called Hubbard “a pathological liar” who seemed gripped by “egotism, greed, avarice, lust for power and vindictiveness and aggressiveness against persons perceived by him to be disloyal or hostile.” (From “Scientologists Granted Tax Exemption by the U.S.,” by Stephen Labaton, The New York Times, 10/14/93, A1, 18) “Our Road to Infinite Expansion Is Now Wide Open” Recognition of tax-exemption is a very important re- cognition,” said California Scientology spokesman Marty Rathbun, in the wake of the IRS settlement. And Richard Haworth, the spokesman for Scientology's Clearwater headquarters, said, “Now we can get down to our real business, that of delivering counseling.” Scientologists can pay thousands of dollars for counseling in a process called auditing, which is aimed at ridding their minds of negative thoughts and enabling them to live the fullest life possible. In the past, since only a few local Scientology churches had received tax-exempt status, most Scientology parishioners were barred from writing off their donations on their personal income taxes by a U.S. Supreme Court decision. David Miscavige, Scientology's top official, in a message broadcast worldwide to Scientology centers, including 3,000 at the Clearwater headquarters, said: '“We have brought to an end 40 years of suppression of Scientology and Scientologists. Our road to infinite expansion is now wide open.” But Clearwater mayor Rita Garvey, recalling how she had “invested a whole number of years in this [the attempt to have Scientology pay taxes], ” stated: “I can say I'm disappointed if this is the final ruling. It's [Scientology] a profit-making organization preying on the needs of people looking for help.” Said former Clearwater mayor Gabe Cazares, who was a target of church harassment, “I think it's a license to steal.” The IRS decision was greeted with disbelief among current Clearwater and Pinellas County officials. “The fact remains: They are a for-profit organization,” said Jim Smith, the county property appraiser who is fighting an 11-year-old property tax battle with Scientology. Smith said he didn't know how the ruling would affect his case. Scientology Declared Exempt Continued from page 3 Scientology owns more than 14 parcels around Clearwater worth more than $21 million and plans to build a $40 million counseling center and auditorium as the next phase of its expansion in Clearwater. The decision to grant Scientology organizations tax-exempt status could tip the balance in the church's efforts to avoid paying property taxes on its Clearwater holdings. The group's local tax bill is nearing $7 million after more than a decade of withholding the payments. (From “IRS: Scientology is tax-exempt religion,” by Wayne Garcia, St. Petersburg Times, 10/13/93, 1A, 3A) Open Letter to Unification Church Lawyer Book on Werner Erhard Draws Threats From Guru Anew, critical account of the rise and fall of est founder and New Age guru Werner Erhard, was published in September by St. Martin's Press despite pre-publication legal threats from Erhard himself. Announcement of the book, Outrageous Betrayal: The Dark Journey of Werner Erhard From Est to Exile, by San Francisco journalist Steven Pressman, was greeted with “blasts of hostility and threats of (libel) suit,” according to St. Martin's. A $5.5 million tax dispute with the IRS, which resulted in seizures of Erhard properties in the Bay Area and New York, plus a civil suit alleging sex discrimination and accusations that he abused family members, prompted Erhard to leave the country in 1991. He was reportedly living in Costa Rica earlier this year. (From “Libel suit threat by est founder Erhard,” by A. S. Ross, San Francisco Examiner, 4/6/93 and Cult Observer report) According to author Pressman, Erhard still appears in public from time to time and has called radio talk shows on occasion, defending The Forum (the reincarnation of his original est seminars). Pressman acknowledged long before the book was published that it would take a critical look at Erhard, a former Philadelphia car salesman who changed his name, moved to California and start-ed est in 1971. “The brilliance of est was that it combined his [Erhard's] ability as a salesman with the human potential movement,” Pressman said. “There were some basic common sense, some basic psychology. I'm not going to argue that it was all complete and utter nonsense, but what happened is that they [Erhard and his followers] fell into a very dark dimension.” The book, he said, “is a look at Erhard and why the phenomenon existed and how he was able to keep it going so long.” (From “Erhard Book Draws Threat of Legal Action,” by Michael J. Hall, San Francisco Daily Journal, 3/31/93, 1, 9) Cultic Experiences From a Catholic Perspective Mind-forged Manacles: Cults and Spiritual Bondage, charts author Thomas W. Case's spiritual journey from the dope scene of San Francisco in the '60s, to the Moonies, to a Tibetan lama in Colorado, to the Way Ministry Holy Spirit ranters, and finally to the Catholic Church. The publishers, Fidelity Magazine, believe that Case, after illuminating “where cults come from and where they lead,” explains why “the Church remains the last line of defense against the Davis Koreshes and Jim Joneses of this brave new world” of the “totalitarian mind-binding cults of the '70s, the '80s, and the '90s. A noted Catholic cult observer, The Rev. Wm. Kent Burtner, O.P., in recommending the book, says: “How could anyone in their right mind find their way into a cult, a group 'that so dominates the personalities of its members that it crushes mental liberty and does violence to human souls?' How could anyone surrender their lives, choices, money, belongings, time, their very souls to a ruler at whom they would have laughed two weeks before? You have to have been there. Or had someone you care about dearly go there and leave you behind. Or you can listen closely to a fellow traveler on the road to faith. Then you understand.” (Cult Observer report) Recovery From Abusive Groups, written by former cult member Wendy Ford for former cult members and their families, focuses specifically on what ex-members can do to negotiate their way through the challenging post-cult recovery process. Ms. Ford provides practical suggestions on such issues as building a recovery plan, learning when and when not to talk about one's cult experience, dealing with financial and work issues, reconnecting to family and friends, making new friends, “floating,” dating, coping with depression, and setting long-range goals. She also includes a chapter explaining what families can do to help their loved ones recover. Published by the American Family Foundation (publisher of The Cult Observer). To order Recovery From Abusive Groups, send $12 ($15 outside the USA, in U.S. funds only), including postage and handling, payable to the tax-exempt American Family Foundation, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, FL 33959. Telephone: 212-249-7693. To order Recovery From Abusive Groups, send $12 ($15 outside the USA, in U.S. funds only), including postage and handling, payable to the tax-exempt American Family Foundation, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, FL 33959. Telephone: 212-249-7693. Name ________________________________________ Title __________________________________________ Affiliation ______________________________________ Address ________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________________ Phone __________________________________________ APPENDICES INCLUDE Reading List • Study Questions • Information on Nutrition and Stress • Career Planning • Career Planning Worksheet RECOVERY FROM ABUSIVE GROUPS Wendy Ford “Recovery from Abusive Groups” American Family Foundation “Recovery From Cults” Doni P. Whitsett (Ph.D., University of California School of Social Work) is a teacher, licensed cli- nical social worker, and author with several years' experience in dealing with cult involvement in patients. After six years at the UCLA School of Social Welfare, where she taught advanced courses in social work, she recently joined the University of Southern California social work faculty to lecture on Human Behavior in Mental Health. In private practice for over a decade, Dr. Whitsett works with adults and older adolescents in individual, couple, and family counseling. Her specialties include families in transition, mood disorders, women's issues, and cults. In the 1970s she was the first medical social worker in the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center (in Los Angeles) to give comprehensive inpatient and home service care. Also in the '70s, her work as research assistant to the renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Ari Kiev, on a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant researching outcome of drug treatment pro-grams, resulted in publication of The Drug Epidemic (New York: Free Press, 1975). She has been published in the Journal of Clinical Social Work (“A Self Psychological Approach to the Cult Phenomenon,” Winter 1992) as well as in Families in Society. Her association with AFF began in 1992, when she met several AFF professionals at a National Cult Awareness Network conference where she spoke on “What mental health professionals need to know in working with former cult members.” She came to the May '93 Stony Point (NY) conference which dealt with ex-members and their problems, and is now a member of AFF's social work committee. Dr. Whitsett's main goal is to educate mental health professionals; she believes that people in the cult field must publish and speak out, and work in interdisciplinary ways with professionals in trauma fields, in particular. To this end, she spoke to the LA County Psychological Association recently on “Cult Phenomenon: Cult Affiliation and Clinical Assessment.” In 1994 she will give a day-long workshop to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in Los Angeles on “In the Wake of Waco: Understanding Mind Control.” She will also give in-service training on cults and cultic issues to Santa Monica Family Service. Dr. Whitsett is gratified that her students are “fascinated” with the subject and that the mental health professionals with whom she works are also “very interested,” and she believes that the long-term prognosis for cult education is good. But her optimism is tempered with caution: “We have such a long way to go.” Now that Recovery From Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse (Norton) is safely launched, we can congratulate not only its editor, Dr. Michael Langone, but also its many AFF contributors, all doubtless listed elsewhere in this issue, for a splendid piece of work, brilliantly conceived and executed despite myriad setbacks and hindrances. Excellence will out. Dr. Edward Lottick, in his position as president of the Luzerne County (PA) Medical Society (LCMS), is developing new ways to get a message about cults to his fellow medical professionals and to the general public. In his editorial in the September 1993 Bulletin, the society's official publication, he reprises the reason for his personal interest (his son Noah's shocking death while a member of the Church of Scientology), and tells of his work on the survey of physicians' experience with cults, reported here previously. The LCMS has now sponsored various public service radio messages to highlight its role in providing health care to the Wyoming Valley. The informational “spots” were broadcast several times daily for two weeks in October. The message on cults: “There are times in life that you are faced with very difficult decisions . . . that might require help from a professional. Physicians are a natural resource for help when people have problems, even sensitive problems such as that of a loved one approached by members of a cult. Maybe you were afraid or embarrassed to talk about it because you feel that it is only happening to you . Your clergy or the police may be able to help, but did you know that the physicians in your community can help with information and referral numbers? Cult members often represent themselves as persecuted by people who do not agree with their philosophy or beliefs, but oftentimes it is their policies and practices that are the problem . . . that are destructive to the personality . . . and health of an individual . . . The physicians of the Luzerne County Medical Society care about the health and well-being of you and your loved ones.” The telephone number and address for further information were then given. Dr. Lottick deserves great praise for this timely and highly professional project. In a note to us, he says, “I wish we could get every county medical society as involved as LCMS.” In a brief note on her recent activities, Carol Giambalvo reports: “Yesterday (October 10, 1993) I conducted a 'Mini-Exit Counseling and Recovery Workshop' for ten ex-members of cults in St. Petersburg, Florida.” She was invited to do so by the leader of a FOCUS [Former Cult Members' Support Network] in the Tampa/St. Pete area, where the need for such a group is no doubt great. A recent communication to Dr. Michael Langone from the Danish Dialog Center International inquires of its network of associates, including AFF, what the recent developments in the Unification Church and the Family [formerly Children of God] may portend. Questions are raised about the “period of transformation” in those movements, in which “both are having a similar change in leadership: the founder and spiritual leader is being replaced by his female partner.” Mrs. Moon is “touring the world, presenting herself to followers as an authority figure. Maria, mistress to Moses David [Berg, founder of the Children of God] is the one who sends out letters of instruction . . . to . . . colonies of the Family.” Anyone with “articles, publications, documents from the move-ments themselves . . . or relevant newspaper clippings and the like” is invited to send Xerox copies to: Dialogcentret, Katrinebjergveg 46, DK-8200, Arhus N, Denmark. The annual Cult Awareness Network conference was once again an opportunity for input from AFF professionals: workshops and round tables were conducted by Sandy Andron, Michael Langone, Paul Martin, Margaret Singer, Louis Jolyon West, Bill and Lorna Goldberg, Madeleine Tobias, and Mike Kropveld. Marcia Rudin and Edward Lottick moderated panels, and Peter Georgiades gave what Marcia called “a wonderful [keynote] speech” on “Human Rights: Birthright or Prize.” Marcia also reports that Recovery on Cults sold “like hotcakes.” AFF received special kudos at the CAN conference from Dr. Bruce Perry, the Texas psychiatrist who worked with the children who left the Waco compound before the disaster, when he publicly thanked Michael Langone and AFF for help in enlightening him and his colleagues about the cultic aspects of the children's experience among the Branch Davidians. and Dr. Lottick sent us a brief Minneapolis Star Tribune note on the evacuation of about 800 Radisson Hotel guests on the Friday night of the conference “ because of a natural gas leak from a main line outside.” The inconvenience of only an hour's duration occurred in mid-evening. No mention was made by the newspaper that this was a CAN conference site, nor that such alarms were not unknown to have happened at past conferences. Continued on the next page Cultic Influence in the Workplace Continued from the previous page Scientology and Its Corporations Declared Tax-Exempt 3 Deprogrammer Sentenced to 7 Years 4 Manhattan Guru Called Cultic 5 Israeli Recruited by Moonies in U.S. Recognizing Healthful Leaders 10 • Religous Technology Center • Church of Scientology International • Scientology Missions International • Church of Spiritual Technology • Church of Scientology Flag Service Org. Inc. • Foundation Church of Scientology Flag Ship Service Organization • Inspector General Network • International Hubbard Ecclesiastical League of Pastors • Building Management Services • Bridge Publications • Dianetics Centers International • Dianetics Foundation International • Hubbard Dianetics Foundation • U.S. IAS Member's Trust • The Way to Happiness Foundation • Association for Better Living and Education • Scientology International Reserves Trust • Flag Ship Trust • New Era Publications International • Church of Scientology Religious Trust • International Association of Scientologists • Foundation International Member- ship Services Administrations • Membership Services Admini- stration (U.K.) Ltd. • Hubbard College of Administration • Church of Scientology Western United States • Church of Scientology International • Scientology Missions International • Applied Scholastics International • Citizens Commission on Human Rights Scientology Exempt Orgaizations Scientology Leaders Speaks of Expansion—next page He [Hubbard] is presented very much as being still alive and as still influencing in person what is happening in Scientology. Prayer beads used in Soka Gakkai Times Tribune (Chicago) Illustration by Richard Sigberman