------------------------------------------------------------------- F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, Incorporated) a non-profit computer bulletin board and electronic library 601 16th St. #C-217 Golden, Colorado 80401 USA BBS 303 530-1942 FAX 303 530-2950 Office 303 473-0111 This document is part of an electronic lending library and preservational electronic archive. F.A.C.T.Net does not sell documents, it only lends them according to the terms of your library cardholder agreement with F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. ===================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Father Papademetriou reports on cults conference in Crete The Rev. George C. Papademetriou of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Brookline, MA, a member of AFF's Com-mittee on Interreligious Affairs, reports on a three-day Pan-Hellenic Parents' Association conference held in Crete in June, to discuss the danger of cult activities. The topic was "Contemporary non-European Fundamentalistic Tendencies." There were more than eighty in attendance. The Association has decided to organize conferences and seminars on cult awareness, to disseminate information on cult activities, and to emphasize affirmation of the Orthodox faith. Special teams and ministries are to be organized to combat cult propaganda. A much larger conference is already being planned for the future. 2 Rabbi Maurice Davis ill. We have learned with sadness of the serious illness of another of our founding directors, Rabbi Maurice Davis, who is at present in a rehabilitation center in Florida. Maury and his family have our heartfelt wishes for his return to health and vigor. 3 Ofshe home destroyed in fire, priceless documents lost Richard Ofshe's home was one of the victims of Oakland's devastating fire storm in October, we are sorry to hear. The appalling destruction of priceless documents from his long battle with Synanon was just one of the many losses he has suffered. Our profound condolences to Richard. 4 Dr. David Halperin gives paper on cults Dr. David Halperin gave a paper, "Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Cults," to the Society of Medical Psychoanalysts in New York, as well as to the Bronx County District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association, in November. In December he will give Grand Rounds in Psychiatry and Cults at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center. 5 Dr. Ralph Smith attends CAN conference Dr. Ralph Smith, in addition to his recently reported presentation with David Halperin in Florida on therapeutic and forensic aspects of cults, attended the CAN conference in Oklahoma City in October to introduce an expert on the prosecution of Keith Ham (a.k.a. Swami Bhaktipada) of New Vrindaban, WV. 6 Arnold Markowitz elected to CAN board Arnold Markowitz has recently been elected to the Cult Awareness Network's national board, and starts his term in November. He spoke at the CAN national conference with two other members on "Families of Long-Term Members." (See his paper, written with David Halperin, on "Residential Treatment: The Potential for Cultic Evolution," in the current Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1.) 7 Margaret Singer presents paper at CAN meeting Margaret Singer is another AFF member who presented a paper at a CAN meeting in October - this time to the San Francisco affiliate. Her subject was the "Road to Recovery." 8 Arthur Dole enjoys active retirement Arthur Dole is enjoying an active retirement. In May, he gave a presentation on New Religions to a group in Salvador (with an interpreter), as part of an in-service training program for CEDRO (Center for Educational Research and Development). In September, he appeared on a radio program on cults in Harrisburg, PA, and gave a lecture to the class of a professor of Religious Studies at the University of Penn-sylvania. 9 Sandy Andron on 12 talks shows, gives classes and talks Sandy Andron is busier than ever, having already participated in or consulted on twelve radio talk shows this past year. He also gave six programs for public libraries, and seven classes on cult awareness for Judaica High School, in two Florida counties. In August, he gave a talk on "Cults and Their Relationship to the Jewish Community" for the Convention of Jewish Educators. 10 David Clark and Doris Holloway Abels do valuable consulting David Clark and Doris Holloway Abels were consulted by the television show Inside Edition for their recent program on "Eternal Values," a new cult. They were also consultants to Christianity Today for an article in the October 7, 1991 edition on The Bible Speaks. 11 Fathers LeBar, Debold, Burtner visitation to Word of God Father James LeBar, Father Walter Debold, and Father Kent Burtner were chosen by Bishop Ottenweiler if Steubenville, OH, to serve as a pastoral visitation team to observe and report on a "shepherding discipleship" covenant community within the Roman Catholic Church. The National Catholic Reporter tells of controversial practices of prophecy, speaking in tongues, exorcising demons, and rigid control of intimate aspects of members' personal lives, within the "Word of God" community and its several branches. The investigation was ordered by the Bishop after he received a complaint from former members about the group's excessive control. 12 Virginia Lamp Thomas active against cults In September, the Washington Post published a lengthy article on Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas's wife, Virginia Lamp Thomas. Much has been made of her unhappy experience with Lifespring in the early '80s, but it was not widely reported that when she decided to break away, it was with the aid of Kevin Garvey, who spent several hours with her and left "feeling satisfied that this young woman would be all right." Mrs. Thomas became seriously involved with programs to educate and warn people about new age training programs in the workplace, and became friendly with Peter Georgiades, who has tried and won many cases against Lifespring and similar groups. ================================================================= If this is a copyrighted work, you are acknowledging by receipt of this document from FACTNet that on the basis of reasonable investigation, you have not been to obtain a copy elsewhere at a fair price, and that you are and will abide by the following copyright warning. 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FACTNet reserves the right to refuse to accept an order for copying or other duplication, or delivery of copied or duplicated material if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. ------------------------------------------------------------------- CARD CATALOG ENTRY DOS FILENAME OF TEXT FILE: E:\PCB\AFF\FILES\CO1091\CO1091AA.TXT DOS FILENAME OF IMAGE FILES: ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: SECURITY CODE: DISTRIBUTION CODE: NAME FOR BBS: SORT TO: CONTRIBUTOR: American Family Foundation (AFF) LOC. OF ORIG: American Family Foundation (AFF) NOTES: Back issues and selected reprints of the Cultic Studies Journal are available from the American Family Foundation, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, FL 33959-2265. For additional verification see image files contained in the file with same name and .ZIP extension. UPDATED ON: UPDATED BY: F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. (Fight Against Coercive Tactics Network, Incorporated) a non-profit computer bulletin board and electronic library 601 16th St. #C-217 Golden, Colorado 80401 USA BBS 303 530-1942 FAX 303 530-2950 Office 303 473-0111 This document is part of an electronic lending library. F.A.C.T.Net does not sell documents, it only lends them according to the terms of your library cardholder agreement with F.A.C.T.Net, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------------- CARD CATALOG ENTRY DOS FILENAME OF TEXT FILE: CO1091AA.TXT DOS FILENAME OF IMAGE FILES: none ADMINISTRATIVE CODE: OK SECURITY CODE: SCO DISTRIBUTION CODE: RO DESCRIPTION FOR BBS FILE LISTING: The Cult Observer Vol. 8 No. 10 SORT TO: AFF CONTRIBUTOR: American Family Foundation (AFF) LOCATION OF ORIGINAL: American Family Foundation (AFF) NOTES: Back issues and selected reprints of the Cultic Studies Journal are available from the American Family Foundation, P.O. Box 2265, Bonita Springs, FL 33959-2265. WHAT AFF COMMITTEE MEMBERS (AND OTHERS ARE DOING: | 1 Father Papademetriou reports on | cults conference in Crete | 2 Rabbi Maurice Davis ill. | 3 Ofshe home destroyed in fire, | priceless documents lost | 4 Dr. David Halperin gives paper | on cults | 5 Dr. Ralph Smith attends CAN | conference | 6 Arnold Markowitz elected to | CAN board | 7 Margaret Singer presents paper | at CAN meeting | 8 Arthur Dole enjoys active retirement | 9 Sandy Andron on 12 talks shows, | gives classes and talks | 10 David Clark and Doris Holloway | Abels do valuable consulting | 11 Fathers LeBar, Debold, Burtner | visitation to Word of God | 12 Virginia Lamp Thomas active | against cults For additional verification see the contributor of the document. UPDATED ON: 8/30/94 UPDATED BY: FrJMc =================================================================