ICSA Conference Info

[minutus (minutus)]

If anyone is interested:

The annual conference of the International Cultic Studies Association will take place in Denver, Colorado from June 23-24, 2006. There will also be preconference workshops for families and ex-members on Thursday June 22, 2006. Register now and take advantage of generous early registration discounts.

If the hyperlink above does not work for you, type the following url into your browser: http://cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_events/2006/2006_denver_conf_agenda.htm

Sessions include (subject to change):
Assistance (Selected Sessions)

Psychopathology of Cultic Group Leaders: Implications for Members and Ex-Members (John Burke, Ph.D.; Lorna Goldberg, M.S.W.; Lois Svoboda, M.D.

Personal Change in an Eastern Group (Gina Catena; Joseph Kelly; Patrick Ryan)

Coming Back to Religion and Spirituality After Spiritual Abuse (Elliot Benjamin, Ph.D.; Nancy Miquelon, M.A., L.P.C.; Nori Muster)

Spiritual and Psychological Abuse: An Evangelical Perspective (Patrick Knapp; Professor Sharon Hilderbrant

The Power of Telling Your Story (Steven Gelberg, M.A.; Lorna Goldberg, M.S.W.; Nori Muster)

Safe Passage Foundation: Who We Are (Julia McNeil; Lauren Stevens)

26 Years of Helping Families and Ex-members: Lessons from the JBFCS Cult Hot-line and Clinic (Arnold Markowitz, C.S.W.)
Research (Selected Sessions)

Research Update from Spain (Carmen Almendros & José Carrobles, Ph.D.)

Conflict in the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Jehovah’s Witnesses (Janja Lalich, Ph.D.)

Child Abuse and Child Protective Work in Two Isolated Authoritarian Groups (Livia Bardin, M.S.W.)

Aum Shinrikyo and Weapons of Mass Destruction (Masaki Kito; Takashi Yamaguchi)

The Conflict Between Aum Critics and Human Rights Advocates (Sakurai Yoshihide, Ph.D.)

Rajneesh and Bioterrorism (Edward Lottick, M.D.)

Research from Wellspring (Rod Dubrow-Marshall, Ph.D.; Paul Martin, Ph.D.)

Rhetoric and Domestic Violence in the Unification Church (Mary Jo Downey)

The Challenges of Integrating into Society for Those who Were Born or Raised into a Sectarian Group (Lorraine Derocher)

Predicting Violence in Extremist Groups (Benjamin Zablocki, Ph.D.)

Making Sense of Gender, Sex, and Family Experiences in a Cult (Marybeth Ayella, Ph.D.)
Other (Selected Sessions)

Tough Love and Coercive Persuasion (Philip Elberg, Esq.; Maia Szalavitz; Alan Scheflin, J.D., LL.M.)

Child Abuse Issues in Cultic Groups (Kimberlee Norris, Esq.)

Child Abuse in the Jehovah’s Witnesses (William Bowen; Kimberlee Norris, Esq.)

Polygamy (Andrea Moore Emmett, Coordinator; Kristin Brewer; Laura Chapman; Curtis Giles; Mike Kropveld; Sylvia Mahr; Nancy Miquelon; Vicki Prunty; Robbie Sweeten)

Experts in Cult Cases (Alan Scheflin, J.D., LL.M.; Philip Elberg, Esq.)

Attempted Censorship and Suppression of Information by Controversial Religious Movements (Paul Carden; Jorge Erdely, Ph.D.; Eric Pement)

Update on Hate Groups (Hal Mansfield)

Distinguishing between Ethical and Unethical Proselytizing (Elmer Thiessen, Ph.D.)

The Human Rights Dimension of Cultic Studies (Jorge Erdely, Ph.D.)

[nonotone (nonotone)]

... but are they doing any case studies or are papers being presented on GGWO?

[minutus (minutus)]

Unfortunately not. GGWO is pretty small potatoes (note the Quayle variant http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif) in the cult world. As highly as they think of themselves, they can't even make the big-time bad boy list. Maybe someday one of us will do the research ...

[sidethorn (sidethorn)]

It would be nice if they would. GGWO is such a slick, deceptive cult that disguises itself as a born again evangelical church. Many cults have strange bizarre messages that so obviously conflict with Scripture. GGWO is much more subtle at least at first. Born again Christians can all to easily fall into this cult which makes it so dangerous. This would also spread the exposure of GGWO as a cult which is always a good thing.

[louise_connolly (louise_connolly)]

Exactly, Sidethorn. Evangelical Christianity and the Holy Bible are just the brainwashing tools. GGWO has always been about Carl Stevens and worshiping him as Christ. I sat in South Berwick, ME in the chapel when Carleluia preached how he was the apostle for the last days.

I enjoy a lively debate in the physical presence of people about any subject even Christian doctrine but on the cult factnet discussion board it is not my cup of tea. I do glean spiritual gems from many of your discussions on these threads but to me GGWO on factnet is about discussing the cult of which I once belonged. Thank God GGWO is only small potatoes. Thank God He used the internet to expose GGWO as the cult it has always been from the day Carl climbed down the ladder in Wiscasset, ME and began his cult with his merry band of hippies.

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>
Awe,come on Louise
don't infer that hippes are bad
(said the old guy who was once a hippie)
most hippies never even heard of Carl.
http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/biggrin.gif
Are you going to "trash" a whole generation of folks just because some hippies hopped out?
http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/rofl.gif
I'm just yankin on your chain of course.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
God bless you and all of those you care about,

Dave

</font>}

[louise_connolly (louise_connolly)]

You are just doing what you always do, David Munson. At least, it is no longer in bold.

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>
Good point Louise.
I remember the message about Carl proclaiming to be an apostle,I was there when he did it and it just didn't sit well with me.
I thought he spoke that in the gym though but then again,it was a long time ago.

Oh for the alarm bells we often ignore
now that we learned,we ignore no more.

Bless you Louise,

Dave

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[nonotone (nonotone)]

Louise,

Terms sure get muddy over time http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif don't they?

Historically "Evangelical" Christianity represented the most educated, critically thinking people around. This was true until the dispensational dumbing down began around 1830-1850 and then Finney showed how to lie about ordination credentials and manipulate through his infamous "altar calls".

Before all of this Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, etc. were all profound thinkers whose work contributed to the religous and intellectual freedom of untold masses (OK not without some collateral damage at times- but unfortunately that's life in a fallen world).

It is modern FUNDAMENTALIST EVANGELICALISM with its autonomous model for understanding man's relationship to God AND its westerized commericalism (just witness the money that "Left Behind" and "The Prayer of Jabzez" have made) that is the real problem.

Kind Regards,


Brian

[bruder5 (bruder5)]

They had not thought to perceive a newness. They thought that they had only a choice between nostalgia for a faith that could be no more or despair, for faith seemed now hardly possible.
But the poet broke the grip of the backward look. In this moment of utterance, they turned, in their hearts and piety, to imagine another Jerusalem, no longer sordid and shameful, no longer impure and ignoble, no longer organized into the powerless and the exploitative. The poet looks to the horizon and sees a shadow of newness:

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights.
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations...
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his Torah". (Is 42.1-4)
(Walter Brueggeman thoughts)

I think one of the battle cries of the reformation was "Semper Reformanda" or always reforming. In spite of the consumerism of western christian practice there remains the hope of an apologetic of aesthetics that draws us to community and to a new and profound relationship with The Lord of History. There is a growing lonliness in our culture that pleads for a community of faith rooted in the ancient/future hope of the scriptures.

I enjoy your writing Brian.

[nonotone (nonotone)]

Amen bruder5 (Marty?),

BTW ... have you checked out "... And a Wired Dog" http://www.inartlab.com/100permutations/wireddog/.

It's by a guy that grew up in a TBS/GGWO affiliate in upstate New York. I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago. For a $6 PDF download I sure got a bunch of laughs - especially the parts about how "you have to register to fish but not to reproduce". This story is better than most of the standup comedy being done today.

Thank God for "Semper Refromanda" and the freedom of the mind!

Brian

[louise_connolly (louise_connolly)]

Brian - thanks for that post three above this one. It was short and sweet but clearly shows what went wrong with 'Evangelical Christianity'.

[sidethorn (sidethorn)]

Amen to that. There's such an emphasis on turning a buck, it makes me sick. How many times do some preachers cram legalistic teachings about tithing, and give 'til it hurts and give or God won't heal you to manipulate people to give more and more money to them??? How many times do they advertise some profound teaching tape or DVD etc that will change your life and then charge a whole lot of money for it??? Little too much of that going on these days. Wasn't Christianity supposed to be about spreading the Gospel and letting Christ do His works through us instead of making lots of money??

(Message edited by sidethorn on December 19, 2005)

(Message edited by sidethorn on December 19, 2005)

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>
I could see if they sold the Bible to folks and told them that it would help them grow in faith but to make a buck off of guilt trips while proclaiming that "you can't grow" without this or that message is repulsive.I don't care what organization does it either.

If what is done makes no headway into a relationship with Christ,it's just junk.

It'll change your life alright,you'll be spending all your hard earned money on what the Lord says to freely receive.

Paul,as well as being an apostle and an evangelist,worked as a tent maker to provide for his own needs.
I know pastors around here who work in construction to provide for their families and use all the church funds for the churches activities.Like all the food and clothing that has been taken to the Katrina survivors.

Some of the "leaders" went into the Sudan to minister to the persecuted christian brothers and sisters at the risk of their own lives.

That's the good news.That's going into all the world with the gospel.

We Americans are such pampered babies it's not even humorous.
(asked rhetorically) How many of us really lay our lives down for the sake of others?

Dave

</font>}

[johncollins (johncollins)]

Surviving and Moving On After a High Demand Group Experience: A Workshop for Second-Generation Former Members

Friday 3:00 p.m. April 21, 2006 to Sunday 2:00 p.m. April 23, 2006
Workshop Location: in the Berkshires...

"The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) has run workshops for former members of high-demand, “cultic” groups for many years. In recent years increasing numbers of people born or raised in such groups (i.e., “second generation adults” - SGAs) have attended these workshops. These ex-members have special needs, which can be most effectively addressed through a workshop that focuses on them. SGAs do not have a “pre-cult identity” to which they can return. SGAs raised in fringe subcultures have to learn the implicit rules and expectations of mainstream culture. SGAs frequently have educational and other skill deficits that interfere with adjustment to mainstream culture. Having grown up in high-control groups that are often based on irrational belief systems, SGAs tend to struggle with issues of dependency, self-esteem, and social conflict. Because many SGAs were physically or sexually abused, they often have to deal with anger, resentment, and other emotions related to trauma."

"This workshop will address the needs of SGAs through a series of brief didactic presentations (supplemented by written handouts) followed by discussions, to which attendees may contribute according to their comfort levels. Specifically, the workshop will address:

§ critical thinking

§ socialization, culture shock, and acculturation

§ psychological development, child abuse and neglect, parenting styles, boundaries, and trust

§ long-term psychological, educational, and emotional effects of growing up in a culture of abuse and neglect

§ relationships with families and others

"This workshop has been made possible by a private grant and the willingness of facilitators to volunteer large amounts of their time. Without the dedication of these people, registration fees would be much higher...."

Complete Details are here... (http://cultinfobooks.com/infoserv_events/2006/2006_connecticut_work_sga.htm)

And check out the conference facility! (http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/center/facility.html)

[forte (forte)]

This looks some good.