A checklist developed by Michael Langone. Published in the new book, Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias (Berkeley: Bay Tree Publishing, 2006). Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups
A list compiled by the late Jan Groenveld. Jan Groenveld operated the Cult Awareness & Information Centre in Brisbane. She compiled a list of responses compiled from her counselling of people who have left cults. The Emotional Pain of Leaving a Cult
by John August, Humanist Society of NSW president. Published in the Australian Humanist ‘Scientology‘.
By Mary Garden Published in the Humanist, September/October 2007. A compilation of personal experiences, modern therapies and contemporary brain research. CanMeditationBeBadForYou
Paul Haggis vs. the Church of Scientology. by Lawrence Wright ‘The New Yorker Article’ PaulHaggis-vs-Scientology
Articles by Michael Wolloghan: CombattingCultCulture fromTheSkepticVolume332013No3… CIFS Vision Modern Mormons… Papyrus, DNA and faith. Visions of Paradise.. Educational Video GillieJenkinson… What helps
This Report, written on behalf of CIFS, aims to give former cult members and their families an understanding of common cult practices and their after-effects. In addition, this Report hopes to increase awareness and educate the public regarding the potential dangers of becoming involved in cults. Tabled at ‘Public Benefit Test’ Senate Inquiry 28-June-2010. The…
by Mary Garden Published in the The Humanist, November/December 2009. A review of Jane Stork’s book, Breaking the Spell: My Life as a Rajneeshee and the Long Journey Back to Freedom (Pan Macmillan, 2009). This is the story of a spiritual quest that led not to lightness or freedom but to darkness and imprisonment. The…
This thesis is written from the perspective that the Shincheonji cult is not well understood in the western countries, and that much of the information available is in the Korean language. The writer outlines the beliefs of the group and how it appears to be a christian organisation, however it uses practiced methods to infiltrate…
‘An exploration of the methods used by therapists to address instances of re-traumatising in therapeutic meetings with former members of psychologically abusive cults. by Denis Healy Abstract: Various authors have disagreed about whether or not cults are harmful to individuals; whether members experience trauma during their time in the cult; and whether they continue to…
This report of the Australian Senate Inquiry called for by Senator Xenophon has comprehensive recommendations including the establishment of a Charities Commission and a Federal cult-watch body similar to the French ‘MIVILUDES’. CIFS appreciates the opportunity to present evidence to the Inquiry regarding widespread harm and abuses of members by the many renegade cult-like groups…
This booklet is a collection of papers and articles designed to give you an overall idea of the identifying marks of a cult, and to impart some strategies should you in some way be affected by an extremist group. Cult Aid Booklet