CIFS: Cult Information and Family Support

Quote of the Day:
'A cult… corrupt, sinister and dangerous… out to capture people and… brainwash them.'
- Justice Latey, London

Useful Links:

Australia:

Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010
- Australian Senate Enquiry into this proposed bill.
Recommendations Summary:
      - establish a national commission for not-for-profit organisations.
      - include a definition and test of 'public benefit'.
      - international best practice for dealing with cult-like behaviour.
The report spells out details of scope of a National Charities Commission and oversight body like France's 'MIVILUDES' and sets an implementation date of July 2011.
More here. (Full report.)

"Visions Of Paradise" (DVD) Visions of Paradise (Adrian Norman 2009) is a challenging, intelligent and thought-provoking documentary about the need to belong and find purpose and meaning in life. Excellent resource for schools and study groups. Vimeo Trailer
A study guide accompanies the DVD. Vimeo Exerpt (Part 1)
In 'the Skeptic' Michael Wolloghan interviews Adrian Norman.

www.beyondourken.com.au Beyond Our Ken - An Australian film documenting life inside the group 'Kenja'. * SEE THE DVD *

www.cultinfo.org.au Cult Information Service Brisbane QLD.

www.cultcounselling.org Melbourne / Raphael Aaron

www.ccgm.org.au Concerned Christian Growth Ministries

www.caic.org.au Cult Awareness and information Centre
This is a non active site but has a lot of information on all cults primarily Jehovah’s witnesses.

www.pnc.com.au/~fichrist Free in Christ Ministries
Primarily for ex Jehovah’s Witnesses

www.jwfacts.com Well researched Australian website on the Jehovah's Witnesses cult by an ex-member Paul Grundy. Including how to get a copy of your personal files here.

Peebs.Net Ex-Exclusive Bretheren information and support site with discussion forum. Within this site lie answers to questions and practical assistance is always available.

www.mahikariexposed.com Information site by former members of Sukyo Mahikari. Personal experiences and blogs, references to academic publications and other web sites, and newspaper reports.

www.users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/pebble.htm Little Pebble site detailing the path to prosecution. Information collated by Wally Anglesea.

Ex-Scientologist Message Board A very active forum discussing member experience of Scientology, abusive and otherwise.

International:
- General Background Information

F.E.C.R.I.S. Federation of European Centers for Research and Information on Sects.
www.freedomofmind.com Steven Alan Hassan, cult counselor and mind control expert, is the (USA) Nationally Certified Counselor and licensed Mental Health Counselor who has developed the breakthrough approach to help loved ones rescue cult mind control victims.
www.cultinformation.org.uk Cult Information Centre: CIC is an educational charity providing advice and information for victims of cults, their families and friends, researchers and the media.
www.apologeticsindex.org Primarily a Christian site with comprehensive news coverage as well as many informative articles
www.csj.org cultic studies journal
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is an interdisciplinary network of academicians, professionals, former group members, and families who study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. Founded in 1979 as AFF (American Family Foundation), ICSA took on its current name in late 2004 to better reflect the organization's focus and increasingly international and scholarly dimensions.
www.culticstudiesreview.org Cultic Studies Review
Cultic Studies Review: An Internet Journal of Research, News & Opinion (CSR) is a triannual periodical published by AFF (American Family Foundation).
http://www.cultavoidancesociety.org/ The Cult Avoidance Society - London
The Cult Avoidance Society is an independent charity that aims to be proactive in advancing the education of the public in the subject of Destructive Mind Control Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements. The Cult Avoidance Society does not offer a counselling service, but maintains a list of recognized professionals and organisations on our website who can assist those in need of help.
http://marlenewinell.net Dr Marlene Winell
Help for people recovering from RTS, Religious Trauma Syndrome.
www.informer.org Dennis Erlich
I created the inFormer Ministry to provide insight into the workings of fanaticism and where possible mitigate its effects on victimized followers and their families
www.rickross.com Rick Ross
Another very informative site with news & articles on all cults
www.macgregorministries.org Macgregor Ministries
Mainly a Christian perspective on how various cults differ from orthodox Christianity.
www.human-nature.com/nibbs/02/cults.html Research Article:
Sex, Drugs, and Cults. An evolutionary psychology perspective on why and how cult memes get a drug-like hold on people, and what might be done to mitigate the effects
By H. Keith Henson
http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm Mind Control - The BITE Model. Steve Hassan's summary of how mind control works.
www.criticalthinking.org You guessed it, a website on critical thinking.
www.cults.co.nz/ Cults have a strong tendency to harm and control their members. This site explains how and describes many of the cults in New Zealand.
www.cultclinic.org/ A program of the Jewish Board Of Family And Children's Services. Based in New York City, this group has a wealth of information and support for disrupted families and affected people.
www.howcultswork.com Basic information on tactics and methods used by cults to seduce, control and manipulate their members.

- Personal Recovery
www.refocus.org Recovering Former Cultists' Support Network. This site has a good list of books specific to recovering from cult involvement.
www.factnet.org Informative site with news and information as well as discussion boards has discussion board on Twelve Tribes community
www.wellspringretreat.org A live in centre offering programmes for recovery from abusive groups and relationships.
www.meadowhaven.org Bob and Judy Pardon run a centre for recovery. Massachusis USA

- Specific Groups
http://www.apologeticsindex.org A list of Churches associated with 'Brisbane Christian Fellowship' and some further information and opinion. These Christian Fellowship groups have been alleged to have some abusive practices. Their doctrines have been officially challenged by Presbyterian and Anglican leaders.
http://www.mercysurvivors.com/ Mercy Survivors is a support group for women who have survived placement in the Mercy Ministries program run world wide. The site is run by survivors for survivors and is supported by volunteers and kind donors.
http://www.outofthecocoon.net After writing her book about her escape from Jehova's Witnesses, Brenda Lee created a website holding the many articles and documents she found helpful; book exerpts and other information.
http://www.movementsofgnostics.com A compilation of personal accounts from an ever increasing number of former students and their families, exposing the effects of Mark and Edith Pritchard’s activities.
http://movementsofgnostics.wordpress.com/ Blog on Gnostic groups including the Belzebuub movement.
"For us it is important for people to know, and have all the facts in front of them before making any decision to join a group. Unfortunately there are some groups who have removed many people’s experiences and facts from the Internet so that people do not see the full picture.
Therefore we will try to focus more on the facts and personal experiences so that things are clear to everyone. After that each one of us need to use their heart and mind and investigate further."
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Secrets/ Secrets of Scientology:
A detailed website critical of the practices of Scientology
Other Scientology-critical sites:
www.whyweprotest.net
www.xenu.net - Operation Clambake
www.exscientologykids.com
www.exseaorg.com
www.youfoundthecard.com
www.whyaretheydead.info
Infinite Complacency Blog - Violence and abuse in Scientology www.fairgamestop.org - Scientology abuses
www.germany.info/relaunch/info/archives/background/scientology.html Understanding the German View of Scientology
waldorfcritics.org PLANS - People for Legal and Nonsectarian Schools - Criticism of Waldorf, Steiner and Anthroposophy.
www.sun-at-midnight.com This site has links to critics and comprehensive information on Waldorf Schools and the Rudolf Steiner Movement around the world.
THE-PROFIT-The-Film This is the controversial new film 'The Profit' about a cult leader's rise to power. L. Conrad Powers organizes a cult of deluded adherents then, when the government applies the heat, he turns his operation into a church.

- Ex-Member Sites
www.exfamily.org Ex Children of God
Comprehensive site on COG with their own publications online as well as chat boards for ex members.
www.movingon.org Children of the Children of God a web site that cites the abuses in the COG it has chat boards and ways to connect with former members.
www.factnet.org Informative site with news and information as well as discussion boards has discussion board on Twelve Tribes community
www.xenutv.com Videos and interviews exposing the practices of Scientology
www.twelvetribes-ex.org/ Twelve Tribes
www.refocus.org Recovering Former Cultists' Support Network
www.regainnetwork.org Livia Bardin ReGAIN's mission is to outreach, unite and support those touched or adversely affected by the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi Movement. Past and present members and all those who quest for justice and truth, resolution and healing are invited to join in this endeavor.
http://www.carolineletkeman.org Website titled: "Refund and Reparation: A resource for victims of Scientology's unconscionable policies and practices."
reachingforthetippingpoint.net/ What is Scientology? Why should I be concerned? If you don't know the answer to both these questions, you could need to read this website.
Ex-Scientologist Message Board A very active forum discussing member experience of Scientology, abusive and otherwise.

- Memorials
http://memorial.riseinternationalcic.org/ A memorial site acknowledging the life and the loss of loved ones involved with cultic groups
http://jonestown.sdsu.edu Memorial site to the tradgedy of Jonestown & the Peoples Temple

- Recovery Centres
These recovery centres are in USA and offer counselling and appropriate services to help people readjust to a normal life.
www.wellspringretreat.org A live in centre offering programmes for recovery from abusive groups and relationships. Albany, Ohio.
The Phoenix Project was created by Diana Pletts after recovery at the Wellsprings Retreat. The project provides encouragement and a venue to exhibit ex-cult-members' artworks. In 'Australian Skeptics' Michael Wolloghan interviews Diana Pletts.
www.meadowhaven.org Bob and Judy Pardon run a centre for recovery. Massachusis USA
www.brackediakoni.se Sweden: Bräcke Diakoni is an independent ideological foundation that developed out of the traditions and social commitment of the Church of Sweden. A network of retreats allowing people time to recover.

S i t e S e a r c h :

CIFS:

ABC Radio:
16 Oct 2010
14 Oct 2010

CIFS Conference:
Brisbane 2012 *
Canberra 2011
Seminar 2011
Brisbane 2010

Video:
Visions of Paradise

Research:
Cults: After-Effects

Powerpoint:
Cults

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