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Australia:
- Emergency Help
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 - Australian Help
- Australian Information
- "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.cultinfo.org.au Cult Information Service Brisbane QLD.
- 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.
Recommendation 2
3.59 The Committee recommends that the Attorney-General's Department
provide a report to the Committee on the operation of Miviludes and other law
enforcement agencies overseas tasked with monitoring and controlling the
unacceptable and/or illegal activities of cult like organisations who use
psychological pressure and breaches of general and industrial law to maintain
control over individuals. The report should advise on the effectiveness of the
operation of Miviludes and other similar organisations, given issues that need to
be addressed to develop an international best practice approach for dealing with
cult-like behaviour.
More here. (Full report.)
- Australian Groups
- mcfexposed.wordpress.com "This blog is an ongoing, heartfelt letter to MCF, Melbourne Christian Fellowship, a significant church move that, IMO, after wonderful beginnings, became, and still is, a dangerous and abusive cult from about 1992 onward. As of November 2019 we get about 100 hits a day, mostly from places with XCF churches and the USA."
- www.cultawareness.com.au Cult Awareness - A Message of Hope.
This site was written to inform readers about harmful cults, focussing on the group "Universal Medicine" which was called "a socially harmful cult" by the Supreme Court of Australia in 2019. The site claims to be "written as a high level overview from years of lived experience".
- Avatar Uncovered Avatar is an international group which has been recruiting through MeetUp in Australia. Started by the Scientologist Harry Palmer it has grown to an international 'self-help' group. This site tells of the slow abuse and manipulation that members can experience.
- www.beyondourken.com.au Beyond Our Ken - An Australian film documenting life inside the group 'Kenja'.
It teaches people the lure of cults, the techniques of maninpulation and the dangers of organisations which appear benign at first, only to reveal their true colours when the individual is fully ensconced.
* SEE THE DVD *
- 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.
- www.awolfamongthesheep.com After three years of investigation, journalist GRAEME WEBBER released an unauthorised biography of infamous Australian cult leader WILLIAM KAMM.
- 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.
- Australian Ex-Member Forums
- Ex-Scientologist Message Board A very active forum discussing member experience of Scientology, abusive and otherwise.
- 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.
New Zealand:
- NZ Support
- cultrecoveryinfo@aol.com This email is run by Grace Dominguez in New Zealand. Grace's sister was killed in the raid on the Branch Davidian cult in Waco Texas 1993. Grace has had an interest in supporting people affected by cults and cultic abuse and welcomes contact to this email.
- NZ Cult Information
- 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.
International:
- Background Information
- www.icsahome.com/ 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.
- F.E.C.R.I.S. Federation of European Centers for Research and Information on Sects.
- infosect Canadian site in English and French with information and research. (InfoCult)
- 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).
- 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.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.apologeticsindex.org Primarily a Christian site with comprehensive news coverage as well as many informative articles
- marlenewinell.net Dr Marlene Winell
Help for people recovering from RTS, Religious Trauma Syndrome. Based in San Francisco Bay.
- 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
- culteducation.com/ Rick Ross
Another very informative site with news & articles on all cults
- mmoutreachinc.com/ Macgregor Ministries We are dedicated to continue to provide vital information on the various religious groups from a Christian perspective.
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
- https://www.freedomofmind.com/Info/BITE/bitemodel.php 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.
- Personal Recovery and Retreats
- reFocus Recovering Former Cultists' Support Network. This site has a good list of books specific to recovering from cult involvement.
- www.hopevalleycounselling.com (UK) We specialise in offering Post Cult Counselling to former members of abusive groups, high demand groups, cults, one-on-one cults or relationships and spiritual abuse amongst other things.
- 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. Massachusetts 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.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.
- question12tribes.com Questioning the practices of the Twelve Tribes group worldwide. Stories and information.
- 2x2ministry.org The two by twos or the 2x2 religion has too many names: 2x2s, two by two religion, two by twos, 2 by 2, the Truth, the Faith, the Way, 2x2 faith, 2x2 sect, tramp preachers, testimony of Jesus, Go-preachers or 2x2 church. The 2x2 religion was founded by William Irvine in about 1897.
- https://notanantignostic.wordpress.com/ Blog on Gnostic groups including the Belzebuub movement.
- 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.whyaretheydead.info
Infinite Complacency Blog - Violence and abuse in Scientology
mbnest.blogspot.com.au/ - Mockingbird's Nest - Ex-member blog coming to terms with deceit and manipulation.
- home.snafu.de/tilman/krasel/germany/stat.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
- Avatar Uncovered "To discover the truth and the true intentions of Avatar and its leaders, you need to look behind the initial love bombing, the facade and the curtain of "compassion" - where you will discover a rehash of Scientology and an organisation which is both abusive, extremely exploitative and has dire long-term consequences for many."
This site is a huge resource on the activities and background of the Avatar organisation.
- Ex-Scientologist Message Board A very active forum discussing member experience of Scientology, abusive and otherwise.
- http://universalmedicineaccountability.wordpress.com/ Blog with information and comment including alleged abuses of the Universal Medicine group headed by Serge Benhayon.
- 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
- xenutv Videos and interviews exposing the practices of Scientology
- http://www.twelvetribes-ex.com 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.
- Memorials
- 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. Massachusetts 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.
Disclaimer:These links are to pages held on different sites and as such CIFS cannot vouch for their content or authenticiticity. They are a small number, readers should search further and read widely before forming an opinion. The links may mention organizations or movements, which may have been called "cults" and/or "cult-like" in some way, shape or form. But not all groups called either "cults" or "cult-like" are harmful. Instead, they may be benign and generally defined as simply people intensely devoted to a person, place or thing. Therefore, the discussion or mention of a group, organization or person on this page, is not necessarily meant pejoratively. Readers are encouraged to read widely on a topic before forming an opinion. Never accept information from a single source at face value. This website only holds a small amount of information and should not be relied on as a complete source. For example, if you find older information, this should be weighed up against newer information as circumstances can change.
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