International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 9, 2018 85
From Deprogramming to
Deradicalization: How Cultic Studies
Offers Insights for Subject-Diversion
Programs and Suggests Pathways for
Complaint About Religious and
Ideologically Motivated Abuse in
Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
English
Based on a United Kingdom precedent, terrorism law
in Australia defines terrorist acts as certain actions
and threats against the government or a section of the
community with the intention of advancing a
political, religious, or ideological cause (Security
Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act, 2002). In
addition, Australia has proscribed mainly Islamic-
styled groups deemed to be terrorist, authorized
preventative detention and control orders, and
legislated for the cancellation of Australian passports
for dual citizens fighting abroad it also can extend
prison sentences beyond term for those deemed a
continuing risk to the community. Australia has also
pursued policies aimed at both community
engagement and education, with some minimally
funded support for a few embryonic programs aimed
at diverting individuals from extremist Islamist
ideologies that promote violence.
Acknowledging that Islamist extremism poses the
greatest contemporary problem in the sector of
religion and belief, targeting programs toward the
violent extreme of one faith group can lead to some
resentment and resistance. Although pushback to any
government regulatory program can be anticipated,
there is scope for government to more effectively
regulate (in a nondiscriminatory manner) the broader
sector that encompasses religion and belief. The
major obstacle to effective regulation of this sector
seems to be the general reluctance of liberal
democracies to regulate religion as a sector at all,
unless it is for the purpose of conferring benefits. I
argue that this laissez faire diffidence to regulatory
control is no longer tenable.
Drawing on insights gleaned from the study of cults,
sects, and new religious movements, and from policy
responses in other countries, I propose the
establishment of a central repository specifically
tasked to receive and competently assess complaints
arising from the practice of religion and belief, with a
particular focus on apostate research. A properly
supported agency that accesses multidisciplinary
advice and serves as a central repository for
complaints, with powers to obtain information yet
one step removed from law enforcement, would
research best practice and make ongoing
recommendations on sector policy. The remit of the
agency (essentially a complaints commission for
religious and ideological abuse) would include
examination of behavior that potentially leads to
violence, but would also examine other harmful
conduct identified from complaints received.
Español
De la desprogramación a la desradicalización: cómo
los estudios sobre sectas ofrecen información sobre
programas de prevención y sugieren vías para la
denuncia de abusos por motivos ideológicos y
religiosos en Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
Basándose en un precedente del Reino Unido, la ley
en Australia define como actos terroristas a ciertas
acciones y amenazas que atentan contra el gobierno o
una parte de la comunidad con la intención de
fomentar una causa política, religiosa o ideológica
(Enmienda a la Legislación sobre Seguridad
Nacional, Terrorismo, Ley de 2002). Además, este
país ha proscrito principalmente grupos de tipo
islámico considerados terroristas, ha autorizado
detenciones preventivas y ordenado controles, y ha
legislado para cancelar pasaportes australianos a
ciudadanos con doble nacionalidad que combaten en
el extranjero. También se ha facilitado alargar
sentencias de prisión más allá del plazo establecido
en el caso de personas sospechosas de constituir un
riesgo para la comunidad. Asimismo, se han debatido
políticas dirigidas a la participación comunitaria y
educativa, estableciendo algunos proyectos
embrionarios con una financiación mínima
destinados a disuadir individuos de ideología
islámica extremista que promueven la violencia.
Reconociendo que el extremismo islámico se erige
como el gran problema contemporáneo en el campo
de la religión y de las creencias, la creación de
programas con el objetivo de erradicar la violencia
extrema de un grupo puede dar lugar a cierto
resentimiento y resistencia. Aunque haya retrocesos,
cualquier gobierno puede anticipar un proyecto
legislativo con el propósito de regular más
eficazmente (de manera no discriminatoria) este
amplio sector. La reticencia general de las
democracias liberales a regular la práctica religiosa
en sí, a menos que proporcione beneficios, parece ser
el mayor obstáculo para que la regulación sea
efectiva. Sostengo que este tímido laissez faire ya no
se puede mantener.
Sirviéndome de la información recabada en la
investigación de las sectas y de los nuevos
From Deprogramming to
Deradicalization: How Cultic Studies
Offers Insights for Subject-Diversion
Programs and Suggests Pathways for
Complaint About Religious and
Ideologically Motivated Abuse in
Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
English
Based on a United Kingdom precedent, terrorism law
in Australia defines terrorist acts as certain actions
and threats against the government or a section of the
community with the intention of advancing a
political, religious, or ideological cause (Security
Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act, 2002). In
addition, Australia has proscribed mainly Islamic-
styled groups deemed to be terrorist, authorized
preventative detention and control orders, and
legislated for the cancellation of Australian passports
for dual citizens fighting abroad it also can extend
prison sentences beyond term for those deemed a
continuing risk to the community. Australia has also
pursued policies aimed at both community
engagement and education, with some minimally
funded support for a few embryonic programs aimed
at diverting individuals from extremist Islamist
ideologies that promote violence.
Acknowledging that Islamist extremism poses the
greatest contemporary problem in the sector of
religion and belief, targeting programs toward the
violent extreme of one faith group can lead to some
resentment and resistance. Although pushback to any
government regulatory program can be anticipated,
there is scope for government to more effectively
regulate (in a nondiscriminatory manner) the broader
sector that encompasses religion and belief. The
major obstacle to effective regulation of this sector
seems to be the general reluctance of liberal
democracies to regulate religion as a sector at all,
unless it is for the purpose of conferring benefits. I
argue that this laissez faire diffidence to regulatory
control is no longer tenable.
Drawing on insights gleaned from the study of cults,
sects, and new religious movements, and from policy
responses in other countries, I propose the
establishment of a central repository specifically
tasked to receive and competently assess complaints
arising from the practice of religion and belief, with a
particular focus on apostate research. A properly
supported agency that accesses multidisciplinary
advice and serves as a central repository for
complaints, with powers to obtain information yet
one step removed from law enforcement, would
research best practice and make ongoing
recommendations on sector policy. The remit of the
agency (essentially a complaints commission for
religious and ideological abuse) would include
examination of behavior that potentially leads to
violence, but would also examine other harmful
conduct identified from complaints received.
Español
De la desprogramación a la desradicalización: cómo
los estudios sobre sectas ofrecen información sobre
programas de prevención y sugieren vías para la
denuncia de abusos por motivos ideológicos y
religiosos en Australia
Stephen B. Mutch
Basándose en un precedente del Reino Unido, la ley
en Australia define como actos terroristas a ciertas
acciones y amenazas que atentan contra el gobierno o
una parte de la comunidad con la intención de
fomentar una causa política, religiosa o ideológica
(Enmienda a la Legislación sobre Seguridad
Nacional, Terrorismo, Ley de 2002). Además, este
país ha proscrito principalmente grupos de tipo
islámico considerados terroristas, ha autorizado
detenciones preventivas y ordenado controles, y ha
legislado para cancelar pasaportes australianos a
ciudadanos con doble nacionalidad que combaten en
el extranjero. También se ha facilitado alargar
sentencias de prisión más allá del plazo establecido
en el caso de personas sospechosas de constituir un
riesgo para la comunidad. Asimismo, se han debatido
políticas dirigidas a la participación comunitaria y
educativa, estableciendo algunos proyectos
embrionarios con una financiación mínima
destinados a disuadir individuos de ideología
islámica extremista que promueven la violencia.
Reconociendo que el extremismo islámico se erige
como el gran problema contemporáneo en el campo
de la religión y de las creencias, la creación de
programas con el objetivo de erradicar la violencia
extrema de un grupo puede dar lugar a cierto
resentimiento y resistencia. Aunque haya retrocesos,
cualquier gobierno puede anticipar un proyecto
legislativo con el propósito de regular más
eficazmente (de manera no discriminatoria) este
amplio sector. La reticencia general de las
democracias liberales a regular la práctica religiosa
en sí, a menos que proporcione beneficios, parece ser
el mayor obstáculo para que la regulación sea
efectiva. Sostengo que este tímido laissez faire ya no
se puede mantener.
Sirviéndome de la información recabada en la
investigación de las sectas y de los nuevos
