Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 32
The last time Info-Cult had contact with Richard Bergeron was in the mid 1980s, more than
10 years before the above-cited comment.
More recently, during a visit to the offices of Info-Cult, Jacques Cherblanc, a doctoral
student from France had this to say about Bergeron‘s ―analysis‖ of Info-Cult:
… que l‘organisme a beaucoup évolué depuis cette époque, et son directeur
général, Mike Kropveld, est le premier à la dire, et sa biographie est très
différente de celle présentée par M. Bergeron (p.4). (English translation:
―…the organization has evolved a lot since that period [referring to the 1980s]
and its Executive Director, Mike Kropveld, is the first to admit that and his
story is very different from that presented by Mr. Bergeron.) (Cherblanc,
2001, February)
Conclusion
The above examples have been selected to expose certain problems regarding the nature of
discussion and research about cults/new religious movements. My premise is that the
labeling of Info-Cult, when it first started as a so-called ―anti-cult‖ group is one that is still
used unthinkingly. Moreover, this labeling has led to the portrayal of the organization in a
simplistic, static, and one dimensional manner.
The kinds of inaccuracies I‘ve described above have occurred time and time again. I use
these as examples of how the stereotypes that have fueled the ―cult wars‖ endure because
of a lack of scholarly rigor.
I am not the first to raise the issue of the harmful aspects of the ―cult wars‖. Others have
done so very eloquently (Barker, 2002 Langone, 2000 Robbins, 2000 Zablocki &Robbins,
2001). I hope that the examples and suggestions offered here reaffirm the need to
dialogue and to bring together individuals and organizations on all sides of this complex and
controversial issue.
References
Baker, G. (1995, 24 September). Val-David Couple Hailed as Healers, Scorned as Cultists.
Montreal Gazette, A1 &A4.
Baker, G. (1995, 29 September). Spiritualists leaving Val-David Harassment over beliefs
prompts couple to say they‘re packing. Montreal Gazette, A5.
Barker, E. (2002). Watching for violence: A comparative analysis of the roles of five types of
cult-watching groups. In D. G. Bromley &J. G. Melton (Eds.), Cults, Religion and
Violence, pp. 123-148. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Http://www.cesnur.org/2001/london2001/barker.htm
Barker, E. (1995). The scientific study of religion? You must be joking! Journal for the
Scientific Study of Religion, 34(3), 287-310.
Bergeron, R. (1982). Le cortège des fous de Dieu. Montreal: Editions Paulines.
Bergeron, R. (1997). Vivre au risque des nouvelles religions. Montreal: Médiaspaul.
Boyer, H. (1997, 24 octobre). Recours collectif possible contre Médicins du ciel. Journal de
Montréal, 8
Cherblanc, J. (2001, February). La perception du Mouvement Raelien au Quebec.
Mouvements Religieux, Sarreguemines, No. 262, 2-10.
Desjardins, B. (1994, 16 mars [March]). Pratique illégale de la médecine Les ―médecins du
ciel‖ et leurs esprits coupables. Journal de Montréal, 3.
Deslauriers, D. (1995, 9 septembre). Confèrence d‘Yves Casgrain à Val-David, Il ne s‘agit
pas d‘une offensive contre les médecins du Ciel. L‘information du Nord/Ste-Agathe,
9.
Freed, J. (1977, 31 December). A Booneville recruit sparks Moonie rescue. The Montreal
Star, A1.
The last time Info-Cult had contact with Richard Bergeron was in the mid 1980s, more than
10 years before the above-cited comment.
More recently, during a visit to the offices of Info-Cult, Jacques Cherblanc, a doctoral
student from France had this to say about Bergeron‘s ―analysis‖ of Info-Cult:
… que l‘organisme a beaucoup évolué depuis cette époque, et son directeur
général, Mike Kropveld, est le premier à la dire, et sa biographie est très
différente de celle présentée par M. Bergeron (p.4). (English translation:
―…the organization has evolved a lot since that period [referring to the 1980s]
and its Executive Director, Mike Kropveld, is the first to admit that and his
story is very different from that presented by Mr. Bergeron.) (Cherblanc,
2001, February)
Conclusion
The above examples have been selected to expose certain problems regarding the nature of
discussion and research about cults/new religious movements. My premise is that the
labeling of Info-Cult, when it first started as a so-called ―anti-cult‖ group is one that is still
used unthinkingly. Moreover, this labeling has led to the portrayal of the organization in a
simplistic, static, and one dimensional manner.
The kinds of inaccuracies I‘ve described above have occurred time and time again. I use
these as examples of how the stereotypes that have fueled the ―cult wars‖ endure because
of a lack of scholarly rigor.
I am not the first to raise the issue of the harmful aspects of the ―cult wars‖. Others have
done so very eloquently (Barker, 2002 Langone, 2000 Robbins, 2000 Zablocki &Robbins,
2001). I hope that the examples and suggestions offered here reaffirm the need to
dialogue and to bring together individuals and organizations on all sides of this complex and
controversial issue.
References
Baker, G. (1995, 24 September). Val-David Couple Hailed as Healers, Scorned as Cultists.
Montreal Gazette, A1 &A4.
Baker, G. (1995, 29 September). Spiritualists leaving Val-David Harassment over beliefs
prompts couple to say they‘re packing. Montreal Gazette, A5.
Barker, E. (2002). Watching for violence: A comparative analysis of the roles of five types of
cult-watching groups. In D. G. Bromley &J. G. Melton (Eds.), Cults, Religion and
Violence, pp. 123-148. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Http://www.cesnur.org/2001/london2001/barker.htm
Barker, E. (1995). The scientific study of religion? You must be joking! Journal for the
Scientific Study of Religion, 34(3), 287-310.
Bergeron, R. (1982). Le cortège des fous de Dieu. Montreal: Editions Paulines.
Bergeron, R. (1997). Vivre au risque des nouvelles religions. Montreal: Médiaspaul.
Boyer, H. (1997, 24 octobre). Recours collectif possible contre Médicins du ciel. Journal de
Montréal, 8
Cherblanc, J. (2001, February). La perception du Mouvement Raelien au Quebec.
Mouvements Religieux, Sarreguemines, No. 262, 2-10.
Desjardins, B. (1994, 16 mars [March]). Pratique illégale de la médecine Les ―médecins du
ciel‖ et leurs esprits coupables. Journal de Montréal, 3.
Deslauriers, D. (1995, 9 septembre). Confèrence d‘Yves Casgrain à Val-David, Il ne s‘agit
pas d‘une offensive contre les médecins du Ciel. L‘information du Nord/Ste-Agathe,
9.
Freed, J. (1977, 31 December). A Booneville recruit sparks Moonie rescue. The Montreal
Star, A1.
