Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 43
one can get rid of Jim Roberts, much less argue with him with any substance—one can
merely like what he does or quit. New recruits at the Abiquiu monastery, on the other hand,
go through extensive initiation that lasts seven years before final vows of total commitment
are made. Family contact is limited, but never labeled as evil. If someone decides to quit
the religious life, there are proper procedures of ―annulment,‖ but this lifestyle change has
no bearing on the salvation or Christian status of the former Benedictine monk. Once a
monk achieves full membership, the group is responsible within reason for that person‘s
health, welfare, and education. This means that the monastery will use accepted medical
interventions when indicated. Roberts group members eschew standard medical wisdom and
are encouraged to rely more on a magical form of prayer. There was a time, until recently,
when nearly all members including the above-mentioned Jim Guerra, would throw away
their prescription glasses, for example, to comply with a naïve, magical interpretation of the
Gospel.
References
Barta, Peggy. (1971, 26 February). ―Jesus People‖ believe Jesus is the answer to
everything. Montana Review, 72(61).
Galvan, Louis. (1980, 8 February). Penicillin could have cured dead cultist. The Fresno
Bee.
Guerra, Jim. (2000). From Dean‘s List to Dumpsters. Pittsburgh: Dorrance.
Lifton, Robert J. (1989) Thought reform and the psychology of totalism (Rev. ed.). New
York: Norton.
Martin, Rachel. (1979). Escape. Denver, CO: Accent Books.
Sneed, Michael. (1979, 11 June). ―Brother Evangelist‖: Hypnotic Shepherd of a wandering
flock. Chicago Tribune.
James Foster’s son Kraig was recruited into the Jim Roberts Cult from college in August,
1984. Despite spending years searching for his son, there have been very few family visits,
one of which was featured on ABC‘s Prime Time Live. Recently, Kraig left the cult, because
he felt the lifestyle had become too lax, and is now living what he perceives as the authentic
cult lifestyle on his own. The remaining members refer to him as ―the super brother.‖ Jim
served as Co-Chair of TRGPN from 1996 to 2001.
Ronald Loomis has been studying cults and educating others about them for over 30
years, mostly at colleges and universities. He has been featured in many media articles and
presentations about cults. He has served as an expert advisor to TRGPN since its founding.
Joseph Szimhart is a former cult member who has been exit counseling others out of cults
for some 25 years. He has written extensively regarding the thought reform techniques
used by cults and has also been featured in many media articles and presentations. He has
been assisting TRGPN as an expert advisor since its founding.
Larry Wilcox’s son Bart was recruited into the Jim Roberts Cult from college in March,
1991. There have been a few family visits however, Bart remains in the JRG. Larry served
as Co-Chair of TRGPN from 1996 to 2001.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Review, 2003, Volume 2,
Number 2, pages 151-168. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
one can get rid of Jim Roberts, much less argue with him with any substance—one can
merely like what he does or quit. New recruits at the Abiquiu monastery, on the other hand,
go through extensive initiation that lasts seven years before final vows of total commitment
are made. Family contact is limited, but never labeled as evil. If someone decides to quit
the religious life, there are proper procedures of ―annulment,‖ but this lifestyle change has
no bearing on the salvation or Christian status of the former Benedictine monk. Once a
monk achieves full membership, the group is responsible within reason for that person‘s
health, welfare, and education. This means that the monastery will use accepted medical
interventions when indicated. Roberts group members eschew standard medical wisdom and
are encouraged to rely more on a magical form of prayer. There was a time, until recently,
when nearly all members including the above-mentioned Jim Guerra, would throw away
their prescription glasses, for example, to comply with a naïve, magical interpretation of the
Gospel.
References
Barta, Peggy. (1971, 26 February). ―Jesus People‖ believe Jesus is the answer to
everything. Montana Review, 72(61).
Galvan, Louis. (1980, 8 February). Penicillin could have cured dead cultist. The Fresno
Bee.
Guerra, Jim. (2000). From Dean‘s List to Dumpsters. Pittsburgh: Dorrance.
Lifton, Robert J. (1989) Thought reform and the psychology of totalism (Rev. ed.). New
York: Norton.
Martin, Rachel. (1979). Escape. Denver, CO: Accent Books.
Sneed, Michael. (1979, 11 June). ―Brother Evangelist‖: Hypnotic Shepherd of a wandering
flock. Chicago Tribune.
James Foster’s son Kraig was recruited into the Jim Roberts Cult from college in August,
1984. Despite spending years searching for his son, there have been very few family visits,
one of which was featured on ABC‘s Prime Time Live. Recently, Kraig left the cult, because
he felt the lifestyle had become too lax, and is now living what he perceives as the authentic
cult lifestyle on his own. The remaining members refer to him as ―the super brother.‖ Jim
served as Co-Chair of TRGPN from 1996 to 2001.
Ronald Loomis has been studying cults and educating others about them for over 30
years, mostly at colleges and universities. He has been featured in many media articles and
presentations about cults. He has served as an expert advisor to TRGPN since its founding.
Joseph Szimhart is a former cult member who has been exit counseling others out of cults
for some 25 years. He has written extensively regarding the thought reform techniques
used by cults and has also been featured in many media articles and presentations. He has
been assisting TRGPN as an expert advisor since its founding.
Larry Wilcox’s son Bart was recruited into the Jim Roberts Cult from college in March,
1991. There have been a few family visits however, Bart remains in the JRG. Larry served
as Co-Chair of TRGPN from 1996 to 2001.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Review, 2003, Volume 2,
Number 2, pages 151-168. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the
bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
