Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2005, Page 66
Servants of the Holy Family
Radical Parish Called Cultish
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs has sent a letter to about 60 households
asking members of the Servants of the Holy Family, led by the Rev. Anthony Ward, to
leave it. Former members say the church and seminary of 100–150 members is a
personality cult, that its priests berate members from the pulpit and demand unquestioned
loyalty. The result is the sundering of families. Many members refuse — or are unable — to
speak with parents, children, or siblings who have left the church, which offers a traditional
Latin Mass six days a week. It is said that members regularly ask Rev. Ward for permission
to marry or change jobs. (Paul Asay, The Gazette, Internet, 11/15/04)
Social Therapy
Newman Party Endorsed Nader
Ralph Nader received an endorsement during the recent election campaign from the
Independence Party, ―a cult-like political organization‖ headed by Fred Newman associate
Lenora Fulani. Newman, once allied with Lyndon LaRouche, developed social therapy,
which has been described by ex-members as ―sophisticated indoctrination methodology
which impairs critical thinking skills and which uses repression, dependency, and guilt-
inducing techniques to control and lure patients into political activity and, ultimately, into
blind allegiance to Newman.‖ (John Eder and David Siegal, Political News Today, Internet,
10/4/04)
Steiner (Waldorf Schools)
In Australian Public School
The Trinity Gardens, a public primary school in South Australia, will soon offer two optional
alternative classes using the Steiner method [which is associated with the Waldorf
schools]. Critics say Steiner schools operate ―like a religious cult,‖ and some parents plan to
remove their children from the school. (Miles Kemp, The Advertiser, Internet, 1/7/05)
Suicide Bombers
Defusing Suicide Bombers
Social scientists say that it‘s the group with which one identifies, and not one‘s personality,
that often determines behavior. This insight is affecting our understanding of suicide
bombers, who are not sociopaths or psychopaths, or otherwise mentally unbalanced, or
from fanatically religious families, or even socially estranged. This view is confirmed by a
recent National Science foundation study in Gaza and the West Bank undertaken by
anthropologist Scott Atran, which finds likely suicide bombers — strong Hamas supporters,
for example — to be idealistic and compassionate, from among the elite, young people who
think they can change the world.
They also seem irrational in that they don‘t weigh risks and benefits or winning and losing
strategies, but allow ―sacred values‖ to overwhelm other considerations. A potential suicide
bomber says, at least when he is in a group, that it doesn‘t matter whether he kill‘s 100
people or no one at all, so long as he makes his sacrifice. Yet when alone, the same
informants are more doubtful of the prospect of martyrdom and flexible in their approaches
to it. A conclusion of the study is that group dynamics rather than individual psychology will
provide greater understanding of suicide bombers.
Retired Air Force general Todd Stewart says profiling won‘t prevent suicide attacks. He
believes it will take an understanding of how terrorist groups socialize recruits and exploit
Servants of the Holy Family
Radical Parish Called Cultish
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs has sent a letter to about 60 households
asking members of the Servants of the Holy Family, led by the Rev. Anthony Ward, to
leave it. Former members say the church and seminary of 100–150 members is a
personality cult, that its priests berate members from the pulpit and demand unquestioned
loyalty. The result is the sundering of families. Many members refuse — or are unable — to
speak with parents, children, or siblings who have left the church, which offers a traditional
Latin Mass six days a week. It is said that members regularly ask Rev. Ward for permission
to marry or change jobs. (Paul Asay, The Gazette, Internet, 11/15/04)
Social Therapy
Newman Party Endorsed Nader
Ralph Nader received an endorsement during the recent election campaign from the
Independence Party, ―a cult-like political organization‖ headed by Fred Newman associate
Lenora Fulani. Newman, once allied with Lyndon LaRouche, developed social therapy,
which has been described by ex-members as ―sophisticated indoctrination methodology
which impairs critical thinking skills and which uses repression, dependency, and guilt-
inducing techniques to control and lure patients into political activity and, ultimately, into
blind allegiance to Newman.‖ (John Eder and David Siegal, Political News Today, Internet,
10/4/04)
Steiner (Waldorf Schools)
In Australian Public School
The Trinity Gardens, a public primary school in South Australia, will soon offer two optional
alternative classes using the Steiner method [which is associated with the Waldorf
schools]. Critics say Steiner schools operate ―like a religious cult,‖ and some parents plan to
remove their children from the school. (Miles Kemp, The Advertiser, Internet, 1/7/05)
Suicide Bombers
Defusing Suicide Bombers
Social scientists say that it‘s the group with which one identifies, and not one‘s personality,
that often determines behavior. This insight is affecting our understanding of suicide
bombers, who are not sociopaths or psychopaths, or otherwise mentally unbalanced, or
from fanatically religious families, or even socially estranged. This view is confirmed by a
recent National Science foundation study in Gaza and the West Bank undertaken by
anthropologist Scott Atran, which finds likely suicide bombers — strong Hamas supporters,
for example — to be idealistic and compassionate, from among the elite, young people who
think they can change the world.
They also seem irrational in that they don‘t weigh risks and benefits or winning and losing
strategies, but allow ―sacred values‖ to overwhelm other considerations. A potential suicide
bomber says, at least when he is in a group, that it doesn‘t matter whether he kill‘s 100
people or no one at all, so long as he makes his sacrifice. Yet when alone, the same
informants are more doubtful of the prospect of martyrdom and flexible in their approaches
to it. A conclusion of the study is that group dynamics rather than individual psychology will
provide greater understanding of suicide bombers.
Retired Air Force general Todd Stewart says profiling won‘t prevent suicide attacks. He
believes it will take an understanding of how terrorist groups socialize recruits and exploit
