Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1 1988 Page 110
Reply to Floyd McClung's Correspondence
Michael D. Langone, Ph. D.
Editor, Cultic Studies Journal
I regret that our printing the Jacobson article so disturbed Mr. McClung.
His concern seems to revolve around three issues: the right of simultaneous reply, the quality of the
article, and respect.
It is not the convention in either journalism or scholarly reports to submit, in advance of publication, a
critical article to those criticized. Replies are almost always published in subsequent issues. Indeed,
many scholarly journals do not even offer an opportunity for rebuttal, and even newspapers are very
selective about printing rebuttals. Unlike most periodicals, the Cultic Studies Journal has printed all letters
commenting on a published article, with minimal editing.
Ms. Jacobson's article was published because we judged it to be intelligent, sensitive, illuminating, and
balanced. It was an exceptional personal account, not a journalistic report. We have examined
dozens of accounts by people formerly involved with a number of groups who feel they were subjected
to unethical influence techniques. Ms. Jacobson's is one of the very few we have ever considered for
publication. Furthermore, Ms. Jacobson's article had been carefully reviewed and recommended by CSJ
Editorial Board member Ronald Enroth, Ph. D., a Professor of Sociology at Westmont College, an
evangelical school. Professor Enroth, an expert on cults and aberrations within Christian groups, is
familiar with YWAM, including the views of its leaders.
Our intention in publishing the Jacobson article was not to brand Youth with a Mission (YWAM) a cult, but
to provide another perspective on the themes developed in the CSJ special issue, ―Cults,
Evangelicals, and the Ethics of Social Influence.‖ A major contention of that special issue was
that undisciplined enthusiasm can lead well-intentioned persons into cultic ways of relating to others.
Such cultic relationships can develop in any group — nonreligious as well as religious — and can become
a serious problem if the group lacks effective accountability mechanisms to restore ethical behavior in
its members.
Mr. McClung has the integrity to acknowledge that ―some of our leaders were offensive, hurtful, and
unwise.‖ Moreover, an article he has authored, ―Authority: Its Use and Abuse,‖ demonstrates that he
is concerned about ethical issues and accountability. All, of this speaks well of YWAM as an organization.
Because of the controversial nature of the CSJ's interest areas, the journal remains open to
publishing letters and articles expressing all sides of an issue. Hence, we have published Mr.
McClung's letters.
The journal, however, also has an obligation to express the points of view of those who have been
harmed by manipulative techniques of social influence, even when doing so may make some
people uncomfortable. YWAM has certainly not been singled out in this regard.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1988, Volume 5, Number 1,
pages 150-154. 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.
Reply to Floyd McClung's Correspondence
Michael D. Langone, Ph. D.
Editor, Cultic Studies Journal
I regret that our printing the Jacobson article so disturbed Mr. McClung.
His concern seems to revolve around three issues: the right of simultaneous reply, the quality of the
article, and respect.
It is not the convention in either journalism or scholarly reports to submit, in advance of publication, a
critical article to those criticized. Replies are almost always published in subsequent issues. Indeed,
many scholarly journals do not even offer an opportunity for rebuttal, and even newspapers are very
selective about printing rebuttals. Unlike most periodicals, the Cultic Studies Journal has printed all letters
commenting on a published article, with minimal editing.
Ms. Jacobson's article was published because we judged it to be intelligent, sensitive, illuminating, and
balanced. It was an exceptional personal account, not a journalistic report. We have examined
dozens of accounts by people formerly involved with a number of groups who feel they were subjected
to unethical influence techniques. Ms. Jacobson's is one of the very few we have ever considered for
publication. Furthermore, Ms. Jacobson's article had been carefully reviewed and recommended by CSJ
Editorial Board member Ronald Enroth, Ph. D., a Professor of Sociology at Westmont College, an
evangelical school. Professor Enroth, an expert on cults and aberrations within Christian groups, is
familiar with YWAM, including the views of its leaders.
Our intention in publishing the Jacobson article was not to brand Youth with a Mission (YWAM) a cult, but
to provide another perspective on the themes developed in the CSJ special issue, ―Cults,
Evangelicals, and the Ethics of Social Influence.‖ A major contention of that special issue was
that undisciplined enthusiasm can lead well-intentioned persons into cultic ways of relating to others.
Such cultic relationships can develop in any group — nonreligious as well as religious — and can become
a serious problem if the group lacks effective accountability mechanisms to restore ethical behavior in
its members.
Mr. McClung has the integrity to acknowledge that ―some of our leaders were offensive, hurtful, and
unwise.‖ Moreover, an article he has authored, ―Authority: Its Use and Abuse,‖ demonstrates that he
is concerned about ethical issues and accountability. All, of this speaks well of YWAM as an organization.
Because of the controversial nature of the CSJ's interest areas, the journal remains open to
publishing letters and articles expressing all sides of an issue. Hence, we have published Mr.
McClung's letters.
The journal, however, also has an obligation to express the points of view of those who have been
harmed by manipulative techniques of social influence, even when doing so may make some
people uncomfortable. YWAM has certainly not been singled out in this regard.
This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1988, Volume 5, Number 1,
pages 150-154. 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.
