Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989, Page 32
*Despite the fact that they strive for maximal expansion --they disguise their
identity, maintain secrecy, claim occult knowledge, and do not state exactly what the
theory or the philosophy is that they convey and in what ways they apply it.
The minister of Education and Culture ratified this clarification of the mandate given the
Committee.
The groups investigated by the committee were: Scientology The Center for Dianetics
est The Israel Center for Breakthrough Emin Dimension for Progressive Knowledge
Transcendental Meditation (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) Bhagwan Rajneesh Ananda Marga
Unification Church (“Moonies”) The International Society for Krishna Consciousness The
Divine Light Mission (Guru Maharaj-ji) The Finger of God (Reena Shani). Moreover, it was
agreed that the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee would relate to the
subject in its entirety and would be presented in general form --even if based principally on
concrete examples drawn from the groups specifically investigated by the Committee.
Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue of the multitude of headings and titles
associated with the societal elements being discussed, the Committee had difficulty in
deciding on the terminology in this report. “Cults” and “new salvation groups,” which were
suggested, were not accepted, and it was unanimously decided to use the term “new
groups”. This term does not serve to designate the time of appearance of the relevant
bodies, but rather indicates that it is a phenomenon which is difficult to classify, being a
novelty in each of the recognized disciplines (religion, therapy, science, etc.). What is
apparently at issue is an essential novelty, the nature of which will become clear only
following comprehensive and intensive research after conditions enabling free access to all
the facts are created.
In the course of clarifying the boundaries of its activity and in the light of the direction
which crystallized, the Committee discussed whether it should also include in its
examination groups belonging to the “Back to Religion” or the “Hazara Betshuvah”
movement. A number of Committee members were of the opinion that there is no similarity
between the matters. Others held the view that there are parallels. The Committee decided
by a majority vote, that although there are a few parallels between the activity of some
“Back to Religion” groups and that of the new groups, these similarities were not sufficient
to justify inclusion of the subject in the scope of the Committee‟s investigation.
The Committee made great efforts to enable any party interested in the issue to appear
before it or, if preferred, to meet with its representatives. Notices were published in the
press in which those interested were called upon to make contact with the Committee. All
the groups examined were granted the opportunity to appear before the Committee and to
make their own presentation.
The Committee heard testimonies of members and ex-members of the new groups, of
official representatives of some of the groups, spokesmen, leaders, etc., of parents and
relatives of members, of professionals in the field of mental health, and of representatives
of bodies and institutions having some connection to the matter (local councils, local parent
committees, the Organization of Concerned Parents, representatives of the United Kibbutz
Movement, the Child and Family Care Clinic, and representatives of Hand for Brothers.) In
addition, meetings were held with people from the Jewish American Task Force (The task
force is a joint body of the various streams of Judaism in the U.S.A. and deals with
education, information, and granting assistance on this issue to families. Its
representatives, Dr. Lachman and Attorney Rosedale, visited Israel and met with members
of the Committee). Individual members of the Committee who deal with the various
aspects of the subject by virtue of their regular position/work, presented facts and
evaluations to the Committee.
*Despite the fact that they strive for maximal expansion --they disguise their
identity, maintain secrecy, claim occult knowledge, and do not state exactly what the
theory or the philosophy is that they convey and in what ways they apply it.
The minister of Education and Culture ratified this clarification of the mandate given the
Committee.
The groups investigated by the committee were: Scientology The Center for Dianetics
est The Israel Center for Breakthrough Emin Dimension for Progressive Knowledge
Transcendental Meditation (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) Bhagwan Rajneesh Ananda Marga
Unification Church (“Moonies”) The International Society for Krishna Consciousness The
Divine Light Mission (Guru Maharaj-ji) The Finger of God (Reena Shani). Moreover, it was
agreed that the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee would relate to the
subject in its entirety and would be presented in general form --even if based principally on
concrete examples drawn from the groups specifically investigated by the Committee.
Due to the complexity and sensitivity of the issue of the multitude of headings and titles
associated with the societal elements being discussed, the Committee had difficulty in
deciding on the terminology in this report. “Cults” and “new salvation groups,” which were
suggested, were not accepted, and it was unanimously decided to use the term “new
groups”. This term does not serve to designate the time of appearance of the relevant
bodies, but rather indicates that it is a phenomenon which is difficult to classify, being a
novelty in each of the recognized disciplines (religion, therapy, science, etc.). What is
apparently at issue is an essential novelty, the nature of which will become clear only
following comprehensive and intensive research after conditions enabling free access to all
the facts are created.
In the course of clarifying the boundaries of its activity and in the light of the direction
which crystallized, the Committee discussed whether it should also include in its
examination groups belonging to the “Back to Religion” or the “Hazara Betshuvah”
movement. A number of Committee members were of the opinion that there is no similarity
between the matters. Others held the view that there are parallels. The Committee decided
by a majority vote, that although there are a few parallels between the activity of some
“Back to Religion” groups and that of the new groups, these similarities were not sufficient
to justify inclusion of the subject in the scope of the Committee‟s investigation.
The Committee made great efforts to enable any party interested in the issue to appear
before it or, if preferred, to meet with its representatives. Notices were published in the
press in which those interested were called upon to make contact with the Committee. All
the groups examined were granted the opportunity to appear before the Committee and to
make their own presentation.
The Committee heard testimonies of members and ex-members of the new groups, of
official representatives of some of the groups, spokesmen, leaders, etc., of parents and
relatives of members, of professionals in the field of mental health, and of representatives
of bodies and institutions having some connection to the matter (local councils, local parent
committees, the Organization of Concerned Parents, representatives of the United Kibbutz
Movement, the Child and Family Care Clinic, and representatives of Hand for Brothers.) In
addition, meetings were held with people from the Jewish American Task Force (The task
force is a joint body of the various streams of Judaism in the U.S.A. and deals with
education, information, and granting assistance on this issue to families. Its
representatives, Dr. Lachman and Attorney Rosedale, visited Israel and met with members
of the Committee). Individual members of the Committee who deal with the various
aspects of the subject by virtue of their regular position/work, presented facts and
evaluations to the Committee.
