Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989, Page 38
special significance as most of these groups are affiliated with international organizations
and leaders abroad.
The Committee views with particular concern evidence brought before it concerning certain
cases in which a group took special measures to prevent contact between a member and his
natural family (when the latter was suspected of trying to influence him or her to return to
the former environment). Members were moved around from place to place and knowledge
of their whereabouts was denied.
The Committee also notes with concern that some groups resort to psychological pressure
to dissuade members from dropping out. The individual who does not leave has to cope with
repeated reproaches, with inducements, and sometimes with veiled threats as well. Not
everyone is capable of coping single-handedly with this difficult and harassing situation.
Tolerance and Democratic Values
In some of the new groups that have branches and extensions in Israel, there is evidence
not only of intolerance towards those outside but also sometimes towards members of the
group itself. Although in Israel there is no clear-cut evidence of use of violence, it is known
that some groups abroad have resorted to violence directed outward and inward.
Some of the new groups demand almost total obedience and submission to acceptance of
authority. It should be noted that this, together with the authoritarian hierarchic structure
of some of the new groups combined with a model of charismatic leadership, can lead to a
situation in which members of certain groups resort to action which negates accepted social
values and laws (for example, fraud, violence, drug offenses, and in extreme cases even
suicide).
The demand for almost total subservience to authority and the various methods employed
to achieve these may cause a change in personality and lead to suppression of critical
ability. Demands of this kind indicate a world view which actually abrogates the value of
personal freedom and autonomy, values which are fundamentals of western democracy and
which demands of its citizens mutual tolerance and the preservation of freedom of belief
and thought.
It should be mentioned that the critics of some of these groups claim that members may
reach a state of total enslavement together with nearly blind obedience to the leaders of the
group. These critics go so far as to point out that as a result of this metamorphosis, group
dropouts may support totalitarian movements with relative case.
Those who object to this criticism state that some group members manage to maintain their
own identity and autonomy and sometimes even become better citizens. Furthermore, they
note that it is the individual‟s right in a democratic state to choose the lifestyle he sees fit
(including one in which he must forego his personal autonomy and freedom) and that the
connection between members of these groups and genuine support of a totalitarian regime
has not been proven.
The Committee members are of the belief that the dangers to democratic values, as
described above, must give rise to concern. The public should be warned against groups
whose ideologies and whose means adopted to fulfill these ideologies could lead to the total
enslavement of the individual to the group and to the significant impediment of his free will
and capacity to choose. The public should likewise be warned against groups which
advocate the destruction of democratic society or the value system upon which it is based.
Economic Activity
Most of the new groups which are the subject of public debate have managed, within a
relatively short period (either as religious or political bodies just making their first steps or
special significance as most of these groups are affiliated with international organizations
and leaders abroad.
The Committee views with particular concern evidence brought before it concerning certain
cases in which a group took special measures to prevent contact between a member and his
natural family (when the latter was suspected of trying to influence him or her to return to
the former environment). Members were moved around from place to place and knowledge
of their whereabouts was denied.
The Committee also notes with concern that some groups resort to psychological pressure
to dissuade members from dropping out. The individual who does not leave has to cope with
repeated reproaches, with inducements, and sometimes with veiled threats as well. Not
everyone is capable of coping single-handedly with this difficult and harassing situation.
Tolerance and Democratic Values
In some of the new groups that have branches and extensions in Israel, there is evidence
not only of intolerance towards those outside but also sometimes towards members of the
group itself. Although in Israel there is no clear-cut evidence of use of violence, it is known
that some groups abroad have resorted to violence directed outward and inward.
Some of the new groups demand almost total obedience and submission to acceptance of
authority. It should be noted that this, together with the authoritarian hierarchic structure
of some of the new groups combined with a model of charismatic leadership, can lead to a
situation in which members of certain groups resort to action which negates accepted social
values and laws (for example, fraud, violence, drug offenses, and in extreme cases even
suicide).
The demand for almost total subservience to authority and the various methods employed
to achieve these may cause a change in personality and lead to suppression of critical
ability. Demands of this kind indicate a world view which actually abrogates the value of
personal freedom and autonomy, values which are fundamentals of western democracy and
which demands of its citizens mutual tolerance and the preservation of freedom of belief
and thought.
It should be mentioned that the critics of some of these groups claim that members may
reach a state of total enslavement together with nearly blind obedience to the leaders of the
group. These critics go so far as to point out that as a result of this metamorphosis, group
dropouts may support totalitarian movements with relative case.
Those who object to this criticism state that some group members manage to maintain their
own identity and autonomy and sometimes even become better citizens. Furthermore, they
note that it is the individual‟s right in a democratic state to choose the lifestyle he sees fit
(including one in which he must forego his personal autonomy and freedom) and that the
connection between members of these groups and genuine support of a totalitarian regime
has not been proven.
The Committee members are of the belief that the dangers to democratic values, as
described above, must give rise to concern. The public should be warned against groups
whose ideologies and whose means adopted to fulfill these ideologies could lead to the total
enslavement of the individual to the group and to the significant impediment of his free will
and capacity to choose. The public should likewise be warned against groups which
advocate the destruction of democratic society or the value system upon which it is based.
Economic Activity
Most of the new groups which are the subject of public debate have managed, within a
relatively short period (either as religious or political bodies just making their first steps or
