Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1989, Page 45
incorporated, nonprofit organizations. The Ministry of Health has withdrawn a letter of
support it had given several years previously to Transcendental Meditation, and recently
sought a permanent injunction against a psychotherapy group in which unlicensed doctors
or psychologists were conducting extensive week-end courses for adults and children.
This latter group was forced to stop its seminars for children, but the judge hearing the case
refused to grant a permanent injunction against the continued existence of courses for
adults, arguing that their participation in the courses was voluntary and that the State had
no duty to protect them from risks voluntarily undertaken. The judge viewed their position
as no different from those who choose to smoke cigarettes, which are known to cause harm
to the smoker. Others, however, hold the opinion that the State‟s proper course should
have been a criminal prosecution for the unlawful practice of medicine or psychology. The
police have since opened a criminal investigation, and the matter is under review by the
State Attorney.
This case highlights the Report‟s call for coordinated action among police and the different
government ministries and agencies involved, as well as the reluctance by courts to accept
the argument that adults who participate in such courses often do so without giving their
fully informed consent. Furthermore, the court recommended specific legislation authorizing
the Ministry of Health and/or the Attorney General to seek preventive injunctive relief
(avoiding the need for criminal prosecution) whenever there is an actual or likely violation of
the law affecting the general public or a section thereof. The Ministry of Health is also
studying possible licensing of groups practicing psychotherapy, but is having difficulty in
defining the practice of psychotherapy.
In conclusion, since the publication of the Report, the majority of the groups studied in the
Report have continued to be active in Israel, although they have chosen to maintain a low
profile. Several new groups have also appeared. Despite the modest steps taken by
government Ministries, the cult phenomenon in Israel continues unabated and is unlikely to
receive serious attention until a permanent cult monitoring body as recommended in the
Report is set up. Given the lack of public funds, such an act seems unlikely in the near
future.
References
0.4 Bromley D.G., &Shupe A.D., Jr. (1981). Strange gods: The great American cult
scare. Boston: Beacon.
0.5 Wallis, R. (1984). The elementary forms of the new religious life. Boston: Routledge
and Kegan Paul.
0.8 Barker E. (Ed.). (1984). New religious movements: A perspective for understanding
society. Edwin Mellen Press.
0.9 Robbins T., &Anthony D. (Eds.). (1981). In gods we trust: New patterns of religious
pluralism in America. New Brunswick: Transaction Books.
0.10 Appel, W. (1983). Cults in America: Programmed for paradise. New York: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston.
0.15 Petersen, W.J. (1973). Those curious new cults. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing
Inc.
0.16 Stoner, C., &Parke, J.A. (1979). All God’s children: The cult experience --salvation
or slavery. New York: Penguin Books.
0.25 Levine, S.V. (1984). Radical departures. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich.
0.28 The Challenge of the Cults: An Examination of the Cult Phenomenon and Its
Implications for the Jewish Community (Second Edition). (1979). A report of the
special Committee on Exotic Cults. Chairperson: the Honorable Edward B.
Rosenberg. Published by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater
Philadelphia.
incorporated, nonprofit organizations. The Ministry of Health has withdrawn a letter of
support it had given several years previously to Transcendental Meditation, and recently
sought a permanent injunction against a psychotherapy group in which unlicensed doctors
or psychologists were conducting extensive week-end courses for adults and children.
This latter group was forced to stop its seminars for children, but the judge hearing the case
refused to grant a permanent injunction against the continued existence of courses for
adults, arguing that their participation in the courses was voluntary and that the State had
no duty to protect them from risks voluntarily undertaken. The judge viewed their position
as no different from those who choose to smoke cigarettes, which are known to cause harm
to the smoker. Others, however, hold the opinion that the State‟s proper course should
have been a criminal prosecution for the unlawful practice of medicine or psychology. The
police have since opened a criminal investigation, and the matter is under review by the
State Attorney.
This case highlights the Report‟s call for coordinated action among police and the different
government ministries and agencies involved, as well as the reluctance by courts to accept
the argument that adults who participate in such courses often do so without giving their
fully informed consent. Furthermore, the court recommended specific legislation authorizing
the Ministry of Health and/or the Attorney General to seek preventive injunctive relief
(avoiding the need for criminal prosecution) whenever there is an actual or likely violation of
the law affecting the general public or a section thereof. The Ministry of Health is also
studying possible licensing of groups practicing psychotherapy, but is having difficulty in
defining the practice of psychotherapy.
In conclusion, since the publication of the Report, the majority of the groups studied in the
Report have continued to be active in Israel, although they have chosen to maintain a low
profile. Several new groups have also appeared. Despite the modest steps taken by
government Ministries, the cult phenomenon in Israel continues unabated and is unlikely to
receive serious attention until a permanent cult monitoring body as recommended in the
Report is set up. Given the lack of public funds, such an act seems unlikely in the near
future.
References
0.4 Bromley D.G., &Shupe A.D., Jr. (1981). Strange gods: The great American cult
scare. Boston: Beacon.
0.5 Wallis, R. (1984). The elementary forms of the new religious life. Boston: Routledge
and Kegan Paul.
0.8 Barker E. (Ed.). (1984). New religious movements: A perspective for understanding
society. Edwin Mellen Press.
0.9 Robbins T., &Anthony D. (Eds.). (1981). In gods we trust: New patterns of religious
pluralism in America. New Brunswick: Transaction Books.
0.10 Appel, W. (1983). Cults in America: Programmed for paradise. New York: Holt,
Rinehart, and Winston.
0.15 Petersen, W.J. (1973). Those curious new cults. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing
Inc.
0.16 Stoner, C., &Parke, J.A. (1979). All God’s children: The cult experience --salvation
or slavery. New York: Penguin Books.
0.25 Levine, S.V. (1984). Radical departures. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich.
0.28 The Challenge of the Cults: An Examination of the Cult Phenomenon and Its
Implications for the Jewish Community (Second Edition). (1979). A report of the
special Committee on Exotic Cults. Chairperson: the Honorable Edward B.
Rosenberg. Published by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater
Philadelphia.
