Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991, Page 9
outside ideas and other religions. Many criticize the anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic teachings
of some groups such as The Tony and Susan Alamo Foundation, The Church Universal and
Triumphant, The Unification Church, the Children of God, The Way International, and the
Rajneesh Foundation.10 Some adherents of mainstream religious beliefs and secular critics
suggest that cults may even undermine the Judaeo-Christian moral foundations of Western
society.11 A former nun told one of the authors, “The `New Age‟ movements believe there‟s
no right or wrong, that you are God, and whatever you do is good and right, so you
shouldn‟t feel guilty. This goes against the Ten Commandments. And I‟m afraid the upsurge
of Satanic and Witchcraft groups means we‟re going back to the `Dark Ages.‟”12
What are the more practical effects of cults on mainstream religions?
Mainstream religious leaders fear that the abuses perpetrated by cults may give all religion
a bad name and may subject their own organizations to criticism and outside regulation.
Law enforcement officials are now investigating some religious cults‟ neglect of children‟s
health, violations of solicitation and charity regulations, income tax laws, immigration laws,
health and sanitary codes, child labor laws, and education requirements. Some mainstream
religious groups fear that this will lead to closer examination of their behavior, especially in
the areas of tax exemptions, other financial practices, and neglect of children‟s health
care.13
In the last few years disenchanted former cult members have sued their groups for such
things as fraud, slavery, alienation from families, psychological harm, and physical and
sexual abuse. Some have recovered substantial financial compensatory damages. Many
mainstream religious leaders decry the growing trend of “secular litigation of religious
disputes”14, fearing that the results of such legal precedents, especially in the areas of fraud
or false promises, malpractice, invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and wrongful death,
will mean that they could be successfully sued also.15 In September, 1985, USA Today
reported, “Growing numbers of clergy are reluctant to counsel people for fear of malpractice
suits.”16 More than 40,000 clergy have purchased malpractice insurance since insurance
companies began offering it to them in 1979.17 Churches are hiring lawyers and
streamlining their procedures. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The Catholic Church
has established arbitration services in some of its dioceses, and the Christian Legal Society
has started an interdenominational conciliation service to handle disputes between churches
and their members.”18
Some mainstream religious leaders fear that legal scrutiny of religious cults will lead to
tighter governmental regulations of all religious practices. They maintain this will weaken
the delicate boundaries between church and state, which can lead to violations of the United
States Constitution‟s First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion.19
There are other practical effects of cults on mainstream religions. Controversial groups
trying to join umbrella religious organizations have caused dissension within them. For
example, when the Unification Church applied for membership in the Cape Ann
(Massachusetts) Interfaith Council in 1981 the Sacred Heart (Catholic) Church withdrew its
membership from the Council.20 When the Unification Church applied for membership in the
National Council of Churches in 1977, it was denied by the NCC‟s Faith and Order
Commission on the basis that the Unification Church is not a Christian body.21 Mainstream
religious leaders fear that the Equal Access Act, passed in August, 1984, which allows
religious meetings to take place on secondary school premises, could be legally challenged
because cults may abuse it by using this opportunity to recruit high school students.22
Religious organizations fear legal actions such as the suit against the New York City Jewish
Community Relations Council brought by the Jews for Jesus missionary organization and the
American Board of Missions to the Jews [ABMJ].23 Rabbis, ministers and priests complain
outside ideas and other religions. Many criticize the anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic teachings
of some groups such as The Tony and Susan Alamo Foundation, The Church Universal and
Triumphant, The Unification Church, the Children of God, The Way International, and the
Rajneesh Foundation.10 Some adherents of mainstream religious beliefs and secular critics
suggest that cults may even undermine the Judaeo-Christian moral foundations of Western
society.11 A former nun told one of the authors, “The `New Age‟ movements believe there‟s
no right or wrong, that you are God, and whatever you do is good and right, so you
shouldn‟t feel guilty. This goes against the Ten Commandments. And I‟m afraid the upsurge
of Satanic and Witchcraft groups means we‟re going back to the `Dark Ages.‟”12
What are the more practical effects of cults on mainstream religions?
Mainstream religious leaders fear that the abuses perpetrated by cults may give all religion
a bad name and may subject their own organizations to criticism and outside regulation.
Law enforcement officials are now investigating some religious cults‟ neglect of children‟s
health, violations of solicitation and charity regulations, income tax laws, immigration laws,
health and sanitary codes, child labor laws, and education requirements. Some mainstream
religious groups fear that this will lead to closer examination of their behavior, especially in
the areas of tax exemptions, other financial practices, and neglect of children‟s health
care.13
In the last few years disenchanted former cult members have sued their groups for such
things as fraud, slavery, alienation from families, psychological harm, and physical and
sexual abuse. Some have recovered substantial financial compensatory damages. Many
mainstream religious leaders decry the growing trend of “secular litigation of religious
disputes”14, fearing that the results of such legal precedents, especially in the areas of fraud
or false promises, malpractice, invasion of privacy, emotional distress, and wrongful death,
will mean that they could be successfully sued also.15 In September, 1985, USA Today
reported, “Growing numbers of clergy are reluctant to counsel people for fear of malpractice
suits.”16 More than 40,000 clergy have purchased malpractice insurance since insurance
companies began offering it to them in 1979.17 Churches are hiring lawyers and
streamlining their procedures. According to the Wall Street Journal, “The Catholic Church
has established arbitration services in some of its dioceses, and the Christian Legal Society
has started an interdenominational conciliation service to handle disputes between churches
and their members.”18
Some mainstream religious leaders fear that legal scrutiny of religious cults will lead to
tighter governmental regulations of all religious practices. They maintain this will weaken
the delicate boundaries between church and state, which can lead to violations of the United
States Constitution‟s First Amendment guarantees of freedom of religion.19
There are other practical effects of cults on mainstream religions. Controversial groups
trying to join umbrella religious organizations have caused dissension within them. For
example, when the Unification Church applied for membership in the Cape Ann
(Massachusetts) Interfaith Council in 1981 the Sacred Heart (Catholic) Church withdrew its
membership from the Council.20 When the Unification Church applied for membership in the
National Council of Churches in 1977, it was denied by the NCC‟s Faith and Order
Commission on the basis that the Unification Church is not a Christian body.21 Mainstream
religious leaders fear that the Equal Access Act, passed in August, 1984, which allows
religious meetings to take place on secondary school premises, could be legally challenged
because cults may abuse it by using this opportunity to recruit high school students.22
Religious organizations fear legal actions such as the suit against the New York City Jewish
Community Relations Council brought by the Jews for Jesus missionary organization and the
American Board of Missions to the Jews [ABMJ].23 Rabbis, ministers and priests complain
