Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2, 1992, Page 27
protected absolutely by the First Amendment.74 Legal actions against such groups, whether
civil or criminal, are focused on issues of conduct, not belief, even though cult supporters
write as if beliefs were on trial.72,82
Distortion 11: Successful Criminal and Tort Actions against, or Legal Restrictions
on, Religious Cults Will Result in Witch-Hunts against Unpopular Religions
History does not bear out the claim that successful criminal and tort actions against, or legal
restrictions on, religious cults will result in witch hunts against unpopular religions. Although
successful criminal prosecutions and the enforcement of certain statutes have interfered with
various religious practices (e.g., Synanon‟s leader, Charles Diederich, was prosecuted
successfully for implementing Synanon‟s “new religious posture,” which called for beating
Synanon‟s supposed enemies Reverend Moon has been jailed for tax evasion the Mormons
have been prevented from practicing polygamy Jehovah‟s Witnesses have been given
court-ordered blood transfusions, which were proscribed by their faith, etc.), and although
successful tort actions have been brought against the Hare Krishna, Church of Scientology,
Church Universal and Triumphant, and other groups, no witch-hunt has ensued, and there is
no reason to believe that one will in the future. This myth is an excellent example of “the big
lie,” which preys on people‟s emotions.
Distortion 12: There Is a Large, Powerful “Anticult Movement” in the United
States
Contrary to the distortion that a large, powerful “anticult movement (ACM)” operates in the
United States, the few grassroots organizations (e.g., Cult Awareness Network and its
affiliates, the American Family Foundation) are constantly threatened with dissolution, which
is due to lack of funds. In each case, the organizations have only a few full-time paid
employees. The rest of the activities are conducted by volunteers who work at non-
cult-related jobs for their livelihood. The implication that these organizations represent a large
and powerful network that threatens totalistic groups whose tenets require members to bring
in large amounts of money that can pay for, among other things, huge attorneys‟ fees, is not
supported.
Distortion 13: There Is a Small Vigilante-Like Antireligious Band of Persons That
Mistakenly or Cynically Criticizes or Makes Up Accusations Against Cults
The dissimulation that a small, vigilante-like antireligious band of persons mistakenly or
cynically criticizes or makes up accusations against cults is a direct contradiction to the pre-
ceding one. To keep it going, the apologists must ignore (1) consistent reports by the press
and other sources of cult abuses 75-81 (2) millions of parents represented by the National
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), which, in 1982, resolved to provide educational programs
about cults in the public schools (3) the 1984 resolution of the European Parliament that ex-
pressed concern about a comprehensive list of cult-related activities and (4) other written
expressions of concern by religious and secular organizations.83,84
Distortion 14: Anticult Hysteria Has Swept the Nation
The myth that anticult hysteria has swept the nation also belongs in the “big lie” category. As
anyone who brings up the topic of cults knows, the most predictable and consistent question
that is asked is, “Are cults still a problem?” Unfortunately, the efforts of cult sympathizers
often deflect attention away from concrete problems, especially from the sometimes devas-
tating effects of life in destructive cults on adherents and their families during and after
membership.85-89 Not everyone who leaves such groups suffers the same kind or extent of
problems when reentering mainstream society. Individuals, their experiences, and their re-
sponses vary. However, the continuous stream of people who appear in cult clinics or who
seek help from psychologists, psychiatrists, pastors and rabbis, other ex-members,
counselors, and teachers suggests that there are enough victims of exploitative groups to
protected absolutely by the First Amendment.74 Legal actions against such groups, whether
civil or criminal, are focused on issues of conduct, not belief, even though cult supporters
write as if beliefs were on trial.72,82
Distortion 11: Successful Criminal and Tort Actions against, or Legal Restrictions
on, Religious Cults Will Result in Witch-Hunts against Unpopular Religions
History does not bear out the claim that successful criminal and tort actions against, or legal
restrictions on, religious cults will result in witch hunts against unpopular religions. Although
successful criminal prosecutions and the enforcement of certain statutes have interfered with
various religious practices (e.g., Synanon‟s leader, Charles Diederich, was prosecuted
successfully for implementing Synanon‟s “new religious posture,” which called for beating
Synanon‟s supposed enemies Reverend Moon has been jailed for tax evasion the Mormons
have been prevented from practicing polygamy Jehovah‟s Witnesses have been given
court-ordered blood transfusions, which were proscribed by their faith, etc.), and although
successful tort actions have been brought against the Hare Krishna, Church of Scientology,
Church Universal and Triumphant, and other groups, no witch-hunt has ensued, and there is
no reason to believe that one will in the future. This myth is an excellent example of “the big
lie,” which preys on people‟s emotions.
Distortion 12: There Is a Large, Powerful “Anticult Movement” in the United
States
Contrary to the distortion that a large, powerful “anticult movement (ACM)” operates in the
United States, the few grassroots organizations (e.g., Cult Awareness Network and its
affiliates, the American Family Foundation) are constantly threatened with dissolution, which
is due to lack of funds. In each case, the organizations have only a few full-time paid
employees. The rest of the activities are conducted by volunteers who work at non-
cult-related jobs for their livelihood. The implication that these organizations represent a large
and powerful network that threatens totalistic groups whose tenets require members to bring
in large amounts of money that can pay for, among other things, huge attorneys‟ fees, is not
supported.
Distortion 13: There Is a Small Vigilante-Like Antireligious Band of Persons That
Mistakenly or Cynically Criticizes or Makes Up Accusations Against Cults
The dissimulation that a small, vigilante-like antireligious band of persons mistakenly or
cynically criticizes or makes up accusations against cults is a direct contradiction to the pre-
ceding one. To keep it going, the apologists must ignore (1) consistent reports by the press
and other sources of cult abuses 75-81 (2) millions of parents represented by the National
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), which, in 1982, resolved to provide educational programs
about cults in the public schools (3) the 1984 resolution of the European Parliament that ex-
pressed concern about a comprehensive list of cult-related activities and (4) other written
expressions of concern by religious and secular organizations.83,84
Distortion 14: Anticult Hysteria Has Swept the Nation
The myth that anticult hysteria has swept the nation also belongs in the “big lie” category. As
anyone who brings up the topic of cults knows, the most predictable and consistent question
that is asked is, “Are cults still a problem?” Unfortunately, the efforts of cult sympathizers
often deflect attention away from concrete problems, especially from the sometimes devas-
tating effects of life in destructive cults on adherents and their families during and after
membership.85-89 Not everyone who leaves such groups suffers the same kind or extent of
problems when reentering mainstream society. Individuals, their experiences, and their re-
sponses vary. However, the continuous stream of people who appear in cult clinics or who
seek help from psychologists, psychiatrists, pastors and rabbis, other ex-members,
counselors, and teachers suggests that there are enough victims of exploitative groups to
